Unguru Mare Cave
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Șuncuiuș commune town hall |
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0749303111, 0774034750 |
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sandubodea@yahoo.com |
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Facebook.com |
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Șuncuiuș commune, Bihor county |
Guidance available in:
A different cave, whose history begins with the Stone Age. Unguru Mare Cave has the most impressive portal in Pădurea Craiului, 32 meters high. The cave overwhelms its visitors with the grandeur of the underground space and the historical load of the remains discovered here.
The access to the cave is made on a bridge suspended over the waters of Crișul Repede, a prelude to this adventure.
On the entrance part, the underground space is in the form of a large gallery with an approximately linear development, the floor being almost horizontal. On the floor, a milky stream slowly makes its way. Its main characteristic is the whitish color, given by the presence of a rare mineral, called crisit, after the Latin name of the river Crişul Repede. The mineral compounds that make it up originate in the acidic waters from the old mining works existing in the region.
Traces of human habitation have been discovered in this cave since the Neolithic, an era to which many discoveries of stone tools are linked: carved blades, carved chisels made of carved and polished stone. Fragments of painted ceramic vessels are added to Neolithic tools, as well as bone objects such as needles and grindstones probably used to sew animal skins.
The most important discoveries belong to the Bronze Age. They were made in the last gallery, called the “Sacred Gallery”, where a cemetery dating from this period was discovered. From here, pieces of ceramic vessels that could be completely reconstituted, bronze pieces and tools were brought to light. The most important piece is an amber bead of Baltic origin, a rarity in this area that shows us how developed trade was at that time.
Location and Access
Access to the cave from E60 (Oradea – Cluj)
Topa de Criș – Vadu Crișului – Șuncuiuș
Access to the cave from E 79 (Oradea – Deva)
Beiuș – Delani – Petreasa – Remetea – Căbești – Roșia – Damiș – Bratca – Bălnaca – Șuncuiuș
The access to the cave is made on the local road that branches from DJ 108I near the railway barrier, at the entrance in the village of Bălnaca.
Timetable
| Monday - Sunday: | 10.00 - 18.00 |
| Luni-Duminică | CLOSED |
The cave is closed from November 1st to April 1st, to protect the colonies of bats that hibernate here.
- Duration of the visit: 30 minutes
- Temperature inside the cave: 9 – 12 0C. We recommend that you have appropriate clothing and footwear.
- Group size: minimum 10 people / entrance, maximum 35 people / entrance
Rates and Methods of payment
| Child (5-14 years) | 10 RON |
| Adult, Child (over 14 years)
Child (under 5 years) |
20 RON
free |
Methods of payment:
Cash
Facilities and services
- Parking
- Coach parking
- Toilets
- Picnic area
- Restaurant
- Accommodation
- Camping
- Via ferrata Climbing
- Themed trail “Forest inhabitants”
- Gift shop
- Guidance services
Visiting rules
- It is forbidden to disturb the existing specimens or colonies of bats on the tourist route;
- It is forbidden to collect or move stones from the access path inside the cave;
- It is forbidden to touch the formations or walls inside the cave;
- It is forbidden to take photos with FLASHLIGHT or PHONE LIGHT inside the cave;
- Follow the access routes to the cave;
- Strictly follow the directions of the guides while visiting the cave;
- Pets are not allowed inside the cave. They can accompany tourists only to the entrance of the cave;
- Please DO NOT disturb the peace of nature and other tourists;
- It is forbidden to throw garbage and waste in the cave, use the specially arranged places in the parking perimeter.
- It is forbidden to organize barbecues, meals, camping inside the parking lot and the perimeter of the cave;
- Parking is allowed only in places specially arranged for this purpose;
- Tourists are asked to carefully walk the access route to the cave; The staff does NOT take responsibility for accidents that occur due to tourists’ inattention or non-compliance with the instructions of the guides and the administrator, both inside and outside the cave!
- The administrator or guide may interrupt the visit at any time and may ask visitors to leave the cave, if circumstances indicate that the safety of the cave or persons is endangered.
- It is forbidden to sell and / or promote any services or products in the perimeter of access to the cave without the prior consent of the cave administrator and Suncuius Commune Hall.
COVID-19 rules
Due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID 19 pandemic, there are limitations on the maximum number of people for a tour, which can increase the waiting time for entering the cave.
All tourists must wear a protective mask, both in the outdoor spaces, in the ticket office, and during the underground visit. They must also disinfect their hands at the entrance to the ticket office and maintain the sanitary distance provided by the rules in force, at least 2 meters, on the visit route from the cave, in the ticket office and in the close areas.
To do in Crișului Repede valley
To see in Crișului Repede valley
Photo gallery from Unguru Mare cave
