Piusa Sand Caves 2015

In my childhood, one of my favorite places to visit were the sand caves in Piusa. These caves were created in 1922 as a quarry of quartz sand that was used to make glass. The underground mining was stopped in 1970s. But the open quarrying continued into 1990s. The caves have evolved into a popular site for hibernating bats. It is the largest known hibernation colony in Eastern Europe.
At the visitor center, we were given a thorough history of the sand quarries and also a overview of the local ecosystem. Because the danger of caves collapsing is great, the visitors can no longer walk into the caves. I found that most disappointing, but we did see with out own eyes many spots where the caves had collapsed. Better safe, than sorry.

 

The pendulum at the visitor center made the most intricate designs on sand.

This small model of the caves was actually a game for kids.

Fake bats on the wall at the visitor center.

It was freezing in the caves.

The open, now disused, quarry.

It was like a HUGE sandbox for the kids. The kept running up and down the slopes.