Baharden Cave
Near the city of Baharden in Turkmenistan lies hidden the Baharden Cave - one of the most famous and visited tourist sites of the country. According to archaeological data, the Baharden cave has been visited by people for more than 2000 years.
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The cave is actually almost one gigantic hall 250 m long, 10 to 50 m wide. The hall height gradually decreases from the entrance from 26 m to 3-4 m in the far (lake) part of the cave. Air temperature is from 20 – 25 ° С in the winter to 27 – 32 ° С in the summer.
At a depth of 55 m from the surface, one observes the famous underground lake Kov-Ata. The length of the lake is 75 m, the width is from 8 to 23 m, the depth is 2 to 14 m, the area is 10 thousand square meters. The warm, mineralized hydrogen sulfide water of the lake (approx. 37 ° C) made the cave a popular destination. This healing water contains hydrogen sulfide, iodine, magnesium, sodium, sulfate, as well as chlorine, aluminum, bromine, iron, antimony – a total of 27 chemical elements. Bathing in water has a beneficial effect on the body, improves blood circulation.
Speleofauna is peculiar: flocks of bats (bats), rodents, and about 50 species of invertebrates live seasonally. A special microclimate is characteristic: the absence of sunlight, the constancy of temperatures, high humidity, an increased concentration of CO2, stagnant or windy air exchange.
Currently, a concrete staircase leads to the lake deep into the cave, an observation deck is equipped, and electric lighting has been provided.
The distance from Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, to the cave is 120 kilometers.
