MAGIL CAVE (MAGELAN CAVE)
Magil cave is considered one of the largest caves in Armenia. The cave is located in Upi Dzor, Vayots Dzor Region, on the second kilometer of the road leading to Noravank. It is considered a karst cave. There are many stalactites and stalagmites here. The cave was named Magel or Magil in 1980, when hunter Magellan Arakelyan found the cave while following his prey. Magil cave was inhabited as early as the Neolithic period. This is evidenced by the studies of bear bones, stone tools and other objects found in the cave. The cave’s remote location and hard-to-reach entrance would have made it a reliable shelter to hide from attacks.
The entrance to the cave was so small that only one person could enter it. The cave is quite deep, but currently only up to a depth of 1.7 km has been mapped. Many areas remain unexplored. The depth of the cave is the reason why the air temperature here is always 14 °С. The cave narrows and expands in its different parts, even reaching 10-15 meters wide in some parts. There are also steep descents and pits in the cave.
Eight species of bats live in the Magil cave, six of which are registered in the Red Book of Armenia.
Going to the cave without an experienced guide is very dangerous, because as we mentioned, there are many unmapped sections and difficult passages.
Today, a part of Magill Cave is adapted for tourist visits and is open․
