Natural Monument
Solkota Cave Natural Monument
Attraction: The cave was formed in Baremi limestone. Its entrance opens at the bottom of a karst sinkhole covered with vegetation, which slopes gently downward into the depths. After a sloping passage, the cave widens to 10–15 meters and opens into a striking chamber with a horizontal floor, where the ceiling reaches almost 30 meters in height.
Among the chemical deposits, stalactites and stalagmites are particularly notable. The exceptionally large size of the formations is especially impressive. The circumference of a stalactite that broke away from the ceiling due to gravity is 5 meters. A stalactite of this size is rare in Europe.
At a distance of 160 meters from the entrance, an 8-meter-high stalagmite rises from the cave floor. Its circumference is 8.5 meters at the base and 4.5 meters in the middle.
The cave is also a paleontological site, as bones of a cave bear have been discovered here.
Location: Tskaltubo Municipality, vicinity of the village of Kumistavi, left bank of the Semi River, 379 meters above sea level.
Coordinates: N42 23.373 E42 37.058
Access: The nearest major settlement to the natural monument is the city of Tskaltubo. Tskaltubo is located 257 km from Tbilisi; travel time is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Tskaltubo – Village of Kumistavi: 7.5 km; travel time approximately 10 minutes.
Village of Kumistavi – Solkota Cave Natural Monument: 2.3 km; travel time approximately 15 minutes.
Accommodation: The most convenient options for overnight accommodation are in the cities of Tskaltubo or Kutaisi, where accommodation is available at a hotel.