Biserna Cave (The Pearl Cave), also known as Zandana, is the longest and most exquisite cave on the Shumen Plateau. Its name comes from the pearly glitter of water droplets hanging from the stalactites, enchanting every visitor. This is a place where nature has crafted unique galleries, underground rivers, and rich rock formations over millions of years. Natural Features and Architecture - Two-Level Structure: The cave consists of two levels—Upper and Lower galleries—connected by vertical shafts of about 6 meters. - Underground River: The lower level serves as a bed for a subterranean river, whose waters were once used in the production of the famous Shumen Beer. - The Throne Hall: This is the most stunning part of the cave, featuring a ceiling adorned with thousands of stalactites of various shapes, sizes, and colors. - Microclimate: The air temperature inside remains constant between 9°C and 13°C, providing a stable environment for its inhabitants. Biodiversity and Conservation - The Kingdom of Bats: Biserna is home to 14 species of bats, forming both summer breeding colonies (up to 2,400 individuals) and winter huddles. - Special Regulations: To protect the bat colonies, the cave is closed to visitors during July and August. - Unique Access: To minimize disturbance, a special isolated passage was built at the entrance to separate human visitors from the flight path of the bats. Routes and Accessibility - Location: The entrance is situated in the Kyoshkovete area within the Shumen Plateau Nature Park, about 1 km from the city of Shumen. - Eco-Trails: The cave can be reached via well-marked eco-trails starting from the Old Town area or the Kyoshkovete park. - Developed Section: Visitors can explore approximately 800 meters of the galleries along a specially designed and illuminated path.
Haskovo
0.2 km away
Kardzhali
0.9 km away
Kardzhali
16.5 km away
Haskovo
23.0 km away
Zandana is located in Haskovo, Bulgaria.
Zandana is most easily reached by car. Use the coordinates above to navigate, or open the location in OpenStreetMap or your preferred maps app for turn-by-turn directions. Public transport options vary by region — for remote destinations a rental car gives the most flexibility.
Caves can be visited year-round — the temperature inside stays roughly 10–12°C regardless of season. Spring and autumn are quieter than peak summer. Bring a warm layer and sturdy footwear; some caves close in winter when access roads become impassable.
Access to caves varies. Show caves typically run guided tours during posted opening hours; wild caves require proper equipment and experience. Inside, the temperature stays cool year-round (~10–12°C) — bring a warm layer, sturdy non-slip footwear, and a torch even on guided tours.
