Cheile Dobrogei

The Dobrogea Gorges are considered one of the most beautiful and well-known attractions in Constanța County. If tourists are attracted by the spectacular scenery, geologists appreciate them for the Jurassic reefs dating back to the Paleozoic era, which give them a special scientific value.

The formation of the Dobrogea Gorges took place approximately 2 million years ago. Although the area is frequently visited by nature lovers, few know the geological details that make this place a special attraction.

The karst relief of the Dobrogea Gorges is spectacular, although today the rocks are much more blunt than in the past. It is estimated that they were originally over 1000 meters high, but over time they were eroded by water, wind and rivers, reaching their current height, which slightly exceeds 100 meters.

In addition to the impressive geological formations, the Dobrogea Gorges are notable for their geomorphological, paleontological, botanical and faunal importance. The area is home to two caves of great scientific relevance: Peștera La Adam and Peștera Gura Dobrogei, which have provided important discoveries for researchers.

In Peștera La Adam, 80 species of Jurassic fossils were studied and a molar belonging to the prehistoric man Homo sapiens fossilis was found, as stated by Marius Lungu, associate professor at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Agricultural Sciences of Ovidius University of Constanța.

The Dobrogea region is notable for its special karst landscape, and the Dobrogea Gorges constitute the oldest gorge sector in Romania. The area is rich in caves, each with its own unique characteristics.

Located in Central Dobrogea, not far from Gura Dobrogei, the Gorges protect an area of ​​about 11,000 hectares, with an average altitude of 86 meters, belonging to the steppe biogeographic region. This area preserves traces of very old Jurassic reefs, formed in the seas of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, which preserve the shapes of ancient atolls. Here is also the first evidence of the existence of dinosaurs in Romania.

The Dobrogea Gorges, considered the oldest in the country, were dug by the Vistorna stream, a tributary of the Casimcea river, over a distance of almost 2 kilometers.

The landscape is dominated by coralligenous limestone cliffs, dating from the Mesozoic era, which rise like towers. Specialists have identified over 600 species of endemic and rare plants here, and the fauna includes reptiles, birds of prey and bats. The area has a significant paleontological value, being the richest fossil site with Mesozoic fauna in the Casimcei Plateau.

Near the town of Gura Dobrogei there are more than 10 caves, of which two are better known and researched: Gura Dobrogei Cave (also known as the Bat Cave) and La Adam Cave.

The Bat Cave is not designed for tourists, but is accessible starting from the Saint Ephrem Monastery, located at the base of the old rocks. From there, a path leads to the cave.

This cave, a natural monument, was mentioned as early as 1927 by the historian and archaeologist Vasile Pârvan. It was discovered at the beginning of the 20th century and has been studied intensively. Formed at the beginning of the Quaternary, approximately 2 million years ago, it has three entrances and galleries that total almost 500 meters in length. Traces of human activity have been found here, such as tools, Neolithic pottery and metal objects from the Iron Age. The cave is home to bat colonies, both in summer and winter, which is why it got its name.

La Adam Cave, another natural monument located in the Gura Dobrogei area, covers five hectares. Although difficult to access, it could be included in the tourist circuit. Carved stones were discovered here, which are believed to have been part of an altar dedicated to the god Mithras or the God of Light.

This cave is unique due to the fossils discovered, the most notable being a molar belonging to the Homo sapiens fossilis species, estimated to be 100,000 years old. It has a large gallery at the entrance, accessible by a set of steps, followed by a narrow corridor leading to a plateau. The information was also provided by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marius Lungu, from Ovidius University in Constanța.

Sursa: discoverdobrogea.ro