Deep within the Judean Hills lies a magical cave full of
natural sculptures formed over hundreds of thousands of years. The Stalactite Cave, also called the Sorek Cave, has
recently been reopened to the public after
undergoing special renovations in terms of lighting, electricity and accessibility
for the disabled. The cave, located on the western slopes of the Judean Mountains near Beit Shemesh, is 82 meters long and 60 meters wide. It
was discovered accidentally by workers blasting at the nearby quarry and
contains a wondrously varied world of stalactites and stalagmites. Some
formations are at least 300,000 years old.
The renovations included the instillation of hundreds of
tailor made LED lights that eliminate the wonderful natural beauty of the site without
having any detrimental effects on the formations themselves. In addition the
cave has become more accessible for the disabled making it an ideal location
for all of the family. The site is open from April to September 8 A.M.-5P.M and
from October to March until 4.P.M.
For more
information: www.parks.org.il