Bolii Cave

About Bolii Cave

Bolii Cave formed in the Jurassic limestone of Bolii Hill, where the Jiu Valley meets the Hațeg Country, between the Retezat and Șureanu Mountains. The Jupâneasa stream enters the mountain through a portal 20 m wide at the base and 10 m high, runs through the cave and comes out on the other side as the Galbina. The main gallery is about 466 m long and drops only 3 m along its whole length, making it one of the few natural through-caves in Romania that can be walked from end to end.

The name most likely comes from the Bolia noble family, who owned land and forests in the area from the 15th century. Emperor Joseph II passed this way in 1773, and his travel diary records the cave under the stream's name, Jupâneasa. Traces of an Eneolithic settlement and Pleistocene animal bones have been found inside. Since the interwar years its largest chamber has hosted concerts for its acoustics, a tradition revived in recent years, including carol concerts. The footbridges built in the 1960s decayed over time; the cave was restored by cavers from the Petro Aqua Association in Petroșani, which manages it.

Good to know before you go

Getting there

By car: the cave is ~6 km north of central Petroșani (~10 minutes), on the DN66 (E79) towards Hațeg. Before the hairpins up to Bănița, an access road leaves the DN66 towards the Peștera Bolii railway halt, and the entrance is a few hundred metres further on. From Hațeg it is ~40 km (~45 minutes) on the DN66, over the Merișor Pass; from Târgu Jiu ~60 km (~1h15), through the Jiu Gorge.

Public transport: regional trains on the Simeria–Petroșani line stop at the Peștera Bolii halt, a few hundred metres below the cave; check with CFR Călători which trains stop there. From Petroșani you can also take a taxi.

Where to park

OpenStreetMap shows a free car park about 100 m from the entrance, at the end of the access road. We found no official information on its size or charges.

Fees & discounts

Prices published by the Petro Aqua Association: ~10 lei adults, ~5 lei pensioners and students, ~2.5 lei schoolchildren. Pay at the entrance. The Petroșani tourist information centre lists a lower adult price (5 lei), probably out of date; confirm by phone.

Rules

You walk the cave on the walkways, with no compulsory guide; organised groups should notify the managers at least 24 hours ahead. It is damp and cool inside all year: bring a jacket and shoes with good grip. The cave is a protected area: do not touch the walls or formations and keep quiet, especially when the bats are present.

Facilities

Electric lighting along the main gallery · wooden bridges and walkways over the stream · Peștera Bolii railway halt a few hundred metres away · no official information on toilets or wheelchair access (there are steps at the entrance)