Bakharden Cave (Kow Ata)

The famous underground lake Kov Ata is located in the depth of 55 meters from surface. The length of the lake is 75 meters, the width  from 8 to 23 meters, the depth is 2 to 14 meters, an area of 10 thousand square meters. Warm and mineral hydrogen sulphide water of the lake (37 °C) made the cave famous among the population. This curative water consists of  hydrogen sulphide, iodine, magnesium, sodium, sulfate, as well as chlorine, aluminum, bromine, iron, antimony - a total of 27 chemical elements. Bathing in the water has a beneficial effect on the body, improves blood circulation.

According to archaeological data, the cave has been visited by people for more than 2000 years.

In the 60s the cave was equipped for tourists’ visiting. At the present time, a concrete staircase leads to the lake deep into the cave, an observation deck is installed, and electric lighting is provided. It is very convenient for tourists. But unfortunately negatively affected the huge colony of bats that had lived in the cave since ancient times. So in the 40s of XX century. The colony numbered more than 400 thousand individuals of three different species (horseshoe, long wing, giant withered moccasins). Now they are only a few dozen!