Piusa sand caves: underground kingdom of bats (12 photos)

Somewhere underground, in the depths of the Estonian sand caves near the village of Piusa, an amazing world is hidden. Here, as if in a fairytale castle, lives a huge colony of bats - a true symbol of these underground possessions. Their fuzzy silhouettes fluttering in the gloom of the corridors remind us of ancient legends and mysteries of nature.





The history of these caves began long before they became a refuge for winged inhabitants. In 1922, miners turned this corner of the earth into a work of art. By extracting sand, they weren't just gouging out rock - they were creating a true underground wonder.



Sand Quarry

Long winding corridors, galleries with high vaults and intricately curved ceilings make the Piusa caves look like a palace. Unlike other mines, which were often destroyed by explosions or flooded, these caves have retained their unique beauty, as if they were built with special care.





Since the 1950s, the fate of the caves has changed dramatically. Bats, as if choosing a new home, settled in these artificial passages. Since then, the number of their colony has steadily increased, and today the Piusa caves are proud of the title of the largest bat shelter in all the Baltic countries.



Piusa Caves Sign

Since 1958, these amazing creatures have been protected, and by 1970, mining had ceased completely. Now the caves live their own special life, and the main inhabitants are not people, but bats. By 1999, there were about 3,000 individuals here, representing five different species. This place has become a real Mecca for scientists from all over the world, seeking to study the behavior and ecology of these amazing animals.



However, the caves are fragile, as are their inhabitants. Visitors are allowed to explore this underground wonder, but only under strict rules. The paths marked for walking lead through the safest areas, so that not a single step disturbs the delicate balance of this unique world.



One of the abandoned entrances

The sand caves of Piusa are not just a natural phenomenon, they are a place where the history of human labor intertwines with the life of wildlife. Here, in the darkness of underground tunnels and passages, bats continue their centuries-old history, and people who come here become only temporary guests of this mysterious kingdom.



Tourist trail center



Neighborhood caves