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Women's Cave
The Women's Cave (Peștera Muierilor) is located in Baia de Fier, Gorj County, and is a significant archaeological and speleological monument. With a total length of about 7 kilometers, it was the first cave in Romania to be electrified. Its name derives from a tradition that women and children sought refuge here during past wars while the men went to fight. The cave is distributed over four levels, with the tourist route passing through the upper level. It gained special importance in 1952 when a human skull was found and dated to approximately 30,000 years ago, providing vital insights into early modern humans in Europe. The galleries also house numerous skeletons of cave bears and impressive speleothems like the 'Woman's Tomb' or the 'Turkish Bazaar'. Thanks to stable climatic conditions and good accessibility, it remains one of the most important attractions on the southern slopes of the Carpathians.
- Location: Gorj, Romania
- Top sights: Woman's Cave (entrance);Woman's Cave · Woman's Cave (exit) · Belvedere
- Nearby: Novaci (7 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -2 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 11 | 5 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 44 | 41 | 48 | 56 | 87 | 98 | 86 | 61 | 58 | 64 | 54 | 53 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- Women's Cave was the first cave in Romania to be fitted with electricity
- A human skull dating back to 30,000 BC was discovered here
- The total length of the cave system is approximately 7 kilometers
- The cave system is spread across four distinct geological levels
- Numerous fossil bones are located in the dedicated 'Bears' Gallery'
- The name commemorates its use as a sanctuary during historical wars
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Women's Cave (8)
Polovragi Cave
Cave on the edge of Polovragi, known for its underground passages.
Cheile Oltețului
Gorge of the Olteț river, with limestone cliffs and a narrow valley.
Biserica Mânăstirii Polovragi
Heritage site in Gorj County, Romania, a monastery church with historical value.
Crucea Lui Ursache
Viewpoint with a cross, located on a hill above Polovragi.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Is the cave electrified?
How difficult is the path inside?
Where is the exit located?
Why is it called 'Women's Cave'?
Were fossils found there?
Women's Cave: where is it located?
Women's Cave: what is there to see?
Women's Cave: when is the best time to visit?
Women's Cave: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
History & landmarks
Nature
