The Cave of the Living Fire Glacier

The Cave of the Living Fire Glacier (Pestera Ghetarul Focul Viu) is a 25,000 m3 cave sheltering the third largest block of ice in the country, after Scarisoara and Bortig, also located in the Apuseni Natural Park. It is a small cave, consisting of two rooms, the first and largest being occupied by the enormous block of ice.

The Living Fire Glacier Cave, formerly known as the Cave of the Eskimos, lays approximately 1165 meters altitude, in the area known as the Yellow Valley. The name of the cave is very suggestive and is inspired by the colossal glacier that reflects the sunlight which enters through a gap in the ceiling, leaving the impression of a huge living fire. The cave consists of two halls and opens from a limestone wall through a low entrance, followed by a gallery that goes down to the Great Hall. In the Small Hall there are stalagmites, while the Great Hall hosts the sumptuous block of ice and tree trunks that have fallen through the roof window. The access to the cave is made through a gallery on a wooden staircase.

We recommend visiting the cave around noon, when the sun rays penetrate the vent’s cave. The existing explanation for the ice block is given by two elements: in winter, the ceiling window favors the accumulation of cold air, and the lack of ventilation inside the cave keeps the cold air trapped inside the cave all year round. This is the place where snow and ice are present all year long.

Many old stories are linked to the Living Fire Cave. One of the most popular legends says that thousands of years ago this cave was guarded by several giants, hidden here by Dacian king Decebal, in order to protect a so-called treasure.

The Cave Glacier was first mentioned in an official document from the early twentieth century, after 1940, explored by various scientists from the Institute of Speleology in Cluj.