The Sorek Cave (Stalactite and stalagmite cave)

The amazing stalactite and stalagmite cave, known as the Soreq cave, is a few kilometers east from Bet Shemesh. There are many caves in the area, but the Soreq cave is no doubt unique in its beauty.

The cave was discovered as a result of an explosion in the nearby quarry. The blast opened a window into a cave which was hidden from the rest of the world for a few million years. Now we can enjoy the stalactites and the stalagmites; they are interesting of course not only from the scientific point of view. The stalactites cover almost all the ceiling. There are examples of a stalactite "kissing" stalagmite, so that the two form a pillar. These formations are like fantastic art or imaginary architecture. Some of them resemble people or animal figures (again, note their million-year age). In short, everything depends on your imagination.

Despite its richness, the cave is relatively small. After a film about stalactites and stalagmites, you walk down a specially designed path in the cave. Without a guide, this may take less than an hour.

Everyday except Friday you can go to a guided tour of the cave (no photography). On Fridays, there are no guided tours in the cave, but you are allowed to take pictures. The lighting in the cave is low (so as to preserve the stalactites), and we could not take very good pictures by our amateur camera.