Cave in the Anastomoses (Jaskinia w Anastomozach)

The Cave in the Anastomoses (Jaskinia w Anastomozach) is a small cave in the Kapelanka quarry in Kraków, in the area of Skałki Twardowskiego in Dębniki. It is only a few metres long and is not a place for sightseeing, but a site for cavers and climbers.

Structure of the cave

The cave is 7 metres long and its depth is 0 metres, because it lies horizontally. It was carved by water: a smooth phreatic tube turning to the left, followed by a passage with walls smoothed by water. The floor is covered with dark brown sand, and there are no formations. The name comes from anastomoses, that is, horizontal fissures between layers of rock through which water flowed. The cave formed in thickly bedded Jurassic limestone.

Discovery and research

It was first described as Schronisko w Kamieniołomie I (Rock Shelter in the Quarry I), with a length of 5 metres. The plan of the cave was made in 1995 by Robert Stachnik and Marek Nęcki, and in January 1999 the documentation was supplemented by Bogdan Słobodzian. Part of the cave was destroyed during work in the quarry. Nearby there is also the Schronisko obok Anastomozów (Rock Shelter next to the Anastomoses).

Practical information

• Location: Kapelanka quarry, Skałki Twardowskiego, Kraków-Dębniki.
• The opening lies about 5 metres above the floor, in the quarry wall, and requires climbing of moderate difficulty (grade II). The land is privately owned.
• Only the part near the entrance is lit. Without climbing experience you should not go in.