5th International Congress of Speleology in Artificial Cavities: Hypogea 2026
The Hypogea 2026 International Congress will be held in Tbilisi, Georgia, from 22 to 26 September 2026, under the patronage of the Union Internationale de Spéléologie (UIS). The first four International Congresses of Speleology in Artificial Cavities (HYPOGEA) were successfully held in Rome, Italy (2015); Cappadocia, Turkey (2017); Dobrich, Bulgaria (2019); and Genoa, Italy (2023).
The primary objective of the congress is to exchange knowledge and experience acquired at both the international and national levels in the field of speleological research on artificial caves (works of anthropogenic origin and of archaeological-historical significance).
Georgia is particularly rich in outstanding rock-cut monuments. On the territory of the country we encounter a wide variety of sites: from ancient artificial caves, dating back to the Bronze Age and excavated through the method of heating and cooling the rock, to cave sanctuaries of the Classical period, created in the brilliant style of Roman architecture. Especially remarkable, however, are the Christian monastic complexes, comprising dozens of rock-hewn churches, refectories, and cells—many adorned with frescoes of extraordinary artistic mastery.
The event will be organized by the National Museum of Georgia, the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia, the Georgian National Academy of Sciences, and Ilia State University (Tbilisi). The congress will be supported by the Tbilisi City Hall, as well as by the regional administrations of Shida Kartli and Kakheti. In addition, it will benefit from the fundamental support of the foundations International Cultural Space and Tsinapari.
The first four International Congresses of Speleology in Artificial Cavities (HYPOGEA) were successfully held in: Rome, Italy (2015), Cappadocia, Turkey (2017), Dobrich, Bulgaria (2019) and Genoa, Italy (2023).
The first circular can be downloaded at: https://hypogea2026.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/The-Hypogea-2026.pdf
All information at the event website: https://hypogea2026.com/