The Czech Republic has over 2000 caves – many of them quite awe-inspiring in their natural beauty and consequently these sites have become not just popular tourist destinations, but are also widely used by film-makers looking for fantastic other-worldly settings. For the intrepid traveller and those not too prone to claustrophobia, a visit to many of these amazing caves is a must.
Consider seeing the very best of karst topography – the term given to the geological formations caused by the dissolving of soluble rock by rainwater – at the Punkva Caves, where you can also take a very cautious peer into the renowned Macocha Abyss which is 138 metres deep.
flickr/mmdurango
Punkva Cave
Whatever your interest – be it geological, paleontological, pre-historical or mythological – there is a cave in the Czech Republic which is perfect for you. Why not visit the Kateřinská Cave near Brno in the southern area of the country known as Moravia.
This is the largest single cave in the country, being a staggering 97 metres long by 44 m wide and with a ceiling height of 20m. Not surprisingly, this huge underground cavern has the most wonderful acoustics – making it perfect for both musical and song concerts. The cave also has a wonderful group of 4 metre high stalagmites and its own unique local myth as to how it got its name.
flickr/Chris Liberty
Kateřinská Cave
Perhaps you’d prefer the Balcarka Cave which has both stalagmites’ and stalactites (if you’re not sure which is which remember ‘tights’ come down!) in an abundance of wonderful colors, or maybe you’d prefer the Výpustek Cave which as well as awesome stalagmite and stalactite formations also has an excavation site where skeletal remains of animals from the Pleistocene era have been discovered.
Web/Wikipedia
Balcarka Cave
Or maybe the remains of early man are your thing – in which case try a visit to the world famousKůlna cave at the Sloupsko-šošůvské cave complex which contains a prehistoric settlement and a Neanderthal excavation site – fascinating stuff!
The Czech Republic has a whole hidden world of wonder literally under your feet. So what are you waiting for? Put on a sensible pair of shoes, dress appropriately and visit the mysterious caves of the Czech Republic – you won’t be disappointed!
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