The Koněprusy cave complex is in the middle of a nature reserve and is 40 km away from Prague. Don’t think this is a mere collection of caves because it is one of the most unique cave networks in the world.
Like any limestone cave network the tunnels are full of an impressive number of stalactites and stalagmites1.
Tip: It’s easy to remember which is which with this simple line. Stalactites are on the ceiling and have to hold on tight, while stalagmites might soon touch the ceiling.
When excavating, they found animal remains1 such as mammoths, sabre-toothed tigers and reindeer so we know wildlife sheltered in the caves. We also know bats still live in the caves every winter1. What’s more impressive is the collection of stone roses2 3.
The condensation and corrosive effect of water combined to create beautiful rock patterns. These patterns resemble roses and are stunning to see. All this happened millions of years ago when Bohemia had a tropical climate2. What’s more this is the only place in the world where this happened. No one knows how the patterns formed, or why.
The caves aren’t famous for natural history alone, though.
Human history
In 15th century, forgers took over the caves2 4 5 to make fake silver coins. They used copper and silver amalgam to make fake silver coins3. Archaeologists also found the tools mimicking the Bohemian lion stamped on coins in those days2 3.
In 1950 workers in the nearby limestone quarry detonated a controlled explosion on the hill side2 3. When the dust settled they found an entrance into the cave network2. They decided to explore the caves in their spare time2.
It took a further 9 years to open the cave network up to the public4 5.
Fun facts
- The caves are hollowed out 400 million year-old limestone4 5.
- They stretch out over a 2 km-long complex, but the guided tour only covers 620 meters4 5. This is the longest complex in Czechia3.
- The deepest point of the three layers of caves is 70 meters below ground level4 5.
- The temperature in the caves averages 10 degrees centigrade (That’s 50 Fahrenheit)4.
- The humidity in the caves hovers between 96 – 100 %4.
- The guided tour is in Czech but you can download an app to get the information you need in Czech, English or German4.
- In one of the caves 27 meters underground there is a lake. At the bottom of the lake there is a preserved human footprint3.
The cave complex is only open between April and October. You can make appointments for a private viewing outside of these dates, ambient conditions permitting.
The caves are about an hour’s drive away from Český Šternberk castle if you want to combine the two in a single trip.
It’s a short drive from Prague; there are no suitable train connections.
- The Caves; Czech tourism; (Retrieved 2019-11-19) [↩][↩][↩]
- The caves; Czech tourism; (Retrieved 2019-11-19) [↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩]
- Beauty in the Bohemian Karst; Konepruske jeskyne; (Retrieved 2019-11-19) [↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩]
- Koněprusy caves; Cesky-kraj.cz; (Retrieved 2019-11-19) [↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩]
- Koněprusy Caves; Caves.cz; (Retrieved 2019-11-19) [↩][↩][↩][↩][↩]