Ochtinská Aragonite Cave
Located in southern Slovakia, between Štítnik and Jelšava, near the village of Ochtiná, Ochtinská Aragonite Cave is a unique natural phenomenon and one of the three most beautiful aragonite caves in the world. The decoration of the cave is made up of aragonite spirals and needle-shaped crystals. They were formed in special climatic conditions, through the crystallization of calcium carbonate. The aragonite cave was discovered in 1954 and in 1972 a 230 m long section was opened to the public. Along with 11 other caves of the Slovak Karst, Ochtinská Aragonite Cave was included on UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995. 
Other caves in Slovakia The intricate system with 400 caves in the Slovak Karst National Park stretches over the largest karst area in Central Europe. Some of the best-known caves open to the public are Domica Cave,Ochtinská Aragonite Cave, Jasov Cave and Gombasecká Cave. More... The Silica ice-cave - among 12 caves of the Slovak Karst - is recorded in the world heritage list of UNESCO. More... Located in south Slovakia, Domica is the largest cave in Slovak Karst region. Under the name of Baradla, Domica cave continues into the territory of Hungary, as part of the Aggtelek National Park. More... Situated 20 km north from Dobšiná village within the Slovak Paradise National Park, Dobšiná cave is the oldest and at the same time the largest ice cave in Europe. More... The Gombasecká cave is situated on the western foothill of the Silická Plateau, in the territory of the National Park and Biospherical Reserve Slovenský Kras. More...
The chambers of the cave are home to twelve species of bats. Since 1995 the chambers are also being used for treating certain health problems. The cave is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. More... |
Slovakia 
