State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic Slovak Caves Administration
Štátna ochrana prírody
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Caves

The caves are special natural phenomena, which appeal both to the public and experts of various orientation. In comparison with other natural phenomena, they mark themselves out by original and unique features accentuating the mystery of underground. Unusual and unforgettable is the view of various shapes of dripstones, water preserved rocky shapes, mighty underground halls, underground canyons with roaring waters or crystal clear lakes. Ice fill is a dominant feature of some caves. Well known ae also the findings of extinct animal bones. Many species of animals live in our caves where, except for the bats, there are many tiny animals accommodated to underground life. Since the man had entered caves already in late past and some of them he used for prehistoric dwelling, they are places with historical and archaeological findings.

Many such singularities can be seen by visitors of show caves in Slovakia, which are in one year visited by around  500-thousand of home and foreign guests. Show caves as educational locations have an important mission not only in environmental education, but also within the framework of tourism. Every visitor should realize that the caves are very sensitive to any unsuitable impact of man and that’s why their protection requires increased attention.

The respect to caves embodies also the respect to cavers who often on the edge of human abilities discover, survey the unknown underground.

Map with caves

Cave map shows the location of show caves and some important caves or caves used for various purposes.

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Cave highlights

There are more than 7,000 caves in Slovakia including shorter ones of overhang character. The largest system is the Demänovské cave system, which is more than 35 km long...

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Other show caves

Some caves are open to public but their operation is secured by other subjects than the Slovak Caves Administration.

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Caves freely open to public

At present Regulations are being prepared by the Regional offices for the environment which will set the conditions for entering and behaving in freely accessible caves The list of freely open caves and the part for public, together with their location will be parts of the Regulations.

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The most important caves

More than 44 caves and abysses in Slovakia, which present a part of the most significant natural heritage of the state were designated natural nature monument.

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Show Caves SSJ

Show Caves belong among the real gems of Slovakia. More of them are known throughout Europe and world. As such, they present interesting ways for beauty and knowledge.

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News

Card payment - recommendation

Dear visitors, we would like to inform you that due to the technical conditions of payment terminals, there may be situations when card payment will not be possible. For this reason, we recommend that you have an adequate amount of cash available if you want to be sure that you will be able to visit the cave. Thank you for understanding.

Demänovská jaskyňa slobody - long tour reopened from 1st July 2024

Dear visitors,

after a longer period we reopen the long tour in the Demänovska Cave of Liberty from the 1st of July 2024. The tour is open once a day at 13:15 from June to August (3 months) and at 13:00 during the rest of the opening days. Number of visitors is limited, the tour is demanding, with many steps and it takes more than one and a half hours. Cave temperature is around 7°C whole year round. We are looking forward to your visit. 

15. vedecká konferencia: "Výskum, využívanie a ochrana jaskýň" / 15th scientific conference "Research, utilization and protection of caves"

Konanie: 24.- 26. september 2024. Bližšie informácie o tomto podujatí nájdete na odkaze.

The conference will be held from September 24 to 26, 2024 in Liptovský Mikuláš. More on the link.

Cave visit with small children

Dear visitors, due to increased visitation of parents with very small children (circa up to 3 - 4 years of age), we would like to kindly ask you to have a rucksack baby carrier with you for visiting the more demanding caves in given time. This recommendation concerns all caves but the most concerned are the following ones: Demänovská Cave of Liberty, Belianska Cave, Dobšinská Ice Cave, Demänovská Ice Cave, Harmanecká Cave. We also ask you to consider visiting the cave with your crying child, which could disturb the other visitors. Thank you for understanding and we wish you a nice experience.

Cave tour guides for download

Dear visitors, cave tour guides are available for download

Partner

Správa jeskyní České republikyInternational Year of Caves and KarstHabakukyZajo