Bozkov Dolomite Caves
| Dolomite show caves
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| Location: | between Semily and Železný Brod , Czech Republic | |
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Geographic location: |
50 ° 38 '48.7 " N , 15 ° 20' 17.5" E | |
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| Geology: | dolomite | |
| Type: | Stalactite cave | |
| Discovery: | 1947 | |
| Show cave since: | 1969 | |
| Lighting: | electric | |
| Overall length: | 1075 m | |
| Level difference: | 43 m | |
| Particularities: | longest dolomite cave system in the Czech Republic | |
The dolomite show caves are located in the landscape of the Giant Mountains foothills between Semily and Železný Brod on the northern slope of the municipality of Bozkov (German: Boskau ) in the Czech Republic .
They contain a labyrinth of underground passages and grottos, with ledges and strips made of quartz and colored stalactites . In the more than 1000 meter long cave system is Bohemia 's largest underground lake. The temperature in the caves is 7.5–9 ° C. The cave can be visited all year round on an approx. 400 m long guided tour (duration approx. 45 minutes).
history
In 1947 the cave system was discovered accidentally during a blast in a dolomite quarry . Between 1965 and 1968 the caves were made accessible by the company Výstavba Kamenouhelných dolů Kladno (“Construction of the Kladno Coal Mine”). Both cave systems were connected by a 50 m long tunnel. The caves have been open to the public since the opening ceremony on May 2, 1969. In 1999 they were declared a National Natural Monument. Over 2,000,000 visitors have been counted since it opened.
fauna
Numerous species of animals live in the caves and have adapted to life underground. Bats overwinter in them, e.g. B. Great mouse- eared mouse , rarely brown long-eared bat , water bat , pug bat and lesser horseshoe bat . Especially insects like springtails , double-tails and beetles of the genera Catops , Oiceoptoma and Pterostichus use the caves in winter. Small, colorless cave shrimp (genus Niphargus) live in the underground lake .
Web links
- Homepage (German)
- Visitor info (German)