Ochtinská Aragonite Cave – only one of its kind in Europe and one of three in the world
Ochtinská Aragonite Cave is a unique cave located in Slovakia, the only one of this kind in Europe and one of only three in the world. The other two can be found in Mexico and Argentina.
Together with other caves in Slovak Karst National Park (Jasovská Cave, Gombasecká Cave, Domica Cave) and Dobšinská Ice Cave in the nearby Slovak Paradise National Park, was inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List already in 1995.
Aragonite cave – inside, Slovak
Natural cave decoration of Ochtinská Aragonite Cave is different than in other caves in Slovakia. You will not find any stalactites or stalagmites here but rather aragonite urchins, the Milky Way, bunches of grapes and other shapes that will appeal to you and your children for sure.
Aragonite Cave, Slovak Ore Mountains / Photo Julius Szabo
Ochtinská Aragonite cave can be found between Rožňava and Revúca towns. If you arrive by car, you cannot miss well-marked turnoff for the hotel Hrádok and cave. This road, however, is in a disastrous state, and it is suitable rather for off-road vehicles and tractors than for passenger cars (state in July 2015).
Therefore, if you would like to avoid this horrible part of your great trip, leave your car in the nearby village Ochtiná instead and go to the cave following a hiking trail marked with a blue color. By this way you will make your trip much more exciting and fall in love with the surrounding mountainous countryside.
Of the four caves in the Slovak Karst and Slovak Ore Mountains it is Ochtinská Aragonite Cave that is the coldest one with air temperature of 7.2 °C to 7.8 °C. If you have visited any of them before you will feel this immediately after entering the cave.
Ochtinská Aragonite Cave, shapes, Slovak Ore Mountains
Similar to health benefits of sauna use in winter, also a visit to the cave is just as important especially in the hot summer months. A half-hour walk in the 98% relative humidity has a positive effect on the respiratory system and helps in the treatment of allergies.
The basic admission is €6.00, students and seniors pay €5.00, children from 6 to 15 years and disabled €3.00. If you also want to take pictures, you will need to purchase a permission for €10.
Parking place is much better than the access road and the parking fee is €2.50.
After a visit to the cave you can stop by at the nearby medieval town Štítnik where you can see beautiful church, old cast iron water tank and water castle.
And if you still have some time remaining, head over to the other caves, located just a few kilometers away (Gombasecká Cave – 30 km, Domica Cave – 35 km, Dobšinská Ice Cave – 55 km, Jasovská cave – 75 km) or to the manor house Betliar – 30km.
Related: Best Places to Visit in Slovakia
