Domica Cave

Domica is one of the caves of the Slovak Karst inscribed as World Heritage in 1995, and it is physically the same system as Baradla on the Hungarian side, the border running through the middle underground. Its distinguishing feature is the Styx, an underground river that on longer tours is travelled by boat. The cave also produced substantial Neolithic material: the Bükk culture used it for centuries and left pottery and hearths.

Background

The cave sits on the south-western edge of the Silicka planina Plateau, 10 km south-east of Plesivec, and its limestone passages formed during the Middle Triassic. Ján Majko found it on October 3, 1926, reaching the large halls from below through a 15 m deep abyss. From 1932 visitors could walk a 1,600 m section of the 5,140 m total length. Jaroslav Böhm led excavations in the 1930s. More than 200 vessels rebuilt from sherds and a terraced loam slope by the Styx with stone axe imprints show that pottery was made inside the cave. The World Heritage karst it belongs to includes 712 caves. Domica received a Ramsar designation on 2 February 2001.

Source: Wikipedia, "Domica Cave"

What's there

• The boat trip - the underground Styx river, travelled on longer tours.
• The shield formations - flat disc-like dripstone particular to this cave.
• The Neolithic evidence - Bükk culture pottery and hearths found inside.
• The cross-border system - the same cave continuing as Baradla in Hungary.

When to go

Year round; the cave holds a constant temperature around ten degrees. The boat tour depends on water levels and is not always running. Tours are set times and book out in summer.

Things to know

The boat section runs only when water levels allow and is often cancelled. Tours are in Slovak with printed translations. The cave is cold and a jacket is needed.

Nearby

Gombasecka is northeast, and Roznava is north.

Key facts