Caving

The sport of caving or speleology as it is scientifically called can perhaps be traced back to the earliest humans. The adventure and accompanying thrill drives many to leave their homes in search of the natural wonders manifested in the caves. Saxony with its mountains and crevices offers varied scopes for pursuit of such sport and caving in Germany can thus be a unique experience indeed.

The first mention of caving in Germany can be traced back to writings as early as 15th century, mainly through accounts of robbers or cartographers (border markers for kingdoms). Mention of a bedding plane, the cave Diebskeller, can be found used as a tourist site in 1692. In 1920 the oldest society for speleology (Vereins für Höhlenkunde in Sachsen) in Eastern Germany was founded. Interest for this adventure and recreation in Germany grew in the 1930s with the opening of Drachenhöle Syrau, a cave with large dripstones, as a show cave.

Germany has an abundance of caves situated in the sandstone areas. Chalk in blend with sandstone gives variety to the monotone. Especially in these areas where chalk mixes with sandstone, solutions of minerals in water can be found giving rise to karstic caves, where caverns, streams are present. Collapsed caves bears witness to the prehistoric collision of tectonic plates, ages of history and geology being stored there.

The Laichinger Tiefenhöhle is the deepest show cave in Germany, also the only vertical cave open to visit by tourists. Located on the Schwäbische Alb (Swabian Jura) plateau this cave is primarily made of dolomite with fine grains of sand between cracks and fissures. The Kleine Halle (Small Hall) 55 meter below surface is the second largest chamber of the cave and the deepest point allowing tour of public. At 80 meters the deepest part of the cave is not open to public.

Though accidents are a rare occurrence in caving at Germany, it would do first timers no harm just to take some basic precautions as carrying the proper equipments and always a first aid kit. Generally other cavers provide the necessary assistance in case of an odd accident. There are professional rescue teams also who provide help in case of emergency with aid of the local fire and rescue brigades.

It would be a perfect holiday for the nature lovers to take some time off from their regular busy schedules to spend some time in the solemnity of rocky solitude.