More than 1100 caves and abysses can be found in the Slovak Karst and Aggtelek National Parks on the border between Hungary and Slovakia. Almost nowhere else in the world are there so many underground structures. Many of them are so-called karst caves with metre-high stalagmites and stalactites made of limestone. Stalagmites grow upwards from the ground, while stalactites hang down from the cave ceiling. Other caves are filled with ice, are completely underwater or even have a river running through them.
In addition, the caves are home to a unique animal world: over 500 different animal species have already found a habitat in the caves – including rare species that were previously found only in the caves of this area or even in a single cave. In the past, people also used the vaults as dwellings, sacred sites or burial chambers: archaeological finds of human use date back up to 35,000 years.
The caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Some of the caves can still be visited. For example, guided tours and even underground boat trips are offered daily in the Domica Cave.
Photo: Illuminated cave in karst. Credits: pixabay/Janice_Li
