The Jasovska Cave in Jasov is one of the most fascinating natural attractions in Slovakia. Since it was opened to the public, the cave has never failed to draw in adventurous tourists.
Location
The village can be found close to the Jasov village. It is 25 kilometers from Kosice.
What to See
This is a stalactite cave. The composition are mainly Silica Nappe dolomites, limestone and Middle Triassic grey Gutenstein dolomites. There are several fissures and faults in the area. This cave has a length of 2,811 meters. It has a 55 meter vertical span. The underground portion have high walls and passages.
The lower parts of the Jasovska Cave in Jasov have flat roofs, wall notches, halls and domes. Some areas of the cave have unique foostone fill. These include straw stalactites, drums and shields. Of the 2,148 meters of the cave, 852 meters are publicly accessible.
The lowest level of the cave lake is 7 meters under the River Bodva. The air temperature is between 8 and 9.5 C. The humidity is between 90 to 98%.
History
The cave was opened to the public in 1846, making it one of the most ancient publicly open caves in Slovakia. From 1922 and 1924, the lower portions of the cave were uncovered. A concrete footpath was established shortly thereafter. It was also in 1924 when electrical lighting was installed.
Since the cave was discovered, several archaeological finds have been made in the site. These finds date from different periods like the Hallstatt, Neolith and Paleolithic periods. Fossils of cave hyenas and bears have been found in the cave. Other animal remains have also been discovered in the site.
Cost
The entrance fee to the cave is 5 Euros. However, there are many travel packages to suit your budget and preference. Usually, the cost is about 900 to 1000 USD. This will allow you to visit many other sites beside the cave.
Other Info
The unique forms in the cave make it very interesting to explore. There are pagoda-like stalagmites, waterfalls and columns. 18 types of bats have been found residing in the cave. Most of them stay there during the winter.
The Lesser Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros( and Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) are the most abundant. It is possible that many more creatures are still waiting to be discovered in the cave.
The Jasovska Cave in Jasov is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It remains not just a destination for tourists, but also a haven for archaeologists and researchers.
