Jasov Cave

Region: Region Košice
District: Košice - okolie
City / Municipality: Jasov
Tourist location: Kosice and surroundings (Abov) / Košice a okolie (Abov)
National natural monument
World Heritage: UNESCO Natural Heritage

Jasov Cave (Jasovská jaskyňa) - Slovakia

Jasov Cave (Jasovská jaskyňa) is located on the eastern edge of the Jasovská Plateau, in the Medzev Upland and in the Jasov village and in the national nature reserve Jasovské dubiny. The entrance is at elevation of 257 m. It is formed in Middle Triassic grey Gutenstein dolomites and pale Steinalm limestones and dolomites by the preious ponor flow of Bodva river in five developmental levels. The lowest parts of the cave with flat roofs were formed by solution of limestone under conditions of slowly moving stagnant water. The cave reaches the length of 2811 m with vertical span of 55 meters.

The shapes of river modelling are best represented by ceiling channels. Rich flowstone fill. Pagoda-like stalagmites, columns, flowstone waterfalls, shields, drums, straw stalactites and other forms are eye catching.

Palaeontological findings of cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) and cave hyena (Crocuta spelaea) skeleton remains. 19 bat species were found in the cave. It belongs among the most important wintering places of the Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) in Slovakia. The Jasovská Cave was settled in the Neolithic (Bukk-Mountain Culture), Bronze Age, Halstadt Age (Older Iron Age) and Rome Age.

Sporadic findings show also to possible short-term Palaeolithic settlement. It is passed on that the cave was discovered by a monk from the Premonstrate Order located in Jasov. Its existence was known as early as the 13th century. The oldest inscription is from 1452. The cave was opened to public in 1846. It was reopened in 1924.