Ochtinska Aragonite Cave

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Location on map - Ochtinska Aragonite Cave
Region: Region Košice
District: Rožňava
Tourist location: Gemer
National natural monument
World Heritage: UNESCO Natural Heritage
Category: UNESCO Natural Heritage in Slovakia, National Natural Monuments (NNM) in Slovakia, Caves in Slovakia
Ochtinska Aragonite Cave (Ochtinská aragonitová jaskyňa) - Slovakia
Ochtinska Aragonite Cave  (Ochtinská aragonitová jaskyňa) is located in eastern Slovakia in Region Košice (Košický kraj), district Rožňava. There are few similar accessed caves in the world. The cave is unique in the richness and variety of aragonite decoration and the creation and development of underground spaces. Rich aragonite fill was created under specific conditions in closed underground spaces. Aragonite decoration occurs in renal, needle and spiral form. Aragonite is a mineral - calcium carbonate, which arises for example in rocks, caves in limestone areas, in the vicinity of thermal springs.

The cave was discovered in 1954, it was opened to the public in 1972. The entrance to the cave is at an altitude of 642 m. a.s.l., the length of the accessible part is 230 m.

The cave is located to the west of city Rožňava. You can reach the cave by car turning from the state road between village of Štítnik and city of Jelšava on the Hrádok Hill (2 km). The parking is 300 m in front of the cave. From here you can walk to the entrance area of the cave.