Silicka ladnica Cave

Region: Region Košice (Košický kraj)
District: Rožňava
City / Municipality: Silica
Tourist location: Gemer
Mountains:Slovak Karst (Slovenský kras)

Silická planina
National natural monument
World Heritage: UNESCO Natural Heritage

National natural monument Silicka ladnica Cave is located on the Silická Plateau south-westerly from the Silica village. The entrance of this corrosive-collapse abyss is at elevation of 503 m. The lower mostly horizontal passages were formed by the underground stream of Čierny potok (Black Stream). The upper abyss part of the cave is permanently filled with ice due to breaking down the connection with lower parts, by which a close depressive space with cumulation of cold air and formation of ice was formed. The consequence is inversion of flora and fauna. It is the lowest lying classical ice cave of the northern latitude temperate climatic zone. The cave had been several times settled before the glaciation. Archaeological findings are dated from the Neolithic, Bronze Age and Laten Age. Possible is also young Paleolithic settlement.

A turn from the marked hiking trail leads to the entrance portal part of the cave. From the landscaped terrace, visitors can peer into the the cave, while also seeing smaller formations of ice filling. Movement outside the sidewalk and terrace is prohibited.