Atta Cave
The Atta Cave, is the Most Beautiful Cave in Germany, also known as the Attendorn Dripstone Cave, is one of Germany's largest dripstone caves. The cave was discovered while quarrying limestone at the Bigge Valley Limestone Works (Biggetaler Kalkwerk) on July 19, 1907, and was opened to tourists that same year by the owners. Today, the Atta Cave is the most visited show cave in Germany, attracting approximately 350,000 visitors per year and serving as an important economic factor for the town. Among its many attractions are the numerous calc-sinter flowstone drapes that have been colorfully tinctured by iron oxides. Stalactites, stalagmites, and stalagnates abound. Several pieces of calcite crystal formations were moved into the cave's public area to be displayed. Atta Cave is often listed among Germany’s most beautiful limestone caves and draws no less than 40 million people underground each year.
The cave began to form during the Devonian period (about 400 million years ago), when the region of the present-day cave was still a bay of the sea. Caverns were formed over time in the layers of limestone that were being laid down as a result of carbonic acid weathering caused by rainwater seeping through it, as well as mixed corrosion (Mischungskorrosion). Several of the speleothems were broken by an earthquake several thousand years ago. Bats live in the caves as well, entering through rock crevices on the hilltop. Elmar Hammerschmidt discovered other parts of the cave in 1985. The cave's total length is 6,000 meters, but it has not been completely surveyed. There is a 500-meter-long circular tour for the show cave section. It is accessed via a 90-meter-long gallery that guides visitors through it. The original entrance is now protected by a metal door. A water curtain is supposed to keep the smell of cheese from spreading too far in one section of the cave where it is stored. The cave is still privately owned today. It has been chastised for its high entry fees and photography ban.
Location: Finnentroper Straße 39, Attendorn, Germany
