Ochtinska Aragonit Cave

The Ochtinská Aragonite Cave is a one-of-a-kind aragonite cave located near Roava in southern Slovakia. It is noted for its unusual aragonite formations, although being barely 300 meters long. So yet, only three aragonite caves have been discovered in the world.

White branches and clusters of aragonite glow like stars in the Milky Way in the cave's major attraction, the Milky Way Hall. Martin Cangár and Jiri Prosek discovered the cave in 1954, and it was exposed to the public in 1972. It is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst site, together with other caves in the Slovak Karst.

In the cave, three generations of aragonite were unearthed. The oldest dates back 138 thousand years! The activity of atmospheric waters in crystalline limestones of white and blue-gray color developed agonite decoration in the shape of needles, tufts, branches, spirals, tips, sun, and countless other forms. The Milky Way Hall is possibly the most magnificent — the ceiling is covered in white aragonite clusters that gleam like stars in the night sky under the lamplight. The tour is 300 meters long and lasts 30 minutes. Because the elevation is only 19 meters, even tiny toddlers can handle it.

Length: 300 m

Address: Ochtinská aragonitová jaskyňa Ochtiná, 049 35 Ochtiná, Slovakia