Moravian Karst Nature Reserve
I returned with joy and excitement to the Moravian Karst Nature Reserve north of Brno for an exciting new adventure. This is the largest karst region in the Czech Republic, divided into several sections according to its hydrographic features. These are the Punkva river system, the Křtinský and Jedovnický stream systems, and the Řička river system. There are about 1100 caves and abysses in this area. Five of these caves can be visited exclusively on pre-booked guided tours. These are the Punkva Caves (Punkevní Jeskyně), the Catherine Cave (Kateřinská Jeskyně), the Výpustek Cave (Jeskyně Výpustek), the Balcarka Cave (Jeskyně Balcarka) and the Sloup–Šošůvka Cave (Sloupsko-šošůvské jeskyně).
I traveled to the northern part of the Moravian Karst, near the town of Sloup, to visit the Sloup–Šošůvka caves. From the town of Blansko, I had to take a bus to the Sloup, Nová čtvrť stop. From the bus stop to the ticket office, I had to walk 700 meters. Here, I had to show my online ticket before the tour, because it is checked here. Since this is the largest cave of all, this tour was the longest. 1760 m (~1925 yd), 303 steps and its duration is about 120 minutes. The tour is in Czech, but the Jeskyně ČR mobile application has an English description, and you can download it, along with an audio guide, if you prefer to listen to it.
“A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown.”
– Denis Waitley
Through corridors and domes to the abyss
In front of the cave flows the Sloup stream, which continues its journey through the lower levels of the cave towards the Macocha Abyss. The air temperature is 7-8 °C (45–48 °F) and the relative humidity is 99%. It has many abysses, high domes and passages with rich dripstone decoration. One of its large domes is called the Elizabeth Cave. Due to its excellent acoustics, it is sometimes used as a venue for chamber music concerts. Here is a 4-meter-high dripstone formation called the Waterfall. Next to it are the Theater, the Forest, the Bells. In front of them stands the Guard stalagmite. The ceiling is covered with a layer of moonmilk. It has dripstone curtains and high wide chimneys. The bats were also quite active and flew merrily in the passages of the cave. Those who don’t like them don’t have to worry, because they don’t fly near people. I like these cute little cave dwellers.
The natural features of this area are also used for healing. Children suffering from asthma and upper respiratory diseases spend 4 hours a day in the right area of the Stepped Abyss doing cave exercises, playing and lying on the bed in 3-week cycles. This is speleotherapy. This abyss is not only useful, but also very beautiful. The colorful stalactite decoration and its diverse forms characteristic of the entire cave are captivating and wonderful. The characteristic crystalline walls of the Silver Corridor sparkle after aging. The stalagmites of the Broušek Fairytale Hall form special shapes. Like the Candlestick, which can also be found on the cave’s logo. The Minaret and Wasp Nests stalactite formations are also found here. This is followed by the incredible depths of the Black Abyss, and then the Kůlna Cave.
Meeting with the past
The Kůlna Cave is a world-famous paleontological and archaeological site. It served as a refuge and wintering ground for the cave bear, cave lion, cave hyena, wolf and wolverine. Paleontological research is carried out by the Anthropos Institute of the Moravian Museum. Traces of ancient human activity have been discovered in the cave entrances. The skeletal remains and tools of Neanderthal man: stone tools and animal bones have been discovered. But later, the cave was also used by modern people, who were mammoth hunters, reindeer and horse hunters. Bronze tools from the 9th-8th centuries BC have also been found. Unfortunately, during the Second World War, it was used as an aircraft engine factory.
Nowadays, with these wonderful tours, we can learn more about these mystical places. It was an interesting, exciting and fascinating experience. It is undeniable that nature is the most talented artist. Everything I have presented about the caves is only a fraction of the wonders that can be seen on site. It is definitely worth going there at least once and admiring it. I think you should definitely not miss it!
“What matters is to live in the present, live now, for every moment is now. It is your thoughts and acts of the moment that create your future. The outline of your future path already exists, for you created its pattern by your past.”
– Sai Baba