- Address: 753 01 Teplice nad Bečvou, Czech Republic
- Phone: +420 581 601 866
- Website: caves.cz
- Opening hours: from April to October from 9:00 to 16:00, in July and August from 9:00 to 17:00
- Ticket price: adult $ 4.6, child $ 2.75
Zbrashovske aragonite caves are located in the small town of Teplice nad Bečvou, 300 km east of Prague . They were discovered at the beginning of the 20th century. workers who mined limestone in the local mountains. In 1926 the first tourists came here.
Natural features of Zbrashovske aragonite caves
Caves arose under the influence of soft rock rocks of hot underground springs. They received their name because of aragonite, a white mineral covering the walls of the underground halls.
Caves with a total length of 1320 m are located on several levels, leaving deep into 55 m. An extensive network of passages, halls, domes is covered with stalactites and stalagmites. One of the main attractions is a frozen geyser, which was formed when the level of hot springs was higher. After the water was gone, he got today's look. Next to the geyser-stalagmite there is an information stand for tourists, where it is shown in a section.
All the lower floors of the caves are filled with carbon dioxide. Since there is no way out, a lake called Gas was formed below. On the upper floors, where the tourist route passes, special hoods are installed, which reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide in order to avoid poisoning.
Zbrashovske aragonite caves for tourists
The official opening date for the caves is 1912, when the workers noticed the rising of steam from the depths of the limestone when the large layer of limestone was chipped. Already by 1913, researchers were able to penetrate inside by 43 m in depth, and by 1926 all the caves had been studied, equipped with special wooden paths and illumination for the convenience of tourists.
- Guests are shown cave shows from the "Meeting Room". Such a bizarre name he received because of the protruding in the center of the rock, similar to the podium.
- Further the road goes around the frozen geyser, along the walls, as if covered with rock art.
- The next room with the delicious name "Donut" is covered with a needle-shaped aragonite reminiscent of sugar powder on these confectionery products.
- Moving towards the finale, tourists have time to examine the "Pools" hall, in which the outgrowths of the mineral resemble real waterfalls
- In the last, the largest hall "Zhurikov Dome" aragonite created a semblance of a theatrical curtain.
- At the exit, tourists get to the marble hall, where you can see various thematic exhibitions or listen to music.
The whole journey takes about 50 minutes.
Who lives in Zbrasovsk aragonite caves?
Because of the high concentration of carbon dioxide in the caves, its own microclimate reigns. The temperature here never falls below +14 ° C, and the waters of local sources are used for therapeutic purposes by the nearest resorts. Such conditions do not suit all representatives of the animal world: mammals and birds do not appear here.
Inhabitants of caves, which are not afraid of carbon dioxide:
- bats (a local species that is considered to be endangered);
- snakes;
- snacks;
- lizards.
Caves protect them from external enemies and create comfortable conditions for dwelling.
How to get to Abronov caves in Zbrasov?
The road from Prague by car and public transport to the caves takes from 3 hours 15 minutes. up to 3 hours 30 minutes. By car it is best to go along the D1 route through Brno , and it is worth considering that on the way there will be toll roads.
As a public transport it is best to use the railway. From the main station of Prague, you can take the express train to Olomouc and then by train to Teplice nad Bečevo or by train to the Hranice Town, which is 2 km from the caves. From there you can walk or take a taxi.