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It is one of the most important natural attractions of the Slovak Karst. The cave is 1100 m long, 110 m deep and is the lowest ice cave in Slovakia and Europe. It is located on the Silická planina in the Slovak Karst about 2 km west of the village of Silica.

Silica iceberg

It is one of the most important natural attractions of the Slovak Karst. The cave is 1100 m long, 110 m deep and is the lowest ice cave in Slovakia and Europe. It is located on the Silická planina in the Slovak Karst about 2 km west of the village of Silica.

The rock wall in the entrance part reaches a depth of 90 m. Visitors can admire the entrance portal from the landscaped terrace, while the mouth of the entrance corrosion-swelling cave is located at an altitude of 503 m. The entrance portal has a modest ice decoration that will last even in the summer heat.

The entrance to the cave is open to the public. Movement outside the sidewalk and portal terrace is forbidden and very dangerous.

The cave was created in the Mesozoic mid-Triassic limestones of the Silický mantle by the underground stream of the Čierny potok and is a part of the Silicko-Gombasecký underground hydrological system. The introductory part shows an exceptional botanical and biological phenomenon of inversion of flora and fauna. Thanks to this microclimate, suitable conditions for the life of cold-loving forest species of plants and animals, which are typical of the higher mountain ranges, are created in the entrance part of the cave. The waters of the Čierny potok from the Silická ľadnica flow into the Gombasecká Cave.

In winter, the common bat (Myotis myotis) and the small farrier (Rhinolophus hipposideros) stay in the cave. Before glaciation, the cave was inhabited several times. Archaeological finds date back to the Neolithic, Bronze Age and La Tène period. The national natural monument has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

Near the cave there is a popular abyss Babská diera.

Additional information

Transport: By foot, By bike, By car, By bus
Parking: Free parking nearby

Accepted payments: Cash
Languages: Slovak

Suitable for: Childrens, Families with childrens, Elderly, Handicapped, Cyclists, Young, Adults
Season: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Updated on: 20.4.2020

Opening hours

Weather

monday - sunday:
Nonstop


Contact

Phone: +421 44 5536 411
E-mail: caves@ssj.sk
Silica iceberg
049 52  Silica
Region: Košický
District: Rožňava
Area: Gemer
 48.5489, 20.503518

049 52  Silica

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