Chýnov Cave - visit
Visitors will be impressed by inscription of the year 1863 hewn above the entrance to the cave and commemorating the year when the underground of Pacov Hill was first walked upon by human feet. Behind the metal grid that is located 9 m under the level of the entrance area begins a 32m decline which leads through the Entrance Corridor and turns into the Schwarzenberg Corridor after a few metres. Step by step down the stairs made by stone from the cave itself the visitors plunge deeper and deeper into the heart of the cave. The walls of the corridors consist in varied marble with grey and white stripes interspersed with patches of green and black amphibolites. Although the slope is quite steep, most visitors are taken aback by the view that opens in the lower part of the corridor. The Devil’s Stairs really deserve their name. Toiling down the stairs, many people fail to notice the exceptionally coloured ceiling above their heads. After crossing a footbridge past the Bread Oven one arrives at the first stop at the route: Žižka Cannonade received its name according to holes in the ceiling resembling holes made by cannonballs. Stronger lighting of this spot reveals the varied hues of the walls.
The Chapel of St. Adalbert is the cave’s dominant. Listening to the introductory part of the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Bach has become an inseparable part of the tour. After all the lights have been switched on, a metal cross appears on the rock. This cross replaced the original wooden one, placed by the custodians of the Czech Kingdom Museum during their first exploration. Above the cross has been preserved the signature of Jan Strnad, one of the discoverers of the cave, dated 14 July 1863. The top of the chapel is entirely unique, for it consists of a number of formations, "pots", in several layers stacked one on top of another. In the antechamber, a Stone devil commemorates the demanding process of making the cave accessible.
Several more steps down and the visitors end 51 m under the surface by Purkyně Lake. Out of the dark of the inaccessible quarters of the cave comes the sound of the waterfall as the subterranean stream drops deeper, only to rise to the surface two days later. The northern wall of the includes formations called "eyes" whose shapes are determined by different solubility of the rocks and which catch the visitors' eye. The Purkyně Eye is especially well formed.
All deeper parts of the cave are located below the level of the water.
Visitors then have to ascend from Purkyně Lake up to Dragon Head. Past this exceptionally shaped formation the tour continues through Malovecká Corridor as far as Devil Lake. Making this part accessible, however resulted in merely placing several metal footholds. Therefore, this corridor can now serve only as an emergency exit.
The current tour of the cave continues through the Connecting Corridor as far as the Witches' Fireplace. The drapes of calcite illuminated from behind give the impression of a true hearth. Behind the hearth there are two stalactites extending from karst cavities destroyed by exploitation in the Pacov Hill mine. The largest of the stalactites that have been preserved is 157 cm long and is exhibited in Blatské Museum in Soběslav.
The ceilings in the newly opened part of the Sticky Corridor are covered by one of the forms of the cave pearls - pisolites. The next flight of stairs takes visitors up to the highest level of the system. Before leaving the cave through the 45 metre exit gallery, visitors enjoy the view of the unique areas of the Little Chapel. The marvellously shaped and coloured walls of this abyss enhance the total impression Chýnov Cave gives.
