Slovakia has more than 4,000 dramatic caves and caverns under its mountains, 12 of which are open to the public. Most of the caves have spectacular stalagmites as large as tree trunks rising from the ground and massive stalactites hanging from above. Two caves have massive ice formations, and another is a rare aragonite cave. Only 3 aragonite caves in the world admit visitors.

UNESCO has bestowed World Heritage Site status to the Dobsinska Ice Cave near Slovak Paradise (Slovensky Raj) and the entire Slovak Karst region (close to the border with Hungary). In the Slovak Karst, you can explore four fabulous caves (noted below), including the unique Ochtinska aragonite cave. Karsts are areas covered by a thick layer of limestone or other porous bedrock, easily eroded by water, resulting in the formation of caves. Parts of the above-ground landscape of the Slovak Karst area are also worth seeing, including Zadielska dolina – a breathtaking 2-2.5 mile long canyon 16 miles east of Roznava.

Caves have served to hide or shelter people from prehistoric times, through religious wars to the world wars of the last century. And in Slovakia, a land where much native wisdom that has proven its value to modern medicine, caves are used in the treatment of allergies and other respiratory disorders, particularly in children. This practice is called speleotherapy and involves extended stays in the caves to breathe the healing air.

More information about all of Slovakia’s caves: www.ssj.sk/english/index.htm

The most unusual of Slovakia’s caves is the Ochtinska cave. In the whole world, there are only 3 aragonite caves that are open to the public. Formed deep in the earth’s crust, aragonite is a mineral that is not stable at normal surface temperatures and pressures. Discovered in 1954, the blue limestone walls of this cave are decorated with bursts of white aragonite in dramatic shapes – needles, spirals, spikey clusters resembling masses of flowers. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With a total length of nearly a mile, total ice volume of 360,892 cubic feet and maximum ice thickness of 86.94 feet , the sheer size of this cave – essentially a vast frozen underground lake -- is guaranteed to impress. Formed 7,000-9,000 years ago, the "Ice Hole", as it was called, was long known to locals. In the 18th century bear bones were found there and believed to be dragon bones. In 1870 explorers officially discovered the cave, and it was opened to the public the following year. Dobsinska was the first cave in Europe illuminated by electric light. Best time to visit is spring or early summer. With all that ice, be sure to wear something warm and sturdy shoes/boots with non-slip soles. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Onion-shaped stalactites, pagoda-like stalagmites and 16 species of bats await you in this 3-mile long cave – with about 1/5 of it open to the public. The tour includes a boat ride on the underground River Styx, named for the mythical river the ancient Greeks believed encircled Hades, land of the dead. Archeological evidence shows that Neolithic inhabitants of the area found shelter here. It took modern man until 1926 to discover this marvel, which extends into Hungary. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With 10 feet long straw-like stalactites this is the most visually impressive cave. The neighboring village of Gombasek is the site of the largest Hungarian folk festival in Slovakia. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Worth visiting for the 17 bat species and lovely sinter waterfalls, drums, feather and pagoda-like stalagmites. But known more for the graffiti scrawled on the walls in 1452 by Czech Hussites (precursors to Martin Luther’s Protestant "heresy"), fleeing persecution by the Catholic Austrians. This cave was named for the monks of the Jasov Premonstrate order , who built a beautiful complex here in the 12th century. Jasovska Cave also contains archeological finds from Neolithic times and later eras. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A real River Styx may run through the Domica cave, but the Bystrianska cave is where you’ll find Hell. "Hell" is the name of one section of this 1.25 mile-long cave under the Low Tatra mountains. Currently, 1/3 mile of winding corridors with beautiful curtain-shaped honeycomb-like decorations are open to the public.