| Baumann's Cave | |
|---|---|
| Baumannshöhle | |
 Entrance to Baumann's Cave | |
 Interactive map of Baumann's Cave | |
| Location | Harz mountains,Germany |
| Coordinates | 51°45′18″N10°50′36″E / 51.75500°N 10.84333°E /51.75500; 10.84333 |
| Length | 1,980 metres (6,500 ft) |
| Discovery | 1536 |
| Geology | Dripstone cave |
| Show cave opened | 1646 |
| Show cave length | 600 metres (2,000 ft) |
| Lighting | Electric (since 1892) |
| Visitors | 89,000 (2004–2008) |
| Features | One of the oldestshow caves in the world |
Baumann's Cave (German:Baumannshöhle), located nearbyHermann's Cave, is ashow cave inRübeland in the district ofHarz and isGermany's oldest show cave.
The grotto was formed in theDevonianlimestone of theElbingerode Complex at least since theBode Valley was being shaped. The cave has been visited by man since theStone Age and not first discovered in 1536 as many written accounts suggest. The year of discovery in 1536 in combination with the tale of the miner, Baumann, who is supposed to have discovered the cave, are part of a false story dating back to Nazi times when a politically suitable jubilee date was being sought.
The cave is frequently mentioned in the early scientific and travel literature as it has been open to the public with guided tours since 1649 when Valentin Wagner was installed as first cave guide. Baumann's Cave is probably the oldest regularly frequented and guided show cave, at least in Germany. Amongst its most famous visitors wasJohann Wolfgang von Goethe. The cave's biggest chamber, theGoethesaal, is named after him and is fitted with seats and a stage for concerts and plays.[1]
The cave was sealed off from an early date so that its rich display ofstalactites andstalagmites has been largely preserved. The cave is particularly famous for, amongst other things, the numerous bones ofcave bears that have been found there.
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| National | |
