The Jasovská cave is one of the most important caves of the Slovak Karst National Park. It is known for the occurrence of rich calcite sinter filling, remarkable rock shapes and the development of underground spaces, a wide species representation of bats, several archaeological finds and an interesting history. Within the caves of Slovak and Aggtelek karst, it is included in the world natural heritage.
It is located in the easternmost outcrop of the Slovak Karst, in the Medzevská hillock near the eastern edge of the Jasovská plain, on the western edge of the village of Jasov. The lower entrance to the cave is on the right bank of the Bodva at an altitude of 257 m, at the eastern foot of the Jasovská rock, which is part of the Slovak Karst National Park.
It is formed in Mesozoic Middle Triassic gray Gutenstein dolomites and light Steinalm limestones and dolomites. The Jasovská rock is significantly affected by fault dislocations and numerous fissures, which determines the prevailing direction of the corridors and, to a large extent, the number of corridors in the cave. The Jasovská cave reaches a length of 2811 m and a vertical span of 55 m.
Underground spaces were created gradually in several development phases from the highest corridors to the lowest parts of the cave, depending on the development of the Bodva river valley. High meandering corridors with a ceiling trough in the upper and middle part of the cave were created by the corrosion and erosion of the former submersible waters of Bodva. In the lower parts there are domes, halls and corridors with wall notches and levelled ceilings, which correspond to the stagnant stages of the former water level. The lowest parts of the cave with levelled ceilings were formed by the dissolution of limestone in conditions of slowly flowing or stagnant water.
Fluctuations in the groundwater level result in flooding of the lowest parts of the cave, including part of the tour route. The lowest level of the lake in the cave is 7 m below the level of the surface flow of the Bodva, whose waters no longer flow through the cave. The occasional flooding of the lower parts of the cave currently does not correspond to the fluctuation of the Bodva water level.
Several parts of the cave are decorated with rich sinter filling. Pagoda-like stalagmites, stalagnates, "stone" waterfalls, drums, straws and other forms attract attention. The air temperature in the cave reaches 8.8 to 9.4 °C, relative humidity 90 to 98%.
Among the remains of former animals, bones of a cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) and a cave hyena (Crocuta spelaea) were found in the cave. The Jasovská cave is a very important chiropterological site. Up to now, up to 19 species of bats have been discovered, which stay in the cave mainly in the winter. The most numerous are the large horseshoe crab (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) and the small horseshoe crab (Rhinolophus hipposideros). The cave is one of the most important wintering grounds of large horseshoe bats in Slovakia. Eukoenenia spelaea is rare among small invertebrates.
Design author: Adrian Ferda
Euro Souvenir JASO CAVE
Quantity: 5000 pcs
Price: €3
Date of sale: in preparation
Place of sale: Jasovská jaskyňa
