Leichenhöhle, Natural cave in Balve, Germany
The Leichenhöhle is a natural limestone cave near Balve in the Sauerland region that opens into the Hönne valley cliff face. It features a passage leading to a chamber where archaeologists uncovered remains of people from ancient times.
People buried their dead in the cave during the Bronze and Iron Ages, showing that it served as an important place for a long time. Later, researchers investigated the cave to learn more about these early cultures and their customs.
The cave served as a burial place for centuries and still shapes how we understand early societies in this region. Visitors can sense how important such natural spaces were to people in ancient times.
The cave closes to visitors from November through April while bat species hibernate inside. Plan your visit for the warmer months when the animals have left the space.
The cave sits high above the valley, making it an unusual and difficult-to-reach spot for burials in ancient times. This elevated location may suggest that early peoples viewed it as a special place for their dead.
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