Eisriesenwelt, Natural ice cave in Werfen, Austria
The cave system extends 42 kilometers into the Tennengebirge massif and displays ice formations created by penetrating meltwater and winter cold air currents. Ice stalactites and stalagmites reach from floor to ceiling in multiple underground chambers. Limestone walls surround frozen waterfalls and ice columns, while natural passages branch in various directions through the mountain.
Anton Posselt, a high school teacher from Salzburg, systematically entered the cave in 1879 and documented his findings. Alexander von Mörk organized several expeditions between 1912 and 1913 that conducted cartographic work and expanded accessible areas. A cable car was installed in 1955 to facilitate visitor access after earlier tourists had to navigate a steep mountain trail.
Generations of Upper Austrians regarded the cave as an unexplained natural phenomenon before scientific expeditions in the early 20th century began documenting ice formation processes. Local mountain guides developed techniques for safe visits and established standards now used worldwide for ice cave tours. Development transformed Werfen from an agricultural village into an internationally recognized base for speleological research and alpine tourism.
Guided tours last 75 minutes and require warm clothing plus sturdy footwear, as interior temperatures remain constant at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (zero degrees Celsius). A cable car transports visitors from the valley to the cave entry point, followed by a 20-minute walk. Tours operate from May through October, with reservations recommended during summer months. Mobility is required for approximately 1,400 steps during the circuit.
The entrance portal measures 66 feet wide and 59 feet high (20 meters by 18 meters), creating natural wind currents that contribute to year-round ice formation. Scientists have determined that winter cold air circulates inside the cave and forms ice crystals when snow melts during spring. This air movement prevents summer melting in deeper chambers.
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