Kobelwald Kristallhöhle, Show cave in Oberriet, Switzerland
The Kobelwald Kristallhöhle is a show cave that extends roughly 128 meters deep into the mountain, housing sparkling calcite crystals, stalactites, and a small stream. An artificial lake inside is crossed by a modern footbridge, providing visitors with a safe path through the rock passage.
A hunter discovered the cave in 1682, and scholar Johann Jakob Scheuchzer first documented its calcite crystals in 1702 in a scientific work. This early mention in academic literature made the site noteworthy for understanding Swiss geology.
The cave serves as a place where visitors can observe how crystals and minerals form through natural geological processes. Guided tours reveal how water has created the sparkling formations along the walls and ceiling over countless centuries.
The cave is open to visitors from Easter through late October on Sundays and holidays, offering guided tours through the interior. The site is accessible on foot via good pathways, and the passages are walkable for people of average fitness.
The cave holds one of Switzerland's largest deposits of calcite crystals, with specimens formed through an uncommon combination of water pressure and mineral chemistry. Visitors can view these enormous, sparkling crystals up close, making them a rare sight.
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