Dechen Cave

Dechen Cave is a cave system in Iserlohn that extends over 902 meters through limestone formations. About 400 meters of passages are open to visitors and feature barrel-shaped corridors lined with stalactites and stalagmites.

The cave was discovered in 1868 when railroad workers dropped a hammer into a rock crevice, revealing the underground limestone system. This chance discovery led to scientific exploration of the underground formation and its geological features.

The cave takes its name from Heinrich von Dechen, a mining official whose work shaped how people understood the geology of Rhineland and Westphalia. Visitors can learn about this connection through information displayed throughout the underground passages.

The cave maintains a constant temperature of about 10 degrees Celsius year-round and is accessible via illuminated pathways. Guided tours last approximately 40 minutes and follow established routes through the barrel-shaped passages.

The adjacent German Cave Museum displays the skeleton of a baby cave bear and the skull of a woolly rhinoceros, both discovered within the cave system. These fossils provide glimpses into the prehistoric animal life of the region.

Location: Iserlohn

GPS coordinates: 51.36556,7.64472

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:47