Alte Höhle, Natural cave system in Hemer, Germany.
Alte Höhle is part of the Perick cave system in Hemer, stretching between Felsenmeer and Sundwig with around 3,100 meters of explored passageways. The system features multiple chambers and passages shaped by limestone formations.
The cave formed during the Ice Age and shows evidence of human use from prehistoric times. Archaeological findings indicate the region was inhabited from the Stone Age onward.
The cave system's name comes from old local dialect words meaning mountain, reflecting how the surrounding landscape shaped the speech of people living here. You can see this connection between place and language when you learn about how residents have called it over centuries.
This cave is not open to unprepared visitors and requires specialized equipment and caving experience to explore safely. For interested visitors, the nearby Heinrichshöhle offers guided tours that are more accessible.
Scientific studies in the cave focus on limestone formations and rock layering patterns. This research provides information about past climate conditions in the North Rhine-Westphalia region over thousands of years.
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