Deutsches Höhlenmuseum, Cave science museum in Iserlohn, Germany
The Deutsches Höhlenmuseum is a museum building in Iserlohn housed within a converted railway station, displaying extensive exhibits about caves, minerals, and underground formations. The collection also features models of cave lions and bears alongside information about speleology and the geology of karst landscapes.
The collection began in 1967 as a private assembly in a local inn and later moved to the Dechenhöhle site before opening in its current location in 2006. Moving into the repurposed railway station allowed for a professional presentation of the growing collection of cave finds and minerals.
The museum displays reproductions of European cave paintings and life-size models of extinct animals that show why caves mattered to early humans. These exhibits help visitors understand the deep connection between people and underground spaces across thousands of years.
The museum is open from March through November and sits near the Dechenhöhle cave, which is reachable on foot. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and note that the cave section is cooler than regular indoor spaces.
The museum features a darkened sound chamber where visitors hear the acoustics of water drops falling onto stalagmites. This sensory experience shows how caves interact with sound and time.
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