Feldhofhöhle, Cave and entrance system in Balve, Germany

Feldhofhöhle is a natural cave system near Balve featuring interconnected underground passages carved by water through limestone formations. The entrance gives access to multiple chambers of varying dimensions where the rock shows layers of geological history.

The cave formed millions of years ago through water erosion in limestone deposits and was later inhabited by prehistoric people. Archaeological findings show it served as a shelter during the Old Stone Age.

The cave is a Kulturhöhle, a site where archaeology meets ritual: five cultural layers were uncovered by Professor Julius Andree in 1925/1926, and pottery from the older Iron Age was found here. Neanderthal traces from roughly 100,000 to 40,000 years ago, along with bones of woolly rhinoceros, reindeer, horses, hyenas and wolves, place it among the region's early human sites.

Exploring the cave requires expert guidance and specialized equipment to safely navigate the underground passages. Visitors should prepare for slippery surfaces and narrow sections, bringing proper lighting and appropriate footwear.

The cave yielded tools and bones showing that people returned there over extended periods. These traces suggest the location served as an important stopping point during seasonal migrations across the region.