Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes, Historical alum slate mine in Saalfeld, Germany.
The Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes contain numerous mineral formations in multiple colors, created through water dripping processes over centuries in the rock.
The grottoes originated as an alum slate mining site during the 19th century, when workers discovered the underground network during extraction operations.
German folklore intertwines with the grottoes, as local tales speak of supernatural beings inhabiting the underground chambers and passages.
Guided tours lead visitors through illuminated passages, explaining geological formations while professional guides share information about mining techniques.
The Guinness Book of World Records recognized these grottoes in 1993 as the caves with the most mineral color variations worldwide.
Location: Saalfeld
Elevation above the sea: 325 m
Website: http://feengrotten.de
GPS coordinates: 50.63500,11.34140
Latest update: May 27, 2025 10:02
Thuringia contains a notable variety of historic sites, from medieval castles on wooded heights to baroque palaces in landscaped parks. The region preserves Romanesque monastic complexes such as Paulinzella, Renaissance residences including Wilhelmsburg in Schmalkalden, and significant collections like the Lindenau Museum in Altenburg. Beyond architectural landmarks, Thuringia offers geological features: the Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes are considered the most colorful show mine in the world, the Barbarossa Cave near Rottleben is one of Europe's largest anhydrite caves, and the Morassina healing caves in Schmiedefeld have served therapeutic purposes since the 19th century. Cultural institutions range from technical museums such as the Ziegenrück hydroelectric power museum to the Apolda bell foundry museum and botanical installations like the Japanese garden in Bad Langensalza. Historic transportation systems including the Oberweissbach mountain railway, which has covered a vertical rise of 1,060 feet (323 meters) since 1923, complement the offerings. Natural monuments such as the Dragon Gorge near Eisenach, a narrow ravine with rock walls reaching 33 feet (10 meters) in height, and viewpoints like Leuchtenburg above the Saale valley combine natural and cultural experiences.
Schloss Saalfeld/Saale
2.4 km
Burgruine Hoher Schwarm
2.2 km
Johanneskirche
2 km
Saalfeld Abbey
2.3 km
Bohlen
3 km
Schloss Wetzelstein
2.7 km
Rathaus Saalfeld/Saale
2 km
Schlösschen Kitzerstein
2.3 km
Amtsgefängnis Saalfeld/Saale
2 km
St. Nikolai
2.2 km
Corpus Christi Church Saalfeld
1.5 km
St. Gertrudis
2.6 km
Martinskapelle
2 km
Protestant Church (Reschwitz)
3.3 km
Dorfkirche Aue am Berg
3.8 km
St. Lorenz
3 km
Protestant Church (Obernitz)
3 km
Protestant Church (Eyba)
3.2 km
Nikolauskapelle Köditz
2.4 km
Bohlen
2.9 km
Bergfried (Saalfeld)
1.7 km
Hoher Schwarm
2.2 km
Schloss Wetzelstein
2.7 km
Meiniger Hof
2 km
Protestant Church Wittmannsgereuth
2.9 km
Landschaftsschutzgebiet Gleitsch
3.6 km
Protestant Church Arnsgereuth
3.4 km
War memorial Wittmannsgereuth
2.9 kmReviews
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