Istállós-kői Cave, Prehistoric cave in Szilvásvárad, Hungary

Istállós-kői Cave opens at 546 m above sea level on the flank of the 959 m Istállós-kő, the second-highest peak of the Bükk. Its large triangular entrance follows a geological fault line and leads into a single spacious hall. The inactive spring cave in Triassic limestone is 57 m long, with a horizontal extent of 46 m, and its 2.5 m thick fill holds two Stone Age occupation layers.

Archaeological excavations in 1912 revealed stone tools, ceramic fragments, and remains of prehistoric animals such as cave bears, woolly mammoths, and cave lions. These findings show that the cave was inhabited during different time periods and that human cultures sought shelter there over vast spans of time.

The name means "cave of the stable rock": the mountain is named after the cave, which served as a stable. Excavations at the site also uncovered a hearth with pottery of the Bükk culture, seashell jewellery and the burnt bones of 27 young people, interpreted as evidence of ritual cannibalism. Most finds are displayed in the Orbán-house in Szilvásvárad.

A marked serpentine trail climbs to the entrance from beside the Szalajka spring. The cave is unclosed and freely accessible, and no lamp is needed to see inside. The site lies in a strictly protected zone of Bükk National Park, above the Szalajka valley.

A 12 cm thigh bone of a young cave bear, about 45,000 years old, was found here; some researchers interpret it as a bone flute with three finger holes, blown across the closed lower end. It is one of the objects cited among the world's oldest musical instruments.