Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst

This cave system straddles the Hungary-Slovakia border and connects two countries through an underground limestone landscape filled with passages and chambers. The region contains over 1000 caves varying greatly in size and character, spread across a vast karst terrain.

These caves were first inhabited in prehistoric times and later documented during the 16th century as knowledge of the region grew. Modern exploration and infrastructure development in the 19th century transformed them from hidden refuges into accessible destinations.

These caves served as shelters and gathering places for people across millennia, leaving behind evidence of their presence in the stone passages. Visitors walking through today can sense the long connection between humans and this underground landscape.

Visiting is possible year-round since the underground environment maintains steady conditions regardless of the season. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a jacket, as the passages stay cold and damp with uneven floors and tight spaces in some sections.

One of the caves here became Europe's first to use electric lighting for visitors, a groundbreaking development in the late 1800s. This early innovation allowed people to safely explore the underground passages and appreciate their beauty in ways never before possible.