Cave of Sainte-Colombe, archaeological site of the Bronze Age, the Roman period and the Middle Ages

The Sainte-Colombe Cave is a karst cavern with a chapel built into it, set in the municipality of Haute-Sorne beside the village of Undervelier in the Swiss canton of Jura. People sheltered here in prehistory, and the site later became a destination for pilgrims. Entry is free and you explore on your own.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The cave sits on the left bank of the Sorne, in a gorge north of Undervelier, between Les Forges and Undervelier. It lies right beside main road 248.4, which links the Delémont basin with Bellelay, so drivers can park next to the entrance (Route Principale 14, 2863 Undervelier). It stands at about 531 m above sea level, near 47.307 N, 7.219 E. Walkers can start from Bassecourt; the hike takes roughly three hours.

What will you see?

Inside is a single chamber 26 m wide, 7 m high and 30 m deep, opened by a huge portal. A chapel stands within the cave, and its present look dates from around 1900. Water drips from the ceiling and is gathered at the foot of a stalagmite. It has long been credited with healing powers, and the sick still come for it, along with mothers bringing weak children.

What is the history of the site?

The rock shelter was used in the Stone Age: excavators found bones and worked flint, plus remains of beaver, elk and ibex. Occupation was densest in the Middle Bronze Age, and pottery from the Middle and Late Bronze Age (about 1500 to 1000 BC) is the core of the finds. Iron Age objects, Gallo-Roman pottery and medieval pottery show the cave stayed in use over the centuries.

Auguste Quiquerez dug here in 1868 and Frédéric-Édouard Koby in 1942, and M. Schenardi studied the Bronze Age material in 1994. Earlier digging badly disturbed the layers. The pilgrimage site was expanded in the late 18th century by Prince-Bishop François-Joseph Sigismond de Roggenbach, between 1782 and 1794. The cave honours Saint Colombe, a young martyr from Sens. Why she was chosen for this cave is unknown; a local legend says she stayed here to pray.

When should you visit?

The cave is open with no time restrictions all year. It gets busiest on 15 August, when the Jura stretcher-bearers hold their annual pilgrimage. For quiet, pick another day. It stays cool inside even in summer, so bring a warm layer. Photography is allowed.

FAQ

Is there an entrance fee? No. Entry is free and unrestricted.

How long does a visit take? The interior takes about 15 minutes; the walk from Bassecourt takes much longer.

Why is it named Sainte-Colombe? After the martyr of Sens. The reason for linking her to this cave is not clear.

Is it a working church? It is a pilgrimage chapel, with an annual pilgrimage on 15 August and ordinary visitors the rest of the year.