Šošůvské jeskyně

Šošůvské jeskyně (Šošůvka Caves) form part of an extensive karst cave system on the northern edge of the Moravian Karst, near the village of Šošůvka and the small town of Sloup in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. Together with the neighboring Sloupské jeskyně (Sloup Caves), they make up a joint two-level complex known as Sloupsko-šošůvské jeskyně, carved out by the erosive action of the underground Sloupský stream. The site belongs to the larger Amatérská jeskyně system, the longest known cave system in the country.

How were the Šošůvské caves discovered?

The caves were uncovered gradually between 1889 and 1915. The pioneering exploration work was carried out on his own land by local farmer Josef Broušek, who step by step opened up a system of passages richly decorated with dripstone formations. He was assisted in this work by professor Karel Absolon, one of the most important Czech karst researchers and cave archaeologists of the era. The most significant milestone came in 1900 with the discovery of Nagelova propast (Nagel's Abyss) — although the shaft itself had already been glimpsed from below, on the Sloupské side, back in 1748 by the mathematician J. A. Nagel, after whom it is named.

What is Nagelova propast?

Nagelova propast is one of the deepest karst shafts in the Czech Republic, reaching roughly 90 meters from ceiling to floor. Visitors today can view it safely from two observation platforms placed at different levels of the cave, allowing them to appreciate the scale of this underground chasm without having to descend into it.

When were the two cave systems joined together?

Around 1920, an artificial passage was cut connecting the Stříbrná chodba (Silver Corridor) in the Sloupské caves with the Šošůvské caves. This created a single, continuous visitor circuit — today the largest publicly accessible cave complex in the Czech Republic. Unlike the Sloupské section, which is sometimes closed in winter, the Šošůvské section remains open to visitors year-round.

What can you see along the tour route?

Inside, spacious chambers, corridors and enormous underground halls spread across two levels, richly decorated with stalactites and stalagmites of varied shapes. Visitors can choose between a shorter route of 890 meters and a longer one of 1,760 meters, making it easy to match the tour to the time and stamina available. The caves also carry considerable paleontological significance: their more accessible sections served during the Pleistocene as shelter and winter dens for now-extinct mammal species, including cave bears.

Is it worth visiting Šošůvské jeskyně?

The site appeals both to those interested in karst geology and to anyone drawn to the history of cave exploration — the story of Josef Broušek and professor Absolon is one of the more compelling chapters of Czech speleology. The combination of striking dripstone formations, the impressive depth of Nagelova propast, and year-round accessibility makes these caves one of the main draws of any trip through the Moravian Karst.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the Šošůvské jeskyně located? On the northern edge of the Moravian Karst, near the village of Šošůvka and the town of Sloup, in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic.

When were the Šošůvské jeskyně discovered? Gradually between 1889 and 1915, mainly through the work of Josef Broušek on his own land, assisted by professor Karel Absolon.

What is Nagelova propast? One of the deepest karst shafts in the Czech Republic, about 90 meters deep, discovered from the Šošůvské side in 1900, though first glimpsed from below back in 1748 by the mathematician J. A. Nagel.

Are the Šošůvské caves connected to the Sloupské caves? Yes, since around 1920 an artificial passage from the Stříbrná chodba has linked the two, forming the largest publicly accessible cave complex in the Czech Republic.

How long are the visitor routes? There are two options: a shorter route of 890 meters and a longer one of 1,760 meters.

Are the caves open all year round? The Šošůvské section is open year-round, unlike the Sloupské section, which is sometimes closed during winter.