Lake Cave of Tapolca
En.: A tortuous cave system is hiding
under the streets and houses of Tapolca, a little town not far from
Balaton. In the strictly protected cave, which was discovered more
than 100 years ago, the visitors can make a unique boat trip on the
lit, bluish water of the underground lake. All year round the
temperature is about 18 °C in the cave. At the entrance
publications and souvenirs are available.
The Lake Cave of Tapolca was discovered in 1903
during well-digging and was opened to the public ten years later.
This way it became the first electricity-installed cave of Hungary,
serving touristic aims as well. The cave was formed in Sarmatian
limestone of the mid-Miocene Subepoch 13.7 million years ago.
Therefore its rock is made up of limestone and marl layers left
behind by sediments of the one-time Sarmatian Sea.
The water supply of the Lake Cave arrives from
two directions, and this fact itself gives answer also to the
formation of the passages. The young Sarmatian limestone overlays
the 210-130 million year-old Upper-Triassic dolomite, from which
cold karst-water arrives to the region of the Tapolca Basin. The
same dolomite can also be found several hundreds of meters under
the surface. As a result of the post-volcanic activity, water warms
up to approximately 40 °C and surges up through the fissures. The
volcanoes of the area are already extinct and represent a dominant
element of the landscape. The mixing of these two water supplies
results in an 18-20°C water temperature, enabling the water to
create the passages. This warm water flows slowly from the dry
Hospital Cave on the north towards the springs of Mill Lake. The
outbreaking water flows into the Tapolca Brook through numerous
springs, existing since the Ice Age. At the end of the 1800's the
upper section of the brook's bed was widened by damming. That is
the way the Mill Lake itself came to existence and in consequance
of the damming the Lake Cave became suitable for boating.
The Lake Cave of Tapolca is the second of those
barely two dozens of Hungarian caves that were declared protected
already in 1942, before the introduction of the over-all protection
of caves. It has been strictly protected since 1982; its highly
protected status is justified by its geological, genetic,
geomorphic, hydrological and biological values and its extent. The
entrance fee includes the fee of boating, VAT and insurance. The
pay-office closes 30 minutes before the closing time of the cave.
Only Hungarian Forint is accepted at the pay-office. The cave can
be visited in casual-wear in course of specialised guided walks,
but no guide is provided for boating. In the summer max. 130 people
can visit the cave per hour, 50 people are allowed to be
underground at the same time. 73 stairs lead to the cave.
Opening time:
March 15 - June 30. : every day 10.00 a.m. to
5.00 p.m.
July 1 – August 30. 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
September 1 – Oktober 31. 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
November 1 – March 14 Sat. 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m Sun. 10.00
am to 1.00 p.m.
Duration of the tour : about 45 minutes
The last guide tour starts one hour before closing!
Tickets:
Adult: 1000 Ft;
Student, Pensioner: 850 Ft
Child (4-14): 700 Ft
Information: Tel.: +36 87/412-579, +36 87/555-291
In order to log this earthcache you must do
the following:
1. Take a picture of yourself at the entrance of the cave
with your GPS and post it with your log !
2. How many meters is the cave under the city?
3. Which is the most prominent and well-known representative
fish of the Lake Cave?
Email to us the last two answers, please do not post them with your
log.
Logs without picture will be deleted !!
Have Fun!
