Discover the Chýnov Cave in the Tábor Region
Are you interested in bats – these intriguing creatures that spend their days hidden in unexpected spots and only venture out after sunset? Would you like to learn more about them? Do you want to make the end of the holiday season more engaging for your kids? Come join us for International Bat Night 2025! During the International Bat Night, nature enthusiasts share all sorts of facts about bats, including species that reside not only in our area, and they will also debunk various myths surrounding these flying mammals. One fascinating aspect is how researchers track bats using voice detectors, along with techniques for measuring and identifying different species. This popular event has taken place in Chýnov Cave annually since 2001, marking this year as its 25th anniversary. Chýnov Bat Night is part of a series of events organized by the Czech Organization for the Protection of Bats, known as Česon.
The Chýnov Cave is one of the fourteen caves managed by the Cave Administration of the Czech Republic. It was discovered in 1863 during quarrying activities. Following some essential renovations, it became the first cave in the Czech Republic to welcome tourists at the close of the 19th century. Many of the original features have been preserved. Authentic stone staircases contribute to the tours, providing a slightly romantic journey into the past. The cave came into existence through the widening of fissures caused by corrosion, and the shape of its passages was also shaped by the erosive effect of water. The underground world features vibrant walls and ceilings, depicting white, yellow, and brown positions, marbles alternating with dark layers of amphibolites. These two types of rock played a role in forming remarkable ceiling structures known as meshes, which are characteristic of the Chýnov Karst. The known length of this cave system is over 1400 meters, and it is still far from fully mapped out. The 260-meter-long hiking path descends a depth of 51 meters below the surface, reaching the level of the underground stream.
Recently, a new visitor center was established at the cave’s entrance, which, aside from basic facilities, offers visitors an informative exhibition about the nature and history of the Chýnov Karst, featuring a unique virtual tour of areas that remain permanently underwater. The caves and the visitor center are open to the public every day except Mondays. On Friday, September 12, the Chýnov Karst Underground will host a sold-out concert featuring violinist J. Svěcený, and on Sunday, September 21, there will be an Ecumenical Mass of the Hussite Church.
