Discover the Mladeč Caves: Step Into a Prehistoric Adventure
Mladeč Caves are located within the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area. A complex maze of narrow passages and large rooms has formed inside the limestone hill known as Třesín. The cave interior is beautifully decorated with stalactites and sinter formations. The tour offers a fascinating glimpse into prehistoric eras – these caves are notable for being the largest and oldest site of Cro-Magnon man in Central Europe.
A world-renowned archaeological site within these caves is the Dome of the Dead, which holds the remnants of ancient hearths along with the bones of prehistoric animals and a recreation of an ancient ritual. The caves feature lovely alcoves where new formations are created beside ancient stalactites. Among the most stunning and almost unspoiled spots are the Temple of Nature and the Virgin Cave. The standout feature and icon of the underground system is a towering stalagmite, over two meters tall, known as The Mummy. During your tour, you will also encounter several dioramas that illustrate the lives of humans and animals from the Pleistocene era.
Underground Exhibition of Animals and People
When you enter the Mladeč Caves, you’ll find a lobby displaying replicas of discoveries made within the caves. However, an exciting experience is also waiting for you deep in the caves. In the sections where skeletons of Cro-Magnon individuals, their tools, and bones from Pleistocene animals were uncovered, there is a presentation of a prehistoric hearth along with a small assortment of archaeological and paleontological treasures. In the area where the previous hearth was in the Dome of the Dead, you can now see bones of prehistoric animals, and you’ll surely be impressed by a diorama featuring three models of prehistoric humans. Additionally, throughout other parts of the cave, various dioramas illustrate how people and animals lived during the Pleistocene.
The Mladeč Caves are accessible from March Tuesday to Friday. Guided tours take place at 10 am and 1 pm. In April, they are open daily except for Mondays from 9 am to 3 pm. The temperature in the caves stays between 7 and 9 °C. Tickets can be bought at the ticket office (payment can be made with cash or card); for adults, the price is 170 CZK, while young people and senior citizens pay 130 CZK. Children under 15 can enter for 100 CZK, and a family ticket costs 500 CZK (590 CZK if there are three children).
On Saturday 5 April, the bat awakening event ‘From Darkness to Light’ will occur. This event is suitable for children aged 12 and above and will be led by Martin Koudelka, who is a chiropterologist from the Czech Cave Administration. The first tour starts at 10:00 with an hour-long expert lecture, followed by a 45-minute tour of the cave starting at 11:00. The same schedule will be repeated starting at 14:00. Tickets for this event must be purchased in advance online for 200 CZK.
The Modern History of the Mladeč Caves
Archaeological evidence shows that people were aware of the caves since prehistoric times, but their entrance was lost for a period. They were not re-discovered until 1826 (some say 1828), during the establishment of a quarry nearby. Therefore, in 2026, the caves will commemorate 200 years since their rediscovery! The first known section, measuring around 400 meters, was called Bočkova díra; for many years, it was open to the public, which unfortunately led to damage to the stalactites.
In 1911, the cave was acquired by the Litovel Regional Museum Society, which undertook significant renovations – this included removing sediment, adding electric lighting, and building an entrance facility with a restaurant and dormitory. In the 1950s, the Brno Speleological Club discovered additional chambers, and the renovations in 1951 changed the original character of the caves quite significantly.
Since 1991, the caves have been managed by the Cave Administration of the Czech Republic, which completed the latest renovation of the tour route in 2003.
