Sloup-Šošůvka Caves 2026: Nagel's Abyss, Kůlna and a Journey in the Footsteps of the Discoverer

The Sloup-Šošůvka Caves form part of one of the longest cave systems in the Czech Republic and offer no fewer than four different tour routes — from a short one, through a long one, right up to the archaeological Kůlna Cave, where traces of settlement dating back 120,000 years were discovered. The main draw is Nagel’s Abyss (Nagelova propast), a 90-metre-deep chasm with two viewing platforms. The long route costs 350/300/180 Kč (adults/concessions/children) — roughly £11.90/£10.20/£6.10 (approx. €14/€12/€7.20; this is a rough guide only, and exchange rates fluctuate). The short route costs 250/210/120 Kč, and Kůlna Cave on its own costs 150/125/80 Kč. A special adrenaline-fuelled “In Nagel’s Footsteps” expedition off the standard route will set a group back 1,500 Kč.

QUICK LINKS 🕳️ Nagel’s Abyss and history · 🎟️ Routes and admission prices · 🎵 Eliška Cave and concerts · ❓ FAQ

While the Punkva Caves are all about the boat trip, and the Kateřinská Cave about the sheer size of a single chamber, the Sloup-Šošůvka Caves are about scale and the drama of discovery. It’s the northernmost of the Moravian Karst’s four great show caves, and also one of the most extensive — the wider system it belongs to runs to over 30 kilometres of passages.

Nagel’s Abyss and the history of discovery

The first written mention of the caves dates back to 1669, penned by physician Johannes Ferdinand Hertod of Todtenfeld in a work with the rather fitting title Tartaro mastix Moravie — The Underground Scourge of Moravia. The abyss that’s now the highlight of any tour takes its name from the mathematician J. A. Nagel, who discovered it in 1748.

But the most dramatic moment came in 1879: a local resident of Sloup, Václav Sedlák, was searching for bones in the Nicová Cave when the sediment floor suddenly gave way beneath his feet, and he plunged straight down into a previously unknown chamber — fortunately without serious injury. That’s how the Eliška Cave (Eliščina jeskyně) was discovered. The rest of the system was gradually revealed by expeditions between 1889 and 1915, and the caves were first opened to the public back in 1881.

Nagel’s Abyss itself measures around 90 metres from the ceiling down to the surface of the Sloupský Stream, and its dimensions rank it among the largest underground chasms in the Czech Republic. Today you can admire it from two viewing platforms along the tour route.

Routes and admission prices

The caves offer several different circuits depending on how much time you have and your appetite for adventure:

Kůlna Cave, accessible separately, is worth a mention even outside the standard tour — it’s one of the most important archaeological sites in the Czech Republic, with traces of human settlement dating back as far as 120,000 years, alongside rich finds of Ice Age cave bear bones.

Discount: the usual rule set by the Czech Caves Administration applies here too — show a ticket from another Moravian Karst cave that’s no more than a month old, and you’ll get a 20% discount at the ticket office.

Eliška Cave and concerts

Eliška Cave — the one Václav Sedlák stumbled into quite literally by falling through the floor — is prized today above all for its magnificent stalactite, flowstone and eccentric formations. Like the Kateřinská Cave, it also boasts superb acoustics, which is why it occasionally hosts vocal and musical concerts, usually as part of the Magical Sounds of Macocha (Čarovné tóny Macochy) festival.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between the long and short routes? The long route takes more time and shows more of the extensive system, including both viewing platforms at Nagel’s Abyss, while the short route is a quicker, cheaper option for those with less time to spare.

What is Kůlna Cave, and why is it worth visiting separately? It’s a significant archaeological site with evidence of human settlement dating back up to 120,000 years. You can visit it on its own, outside the main tour, for 150 Kč.

Is the “In Nagel’s Footsteps” expedition suitable for regular tourists? It’s a special, pricier and more demanding route outside the standard tour — better suited to those after genuine caving adventure than to an average family visit.

When’s the best time to visit? Just as with the other caves in the Moravian Karst — it’s quieter outside the main summer season (April–May, September–October), while winter tends to see limited opening hours.

Part of the series A Week in the Moravian Karst: The Complete 7-Day Itinerary. Sources: Czech Caves Administration – Sloup-Šošůvka Caves, history, characteristics, opening hours/price list, Wikipedia. Prices and opening hours are subject to change — we recommend checking the official website before you travel.