Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst

Slovakia- Jasovska Cave

The "Caves of Aggtelek Kart and Slovak Karst" are several caves that span throughout Slovakia and Hungary. I chose to explore just the caves in Slovakia. As many natural sites are quite difficult to get to, I was only able to visit one of the caves- Jasovska Cave.

The caves were formed during both tropical and glacial climates, allowing us to study the geological history of these caves from tens of millions of years.

Jasovska Cave- The Jasovska Cave belongs to the Slovak Karst portion of the caves and is situated in South east Slovakia. The main entrance to the cave is on the foothill of the Jasovska Rock, 257 m above sea level. The Jasovska cave is rich in flowstone decoration and is a wintering place for bats and many other animals. The Jasovska cave contains five developmental levels, formed by the waters of the Bodva River traveling underground, creating a labyrinth of passages, halls, and domes by dissolving limestone and dolomite. The limestone and dolomite are estimated to be 220 million years old. The waters that created this cave are now situated in the very deepest parts of the cave. The lowest level in the cave is 7m below that of the Bodva River. Air temperature rangers between 8.8-10 Celcius. Not only is the cave a natural wonder, but it also is rich in history. Jasovska cave hides the oldest written monument in Slovak caves- a wall inscription from 1452 describing wartime victories. The cave served as a refuge for local people and monks from nearby monastery, who found shelter here during Mongolian raids. The cave was discovered in the Middle Ages by monks during herb collection. It was later surveyed by scientists in the 19th century. Cave parts were made open to the public during 1975 and 1976.

I was unsure of how to get to these caves, as most natural sites are in the middle of nowhere. I messaged my Airbnb host for help and he responded that he would simply drive me and his family there. So the five of us drove to the caves and went on the cave tour together. The tour was in Slovak so my Airbnb host and his wife translated the information into English for me. They even took me out to lunch after. This was the nicest Airbnb experience I have ever had. I am beyond grateful that my host did this for me. I would have been very lost and maybe would not have made it to the cave if it was not for him.

Why were the Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst put on the UNESCO Natural World Heritage List?

The Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on December 6. 1995. These caves fulfill one of the criteria to become a Natural Heritage Site: "to be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features.""Geological processes causing karst features to be buried by sediment and then later reactivated or exhumed provide evidence pertaining to the geologic history of the last tens of millions of years." 

What is being done to preserve these caves?

According to UNESCO, more than 99% of the Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst are preserved in their original, natural condition and are well protected. "The other 1% has been substantially modified as “show-caves” to allow human use, which includes 300,000 visitors annually. All of the caves are State-owned and the land above them has protected status." 

As with the West Norwegian Fjords, there are several Acts and state administration groups that are responsible for the protection status of these caves. Most of the surface area of the property of these caves has National Park designation: Jasovska Cave being in the Slovak Karst area is managed by the Slovak Karst National Park Directorate and Slovak Caves Administration. 

Are there issues with overpopulation, pollution, natural hazards,and or tourism?

After talking with my Airbnb host, over population is not an issue at all for the Jasovska cave. The cave is in the city of Jasov which is not that highly populated. Additionally, the cave is underground with no public access except for paid tours. Therefore, the caves cannot be overpopulated with humans.

As stated on a sign in the visitor's center, "The cave system is exceptionally sensitive to environmental changes, including agricultural pollution, deforestation and soil erosion. Maintenance of the integrity of active geological and hydrological processes (karst formation and the development or evolution of stalagmites and stalactites) requires integrated management of the entire water catchment area." The cave property must be monitored in order to prevent large-scale soil erosion that would affect the quality of the water that is infiltrated into the karst. Eliminating illegal garbage disposal and building debris in the surrounding area has helped mitigate the negative effects of soil erosion. Climate change can also be an issue. Drastic changes in water levels in the caves can harm the natural state. As I read in the tourist center, there is really nothing that the staff can do regarding climate change. They have no control over this. 

Tourism is well maintained throughout the several caves in the Slovak Karst area. The caves are sealed off except for daily tours that run through most of them. These groups of tourists are always monitored. Small groups are accompanied by a tour guide through the caves in order to provide a historical and geological background to the visitors as well as make sure that no one is disturbing the property. I question whether installing lights and electricity throughout the cave as well as stairs and railings had any damage to the natural state of the cave. I assume that nothing changed drastically but of course this is not exactly how the cave would have looked hundreds of years ago.

* Information gathered from the tour, the visitor's center, my Airbnb host, and the UNESCO website