Jaskyna Driny

Cave Driny


Useful Information

Location: Lower Carpathians, southwest of Smolenice. Male Karpaty, Pezinske Karpaty, Smolenicka vrchovina, cadastral area Smolenice, district Trnava, Trnavsky region.
Open: 15-MAY to MAY Tue-Sun 10, 11:30, 13, 14:30.
JUN Tue-Sun 9-16, hourly on the full hour.
JUL to AUG Tue-Sun 10-17, hourly on the full hour.
SEP to 15-NOV Tue-Sun 10, 11:30, 13, 14:30.
[2021]
Fee: Adults EUR 6, Children (6-15) EUR 3, Students EUR 5, Disabled EUR 3, Seniors (60+) EUR 5.
Foto Permit EUR 7.
[2021]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave Lower Cretaceous chert limestones.
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension: L=636 m.
Guided tours: L=430 m, D=45 min. V=40,000/a [2000]
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address: Jaskyna Driny, 919 04 Smolenice, Tel: +421-805-5586200.
Správa slovenských jaskýň, Hodžova 11, 031 01 Liptovský Mikuláš, Tel: +421-44-553-61-01, Tel: +421-44-553-64-11. E-mail: contact.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1929 cave discovered by local villagers.
1934 opened to the public.

Description

Driny Cave is located in the Smolenice Karst in the eastern part of the Lesser Carpathian Mountains. The entrance lies at an altitude of 393 m and was discovered in 1929 by local villagers, the Weisabl and Valovec brothers and J Vanic. They were assisted by S Vanic who, co-incidentally, invented a parachute.

The cave was opened to the public in 1934 and was immediately identified as being unique amongst other Slovak Cave as it had developed in the relatively pure Jurassic Limestones whilst the other Slovak caves were mainly to be found in Triassic Limestones. Its galleries were formed by the dissolving and erosive action of rainwater that had penetrated into the underground system of cracks and fissures, whilst in the other Slovak caves the subterranean passages were carved out by underground rivers.

The Driny Cave is therefore a fissure cave and its underground passages are not very extensive but they are just as interesting as they are filled with the most beautiful speleothems imaginable. The dripstone formation covers a whole range of colours from yellow to dark brown and takes the form of hanging draperies with a characteristic indented lining. Of no less interest are the frozen waterfalls and botryoidal decorations preserved at the bottom of former subterranean lakes.

Amongst the most interesting chambers is the Hall of the Slovak Speleological Society with its mighty flows of sinter on the walls and a Stalagmite Forest with a lustrous glow which is still growing albeit at a few millimeters a century. The most amazing feature in the Hall of Coworkers is called The Elephants Ears.

The nearby Speleobar can provide refreshments and souvenirs. Accommodation is available at the nearby tourist resort of Jahnodnik.


Text by Tony Oldham (2002). With kind permission.