Hermannshöhle

Hermann's Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Near Kirchberg am Wechsel.
Open:	April-October, 1.5.-30.9 daily, April+October Sat,Sun,Hol, 9-17. Tours at 9:30, 11, 13:30, 15, 16:30.
Fee:
Classification:	Karst cave, Mesozoic limestone.
Light:	electric
Dimension:	L=4,277m, VR=78m, T=7°C, A=660m asl.
Guided tours:	D=45min., extended tour D=75min.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Hermannshöhle, A-2880 Kirchberg am Wechsel, Tel: +43-2641-2326 Mrs. Rößler, guide, Tel: +43-2641-6892 Hermannshöhlen-Forschungs- und Erhaltungsverein, Rudolf Zeller-Gasse 50-52/3/1, A-1238 Wien, Tel: +43-1/8873555
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

1790	a small boy fell into the shaft called Teufelsloch while hunting pigeons.
23-JUN-1836	first exploration by the writer J. A. Krickel.
1838	report of the first exploration published.
1843	exploration, buy and development by Hermann Steiger von Amstein.
1844	sold to Freiherr von Dietrich.
1845	first description of the cave now called Hermannshöhle.
28-JUN-1868	reopening.
1869	book Der kundige Begleiter in der Hermannshöhle by Dr. R. Hellbach.
1871	new leaseholder R. Schlosser developed new parts of the cave.
1895	new leaseholder M. Donhauser, owner of the Restaurant Zur 1000jährigen Linde.
1922-1926	new parts found by cavers from Vienna.
1940	new parts, called Kyrlelabyrinth, found by two boys from Kirchberg.
1957	electric light.
1968	bought by the caving club Hermannshöhlen-Forschungs- und Erhaltungsverein.

Description

Image: Flow stones called Spitzenvorhang (curtain of lace) from the book Der kundige Begleiter in der Hermannshöhle by Dr. R. Hellbach (1869).

The Hermannshöhle has two natural entrances, one called Teufelsloch (Devils Hole) high on the Eulenberg and a second one on the east slope called Windloch (Wind Hole). 1790 a small boy fell into the shaft called Teufelsloch while hunting pigeons. After his rescue the Teufelsloch was also called Taubenloch (Pigeon Hole).

The first exploration of the Teufelsloch by the writer J. A. Krickel in 1836 was published two years later. He explains that he descended 66 Klafter (ca.125 m) into the shaft.

On the second exploration 1843 Hermann Steiger von Amstein, the custodian of castle Feistritz, found the link to the Windloch. He was very impressed by the cave, so he bought the whole area and the right to develop the cave. He started developing the cave immediately, but he didn't have enough money to complete it. 1844 he had to sell the cave to his employer, the owner of Burg Feistritz, Freiherrn Von Dietrich. But the name Hermannshöhle after Hermann Steiger survived.

The Eulenberg or Eigenberg (740 m) lies nortwest of Markt Kirchberg am Wechsel. On top of granites and slate lies a 1 x 2km large area of slightly metamorphic Mesozoic limestones.

There are two different tours in the cave. The extended tour includes the Kyrle-Labyrinth, which is richly decorated with sinter formations.