Kristallhöhle Kobelwald

Kobelwald Crystal Cave

Useful Information

view from the cave entrance into the upper Rhine valley.

Location:	In the town Oberrieth, St. Gallen. By car from Oberrieth to Kobelwald, at the crossroad do not turn left into Kobelwald but go straight ahead on a forest road towards Kobelwies and Montlinger Schwamm. From the car park at the dancing ground a few minutes walk. Alternative from Kobelwald market place by foot 20 min. walk.
Open:	Easter to 09-JUL Sun+Hol 11-17. 10-JUL to 10-AUG daily, 12-16:30. 11-AUG to OCT Sun+Hol 11-17. [2005]
Fee:	Adults CHF 7, Children (6-14) CHF 4. [2005]
Classification:	Karst cave Geode
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Verkehrsverein Kobelwald, Freienbach, CH-9463 Oberriet, Tel: +41-71-781977-6665 Höhlenwart, Tel: +41-71-7611977
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

1682	discovered by a hunter.
1935	developed and opened as a show cave.
1987	crystals and dripstones cleaned.

Description

When the Kobelwald Crystal Cave was discovered, it was filled with calcite crystals. They were mined and sold during the next centuries, and so the cave today contains just a small remains of crystals and some dripstones. It is not really known what happened to the crystals, the reason why they were mined. Possible use is glas for religious pictures, scientific use or production of medicine. Obviously a medicine produced of calcite would do no harm, but would also cure nothing except probably calcium insufficiency.

The crystals were very big, and they were cut in a typical form which is locally called Doppelspat (double spar). This rhombohedral form of calcite does rarely occur naturally, it is a result of the cleaving process. The name double spar is a description of a typical optical effect of this material: the light is double refracted and so anything is seen twice through the crystal.

The natural trigonal and scalenohedral crystals found in the cave were not formed during the karstification process. They were not a result of calcite deposition after the cave was formed. Their size, crystal structure, and chemistry differs from speleothems. The crystals were formed much deeper, and are much older than the cave. During the orogeny of the Alps the limestone was moved by tectonic forces, clefts were formed, which were filled by calcite crystals. The material originated from the rock around, the transport was done by hydrothermal convection.

Much later the rock was lifted and karstified. The cave was formed along weaknesses in the rock which followed the vein of calcite crystals. Crystals which were covered by cave mud and thus protected from being destroyed by the corrosive cave water. Some parts of the crystals were not covered by mud, they look grey or were dissolved.

The cave has a small cave river which runs along the tour path. During the last renovation of the show cave, a part at the beginning of the cave was flooded with an artificial dam. It is now crossed on a metal bridge.

The cave is mostly narrow, and sometimes rather low. Helmets are provided at the entrance, but the use is voluntary. It is a good idea to wear the helmets, but good shoes are recommended even more. There are two spots in the cave, where the path is extremely close to the cave river, and the chance to get wet shoes is rather high, especially after rainfalls. So walking boots are much recommended.

The Crystal Cave is located at the foot of the Alpenstein, under the patrimony of Oberriet and St Gall. Whilst repairing and cleaning the cave in 1987, wonderful crystal treasures were found. With the help of a guide, visitors can discover a fascinating underground world of crystals, stalagmites and hidden streams. A well-indicated path and subtle lighting makes it an unforgettable visit. The cave can be reached either by car or by a 15 minute walk from Kobelwald.

Text by Tony Oldham (JUN-2001). With kind permission.

Kristallhöhle Kobelwald Gallery