Syrauer Drachenhöhle

Dragon’s Cave Syrau

Useful Information

location of the cave. © Gemeindeverwaltung Syrau.

Location:	A9 München-Berlin, exit Schleiz, aprox. 25 km B282 towards Plauen. A72 Hof-Chemnitz exit Plauen Ost or Pirk, from Plauen B92 and B282, 8 km to Syrau. Next airpot is Hof app. 30 km. 26 km N Hof. City limits of Syrau. (45,Na45)
Open:	FEB to MAR täglich 10-16. APR to OKT täglich 9:30-17. NOV täglich 10-16. [2020]
Fee:	Adults EUR 9, Children (4-14) EUR 6.50, Children (0-3) free, Family (2+3) EUR 29. Groups (15+): Adults EUR 8.50, Children (4-14) EUR 5.50. [2020]
Classification:	Karst Cave cave system, Upper Devon Dragon Cave
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	L=550 m. Großer See (Great Lake): L=28 m, B=10 m, D=2 m.
Guided tours:	L=350 m, D=40 min., St=81, V=40,000/a [2005].
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:
Bibliography:	(1985): Die Syrauer Drachenhöhle, published by: Rat der Gemeinde Syrau, Plauen.
Address:	Drachenhöhle Syrau, Höhlenberg 10, 08548 Rosenbach/Vgtl. OT Syrau, Tel: +49-37431-3735, Fax: +49-37431-80912. E-mail:
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

14-MAR-1928	discovered during quarry work. Development and electric light in the same year.
1929	publication of the first cave guidebook.
1929	discovery of the Irrgarten (maze) beacause of very low water level in the lakes.
1934	development of the Irrgarten and addition to the exting tour.
1980	start of the discovery of the water filled lower level.
1985	entrance and exhibition modernising.

Description

probably the most impressive speleothem of the cave, a shawl or curtain. © Gemeindeverwaltung Syrau.

map of the cave. © Gemeindeverwaltung Syrau.

The Drachenhöhle was discovered in the former Walther'schen Steinbruch (Walter’s Quarry), after the quarry was already closed. Only the quarry worker Bruchmeister Ludwig Undeutsch was still allowed to quarry, because he had no other income. Today the quarry is a small park with an open air theatre.

The cave was developed extremely fast: 199 days from the discovery to the opening is maybe the fastest development of all show caves. The main reason for this fact is the high unemployment rate at this time. The community of Syrau provided work for the people and hoped to increase tourism.

The cave has a maze-like structure and many cave lakes. The lakes are interconnented and so they all have the same level. The largest lake is the Großer See (Great Lake). Its water is very clear and has a green colour, because of the high amount of dissolved limestone.

In 1929, a very dry year, the water level was very low, so the Irrgarten (Maze) behind the Nixensee (Nix’s Lake) was discovered. It was developed too, but to keep this part dry the water level had to be lowered by pumping. Additionaly this part of the cave is very narrow and a dead end. So it is not part of the tour any more.

The cave has very little limestone formations. The Elefantenohr (Elephants Ear), a 50 cm long curtain is really nice. The cave has some small but nice Excentriques. They are located along the path from Kristallsaal (Crystal Ballroom) to Schatzkammer (Treasure Chamber) at the ceiling and they are not mentioned at the guided tour.

The Devonian limestone of this area contains a very high amount of clay. Thus the cave is filed with huge amounts of residual clay, forming strange and rare clay speleothems. This clay formations are a special sight of the Drachenhöhle.

The pictures are used with the consent of the Gemeindeverwaltung Syrau.

Syrauer Drachenhöhle Gallery