A visit to the Dechen Cave and the German Cave Museum Iserlohn is truly worthwhile. Discovered by railway workers in 1868, the Dechenhöhle in Iserlohn-Letmathe has attracted more than 14 million visitors to date. It is famous for its extraordinary stalactites and its prehistoric animal finds. Stalagmites and stalactites, wafer-thin stone curtains, stalactite columns and glittering crystals in clear water basins accompany you on your way.
One of the most beautiful stalactite and bear caves in Germany!
Afdter passing the organ, the mermaid pond and the palm tree pillar, you reach the Kaiserhalle. The stalactite Kaiser stands majestically here - perhaps the most beautiful stalactite formation found in a German cave. The total length of the Dechen cave is almost 900 m, 400 m of which can be accessed by the public.
Whether a regular guided tour, children's birthday party, treasure hunt for kindergartens, adventure tour for children during school holidays, the witching hour for children in February, a lantern tour on St. Martin's Day, a Christmas tour in December or an acoustic tour and concert - the Dechenhöhle cave will truly enchant you! There are also special educational programmes available for school classes. In addition, the geologists working at the cave offer scientific lectures and excursions to the local karstic and cave landscape.
In the only special museum for speleology in north-western Germany, you can view a life-like replica of a cave bear as well as the recently discovered baby cave bear and other finds! Museum activities are held for children during school holidays Exhibitions provide some interesting insights into the mysterious cave world and into the work of the cave researchers and show that even today, universities are still conducting scientific research at the Dechenhöhle cave.
The annual programme of the Dechenhöhle cave can be found online at http://www.dechenhoehle.de .
How to get there
Via the A 46 motorway, exit Iserlohn-Oestrich, from there follow the signs for approx. 1 km, two large free parking spaces are available there.
Important information
Dechenhöhle Cave is a unique natural monument and can therefore only be visited with a guide. Fixed guided tour times are 10:30, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30 and (from April to October) 16:30. The last tour takes place half an hour before closing time. The tour takes approx. 40 minutes. Further guided tours are available on request or by appointment. Guided tours for groups are also possible outside opening hours by appointment. Animals are not allowed to enter the cave. The temperature in the cave is about 10 degrees Celsius in the summer and winter.
Tip
A visit to the Dechenhöhle Cave and the German Cave Museum Iserlohn can be combined with a short walk around the nature reserve 'Sonderhorst-Burgberg' with its rare limestone flora and a medieval Hill Fort complex.
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