Insights into the mysterious stalactite cave Eggerloch near Villach!

Insights into the mysterious stalactite cave Eggerloch near Villach!

In the Carinthian Nature Park Dobratsch, the closed stalactite cave Eggerloch was made accessible for 24 hours in a remarkable campaign. The ascent to this over 700 meter deep cave at a height of 570 meters above sea level leads through rough terrain and is a challenge for the researchers. This event took place in summer 2024 and was documented by a team of cave rescuers, mining experts and zoologists with the latest computer technology and drones. Robert Heuberger, managing director of the nature park, said: "It is a very valuable and detailed stock that we have created here." The aim was to measure the Digital cave in 3D and thus create a valuable archive to document the time of Eggerloch for posterity.

The meaning of the Eggerloch

With a height of 696 meters, the Tscheltschnigkogel on the western edge of Villach is not only geographically impressive, but also historically important. As the best -known cave in this region, the Eggerloch with a length of 709 meters is one of the longest karst caves. Archaeologists suspect that she was already known in a Celtic and Roman period. This cave is considered a winter quarters for several types of bats and is therefore an important habitat for the local fauna.

Investigations have shown that the cave not only has scientific value, but could also represent the decline in biotopes, since the development and destruction of stalactites and stagmings from the early days of research caused irretrievable damage. A documentary was shot to show the beauty and challenges of the Eggerloch, which have often not been respected in the past. The data from this current measurement should be made available on the homepage of the Dobratsch Nature Park in order to make the Eggerloch virtually tangible. This is a crucial step to protect nature and at the same time arouse interest in this mystical cave.

The Eggerloch is not just a highlight for scientists; It is a place full of puzzles and history that also appeals to hikers and nature lovers. The cave, which was closed to the public in 2013, shows how important the balance between nature conservation and the accessibility is for the public, so that the fascinating underworld can continue to be appreciated.