State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic Slovak Caves Administration
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Zvonivá jama Abyss

It is located in the central part of the Plešivská Plateau, called Moon Country, with a surface divided by a number of dolines. Inside one of them, there is the entrance to the corrosion-collapse abyss 100,5 m deep. It is formed in the Mesozoic Middle Triassic pale Wetterstein limestones of th Silica Nappe.

The entrance vertical shaft ends in the depth of 45 m with a great underground dome with a mighty debris cone on the bottom. Its top is 84 m from the surface opening. Along the sides of the dome there are inclined ascending passages 180 m long, which originated in connection with underground draining of adjacent large dolines. The underground waters from the abyss penetrate to the Nová Brzotínska Cave, which opens to the surface by a spring on the right hand side of the Slaná River canyon. The entrance shaft was formed by corrosion of atmospheric waters percolating along the crossing tectonic faults. There are pagoda stalagmites more than 10 m high in the abyss. The highest one has 26 m.

The abyss is an important wintering place for bats. By now 7 bat species were recorded here, with the most abundant Lesser Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) and Barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus). The invertebrates comprise rare cave pseudoscorpion Neobisium (Blothrus) slovacum, which was the first time discovered in nearby Diviačia Abyss.

Abyss opening is known for a long time. The first descends date back to 1875 and 1882. The first vocational description is from 1925.

News

SHOW CAVES OPENED AGAIN

Dear visitors, our show caves are opened again from May 15, 2021 under the following restrictions: visitors must wear a face mask, disinfect hands and keep the required distance from each other. Details are stated in official country regulations and legislature. The number of visitors per admission is reduced. Thanks for understanding. We wish you a pleasant visit!

Underground boat trip in Domica Cave not available.

Due to low yield of underground water the boat trip in Domica Cave is not available. The short tour is available. Thank you for understanding

Cave visit with small children

Dear visitors, due to increased visitation of parents with very small children (circa up to 3 - 4 years of age), we would like to kindly ask you to have a rucksack baby carrier with you for visiting the more demanding caves in given time. This recommendation concerns all caves but the most concerned are the following ones: Demänovská Cave of Liberty, Belianska Cave, Dobšinská Ice Cave, Demänovská Ice Cave, Harmanecká Cave. We also ask you to consider visiting the cave with your crying child, which could disturb the other visitors. Thank you for understanding and we wish you a nice experience.

Cave tour guides for download

Dear visitors, cave tour guides are available for download

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