Kateřina Cave 2026: the largest underground chamber in Czechia and its acoustics

Kateřina Cave (Kateřinská jeskyně) near Sloup is home to the Main Dome, measuring 96 × 44 × 20 metres — the largest publicly accessible underground space in Czechia. The roughly forty-minute tour (580 m) takes you past the “Bamboo Grove” of slender stalagmites and the illuminated “Witch” rock formation, along with a demonstration of the dome’s famous acoustics. Admission costs 220 Kč (adults) / 180 Kč (concessions) / 110 Kč (children) (approx. €8.80 — this is a rough guide only, and exchange rates do vary), with family tickets at 620–720 Kč. Note: the cave is closed in January, February and December — it’s the only one of the region’s four show caves you won’t be able to visit in winter.

QUICK LINKS 🕳️ What you’ll see in the cave · 💰 Admission and opening hours · 🎵 Acoustics and concerts · ❓ FAQ

While Punkva Cave (Punkevní jeskyně) draws crowds for its underground boat ride, Kateřina Cave has a different trump card — a vast underground space large enough to swallow almost an entire football stadium. It’s one of the most family-friendly tours in the region: no narrow crawl passages, no long queues like at Punkva Cave, just impressive proportions and a few quirks you won’t find anywhere else.

What you’ll see in the cave

The entrance passage and the Main Dome itself have been known since time immemorial, but it wasn’t until 1909 that an expedition led by Professor Karel Absolon discovered a continuation — the so-called New Kateřina Cave. The entire cave opened to the public a year later.

The main attraction is the Main Dome itself (96 × 44 × 20 m) — the largest publicly accessible natural underground space in Czechia. Along the way you’ll come across the “Bamboo Grove”, a cluster of slender, rod-like stalagmites up to four metres tall that genuinely resemble a bamboo thicket, as well as a colourfully lit rock formation known as “the Witch”. The cave is also a significant palaeontological and archaeological site.

The tour lasts roughly 40 minutes and covers 580 metres.

Admission and opening hours

Children under 3 go free.

Opening hours for 2026 vary considerably throughout the year:

• January, February, December: closed
• March, November: just 3 tours a day (10:00, 12:00, 14:00)
• April, May, September: tours every hour from 9:00 to 16:00
• October: closed on weekdays, 5 tours a day at weekends (9:00–16:00)
• June: 8:20–16:00
• July, August: 8:20–16:20

If you’re planning a winter visit to the Moravian Karst, don’t put Kateřina Cave on your itinerary — it’s the only one of the region’s four major caves that closes completely for the winter.

Acoustics and concerts

The Main Dome boasts exceptional acoustics, which guides routinely demonstrate by playing a recording right there in the cave. Several times a year, genuine vocal and musical concerts are even held here — the cave takes part in the Magical Sounds of Macocha (Čarovné tóny Macochy) festival, when concerts are staged across several caves of the Moravian Karst. If unusual concert experiences appeal to you, keep an eye on the festival dates in advance, as tickets for these events tend to be limited.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kateřina Cave suitable for small children? Yes, it’s one of the most family-friendly tours in the region — no crawling required, and the Main Dome offers generously sized spaces.

Is it open in winter? No, the cave is closed entirely in January, February and December. In March and November it runs on a limited schedule (3 tours a day).

How long does the tour take? Around 40 minutes, covering a route of 580 metres.

Can you really hear a concert in the cave? Yes, several times a year the Main Dome hosts musical and vocal concerts that make use of its acoustics, including as part of the Magical Sounds of Macocha festival.

Part of the series A Week in the Moravian Karst: a complete 7-day itinerary. Sources: Czech Cave Administration – Kateřina Cave, opening hours and prices, characteristics, official Moravian Karst 2026 price list (PDF). Prices verified as of 1 September 2026 according to the official Czech Cave Administration price list — we recommend checking the current situation at caves.cz before you travel.