Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst, Hungary

The property is outstanding for the large number of complex, diverse and reasonably intact caves concentrated into a relatively small area. 712 caves were identified at the time of inscription, however over 1,000 caves are known to exist today.

Shaped over tens of millions of years, the area provides an excellent demonstration of karst formation during both tropical and glacial climates, which is very unusual and probably better documented here than anywhere else in the world.

The most famous of the property’s cave systems is probably the Baradla-Domica. Over 25km long, it connects the Baradla cave in Hungary with the Domica cave in Slovakia. The network of caves is replete with stalagmites and stalactites and has the River Styx running through it.

Over time, the flow of water has abraded and dissolved the rock to form cavities and caverns, with the lime deposits of dripping water slowly creating stalactites and stalagmites on the roofs and floors of the caves. 

The fascinating shapes of these formations inspired the imagination of the explorers who discovered them, leading to them being given such fanciful names as Dragonhead, Tiger and Mother-in-Law's Tongue.

Inside the vast Baradla Cave is an extraordinary cavern known as the Concert Hall. With its excellent acoustics and stunning colours, and large enough to hold 1,000 people, the Concert Hall hosts not only classical and popular music concerts, but also light shows and weddings.

These finds include gold jewellery and fighting equipment from the early Iron Age, as well as tools and earthenware made of stone and animal bone from the New Stone Age, which was 6-7,000 years ago.

Of the 273 caves which are on the Hungarian side of this exceptional property, there are several other caverns, as well as the Baradla Cave, which are also open to the public. 

These include the Imre Vass Cave, known for its Orange Torrent waterfall, the Béke (Peace) Cave, where the air is said to have healing properties for those suffering from respiratory diseases, and the Rákóczi Cave, which is known for its fabulous underwater lakes.

As well as being of considerable geological interest, the caves are host to a unique ecosystem, and, for this reason, the Baradla-Domica cave system is also classified as a Ramsar Site, otherwise known as a Wetland of International Importance. 

The almost sterile air which is hidden under the surface in this World Heritage site gives life to more than 500 cave-dwelling animal species, many of which can only be found here.

One of the most typical representatives of the Baradla Cave's fauna is the bat. These animals can be found here in significant numbers, although the populations of the various species have fluctuated over time based on each one’s tolerance to the increased number of visitors.

The site also includes humid grasslands and meadows, which provide a habitat for a number of threatened species of plants and animals.

Above ground, many hiking trails and educational routes lead visitors to discover the diverse flora and fauna of the surroundings of the Aggtelek Karst.