The König-Otto-Tropfsteinhöhle (lit. English: King Otto stalactite cave) is a natural karst cave near Sankt Colomann (Velburg), a district of the Upper Palatinate town of Velburg in the southeast of the district of Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany. It is considered one of the most beautiful stalactite caves in Germany. It stretches for 450 metres (1,480 ft), with approximately 270 metres (890 ft) accessible to visitors through a guided tour that takes about 30 to 40 minutes. The cave was discovered by shepherd Peter Federl on 30 September 1895, the name day of the Bavarian King Otto, hence the name. A significant addition to the cave's attractions occurred in Advent 1972 when an unknown section of the cave, known as the Advent Hall, was discovered. This part was later connected to the main cave and opened for public access. The König-Otto-Tropfsteinhöhle is part of the show caves that make up the Erlebniswelt Jurahöhle group.
History
Discovery On 30 September 1895 a shepherd named Peter Federl, living in the hamlet of Sankt Colomann, noticed a fox disappearing into the mountainside on the Bockenberg. This particular location had attracted his attention before because of the rapid snowmelt and sparse forest growth. He began by clearing a small opening and following the path taken by the fox. As he progressed, he crawled through a passage that led deeper into the mountain until he arrived in a wide, shallow cave. However, without a source of light, he was hesitant to venture further. Federl's curiosity led him to seek assistance from two individuals, namely Josef Erl, a master chimney sweep, and Josef Kuhn, a master mechanic from Velburg, for further explorations of the cave. The three men discovered a beautiful stalactite cave with many different white stalactite formations by candlelight on 30 September 1895. Their explorations unveiled a series of underground chambers, many of which required crawling or stooping to enter because of their narrow passages. The cave was discovered on the name day of the Bavarian King Otto, so the cave was named after him. The news of the cave's discovery spread quickly, and it was not long before the Velburg Tourist and Beautification Association recognized the potential of this dripstone cave as a significant regional attraction. In the next eight months, the pathways were extended and deepened to allow for easier exploration. By May 1896, just a short time after the cave's discovery, the first visitors could be guided through the cave. These guided tours were conducted solely by candlelight, torches, or magnesium lamps and continued in this manner until 1954.
Expansion to show cave
Over the years, the Velburg Tourist Association continued to operate and maintain the show cave, solidifying its place among the noteworthy show caves. In the 1930s, various enhancements were made to facilitate guided tours, including the installation of a wooden staircase and other necessary amenities. However, in 1951, a significant threat loomed over the cave's existence. It was within an area slated for redevelopment as part of the Hohenfels military training area. To safeguard the cave from potential damage, its owners decided to brick up its entrances as a precautionary measure. When it became evident that the cave would remain outside the military training area, it was promptly reopened to the public. In 1952, the Velburg Tourist Association took a lease on the cave and embarked on a two-year renovation effort. During this period, the pathways were further developed, and permanent steps were installed. In 1953, the cave was once again reopened to visitors, this time with the addition of electric lighting, eliminating the need for torches that had been detrimental to the stalactites. The installation of electric illumination was completed in 1954, and the first regular guided tours began that year, led by Hans Federl, the son of the cave's discoverer.
Advent Hall
In August 1968, a 17-year-old named Helmut Schlierf, who had first visited the cave two years earlier with his parents and had developed a deep fascination for it, teamed up with his friend Michael Kirnberger to explore the cave further. Hans Wieser, the cave guide, permitted them to explore the cave at their leisure to search for new passages. Their explorations led to a significant discovery by 19 October 1969, when they uncovered a crevice. They began digging it out in May 1970, a process that continued through March 1971. The two explorers encountered Forschungsgruppe Höhle und Karst Franken (FHKF), a caving research group during this time. Members of this group joined in the digging efforts on 11 May 1972. The pivotal moment came on 2 December 1972, when, with the assistance of numerous helpers and powerful equipment, they managed to crush a large block that had obstructed their path. Schlierf, the discoverer of the crevice, was the first to crawl through it and enter a small chamber. Following him, the other cavers ascended a slope through a narrow passage, eventually reaching what would later be known as the Advent Hall—a spacious, hall-like grotto adorned with various stalactite formations. The discovery of this new section of the cave occurred during Advent, which inspired the explorers to name it the Advent Hall. In total, seven individuals played a role in this discovery. Following the discovery of the Advent Hall, surveying of the new chambers commenced on 3 December 1972, and was completed by March 1973. Subsequent exterior surveying efforts continued in the following years. In autumn and winter of 1976-77, a tunnel was excavated into the Advent Hall from the north side of the Bockenberg after previous test drilling. Simultaneously, older installations were renovated and improved. In 1976, a gallery near the Erlhain was excavated, and another tunnel was built, connecting the old cave to the Advent Hall. During the development work on the Advent Hall, it was heavily modified and partially destroyed. A concrete bridge with steel pipe railings was built over a large sinter pool, and dripstones that obstructed the path were removed. Additionally, the once-white nodule sinter was partially soiled and trampled during these activities. The sinter pool itself nearly dried up during the development work, leading to considerable changes in the cave's appearance. On 3 June 1977, the Advent Hall was officially opened to visitor traffic.
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