Show cave

A show cave is a cave that is used for tourism.

On the concept of show caves

The term goes back to the development of cave tourism in the 19th century, especially in the Danube monarchy back. So it's no surprise that this term has been defined primarily by Austrian karst researchers, for example by Hubert Trimmel.

From a show cave can be spoken when the cave essentially has the following properties:

• Road network: caves are usually very difficult to walk on. Therefore, it is necessary with considerable effort to create ways of wood, metal and concrete. Very few caves have a flat bottom, it can be so that no artificial ways on certain routes. You can dispense with all artificial changes almost never.
• Guided tours: Traditionally, the leadership, so the visit with a guide who taught and monitored, an important sign.
• Admission: The operator wants to earn money with the cave. At least he has to take as much money as is needed for the maintenance of the cave, the renewal of the ways the lighting and power supply.
• Closure: An important aspect of protection is the closure of show caves by the operator. So the cave can not be visited freely, but only in the context of the guides. This vandalism is stopped and made ​​sure that no injury can occur. However, research is hindered.
• Opening times: Regular opening times, ie predetermined periodic times when the cave can be visited.

• Light: A cave is dark. To be able to use touristy, light needs to be created. Nowadays it is usually electric light, so that you can always speak of a show cave in the existence of electric light. In principle, there are also alternative. So hand lamps may be issued to visitors. Most are the electric torches, carbide or, in exceptional cases, helmet lamps. Until the 20th century, torches were used. This can be seen in old show caves of black deposits. In some caves there is the use of unsuitable fluorescent tubes with UV light to the development of undesirable lamp flora in the form of algae and moss growth.

General are caves in most countries, principally under strict protection, the concept of the show cave can be compared to that of a natural park: parts of the cave are exempted for tourism use, in addition to the secular purpose of financing the further cave exploration well to the conservation aspects and the value a cave nearly put the visitors, and to spread environmental awareness - which is an implementation of modern protection concepts, the economic viability and anchorage in the awareness of the local population ( by local added value as well as pride in natural beauty ) and also the tourist guests in terms of tourist known profile of a region considered ( as a region with a charming nature offer) as an important pillar of conservation. The show cave can be compared to the concept of core and buffer zone of a national park or the concept Strict Nature Reserve / Wilderness Area: The Entrance areas are opened up, the deeper parts are research and the undisturbed habitat available. This thought was followed by the UNESCO as the Declaration of Skocijan Caves - committed tourist for over 100 years and have opened since 1933, even through an artificial tunnel from the "wrong" end and opened up along the entire length of a branch to commit - a World Heritage Site.

Separate from this is then conceptually the natural cave, whose entrance is reserved for scientific research - caving ( speleology in the narrow sense ) and habitat research (flora, fauna and habitats) as well as archeology / anthropology, as far Fund places.

In Germany, Austria and Switzerland show caves are usually operated by clubs. These are often created specifically for this purpose cave clubs, sometimes the hiking club ( Albverein ), Alpine clubs, nature lovers, or other nature-related associations. Then the ticket prices are usually only used for obtaining the cave and many jobs are done by volunteer forces.

In other countries, show caves are often privately owned. They can be bought, sold and operated in accordance with economic interests. In addition to a higher level of admission prices, this is often associated with extensive advertising. Also, colorful lighting, scenes from fairy tales for children and multimedia shows are in this subject area. In these countries, there are usually not a literal representation of the concept of a show cave, one speaks of Commercial Caves ( commercial caves ) or Tourist Caves ( tourist caves ).