DE
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FRAlmost 100 years as a show cave
A chance find in a quarry, a job-creation project and, since 1927, guided tours through the dripstone cave.
Timeline
From 1860 to today.
- around 1860
Discovery in the quarry
Blasting in the limestone quarry at Pfaffenberg opens up cavities. The find attracts hardly any attention at first; some cavities are partly refilled with spoil, and dripstones are destroyed or stolen. - 1922 and 1926
Development and job creation
In 1922 the municipal council decides to open up the cave. In 1926, in a time of mass unemployment, locals clear tonnes of cave clay from the passages. - 4 August 1927
Opening
The dripstone cave opens to the public. - 1929
First inn
An inn is built at the cave – the Waldhotel has its roots here.
- 1997/98
Scientific supervision
The Arbeitskreis Kluterthöhle (AKKH, a caving research group) looks after the cave and surveys it anew in 1998. - 2002
First wedding
The Wiehl registry office marries a couple in the cave for the first time, 30 metres underground. - 2026
New tenants
On 1 October, Sven and Jenny Kauling take over the Waldhotel and the cave operation. - 2027
100 years
On 4 August 2027 the opening celebrates its hundredth anniversary.
Sources: Wikipedia, showcaves.com, nuembrecht.de, Stadt Wiehl, Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger/Kölnische Rundschau (2026). If you have more archive material, you are welcome to share it: the venue is collecting photos and stories from past decades.
Admission then and now.
In 1982 admission cost 2 DM, in 1997 it was 4 DM, in 2025 €6.50. For 2027 the venue plans €6.50 for adults and €5.50 for children.
And the cave? It still looks just as you will see it on the tour: see the tour or book a tour right away.
100 years of the Wiehl Dripstone Cave
- 4 August 1927
- On 4 August 2027
The first public tour began on 4 August 1927. How the anniversary will be celebrated has not been decided yet – programme and dates will follow.