Czechs Escape the Heat in Mladeč Caves

At the height of summer heat, the Mladeč Caves near Litovel are seeing a record surge in visitors, with guides leading nine to ten tours a day along the 400-metre route. People arrive for the tour in shorts and summer dresses, but just minutes after descending underground, many find themselves pulling sweaters and hoodies out of their backpacks.

The temperature difference between the surface and the inside of the cave exceeds 20 degrees, and visitors feel the shift immediately. "I thought I'd manage in a T-shirt and shorts, but in the end I had to dig out a hoodie from my bag. By the time I walked from the parking lot to the caves I was already sweating, so it was a real temperature shock," said one visitor who came with his family.

The tour lasts 30 minutes, and many are reluctant to trade the cool underground air for the heat above. "I would have happily stayed longer, it was so pleasant down there. Coming back out feels like a punch in the gut," admitted one woman, hastily peeling off her hoodie at the exit. Another visitor, just after stepping outside, immediately asked to go back in: "It's unbearable out here in this heat, ugh." Meanwhile, a young boy tried to convince his parents to join another tour because "it was awesome."

According to Pavel Hejdoš, spokesperson for the Czech Cave Administration, during the current heatwave Czechs can seek refuge from the scorching temperatures in one of the country's 13 caves open to the public. Year-round, these karst underground systems maintain a steady temperature of 7 to 14 degrees Celsius, with humidity reaching up to 99 percent in some spots — a combination that, according to the agency's representative, is particularly beneficial for the respiratory system. For several years now, visitors have been able to take photos inside the caves free of charge, and this summer the Czech Cave Administration has launched a contest for the most striking photo.

The Mladeč Caves beneath Mount Třesín were, according to available records, rediscovered in 1826 during quarrying work in the area. The underground system forms a labyrinth of fissure passages and chambers adorned with dripstone formations. The total length of the passages is 1,250 metres, of which around 400 metres are open to visitors. Among the most famous sections are the Nature's Temple hall, the Maiden's Cave, and a two-metre stalagmite known as the Mummy.

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Source: ekolist.cz