Javoříč Caves to Revive Bats: Your Ultimate Escape from Boredom!

Nature lovers will want to mark their calendars for Saturday, March 29, 2025, as they can participate in unique guided tours known as Waking the Bats. These tours offer fascinating insights into the lives of these nocturnal, flying mammals, and guides will provide a glimpse into the world of bat research. Tours will be conducted at 10:00 and 13:00, organized by the Cave Administration of the Czech Republic in partnership with the Czech Society for the Protection of Bats and the Agency for Nature and Landscape Conservation of the Czech Republic. Each person who signs up will receive a small souvenir included in the ticket price. This event will take place regardless of the weather, so it’s advisable to dress warmly. Inside the caves, the temperature remains below 8 degrees Celsius, and visitors will be exploring for less than two hours. Spaces in the caves are limited, so it’s best to reserve spots for the tours as soon as possible by calling 730 575 924 or emailing javoricko@caves.cz. These tours are designed for adults and older children aged six and above.

For 35 years, experts have been continually studying bats in the underground areas of the Špraněk National Nature Reserve – starting in 1989. The first mention of bats in this region can be traced back to the zoologist, entomologist, and founder of chiropterology, Friedrich A. Kolenati, who noted in 1856 that bats from the “limestone cave near Bouzov” were provided to him on January 16 by forest surveyor Schrodt. During this year’s routine winter bat census across the extensive Javoříč Caves system, 13 enumerators successfully caught and logged 6,447 wintering bats from seven different species. The most commonly found was the Little Wren with a total of 6,158, followed by the Pipistrelle Bat, Great Bat, Water Bat, Brandt’s Bat, Kelp Bat, and Long-eared Bat. The Javoříč Caves are recognized as the largest wintering ground in the Czech Republic.

Javoříč Caves feature stunning stalactite formations – one of the most diverse in the Czech Republic

The Javoříčské Caves are widely regarded as some of the most beautiful caves in the Czech Republic, renowned for their magnificent stalactite decorations. The underground framework consists of a complex network of passages, domes, and chasms. Formed within a deposit of Devonian limestone in the Špraněk National Nature Reserve, significant sections of the caves were uncovered back in 1938, with further discoveries made primarily in the 1950s. Visitors will be mesmerized by the stunning stalactite formations, particularly evident in two large chambers known as The Rubble Dome and The Giants’ Dome. Besides the common stalactite types that can grow to impressive sizes, there is also a fascinating presence of helictites, which are stalactites growing in defiance of gravity. Additionally, the caves feature an extraordinary curtain measuring over 2 meters in height. While the lower level, which is off-limits to the public, consists of a complex labyrinth of corridors connected by drops that reach depths of up to 60 meters, it has yet to be thoroughly explored.

Discover the Javoříč Caves: Guided Tours & Bat Conservation

Explore the spectacular Javoříč Caves on themed, expert‑led tours that combine geological wonder with a focus on bat conservation. Remember to dress warmly—cave temperatures stay below 8 °C year‑round!

Date & Times

• Saturday, March 29, 2025

  • Tour 1: 10:00 AM

  • Tour 2: 1:00 PM

Organizers

• Czech Cave Administration

• Czech Society for the Protection of Bats

• Czech Agency for Nature and Landscape Conservation

Tour Details

• Duration: Approximately 1½ hours

• Age Requirement: 6 years and older

• Group Size: Limited — advance registration strongly recommended

• Inclusions: Small keepsake for every participant

Conservation & Education

• Over 35 years of bat research in the region (since 1989)

• Learn about local bat species, their habitats, and ongoing protection efforts

• Interactive discussion on responsible cave stewardship

Cave Highlights

• Stunning stalactites, helictites, and other mineral formations

• Lower‑section maze of passages and chasms reaching depths of up to 60 m

• Surface features nearby: dives, sinkholes, scrapes, and “glass gates”

Visitor Information

• Attire: Warm layers and sturdy footwear

• Registration: Required due to limited capacity

• Location: Javoříč Caves (directions available via the Czech Cave Administration website)

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness one of the Czech Republic’s most impressive karst systems while supporting vital bat conservation!