Crystal Grotto
This very special natural curiosity, a small stalactite cave, was discovered only a few years ago in a cellar in the heart of Bad Berneck. The groundwater, which contains no impurities, constantly seeps into the cellar. This causes the formation of brilliant white calcite crystals, which have given the Crystal Grotto its name.
Stalactites, dragon teeth, crystal pools, rooster combs and feathers are formed by the sinterings from the same material as marble The Crystal Grotto is unique, not only because of its aesthetics, but also because of its scientific importance as a geological research object.
Geological Variety
Geologists know Bad Berneck for its geological variety and for the insights it offers into the planet’s history. Few other places have such a rich variety of stones from different eras in such a small geographical location.
Of the seven mountains in Bad Berneck, five and a half are from diabas stone, which is approximately 370 million years old. In contrast, the crystalline stalactites of the crystal grotto have only formed over the last 150 years and thus display surprisingly fast growth.
The sinterings in Bad Berneck might be small in comparison to those in Franconian Switzerland or the terraces of Pamukkale, Turkey, but the crystals in Bad Berneck are pure white and especially sparkling.
The walls of the Crystal Grotto are not from one homogenous stone, but are a mixture of many different kinds of stones. This shows that the earth here has moved massively over millions of years.
Visits to the Crystal Grotto
A visit to the Crystal Grotto is possible in a private tour for small groups.
Duration: about 1 hour 30 minutes
Registration is required. A maximum of 10 participants, minimum age 6 years.
Wear helmets – Helmets are provided.
Sturdy shoes are required, and you may need protect against dripping water. Warm clothing is recommended during the warm summer months.
No photo or video recordings possible.
Organizer: City of Bad Berneck i.F.
More info, dates and bookings: www.kristallgrotte-bad-berneck.de
Underground – The heartbeat of the mountain (excerpt)
Inspired by the atmosphere of the crystal grotto, Nigel Amson aka pharmacist has created a Sound Installation for the QR-Tour, which from time to time will also be heard at guided tours.
Underground – The heartbeat of the mountain (excerpt) Nigel Amson aka pharmacist
Crystal Grotto
approx. 3 min., with English Subtitles
My Crystal Grotto
In 2006, we bought a house with a rock cellar in Bad Berneck. My wife and I were very fond of the cellar, because it is nice and spacious. But we only discovered that is was a geological curiosity much later on, because we of course didn’t have any point of comparison with other rock cellars.
There used to be a grocery shop here, and because the temperature in the cellar is a constant 8 C all year round, the cellar was used to store fruits and vegetables. Additionally, the brewery, which used to be located at the Anger, stored their beer here.
The Crystal Grotto has been included on the Registry of Bavarian Geotypes as very significant because of its unusual brilliant white crystalline sinterings and because of its rock compositions.
The room has to remain clean and pristine, so that the crystals can continue to develop undisturbed. Too many visitors would damage the crystal growth; however, I offer guided tours from time to time to interested parties in small groups.
The photos show some details of the crystal formations in the Crystal Grotto Bad Berneck.
Photo of Dr. Nedvidek
Watching Fossils Form
Insects and other creatures have found a permanent or temporary home in the Crystal Grotto.
When the insects die and stick to one of the sinterings, they become slowly encapsulated into the crystal formation. They become fossils, which can be seen in different stages in the Crystal Grotto.
