Macocha Abyss

Famous Macocha Abyss is more than 138 m deep and it is the biggest gorge of its kind in the Czech Republic and even in the Central Europe. The upper part of this nature unique is about 174 m long and 76 m wide. There are two platforms for tourists at the edges. The first one is Upper Bridge constructed in 1882. The second one is little bit lower called Lower Bridge. This lower bridge comes from 1899 and it is about 92 m above the bottom of Macocha that you can see from there.

Have a look downwards

Macocha Abyss (named in 17th century) was created by fall of ceiling of huge cave hole. That’s why its bottom is covered by debris. The River Punkva is rising here and fills up two small lakes called Horní (Upper) and Dolní (Lower). Horní lake is approximately 13 m deep and you can see it from the Upper Platform.

Underground River Punkva is made by several local brooks which became bigger river underground. It is coming from north part of Moravian Karst to east. Macocha Abyss is the only place where Punkva River goes to daylight. Then, the river goes its wandering in Punkva Caves. The whole cave complex is made by more than 30 kilometers of underground passages partly filled with water.

History and explorations

Lazar Schopper, the monk of minor monastery was (in 1723) the first known person descending into the Macocha Abyss. It was the real start for proper exploration and another research work in Macocha Abyss. These brave people were in risk of theirs lives to find out step by step the secret of Macocha for the next generations.

Year 1856 became turning point when MUDr. Jindřich Wankel reached the bottom of Macocha Abyss. In 1901 Karel Absolon started the systematical exploring of Macocha Abyss. He made detail survey of the abyss and its connection with caves. Absolon’s works culminated by opening of Punkva Caves to wide public in 1914. During years 1920-1933, next steps were made to open water cruise and caves to public.