Wimsener Cave

THE WATER CAVE ON THE SWABIAN ALB
The natural monument known as the "Wimsen Cave" or "Friedrich Cave" is the only "active" water cave in Germany that can be navigated by boat.
The Wimsen Cave is always worth a visit. Whether for big or small, the Wimsen Cave is suitable for the whole family. The beautiful and unique natural landscape invites you to go hiking and leave everyday life behind for a moment. A water playground directly opposite the Bio-Gasthof Friedrichshöhle invites the little ones to play.
Text / Source: Tress Brothers Production, Wimsen 1, 72534 Hayingen
tressbrueder.de/wimsener-hoehle

MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION YEARS OF HANDS-ON HISTORY
The "Wimsen Cave" is named after Elector Friedrich von Württemberg and, with its known length of more than 725 m, was created in the upper mass limestone of the Upper Jura by the Höhlenbach and is located in a branch of the Zwiefalter Ach.
Text / Source: Tress Brothers Production, Wimsen 1, 72534 Hayingen
tressbrueder.de/wimsener-hoehle

The cave was first mentioned in a document in 1447.

In 1803, as mentioned above, Elector Friedrich I visited the cave. In the same year, Philipp Christian von Normann-Ehrenfels thanked the Elector for the appointment as minister and the award of Ehrenfels Castle, which also included Wimsen and the cave, by having an inscription in Latin verse above the cave entrance:

“Grata tuum praesens numen mea nympha salutat.
Laetior unda tibi nunc Friderice fluit.
MDCCCIII. IX Aug F.F. Normann.

The nymph who reigns here gratefully welcomes the distinguished visitor.
You flow happier now, Friedrich, the rustling oh.
August 9, 1803 Friedrich Freiherr von Normann. "

In 1910 the limestone cave was already partially measured, but it was not until 1959, after a siphon had been successfully penetrated, that further explorations and measurements could be carried out. Jochen Hasenmayer, among others, played an important role here, who was able to penetrate the cave up to 400 m and 40 m deep between 1961 and 1975.

In 1995 potsherds and human bones were found in the cave, some of which date from the late Bronze Age. At that time the water level was lower and the cave was dry. This is also proven by the stalactites, which only arise in the dry, but were found in more than two meters of water. It was not until the twelfth century that the stream was dammed just below the cave exit for the Wimsener Mühle. A small hydroelectric power station still stands there today.