Barbarossa Cave

The Barbarossa Cave (Barbarossahöhle) near Rottleben in northern Thuringia is one of only two accessible anhydrite caves in the world and the only anhydrite show cave in Western Europe. Instead of stalactites, you will see glassy blue-green lakes, vast chambers and strange gypsum flakes peeling from the ceiling like old wallpaper. It is also tied to one of Germany's best-known legends: Emperor Frederick Barbarossa sleeping inside the Kyffhäuser hills.

Where it is and how to get there

The cave lies on the southern edge of the Kyffhäuser range, close to the spa town of Bad Frankenhausen, roughly an hour's drive north of Erfurt and around 90 minutes from Leipzig. A car is by far the easiest way to get there, with parking right at the cave. Public transport involves regional trains plus local buses, so check connections in advance on the Deutsche Bahn app.

A cave found by miners

Miners driving a tunnel for copper shale broke into the cave on December 20, 1865, and it opened to visitors in 1866. The rock here is anhydrite, a calcium sulfate. When it absorbs moisture from the cave air, its surface turns into gypsum and swells by about 60 percent, causing sheets to peel away and hang from the ceiling. The operator says these gypsum flakes cannot be seen in any other show cave.

Things to see on the tour

Visits are by guided tour only, covering about 800 meters (half a mile) in 50 to 60 minutes. Highlights include:

• Neptune's Grotto and the Grotto Lake, with crystal-clear water mirroring the vault
• The "Tannery", where gypsum flakes over a meter long hang down
• Olymp, the highest chamber at 25 meters
• Barbarossa's table and chair in the Dance Hall. Legend says the emperor sleeps here until his red beard has grown around the table three times.

The cave stays at 9 °C (48 °F) all year, so bring a jacket even in summer. Tours are in German.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, tours run daily from April to October, starting at 10 am with the last tour at 5 pm. In winter (November to March) the cave opens Tuesday to Sunday with the last tour at 3 pm; it is closed on December 24. Adults pay €12.50, children aged 3–16 €7, and a family ticket costs €30. There are 58 steps at the exit, the cave is not wheelchair accessible, and dogs are not allowed.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if you are touring Thuringia or the Harz region. Combine the cave with the Kyffhäuser Monument on the ridge above for a full day of German history and legend.