Barbarossahöhle

About the museum

The cave was discovered on December 20, 1865, by miners driving a tunnel into the southern slope of the Kyffhäuser hills near Rottleben in search of copper shale. It was opened to visitors the very next year, first as the Falkenburger Höhle and soon afterward under the name Barbarossahöhle. In 1895 it received electric lighting.

Geologically, the cave is a rarity: it lies in anhydrite, an anhydrous calcium sulfate, and is considered one of only two accessible anhydrite caves in the world. Where the rock absorbs moisture, it turns into gypsum and swells in the process; this creates the characteristic gypsum flaps that peel away from ceilings and walls like strips of wallpaper. Clear, greenish shimmering lakes and a constant temperature of around 9 °C characterize the chambers.

The cave owes its name to the legend of the Hohenstaufen emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, who is said to sleep inside the Kyffhäuser until he is needed. A boulder and a niche have long been shown as the emperor’s table and chair, and a large chamber bears the name Tanzsaal des Kaisers (Emperor’s Ballroom).

The show cave is operated by a municipal enterprise of the municipality of Kyffhäuserland. Since September 2021, a GeoInfozentrum with an exhibition on the geology and archaeology of the Nationaler GeoPark Kyffhäuser has complemented the offering, along with an outdoor area with a playground and a restaurant.

Highlights

• One of only two accessible anhydrite show caves in the world
• Gypsum flaps hanging from the ceiling like peeling wallpaper
• Green shimmering underground lakes
• Emperor Barbarossa’s table and chair from the Kyffhäuser legend
• GeoInfozentrum on the Nationaler GeoPark Kyffhäuser
• Civil wedding ceremonies in the Tanzsaal des Kaisers

Permanent exhibitions

• Führung durch die Barbarossahöhle – Tour through the anhydrite cave with gypsum flaps, cave lakes and the stations of the Barbarossa legend.
• GeoInfozentrum GeoPark Kyffhäuser – Multimedia exhibition on the geological history, rocks and archaeology of the Kyffhäuser region, with hands-on stations for children.

Founded

1866

Operated by

Barbarossahöhle Rottleben, Eigenbetrieb der Gemeinde Kyffhäuserland

Director

Anke Schreyer (Werkleiterin)

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the HarzCard.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: not available
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Not accessible: uneven, partly slippery paths and 58 steps up in the exit area. Under mining authority regulations, animals are not allowed in the cave.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Playground / play area

In the GeoInfozentrum: a legends corner with audio plays, microscopes, a cave cinema and large puzzle cubes. In the outdoor area “GeoErlebnisland”: adventure playground with a mining village, mine carts, about 50 m of adventure mine tunnels and learning stations. The cave is not accessible (58 steps in the exit area) and has a constant temperature of about 9 °C.

Getting there & parking

The cave is located in the village of Rottleben, about 6 km from Bad Frankenhausen.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Restaurant at the cave entrance and shop. Warm clothing recommended (about 9 °C).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 40 guests.

Civil wedding ceremonies (Bad Frankenhausen registry office) in the “Tanzsaal des Kaisers” for up to 40 guests; room rental €600 including seating, decorations and technical equipment.

Plan your visit