Balve Cave

The cave consists of a large, tunnel-like hall with two branching side passages. These bear the names of two scientists: the geologist Heinrich von Dechen and the anatomist and naturalist Rudolf Virchow. One of the side passages has two side tunnels leading to the surface. The cave extends 70 meters (230 ft) into the rock. At its highest point near the entrance, it is 12 meters (39 ft) high (measured from the current ground level), and at its widest point inside, it is 18 meters (59 ft) wide. To compensate for the difference in height, a three-step staircase approximately 15 meters (49 ft) wide was built inside.^[1]

The Balve Cave was mentioned in the Thidrekssaga. It has been used by the local Schützenfest (marksmen's festival) each year for over 160 years.

Since 1985 it has also been the venue of an annual theatre and music festival, the Festspiele Balver Höhle. Its first play was the Katharina von Georgien directed by Hermann Wedekind.In 1991 it staged dramas based on fairy tales festival was installed by Festspiele Balver Höhle. In 1998 the Festspiele Balver Höhle performed with "Aladdin und die Wunderlampe" their first oriental musical.^[2] In 2009 they did their second, "Der kleine Muck". In 1998 the music was composed by Christoph Traud, in 2009 the musical director was Markus Kaiser.

Semi-professionals and professionals are working together at Irish Folk & Celtic Music,^[3] Balver Märchenwochen and other activities of Festspiele Balver Höhle.

• Christian Bollmann (until 1999)
• Justus Frantz (1994–2007)
• Mixery-Cave

• Redentiner Osterspiel
• Mal Sondock's Hitparade
• Public Viewing^[4]
• Tu es Petrus (1997)

• Live in der Balver Höhle (1980)
• Klangräume (1996)
• MTV Unplugged Fanta 4 (2000)

• List of show caves in Germany
• Deutschland sucht den Superstar (season 12)