Han Cave |
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At the heart of Belgium's first UNESCO geopark lies its greatest treasure, one of the most magnificent caves in Europe. The Han Cave, carved by the Lesse River flowing underground, is a tourist attraction visited by 300,000 tourists a year.
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After climbing the 510 steps leading to the bottom of the cave, we find ourselves in a place that remembers prehistoric times. While covering the 1.6-kilometer route, you can admire countless stalagmites (the highest of them is over 7 meters high), stalactites, draperies, monumental chambers the size of a cathedral, including the weapons, located approximately 110 meters underground, where a light and sound show takes place.
Traces of the first visits to the cave date back to the mid-18th century. The grey discoloration of the fossils was caused by the use of oil lamps at that time. Only later was electric lighting installed.
Traces of the first visits to the cave date back to the mid-18th century. The grey discoloration of the fossils was caused by the use of oil lamps at that time. Only later was electric lighting installed.
To reach the cave, you first need to visit the small town of Han-sur-Lesse, located about 6 kilometers from Rochefort. Here you will find the ticket offices where you can buy tickets to the cave, and a historic tram will take you to the sightseeing spot. During the ride we will pass another great attraction in the area, the Wildlife Park. Established in 1970, the 250-hectare park is a refuge for 650 animals from Europe. It is the only park in Belgium where you can admire the European Big Five: the bison, wolf, brown bear, lynx and wolverine. In the park, we can cover the 5.5-kilometer route on foot, which will take us about 3 hours, or by safari bus, which will take 1.5 hours.
We can return to Han-sur-Lesse on foot, stopping along the way at the Han Prehistory Museum, with an exhibition on 50 years of excavations, 9,000 years of history . If we have a ticket to Han Cave, admission to this museum is free. Those with a ticket to the Wildlife Park can visit the Han 1900 museum for free, presenting 50 scenes of everyday rural life in 1900. When planning to visit Han Cave, please note that it is not wheelchair accessible.
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Address:
Domain of the Caves of Han Rue J. Lamotte 2 5580 Han-sur-Lesse Belgium |
Opening hours:
Cave: Monday-Sunday 10.00-16.30 Wildlife Park: Monday-Sunday 10.00-16.30 |
Fare:
Cave: 21.50 Euro Wildlife Park: 21.50 Euros |