Lavakeller - Exploring the Underground World of Mendig Lava Caverns in Germany
Updated: Aug 27
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Before diving into my blog post on Lavakeller, it's important to mention that the guided tour of the Mendig Lava caverns in Germany doesn’t offer an English translator. While the cellars are definitely worth a visit, the experience might be less enjoyable if you don't understand German. We relied on the internet and the information catalogue at the venue, but it didn’t fully capture the experience. Keep this in mind before booking your tickets—you might want to arrange an English-speaking guide through your travel agent.
My son has been studying lava formations at school, and the topic of molten lava—its occurrence, effects, and the science behind it—has truly captured his imagination. His curious mind is buzzing with endless questions about it. So, my husband and I decided it was the perfect time to visit the world’s largest lava cellars.
In the charming town of Mendig, tucked away in Germany's Rhineland-Palatinate region, you'll find a true hidden treasure—the Lava Cellars, also known as the Lava Caverns. If you're visiting Vulkanpark Osteifel or the beautiful Laacher See, this is a spot you definitely don't want to miss. The caverns are an incredible mix of nature's power and human craftsmanship. They were naturally formed by ancient lava eruptions, but over the centuries, the people of Mendig expanded them into a network of underground tunnels.
About 200,000 years ago, during the Quaternary period, volcanoes erupted, and the land was covered in flames and ash. The Middle Ages were tough for the people of Mendig, but they turned things around by discovering the value of the black basalt rock left behind by the lava. They started carving out these massive tunnels, extracting the basalt for construction, and that's how the Lava Caverns came to be.
To give you a sense of just how big these caverns are, they stretch out under Mendig for nearly 3 square kilometers! It’s an amazing experience that’s well worth the visit.
Did you know? During the 1800s, a total of 28 breweries capitalized on the constant temperature of the caverns, which ranged between 6 and 9°C, using them as ideal storage facilities for their beer. Even now the temperatures down there range between 6 and 9°C! However, with the advent of Carl von Linde's cooling technology (a German engineer and inventor), the breweries eventually relocated from the caverns, leaving only one brewery behind. As a result, what remains today is a complex network of caverns that visitors can explore through guided tours.
Note: This attraction isn't widely promoted to travelers and tourists, which is surprising given its educational value for both kids and adults. A unique site like this, a former volcanic lava tunnel now transformed into a fascinating underground museum, deserves much more attention than it currently receives. |
We arrived in Mendig around 11 AM and parked our car at the museum vicinity itself. We were made aware of the only German guided tour situation, however, we embraced the uncertainty and booked our tickets for the 1 pm tour. In the meantime, we were instructed to leave all our belongings in the car and use the washrooms before the tour.
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Lava Dome
We had more than an hour's time to visit the indoor museum situated on the 1st floor of the main ticket booking building. The museum had various exhibits showcasing the volcanoes, their eruptions, geology, and the impact on local environments and communities. They also have interactive displays that provide a very stimulating environment for adults and children alike. They had an audio guide here in English to our relief.
At exactly 12:45 pm, the guide, a lady in her 50s summoned us at a gathering point and we were ushered to a stone building few blocks away from the museum. The stone building housed the actual lava cellars in the basement, while the top section was a cloak room. Outside the stone building, the guide gave us information on the history of the lava cellars. After which we had to go to the cloakroom and adorn yellow waterproof jackets as the cellars were moist. This was done to prevent the water trickling from the lava rock ceiling onto our clothes and getting us wet.
We suited up in safety gear, complete with helmets and jackets, and the kids got their own sizes too! After that, the kids were treated to a fun demonstration. Each child received a small piece of lava rock to drop into a jar of water. While a regular stone would sink straight to the bottom, the lava rock floated! The guide explained the science behind this: when volcanic lava cools and solidifies quickly, it traps gas bubbles, creating a porous and lightweight texture. This trapped gas makes the lava rock less dense than water, which is why it floats. It was a great way for the kids to learn about science while having a blast!
After this small demonstration and an additonal explanation of how humans transformed this lava cave into a museum, we were escorted to the door from where we had to walk down a fleet of 350 steps to reach the cellars. For handicapped individuals and aged persons who had difficulty in taking the stairs, an elevator service was provided. We descended to a depth of 32 metres. Upon reaching, we were witness to a network of passages, chambers, and corridors which were formed by ancient lava flows. The guide informed us that this kind of size and complexity is unique in the world and is termed as a subterranean “landscape”.
Note: Keep in mind that the cellars are quite chilly, so be sure to wear warm clothing. The temperature underground ranges from about 6 to 9°C. Don’t forget to wear comfortable walking shoes for the tour! |
Mendig Lava Caves in Germany - The Largest Underground Lava Cellars in the World
The Lavakeller feels like another world in itself, with its own rock formations, natural features, textures, and ecological interactions, just like on the surface of Earth. The Mendig Lava Caverns are known to be the largest underground lava cellars in the world. This natural lava tunnel was formed around 200,000 years ago during volcanic activity in the region. Resulting from the lava flows, the formed stalactites and stalagmites add to the beauty of the caves. I could feel my son's intrigue peak just like a soaring volcanic activity.
His first question was how were we able to walk through a tunnel-like structure underneath the ground? I had to explain to him that when the outer layers of the lava cooled and solidified, the inner lava continued to flow. The guide used a torch to highlight important areas providing a kind of light and shadow show and provided valuable insights into the geological significance and historical context of the lava tunnel.
The gallery of photos below are testament to the geological heritage of the site and showcases its volcanic past.
Once we completed the tour, we ascended the same flight of steps to the cloakroom and got back into our respective outfits for a new set of questions coming our way from my much delighted and awe-struck son.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday (including public holidays): 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM Closures: Closed from the 2nd Sunday in Advent (December 4th, 2023) to December 25th, from the end of the Christmas holidays until January 31st, and during the carnival season from Heavy Thursday to Violet Tuesday. Last Entry: The last entry to the Lava Dome (museum) is at 4:45 PM daily. Guided Tours: Guided tours of the Lava Cellar for day visitors are available daily at 12:00 noon, 1:30 PM, and 3:00 PM during this period. Please note that tour registrations must be made on-site. |
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