Kesslerloch

Useful Information

Location:	Thayngen, near Schaffhausen. (47.745340116756694, 8.693085260323597)
Open:	No restrictions. [2021]
Fee:	free. [2021]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:
Dimension:	Ar=200 m².
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Schaffhauserland Tourismus, Vordergasse 73, 8200 Schaffhausen, Tel: +41-52-632-40-20. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1902	placed under state protection.

Description

The Kesslerloch is one of the most important archaeological sites of the late Ice Age in Europe. The site was once used as a meeting place by hunting groups during the summer months, which was the hunting season. Archaeological remains of visits during the Upper Palaeolithic Age or Magdalenian, 14,000 – 12,000 BC, were excavated. The remains are exhibited in the museum at Allerheiligen in Schaffhausen.

Later the cave was frequented travelling people, gypsies and tinkers, who used the cave as a dwelling for one night. That's how the cave got its name, Kessler is the local dialect name for a man who repairs kettles, one of the typical professions for travelling people.

The cave has a huge portal and a single chamber which has 200 m². It is located in the town Thayingen, north of Schaffhausen. When you drive from Thaying towards Schaffhausen on B15, turn left towards E54, after 50 m is a parking lot on the left side. Its only a 5 minute walk.

Nearby is also another cave, which is much smaller, named Kleine Höhle Verrucano. Its only 50 m away but unfortunately there are railroad tracks and the State Highway inbetween. Its better to drive to the end of Rietstraße and take the paved single lane track, 100m/5 min to the cave.