Kőbeles Cave

Kőbeles Cave is one of the caves located in the Budai Mountains within the Danube–Ipoly National Park, in Biatorbágy.

Description

Kőbeles Cave is situated at the foot of a rock formation on the eastern side of the road leading toward Sóskút on the edge of Biatorbágy. It lies roughly in the middle of this east‑west trending Miocene limestone formation at the rock formation marked as Nyakas‑kő on the (1:10,000 scale) topographic map, which can be accessed via the tourist trail marked with a red stripe. The cave is located 60–70 m east‑northeast of Nyakas‑kő, near the valley floor of the valley that cuts through the limestone formation in a west‑northwest direction, on the east side of the valley axis. No lamp is needed to view the cave, which can be visited without a permit.

The cavity formed in white, easily crumbling limestone (clayey limestone). This rock type contains many fossils (mainly shells, snails) as well as their casts, which are well observable in the cave’s surroundings. In the formation of the cave (apart from former corrosion effects) humans undoubtedly also played a role due to the search for fossils. Considering the soft, powdery rock material, this is easily conceivable, but its traces cannot be observed clearly. In the cavity with a floor covered by porous, loose blocks, no formations are present; hair‑thin roots hang down through loosened rock along the pre‑forming fracture. Fortunately there is currently no trash in the cave, but knowing the fate of similar cavities, this hazardous factor must be taken into account.

Research History

Attila Gazda surveyed the cave in 2004 and, using the survey data, prepared the plan map and longitudinal section map of Kőbeles Cave (Biatorbágy) on 30 December 2004. On the plan map, which shows the east direction on the map sheet for its use, the location of the longitudinal section within the cave can be seen.

According to its registration sheet prepared on December 30, 2004, based on the BTI cadastral survey, the entrance of the Kőbeles Cave (cave cadastral area 4710, Pest County, Biatorbágy, Etyeki Hills) is located at the foot of a rock wall on the hillside. The cave entrance is 2.7 m wide, 1.95 m high, natural, arched, and oriented along the slope axis. The thoroughly surveyed cave is 2.74 m long, 2.45 m vertically extended, 1.95 m high, 0.5 m deep and 2.54 m horizontally extended. The cavity formed in middle Miocene (Badenian) limestone (Rákosi Limestone Formation) in the middle of the cavity. The cave collapse, corrosion, or consequences of human activity occurred along a tectonic fracture. The rock‑wall, space‑shaped cave floor is sloping. Its typical slip type is irregular.

Periodically dripping water appears in the cavity. Elements of the enclosing rock material related to the cavity are the ancient artifacts. Rubble, locally formed inorganic fill: collapse material, rock debris, other materials that have fallen out of the enclosing rock. A small amount of soil, humus occurs in the cave. Thematic processing: map, photograph, cadastral record, description. Competent nature‑protection authority: Danube–Ipoly National Park. The easily accessible cave is walkable without permission. The slightly altered cave floor is trodden. Hazard factor: waste. Related documents: map.