Brace yourself! The temperature in the cave is 12 °C, so a jumper or cardigan is recommended.
Brrr! It’s 12 °C in the cave
The Municipal Cave has a history dating back centuries. Over the years, each period has left its own mark and stories. Together, they form a network of passages with a rich history that is still visible today. In the timeline below, we take you through some of the highlights of that history.
The start of marl extraction in the Municipal Cave using pickaxes and saws.
The chisel is gradually being replaced by the gouging chisel.
Major collapse in the cave. The passage leading to the Velvet Cave is blocked.
The first tourist information office was opened, marking the start of tourism in Valkenburg.
Another major collapse. Part of the cave becomes unsuitable for marl extraction, and quarry managers are appointed.
Signs have been placed in the cave to indicate where people could take shelter in the event of a threat of war.
Around 3000 residents of Valkenburg took shelter in the Municipality Cave during the liberation.
Marble stones from the cave are being used to repair damaged houses in Valkenburg.
The first World Cycling Championship in Valkenburg, with the Cauberg as the finish line. The beginning of cycling history in the cave.
Start of construction of a large air-raid shelter in the cave during the Cold War.
The air-raid shelter, which can accommodate around 15,000 people, is being completed.
Maintenance of the air-raid shelter was discontinued after the end of the Cold War.
Marble from the caves was not only used locally, but also exported to other parts of the Netherlands.
From around 1250 to 1920, marl was quarried by block-cutters in the Municipal Cave.
Traces of the past can still be found in the cave’s passageways. Around every corner there’s a fascinating detail or story to be discovered. Did you know that…
…stone cutters often used a combination of a saw and a chisel, because saws quickly became blunt and sharpening them was expensive?
…that there is a hidden chapel in the cave dating from the time of Napoleon, when the Catholic faith was temporarily banned?
…the Municipal Cave is used not only for guided tours, but also to display artworks by artists from Breda and Amsterdam, among other places?
Join our passionate guides as they lead you into the unknown. They know every stone, every secret and every inhabitant. Discover what makes this place so special to them.
Take good care of what has been made here.
Stories must be passed on.
The cave is unique just as it is.
Every era has left its mark here.
For thousands of years, people have been fascinated by caves. From the outside, you cannot see what a cave holds. But take a single step inside, and you enter a world where the walls whisper. Story after story. Layer upon layer. We tell that true story, so that the past lives on into the future.
Join us as we descend into the unknown, where only darkness and history remain. Our passionate guides know every stone, every secret and every inhabitant. We share the cave with nature and centuries of history. But we also share it with you.
Wander through the corridors and feel the presence of those who once lived here, or let our train take you to the heart of the Cauberg. What seems hidden from the outside gradually comes to light inside. Do you dare to look?
Join our passionate guides on an adventure through the Municipal Cave. Explore the ancient passages on foot or by train, discover the Cold War and Second World War bunkers, or step into the Cycling Gallery.
Come along, wander through the ancient corridors and feel the presence of those who once lived here.
Discover the highlights from the world of cycling.
Explore the hideouts from the Cold War and the Second World War.
Experience the history and let yourself be transported back in time to the heart of the Cauberg.
The corridors of the Municipal Cave regularly serve as a backdrop for films and television programmes. Scenes for Bassie & Adriaan and the Sinterklaas films, amongst others, were filmed here.
The oldest drawing in the cave dates back almost 500 years.
Discover the stories of those who have visited before you and find out why they consider the Valkenburg Municipal Cave the perfect day trip. From its impressive history to its mysterious passages, our visitors share their unique experiences that make the tour an unforgettable experience. Find out why you too should discover this special place.
4.3 based on 7,5k reviews
We went on a wonderful walking tour here with an experienced guide. They took their time to show us everything. Our questions were answered thoroughly and it was a really enjoyable tour.
It was a lovely experience, but what really stood out were the explanations provided by our guide and the train driver. It’s definitely something worth doing if you’re in Valkenburg.
We went on the train tour today. It was a lovely experience and our 8-year-old son absolutely loved it. The guide/conductor/driver was very friendly. He gave a clear and interesting explanation, and we got a good sense of just how big this cave is.
Informative in every aspect, covering history, traditional crafts and the war. All these topics are covered, and above all, it’s an enjoyable walk underground.
Highly recommended if you’re in Valkenburg. We did the walking tour, which was great fun. The guide was really enthusiastic and cracked a few jokes along the way. We took part with our two children, and they had no trouble keeping up.
Quite a surprise. A hidden world underground. The guide on our little train had to combine his driving skills with a good narrative about the history, the drawings and the sculptures. Even our teenagers thought it was cool (and chilly, so bring a jumper or jacket).
A fascinating tour exploring the lives of the stone breakers in Valkenburg. Along the way, there are interesting artworks and depictions of what animals and nature might have looked like in the past.
Ger the guide is brilliant. We went with a group of eight, including four children, and it was really interesting and told in a really entertaining way.
Find out everything you need to know to plan an adventurous trip to the Municipal Cave. That way, you won’t be caught off guard… we’ll save the surprises for inside the cave itself.
Every day on the hour from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Every day at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm
Give the gift of an adventure with our voucher.
All our guided tours are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.
The temperature in the cave is 12°C, so do bring a jacket or jumper… even in summer.
043 601 2271
