The Kelle is a gypsum cave near Appenrode and lies in the fascinating karst landscape of the Naturpark Südharz (South Harz Nature Park).
As the northernmost of the eight national natural landscapes in Thuringia, the Naturpark Südharz delights visitors with its diversity of landscapes. This is where the southern ridges of the Harz Mountains meet the Zechstein belt, creating the striking karst landscape.
The water-soluble gypsum rock has also helped to create natural spectacles such as sinkholes, dolinas, creeks, karst springs, steep gypsum slopes or gypsum caves such as the Kelle. Originally, the Kelle was a giant hall about 85 metres long and filled with water. In the course of time, however, it was leached out and transformed by standing karst water, so that today it only consists of a large sinkhole and a half-open grotto with a small lake.
The water-soluble gypsum rock has also helped to create natural spectacles such as sinkholes, dolinas, creeks, karst springs, steep gypsum slopes or gypsum caves such as the Kelle. Originally, the Kelle was a giant hall about 85 metres long and filled with water. In the course of time, however, it was leached out and transformed by standing karst water, so that today it only consists of a large sinkhole and a half-open grotto with a small lake.
