About Tykarpsgrottan
From limestone mine to visitor attraction
Tykarpsgrottan is not a natural cave, but a former limestone mine with origins dating back to the 18th century. Limestone extraction in Tykarp ended several hundred years ago. Like other mines in the area, Tykarpsgrottan was owned and operated by local farmers, and it remains privately owned to this day.
The long passageways and impressive pillar halls have always sparked curiosity. As early as the beginning of the 20th century, visitors began coming here. At that time, Mrs. Marta Svensson welcomed guests and told stories about life and work underground. Since then, her family has carried on the operation, generation after generation.
During the 20th century, the site developed into a popular excursion destination with a café, barbecue hut and campsite. The ways to experience the quarry expanded to include events, dinners underground and the popular Christmas market. Since 2012, Tykarpsgrottan has been run by Anna Axelsson, the fifth-generation mine hostess.
From Cretaceous Sea to Limestone – a Journey of 80 Million Years
As you descend into the cave, you step straight into prehistory. Eighty million years ago, Tykarp lay beneath a warm, shallow sea teeming with life. Traces of this ancient world remain in the limestone surrounding you – fossils of marine animals, plants and prehistoric predators can be seen in the walls, ceilings and pillars.
Limestone has been mined in Tykarp and Ignaberga since the 12th century. In the past, it was mainly used for mortar; today, limestone is an important raw material in agriculture, industry and products such as glass, toothpaste and paper.
A winter refuge for bats
Tykarpsgrottan is also an important haven for bats. During the winter months, several species hibernate here in the cave’s calm, cool environment. To avoid disturbing their hibernation, the cave is closed from October until spring, with the exception of the Christmas market. When warmer weather returns, the bats emerge and once again hunt across the surrounding landscape.
A living destination all year round
Today, Tykarpsgrottan is a vibrant visitor attraction for most of the year. History, nature and experiences come together here through guided tours, underground activities and events above ground. It is a place where past and present truly meet – both above and below the surface.
