The Saalfeld underground mine – better known as “Feengrotten” (German for “fairy caves”) – is a small system of artificial tunnels, passages and galleries, which are connected with some natural caves.

Saalfeld is located in the German state of Thuringia, actually just 30 miles from my current home. Today I went to Saalfeld (in good company) for a couple of hours. As you can see from the images captured, it was well worth the visit: The mine is rather small, but it includes some beautiful natural caves and an underground lake. In the right light this lake and its stalagmites and stalactites reflecting in the water give a very nice and colourful sight.