An underground palace of ice: Amazing pictures show full majesty of giant cave in Austria only discovered a hundred years ago 

  • Dachstein caves in Austria were first explored in 1910 and contain incredible ice sculptures
  • Subterranean ice palaces were formed when water seeped through the cracks and into stone
  • Structures are around 500 years old and were preserved by the cave's cool temperature
  • Scientists found bear bones among ice sculptures, suggesting early tribes lived in the caves

Amazing pictures show the breathtaking beauty of giant ice sculptures in caves that were only discovered around 100 years ago.

The subterranean palaces, named the Dachstein caves, in Austria, were created when water from the plateau above seeped through cracks in the stone 500 years ago.

The cold temperature inside the cave preserves the ice when temperatures rise above ground, allowing tourists and academics to study the incredible structures in all their majesty.

The main caves are Dachstein Eishöhle and Mammuthöhle, but the ice structures are only found in the former. 

The caves are a hot-spot for tourists, with the ice illuminated by colourful lights, but they were only discovered in 1910.

However, the tours may not be the first time humans spent time in the caves, with researches finding bear bones among the ice - suggesting that early tribes may have once lived there.

The beautiful ice sculptures in the Dachstein caves were created when water seeped through the stone 500 years ago

The beautiful ice sculptures in the Dachstein caves were created when water seeped through the stone 500 years ago

Due to the cool temperatures in the caves, the ice palaces are preserved when temperatures rise above ground

Due to the cool temperatures in the caves, the ice palaces are preserved when temperatures rise above ground

Despite the ice sculptures, which rise to the ceilings of the caves, being created centuries ago they were only discovered in 1910 by explorers

Despite the ice sculptures, which rise to the ceilings of the caves, being created centuries ago they were only discovered in 1910 by explorers

As well as the impressive ice sculptures there are also other cave structures for people to explore at Dachstein, which are linked by an illuminated path

As well as the impressive ice sculptures there are also other cave structures for people to explore at Dachstein, which are linked by an illuminated path

Pictured: Tourists walk down a snaking pathway as they enjoy the caves and deep tunnels at Dachstein in Austria

Pictured: Tourists walk down a snaking pathway as they enjoy the caves and deep tunnels at Dachstein in Austria

Since the discovery of the ice sculptures around a century ago, the caves have become a popular hot-spot for tourists

Since the discovery of the ice sculptures around a century ago, the caves have become a popular hot-spot for tourists

Pictured: The caves and ice sculptures are illuminated by coloured lights, allowing tourists to capture beautiful photos 

Pictured: The caves and ice sculptures are illuminated by coloured lights, allowing tourists to capture beautiful photos 

Pictured: Ice arches up as centuries of water seeping through stone creates a white glistening sea in the Dachstein caves

Pictured: Ice arches up as centuries of water seeping through stone creates a white glistening sea in the Dachstein caves

The two main caves are named Dachstein Eishöhle and Mammuthöhle with visitors offered the opportunity to explore both

The two main caves are named Dachstein Eishöhle and Mammuthöhle with visitors offered the opportunity to explore both

Pictured: This breath-taking ice sculpture resembles a vast wave as it dominates the cave, leaving just enough space for a walkway for visitors

Pictured: This breath-taking ice sculpture resembles a vast wave as it dominates the cave, leaving just enough space for a walkway for visitors

Pictured: A tour guide points to rugged rock formations adorning the ceiling of the cave, as  lights illuminate the background

Pictured: A tour guide points to rugged rock formations adorning the ceiling of the cave, as lights illuminate the background

While humans discovered the caves in 1910, scientists have found bear bones among the ice - suggesting that early tribes once lived there

While humans discovered the caves in 1910, scientists have found bear bones among the ice - suggesting that early tribes once lived there

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