CATHEDRAL

Located in the Cathedral is the Great Stalacpipe Organ, the world's largest musical instrument. Stalactites covering 3 1/2 acres of the surrounding caverns produce tones of symphonic quality when electronically tapped by rubber-tipped mallets. This one-of-a-kind instrument was conceived by Mr. Leland W. Sprinkle of Springfield, Virginia, a mathematician and electronics scientist at the Pentagon.

After visiting the caverns with his son and experiencing the organ-like sounds of a stalactite being tapped, Mr. Sprinkle submitted and experiencing the organ-like sounds of a stalactite being tapped, Mr. Sprinkle submitted a complex plan for a stalactite-tapping instrument. It took 36 years of frustrating research, design and experimentation to bring his dream to its present state of perfection. Three years alone were spent searching the vast chambers of the caverns to select and carefully sand stalactites to precisely match the musical scale. Only two stalactites were found to be in tune naturally.

The four-keyboard console of The Great Stalacpipe Organ was constructed by the Klann Organ Supply Company of Waynesboro, Virginia, to meet the peculiar needs of this subterranean installation. Then the organ was connected to various stalactites with over five miles of wiring.

Today, the organ plays a variety of songs, many chosen for their range and deep, resonate tones. Visitors stand enthralled as haunting melody and chords reverberate throught the vaulted ceilings. The songs, which are played by an automated system, change seasonally. The organ can also be played manually from the console, as Leland Sprinkle did for many years.

DOUBLE COLUMN

Located in Giant’s Hall the Double Column, at a height of 47 feet, is the tallest and one of the most spectacular formations in the caverns.

The National Park Service and the Department of Interior, in 1974, designated Luray Caverns a Registered Natural Landmark. The announcement proclaimed this site possesses exceptional value as an illustration of the Nation's natural heritage and contributes to a better understanding of man's environment.

DOUBLE COLUMN (NATURAL)

Located in Giant’s Hall the Double Column, at a height of 47 feet, is the tallest and one of the most spectacular formations in the caverns.

The National Park Service and the Department of Interior, in 1974, designated Luray Caverns a Registered Natural Landmark. The announcement proclaimed this site possesses exceptional value as an illustration of the Nation's natural heritage and contributes to a better understanding of man's environment.

FROZEN FOUNTAIN

All formations in the caverns are calcite, a crystalline form of limestone, the result of limestone dissolved in water then re-deposited in the hollowed-out underground chambers as stalactites and stalagmites. Calcite in its purest form is naturally white. This fountain effect is the result water dripping through the ceiling for thousands of years to form a gigantic stalagmite.

FROZEN FOUNTAIN (NATURAL)

All formations in the caverns are calcite, a crystalline form of limestone, the result of limestone dissolved in water then re-deposited in the hollowed-out underground chambers as stalactites and stalagmites. Calcite in its purest form is naturally white. This fountain effect is the result water dripping through the ceiling for thousands of years to form a gigantic stalagmite.

GIANT'S HALL (NATURAL)

One hour guided tours, from well-lighted, paved walkways lead visitors through cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings 10 stories high. Enormous chambers are filled with towering stone columns, shimmering draperies and crystal-clear pools.

GIANT'S HALL

One hour guided tours, from well-lighted, paved walkways lead visitors through cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings 10 stories high. Enormous chambers are filled with towering stone columns, shimmering draperies and crystal-clear pools.

SARACEN'S TENT (NATURAL)

Appearing as smooth and flowing as a curtain folded by hand, this formation is one of the most perfectly formed stone drapery structures in the world. The translucent sheets appear to have been parted, tent-like, for an entranceway.

SARACEN'S TENT

Appearing as smooth and flowing as a curtain folded by hand, this formation is one of the most perfectly formed stone drapery structures in the world. The translucent sheets appear to have been parted, tent-like, for an entranceway.

STALACPIPE ORGAN

Located in the Cathedral is the Great Stalacpipe Organ, the world's largest musical instrument. Stalactites covering 3 1/2 acres of the surrounding caverns produce tones of symphonic quality when electronically tapped by rubber-tipped mallets. This one-of-a-kind instrument was conceived by Mr. Leland W. Sprinkle of Springfield, Virginia, a mathematician and electronics scientist at the Pentagon.

After visiting the caverns with his son and experiencing the organ-like sounds of a stalactite being tapped, Mr. Sprinkle submitted and experiencing the organ-like sounds of a stalactite being tapped, Mr. Sprinkle submitted a complex plan for a stalactite-tapping instrument. It took 36 years of frustrating research, design and experimentation to bring his dream to its present state of perfection. Three years alone were spent searching the vast chambers of the caverns to select and carefully sand stalactites to precisely match the musical scale. Only two stalactites were found to be in tune naturally.

The four-keyboard console of The Great Stalacpipe Organ was constructed by the Klann Organ Supply Company of Waynesboro, Virginia, to meet the peculiar needs of this subterranean installation. Then the organ was connected to various stalactites with over five miles of wiring.

Today, the organ plays a variety of songs, many chosen for their range and deep, resonate tones. Visitors stand enthralled as haunting melody and chords reverberate throught the vaulted ceilings. The songs, which are played by an automated system, change seasonally. The organ can also be played manually from the console, as Leland Sprinkle did for many years.

TITANIA'S VEIL (NATURAL)

This shimmering white formation is pure calcite, the result of spreading crystaline deposits. These deposits, commonly called flowstone, spread laterally coating walls or ceilings.

TITANIA'S VEIL<

This shimmering white formation is pure calcite, the result of spreading crystaline deposits. These deposits, commonly called flowstone, spread laterally coating walls or ceilings.

TOTEM POLES (NATURAL)

This area of the caverns contains an unusual amount of formations in a wide variety of shapes. The cluster together is said to resemble totem poles, however, many visitors see other objects within the shapes including an old-fashioned barber's shaving brush.

TOTEM POLES

This area of the caverns contains an unusual amount of formations in a wide variety of shapes. The cluster together is said to resemble totem poles, however, many visitors see other objects within the shapes including an old-fashioned barber's shaving brush.