Blautopf
The deep-blue, funnel-shaped karst spring in Blaubeuren that is the outlet of the Blauhöhle system. A popular sightseeing spot; diving is reserved for the permitted research group.
The Blautopf is a roughly 22 m deep, funnel-shaped spring pool in the centre of Blaubeuren. Its striking blue colour comes from sunlight: the deep water absorbs the other colours, and reflections off fine calcium carbonate particles intensify the blue. Water leaves the pool as the Blau river.
The pool is the underwater entrance to the Blautopfhöhle, part of the Blauhöhle system. Divers first reached the bottom in 1957, and the cave beyond has been explored by research divers since; today diving is carried out by ARGE Blautopf under a permit held since 1997, and the cave is not open to visitors.
The grounds around the spring have been under renovation since August 2024, with access to view the Blautopf maintained during the works.
The environment
Cold karst spring water (about 9 °C) flowing out of a funnel-shaped pool; discharge and clarity vary strongly with rainfall.
Conditions
Mean outflow about 2,300 L/s, over 30,000 L/s after heavy rain (town figures).
Typical ranges from published sources, not current conditions.
Facilities
Town-centre location; tourist information at Kirchplatz 10, Blaubeuren.
Every fact on this page, with its source (7)
| Fact | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The Blautopf is a funnel-shaped karst spring about 22 m deep. | Verified | [4] [1] |
| The water is about 9 °C year-round. | Verified | [4] |
| Mean discharge is about 2,300 L/s, rising above 30,000 L/s after heavy rain. | Verified | [4] |
| The cave system cannot currently be entered by visitors; ARGE Blautopf has held a diving permit since 1997.Permit issuer not named. | Verified | [1] [3] |
| The Blautopf area has been under renovation since August 2024, with access to the Blautopf maintained. | Verified | [2] |
| The blue colour results from sunlight: other colours are absorbed in the deep water and reflections off calcium carbonate particles intensify the blue. | Verified | [4] |
| Diving is limited to the research group ARGE Blautopf, which has held a diving permit since 1997. | Verified | [3] [1] |
Verified: stated by an official or primary source we opened. Reported: from a secondary source only. Sources conflict: the note gives both versions. May be out of date: the newest source we found is old.
Written in our own words from the sources above. Report a correction