My wonders of my country - SLOVAKIA step #1 | Page 5

Basalt Waterfall The Basalt waterfall is located near the castle Šomoška and belongs to unique of the Slovak nature. The basalt from it is around 4 million years old. This basalt column arose thanks to volcanic activity in Cainozoic. The lava came out and slowly became old. That’s the reason of an existence Basalt waterfall. This “basalt organ” is about 9 meter high and is one of the most rare nature phenomena in Slovakia. It was created by the nature, but final look got between 14 and 15 century with the help of human. People in these centuries were building the castle Šomoška and they needed basalt to build it. So, they’re breaking and crushing the basalt column till the basalt waterfall had been arose. From year 1954 belongs the Basalt waterfall to “UNESCO Heritage”. Author: Alexandra Lapková 2