The Eiskapelle (Ice Chapel) at the foot of Watzmann mountain, Bavaria, Germany

© Christian Bäck/eStock Phot

The Eiskapelle, Bavaria, Germany

The Eiskapelle, or Ice Chapel, is a natural cave tucked in the impressive Bavarian Alps around the Königssee—a lake located in southeastern Germany. The Eiskapelle's formation is attributed to the melting of the glacier that surrounds the Watzmann mountain and is particularly attractive due to its natural icicles and ice formations. Over the years, the site has undergone significant transformations due to environmental changes and temperature fluctuation. Despite the threat of global warming, scientists remain optimistic about this landscape's preservation. The reason? Avalanches that descend from the Alps each winter provide new sources of snow and ice that should keep the cave sustained for years to come.