The Bridal Altar - Beneath Your Feet

Several wedding ceremonies have taken place here in Gothic Avenue.

NPS Photos/ David Kem

Quick Facts

Location:

Mammoth Cave, KY 422259

Significance:

Historic signatures and monuments from early visitors.

Designation:

World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve

Amenities

1 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

Located in Gothic Avenue Passage, you arrive at a large chamber with several dripstone columns, in one area of the chamber there are three very large dripstone columns known as the “Bridal Altar”. 

In the 1800’s and 1900’s several couples got married at the dripstone formation known as “The Bridal Altar”. According to an 1800’s story, a bride who swore to her mother “never to marry any man on the face of the earth” kept her promise by marrying her love in Mammoth Cave, under the earth.   Weddings are no longer held in the cave, but subterranean proposals are still known to happen.  Gothic Avenue is host to some of the earliest 19th century tourism. Early visitors left behind signatures, monuments and artifacts in this area of the cave. 

NPS Mobile App Users: Click here to watch a video of a ranger at the Bridal Altar.

Duration:

43.067 seconds

Join Ranger Ashley as she shows you The Bridal Altar, 154 feet beneath the surface.