The Great Stalacpipe Organ

An organ located deep within a cave and whose "pipes" are the geological features of the cave itself

Category Curious Caves, Musical Wonders, Subterranean Sites

Image of The Great Stalacpipe Organ located in Luray, Virginia, US
Image of The Great Stalacpipe Organ located in Luray, Virginia, US Image of The Great Stalacpipe Organ located in Luray, Virginia, US Image of The Great Stalacpipe Organ located in Luray, Virginia, US Image of The Great Stalacpipe Organ located in Luray, Virginia, US | An album recorded in the cave with the stalacpipe organ Image of The Great Stalacpipe Organ located in Luray, Virginia, US | Picture of the cave from 1906 Image of The Great Stalacpipe Organ located in Luray, Virginia, US | Closeup on the solenoid

Deep in the Luray Caverns of Virginia sits the largest musical instrument in the world. The Great Stalacpipe Organ appears at first to be a normal looking organ, but instead of pipes, the organ is wired to soft rubber mallets poised before stalactites. When the keyboard is played, the entire subterranean landscape becomes the instrument.

In order to achieve a precise musical scale, the chosen stalactites of the organ range over 3.5 acres, but due to the enclosed nature of the space, the full sound can be heard anywhere within the cavern. The organ was invented and built in 1954 by Leland Sprinkle, a mathematician and electronic scientist. It took him over three years to complete it.

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  • Hours Hours of Admission: Tours begin every day at 9:00 am. The last tour departs at different times during the year, but as long as you show up by four you'll be fine.
  • Address 970 US 211-W, Luray, Virginia, United States
  • Cost General Admission: $19.00 (includes admission the connected Car and Carriage Caravan Museum)
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