Luray, Virginia

The Great Stalacpipe Organ

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

Curious Caves, Musical Wonders, Subterranean Sites
48
Contributors: Dylan, Henry

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.

  • 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.
  • Website
  • Address
    970 US 211-W, Luray, Virginia, United States
  • Cost
See an error? Know more? Edit this place.
Sources
Map/Directions
Open in Google Maps
Users Who've Been Here
48
Avi B, Facebook651752940, Facebook1056201816, wdarling, hannahwiatt, pantone292, Facebook_718966485, Facebook_627256878, agavrilis, Facebook37300682, MattB, NanC313, kalachimera, JWOcker, missmarymac, rakknco187, ladydulcinea, elizabrumbaugh, edhoover, susie000, hedgehoginthefog, NorthCoastHeart, pwhaug, anniechee123, freckledgrrl, Thalia, itockc, mongoosenamedt, cwardzala, nolagranola, makspitzer, hw13, dmandiyan, juddzgrrrl1973, smallblueangel24, alltheryans, JFNafziger, dlawson1066, rearviewmirror, LuckyDLF, piblyss, rockphotographer, LotharCem, 7SavagesTattoo, houseluigi, grass, yoreverend, ottereight
Users Who Like This Place
checkerboard, MicaelaColleenBarrett, jeancourts, Starshine, punchingjudy, ster00ling, wdarling, adriennebarile, minimalmonk, HailStorm, sfields, patospurlock, hisgrossness, averyregen, Brian, nycswashbuckler, ectoman3, zackofalltrades, mcholmes123
close

I've Been Here

Nice. This place has been added to your Traveler's Map, showing all the amazing places you've been.

Icon-camera

So, what was it like? Tell us about your experience!


no thanks
close

I want to go here

Great! This has been added to your very own Compendium of Wonders: your collection of all the places that amaze you, inspire you, and that you want to travel to.

Icon-plane
Okay!
A Collection of
Curious Facts
Refresh
close

Sign In

or
or
If you had an account on the old Atlas Obscura, please migrate your account (only once, then you can sign in as normal)

Welcome back!
Migrate My Account
close

Sign Up

already have an account?
or