Masitise Cave House and Museum- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

The Masitise Cave House Museum, located in Lesotho, was once the private residence of Swiss missionary Reverend David-Frederic Ellenberger. Built in 1867 after Ellenberger and his family were displaced by the Basotho-Boer War, the home was constructed into a cave in the rocky mountains, which had previously served as a shelter for local tribes. Ellenberger established a church here and spent 55 years ministering to the local community. The cave house is notable for its half-natural construction, a dinosaur track in the ceiling, and the reported burial of Ellenberger's son in the wall. Today, it functions as a museum showcasing artifacts such as family photos, traditional clothing, taxidermied animals, and the dinosaur footprint.