Natural Treasure of Slovenia - Škocjan Caves

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Human imagination has long been disturbed by everything unknown. The underworld, which is a world of complete darkness and dead silence, is strikingly different from the usual, filled with sunlight. Many caves that store the energy of past eras have not yet been fully explored, even the grottoes open to the public still present many surprises.

Underground nature reserve

The mysterious caves of Slovenia are one of the important points of all tourist routes. Škocjanske Jame is located in the southwest of the country on the Kras Plateau, the most famous karst area in the world. This is a unique biosphere reserve protected by UNESCO and hidden underground.

The first mention of the caves is found in ancient Greek chronicles, but a full-fledged study of the natural miracle began in the 19th century. It was at this time that tourist routes were laid. 28 years ago, scientists discovered more than 200 new passages in the Škocjan Caves.

Natural miracle,created by nature

One of the largest cave systems in the world has been perfectly preserved to this day from prehistoric times. Stretching for 6200 meters, it makes you admire the unique craftsmanship of Mother Nature, who created an amazing masterpiece.

The Škocjan Caves, deservedly included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, are the result of a centuries-old struggle between water and stone, and the rocks have long lost this battle. Many centuries ago, in the era of the early Pleistocene, a small river flowing inside intricate labyrinths carved a huge canyon in limestone rocks, the height of which is more than 140 meters, and the width varies from 10 to 60 meters. As a result of ongoing karst processes (natural phenomena, as a result of which water acts on rocks, which leads to the formation of underground tunnels), some areas of the miraculous masterpiece have settled. They formed the Mala Dolina and Velika Dolina dips, separated by a bridge that appeared in the last century.

Underground river

A river 38 kilometers long, passing through all the dungeons, comes to the surface of the earth in Italy. The water artery, which has declared its rights, sometimes disturbs the dungeon, filling the grottoes during the flood and washing away the sinter formations. The most devastating flood occurred in 1965, when the water rose above the footbridge. Due to safety reasons, the descent to the underground river is currently not possible, and tourists watch from above the blue artery running along the bottom.

Little exploredmazes

To this day, scientists are studying stone labyrinths, many of which are not accessible to the public. However, open limestone grottoes allow you to enjoy the enchanting beauty of the underworld, hidden from the eyes of people. You can admire the mesmerizing spectacle under the light of electricity, carried out in 1959 along the entire length of the Škocjan Caves. The lighting here is very well thought out, and the paved route is designed in such a way that visitors have the opportunity to see the sinter formations from various angles.

Charming beauty

If you look deep into the many corridors, it seems as if they have no end. It is full of dangerous dips and craters formed as a result of karst processes, there are several dozen underground waterfalls that amaze with unearthly beauty. The sumptuous interior decoration of the galleries consists of intricate patterns of stalactites and stalagmites, and many have grown to imposing proportions. Some of them form fabulous figures and amazing compositions, delighting guests.

Tourists admire giant natural calcium carbonate terraces (gurus). Thanks to this mineral, mysterious corners take on a truly fabulous shape. Outwardly very reminiscent of rice fields in China, they are considered one of the most interesting objects of the underworld created by nature.

Grotto Marseille is the largest hall of the cave system, 300 meters long and 140 meters high. This is a gloomy gothic labyrinth where alonesintered mineral formations look like gigantic candles or huge claws of a long-extinct predator, while others resemble large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Some stalagmites look like an ancient throne destroyed by giants, set in an underground palace.

Fun trip

One and a half hour tours of the Škocjan Caves are held several times a day at any time of the year. You won't be able to walk here alone. You can only see the grottoes with a guide who will lead you through the intricate labyrinths located at a depth of 145 meters. Admission is €15 for adults and €7 for children.

Be warned that photography inside the grottoes is strictly prohibited. This is because camera flashes can disrupt a fragile ecosystem. The dungeon has its own microclimate, in which various representatives of flora and fauna coexist. And its violation will lead to irreversible processes.

Skocjan Caves, Slovenia: how to get there?

The nature reserve is located at: Socjan 2, Divača, Slovenija, in the east of the village of Matavun. You can get to the caves with transfers, in any case, you will have to use a taxi. From the capital of Slovenia (Ljubljana) in an hour and a half you can take buses that depart once a day to the Divača stop. Next, take a taxi to the Matavun settlement.

Getting to your destination is easy with the Mv 1824 train. Travel time is one hour and 20 minutes. You need to get off at the Divača station, and then get toTaxi. In addition, you can order a transfer from the capital, the cost of which is approximately 100 euros per person. Tourists will be picked up at the hotel and taken to the reserve by a comfortable bus.

Take a fascinating journey into the underground world filled with bright colors and feel the special energy of the mystical corner. This is the real adventure. The memory of him will remain in the soul of every guest, fascinated by the grandeur of the natural treasure.