There are many reasons to visit Slovenia this summer. Not only does it boast incredibly beautiful and under-the-radar coastlines with excellent seafood, as well as being home to one of Europe’s oldest national parks, Slovenia is a tapestry of rolling green hills, crystal clear lakes, and fascinating history that is often overshadowed by its neighbors Italy, Austria, and Croatia. But tucked away in the green, forested heart of southwestern Slovenia is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets, the Škocjan Caves, an incredibly impressive subterranean wonder that has earned its place amongst some of the world’s natural marvels.
Slovenia’s Karst region, a limestone plateau with unique geological formations, houses this unique wonder. The Škocjan Caves, formed over millions of years by the Reka River, offer a dramatic and authentic insight into the world’s largest known underground canyon, a void filled with rivers that plunge into darkness and chambers as tall as buildings. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a voyage into Earth’s hidden depths.
Škocjan Caves, one of many reasons to visit Slovenia
Boasting a 7.5-mile-long labyrinth of caverns and underground passages, this subterranean gorge plunges 479 feet into the ground, making it the largest underground canyon in Europe. This geologic marvel has become one of significant scientific importance, as well as a hotspot for eco-tourism, since its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Archaeological discoveries suggest the caves were considered sacred sites by people as far back as the Bronze Age. Historians have uncovered evidence that the caves were revered as a site of ritual worship, with offerings including pottery and human remains discovered in their depths. Not only this, but the underground biosphere is also home to a unique range of troglobitic species (cave-dwelling animals) such as the olm, a rare blind amphibian that can live to 100.
A journey to the caves is like plunging into a fantasy. Beginning at the visitor center,the tour will take you through various caverns and across the Cerkvenik Bridge, a narrow stone bridge towering over 160 feet above the river. On a guided tour, you’ll have the opportunity to take some photos of this magnificent natural wonder, though your memories are guaranteed to last forever. The caves are open every day between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets cost around $25 for adults (with discounts for children and seniors) and include a tour with a guide.
Underground splendor and surrounding tranquility
