Skocjan Caves in Slovenia (Slovene: Škocjanske jame; Italian: Grotte di San Canziano; German: Höhlen von St. Kanzian) is a structure of limestone caves in the Kras (Karst) part in southwest Slovenia, carrying crumbled dolines, about five kilometres of belowground passageways, caves more than 200 metres deep and many waterfalls. Skocjan Caves in Slovenia are one of the well-known sites in the world for the study of karstic (limestone) phenomena.
The Slovenia Skocjan Caves Regional Park lies in the southwest of Slovenia, on the main Karst plateau, from which the word Karst initiates. The park comprehends 413 hectares and is 15 km from Italy (Fernetici by Trieste), 80 km from Ljubljana and 12 km from the Lipica Stud. The Slovenia Skocjan Caves, with the grandness of their belowground halls and gorges, carry a specific position among the many thousand caves in Slovenia. The Slovenia Skocjan Caves incorporate a network of eleven caves, with holes, swallow holes, natural bridges among them and many geological features. Because of their particular natural features and cultural heritage they have been on the UNESCO world heritage list since 1986, and in 1999 were put on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance as the world’s largest underground wetlands. You will wonder at the beauty of both the underground world and the nearby karst world above. The temperature in the cave is continuous 12°C.
The Reka River disappears underground at Velika Dolina into the Škocjan Cave (Škocjanske jame) and then flows underground for 34 km towards the Adriatic Sea surfacing near Monfalcone, Italy where it evolves into the source of the Timavo River. The view of the big river, in the rainy season as it vanishes underground, on the bottom of Velika Dolina, 160 m under the surface, is both amazing and frightening. The region of the Skocjan Caves Park is archeologically exceedingly rich, indications are that it was inhabited since more than ten thousand years ago. A valued treasure of archeological findings in ‘Musja Jama’ suggest the influence of Greek civilization, where a cave temple was situated after the end of the Bronze Age and in the Iron Age. This area was certainly one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Europe, three thousand years ago, specially in the Mediterranean world where it was part of important cult importance in connection with the afterlife and contact with the spirits of the ancestors.
What the Slovenia Skocjan Caves proposes you
In addition to tours of the Škocjan Caves, which are accessible to guests year-around, the park offers visitors various other possibilities for discovering about the Kras region and its features.
- Škocjan Museum expositions. A tour of the village itself includes an ethnography exhibition in the J’Kopin Barn, an illustrated history of the exploration of the Škocjan Caves in the Jurjevo Barn, and biology, geology, and archeology exhibitions in the Natural Science Center.
- Travel to the caves in winter, early spring, and late fall when tour groups are smaller than throughout the summer high season.
- Škocjan Education Trail, a reasonably asking hour and a half walk around the Velika dolina and Mala dolina collapse dolines in the center of the park. Educational signboards show the fundamental features of karst phenomena and numerous interesting descriptions of karst plants and animals along with the rich cultural and historical heritage of the area.
Guided tours of the Education Trail for visiting groups can be arranged in advance during the school year.
Access to park:
There are various routes to the park. The simplest path is via the Ljubljana-Koper highway. Take the Diva?a exit and follow the signs for two kilometers to the Skocjan Caves. On the regional road there is a marked turnoff for the village of Skocjan, and the Skocjan Caves. Information Center is in the village of Matavun.
On the Ilirska Bistrica-Diva?a route there is a marked turnoff for Škocjan Caves Park in Famlje. Increasing numbers of visitors are coming to the park via train and by walk. The train arrives in Diva?a, from where a marked trail leads through Dolnje Leže?e to the Škocjan Park Information Center. The walk takes about 45 minutes.
Guests are led on a tour of the Skocjan Caves by fully-qualified guides. The tour takes an hour and a half and explanation is given in English language.
On the surface ancient barns housing ethnological, karstology, and archeological expositions await your visit. You can also walk through the park, marvel at its natural and cultural sights, and delight in its unspoiled nature on the Škocjan Education Trail.
Tours:
January = 10h – 13h – *15h
February = 10h – 13h – *15h
March = 10h – 13h – *15h
April = 10h – 13h – 15.30h
May = 10h – 13h – 15.30h
June = 10h – 11h – 12h – 13h – 14h – 15h – 16h – 17h
July = 10h – 11h – 12h – 13h – 14h – 15h – 16h – 17h
August = 10h – 11h – 12h – 13h – 14h – 15h – 16h – 17h
September = 10h – 11h – 12h – 13h – 14h – 15h – 16h – 17h
October = 10h – 13h – 15.30h
November = 10h – 13h – *15h
December = 10h – 13h – *15h
* Sundays and public holidays
Škocjan Caves Information Center, Matavun 12:
Hours: January-March 9:00 to 13:00 (Sundays and holidays to 15:00); April, May, October 9:00 to 15:30; June-September 9:00-17:00
Tours of cave: year-round from 10:00 (according to posted schedule)
Prices for tours to the caves:
Adults 14.00 €
Senior citizens 10.00 €
Students 10.00 €
Children 6.00 €
Tourist agencies can get a 10% discount. Guides of bigger groups (over 21 person ) have a free entrance.
