It is in UNESCO heritage list of natural and cultural sites in 1986. That is why the international scientific circles have recognized it as a natural treasure of the planet Earth. The Republic of Slovenia is protecting the Skocjan caves and that is why they created the Skocjan Caves Regional Park and its managing authority, which is the Škocjan Caves Park Public Service Agency. Its cave’s length is 6.2 km and its depth is from the surface to its lowest point is said to be 223 m. Inside it is the Martel Chamber, this is the largest underground chambers in Europe.

What distinguishes the Skocjan Caves from other places and caves is that it is among the most famous underground features in the world because of its volume of underground canyon, the river flowing through it  turns northwest before the Cerkvenik Bridge and extends its flow to Hanke’s Channel. The underground channel is about 3.5 km long, 10-60 m wide and about 140 m high. At a certain point, it expands into huge underground chambers. It?s very mind blowing to know that an underground canyon of such great dimensions ends with a comparatively small siphon: one that can?t even deal with the great volume of the water that goes into the cave after a heavy rainfall, that causes major flooding,

The cave offers museum exhibitions, a visit to the caves during winter, early spring and fall, educational trails that is a half hour walk to the heart of the park where you are guided by fully-qualified guides who gives good information in English. You are also allowed to walk the park without a guide.

Škocjan Caves is most of all, a global significance from a natural phenomenon. That is at the same level with the world?s most important caves and so as the Grand Canyon or its other wonders. It is no doubt a great example of natural beauty with great aesthetic value.

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Škocjan caves (?Škocjanske jame?), the series of limestone caves are the second most known cave system among Slovenia caves (the first one is Postojna cave) and are located in southwestern Slovenia. Škocjan caves and surrounding Regional Park are under UNESCO protection since 1986.

Škocjan caves are located 1.5km from highway Ljubljana-Koper. Nearest town is Divača, which is about 5km away. Divača has train and bus station as well.

Škocjan caves have been popular among tourist since 18th century and are getting more and more visitors every year. Tourists can enjoy on 3000m of tourist trails and around 500 stair steps. Elevator to Velika dolina is available since 1986.

Several million years of nature hard work

The cave system was created by the river Reka (by the way ?reka? means ?river? in Slovene language) which springs below the plateau of Snežnik. When Reka reaches Karst (limestone surface) it still flows on the surface for few kilometers. When the river disappears underground, its journey on the surface ends with a beautiful waterfall. The river comes back on the surface more than thirty kilometers away near Adriatic coast.

The Škocjan caves system is 6.2 km long. Depth from surface to the lowest point is 223 m; average temperature in the caves is 12°C. There are 26 waterfalls in the cave system. One of the Škocjan caves specialties is an underground canyon of the Reka River (2600m long, 10m-60m wide and up to 146 high). Another interesting sight in the caves is one of the largest underground chambers in Europe, called Martel Chamber (2.2 million m3) two natural bridges, one between Velika and Mala dolina and another in Mala dolina. A natural window in the Mohorčič cave is an attraction as well.

Tourist guides 365 days a year

Škocjan caves, as second most popular Slovenia caves system) are opened for visitors every day in the year. All visits are guided and lasts about and hour and a half. Owing to lower temperatures in the caves and slippery trails warm sweater and sports footwear are recommendable.

Škocjan caves

At the start of the guide, guides will separate you in five groups, according to your language.
The tour starts at Globočak valley and leads through artificially built tunnel into natural cave, called Silent cave (Tiha jama). The passage at the entrance is interesting because of beautiful stalactites, stalagmites and flow stones. Tour proceeds through Labyrinth into the Great Hall (Velika dvorana). Then you see Müller Hall, cross Cerkevnik Bridge and enter Svetina Hall. You will reach the lowest point of the tour (144m below surface) and move away from the river and climb up to the Rimstone Polls? Hall (Dvorana ponvic). Dayligh is seen again in the Schmidl Hall with beautiful view on up to 165m high walls of Great valley (Velika dolina). At the bottom of Great valley you will see river Reka for the last time and 10m high waterfall. Then you go up to the lift that takes you back on the surface.

Postojna cave vs. Škocjan caves?

Well, I can?t say which one is better, because that depends on your expectations and many other subjective circumstances. But, Škocjan caves are much cheaper than Postojna cave and are offering everything that Postojna cave does (or even more with natural bridges, windows ?), except train ride in the caves. So, my opinion and opinion of many others is that among Slovenia caves Škocjan caves are offering the most for the price paid. But, the decision is up to you. Definitely, both cave systems will impress you; the big difference is only in the price.

For more information about Škocjan caves (prices, guided tours timetable), visit their official website.

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