Jetsettersblog

Postojna Cave was the most visited site in Slovenia in 2006 according to a report by the Republic of Slovenia announced on September 27, World Tourism Day.

According to the report, last year more than 500,000 visitors came to the karst caves of which 88.1% were foreign visitors. Adventure programmes are organised for smaller groups (3–15 participants) and take you to parts of the caves not open to the general public. A guide and additional equipment (helmet, outer garments, appropriate footwear and lamp) are therefore necessary. Visits may only be organised by prior arrangement for a closed group (at least 3 days before arrival).

Postojna Cave is known as the cradle of speleobiology, the biological science of the life of animals underground. The most famous of these is Proteus anguinus, the “human fish”. Visitors can avail of bird and wildlife watching, botanical walks and photo “hunting”.

Postojna Cave is only one of the karst caves in Slovenia, where currently approximately 8,000 karstic caves have been discovered; it is estimated that there are approximately 30,000 caves. Postojna Cave is the largest among the karst caves, and its magic may be fully experienced at each year’s Christmas crib display.

Other caves are also worth visiting are Pivka Cave, Black Cave, Vilenica Cave, Divača Cave, Križna Cave, and the Škocjan caves, which are all open to visitors. Vilenica Cave, which lies along the Sežana–Lokev road, is one of the oldest tourist caves in the world, as it has been active in terms of tourism for almost 400 years.

Since 1986 it has been the site of the Vilenica International Literary Festival – a meeting of poets and writers from all over Europe. At this event, the Vilenica International Literary Prize and the Crystal Vilenica Award are presented.

The Škocjan caves represent the largest underground canyon in the world, and the Reka River flows through them. In 1986, the World Heritage Committee at UNESCO included the Škocjan caves in the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, that is, the World Heritage List. More information is available at www.park-skocjanske-jame.si.

For further information visit http://www.postojnska-jama.si/