Above and Below: Exploring the Caves of Slovenia August 27th, 2024 • by Boundless Journeys When you think of traveling, you probably imagine grand vistas and bustling cities. Sometimes, though, part of a destination’s beauty lies underground. As the third most forested country in Europe, Slovenia is fortunate to have both gorgeous green landscapes and a rich subterranean world that includes the continent’s largest known underground canyon. In fact, Slovenia’s cave systems are so extensive that over 11,000 caves have been identified in the country. Only about twenty of them are open to the public, but those caves will be more than enough to excite your explorer’s instinct. You don’t have to be a seasoned spelunker to enjoy a Slovenia tour (though if you are, prepare to be thrilled)—just read on for a quick primer on caving. What is karst? Karst actually has two meanings here: first, karst refers to the landscape created by the erosion of rock by water, carving channels, caves, and other formations. Not coincidentally, Karst is also a region in southwestern Slovenia. Karst landscapes are so prominent in the country, they gave their name to similar formations the world over. Although these karst caves will probably never appeal to the claustrophobic among us, rest assured we’re not talking about squeezing through fissures in the rock here. The networks are so vast they include underground lakes and caverns, where visitors have described the unusual rock formations as a kind of abstract, underground art gallery. The significance of karst in Slovenia is profound, and the fact the Skocjan Caves have been declared a UNESCO Heritage Site is proof—more on that below. Skocjan Caves If you’ve ever enjoyed an Indiana Jones movie, chances are you’ll be enthralled by Skocjan Caves. This system of caves extends deep below the surface, and features underground waterfalls and the aforementioned largest cavern in Europe, Martel’s Chamber. Crossing the bridge that spans these channels you can peer down to the distant Reka River below and get a sense of the scale. Beyond the immediate visual impression, there are fascinating details to discover. Ecologically, the caves provide a home for rare species such as the cave salamander, which has rudimentary eyes but sharp smell and hearing. Culturally speaking, archeologists have discovered evidence of Bronze and Iron age religious sites. Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle Postojna Cave is the rare cave with an actual railway inside, so you can ride through the network in style. Highlights of a visit include a 50-foot stalagmite and a vivarium where you can see the cave salamander, also known as the olm or “human fish.” This incredible creature can live up to 100 years and survive almost a decade without food, so it’s no surprise to hear the legend that the olm are the offspring of a dragon that once lived in the cave. If that piques your interest, wait until you hear about Predjama Castle. Perched atop a high rocky ledge in front of an entrance to the caves, inside manmade elements blend with the natural geography. The Castle is most famous as the home of Erasmus of Lueg, a robber baron. Erasmus used the castle’s connections to the caves below to create hidden passageways he could use when his enemies were massed outside, and withstood a long siege by exploiting his secret escape hatch. Though the castle has been restored and rebuilt since, the incredible legacy and connection to the caves has been preserved. At 40 minutes outside of Ljubljana, Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle make the perfect additional excursion to add to the beginning or end of the Slovenia: Julian Alps to the Coast tour. Explore Slovenia, Above and Below We’re focused so much on Slovenia’s underground marvels we’ve made no mention of its glacial valleys or soaring Alpine peaks, which you can explore when you join our Alps to Adriatic adventure. On a Boundless Journeys Slovenia hiking tour you’ll spend most of your time in the fresh air, hiking to hilltop villages or taking in the cultural highlights, but some countries are gifted with an abundance of natural beauty. To fully experience Slovenia’s, you’ll need to descend into its amazing limestone caverns—another world is waiting for you to explore. Explore the world through authentic experiences with Boundless Journeys! We specialize in all-inclusive small group tours with expert, local guides. Dive into our Europe tour packages and start planning your next adventure.