Škocjan Caves
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
---|---|
Location | Slovenia |
Criteria | Natural: (vii), (viii) |
Reference | 390 |
Inscription | 1986 (10th Session) |
Area | 413 ha (1,020 acres) |
Website | www |
Coordinates | 45°40′N 14°0′E / 45.667°N 14.000°E |
Official name | Skocjanske Jame |
Designated | 21 May 1999 |
Reference no. | 991[1] |
Škocjan Caves (pronounced
Description
This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. (June 2023) |
Croatia 1. Vela Voda Slovenia 2. Ilirska Bistrica 3. Vremski Britof 4. Škocjan | Italy 5. Trebiciano 6. Monfalcone 7. Trieste |
Škocjan Caves is a significant underground phenomenon in the
The explored length of the caves is 6,200 meters (20,300 feet). The caves have formed in a 300-meter-thick (980 feet) layer of Cretaceous and Paleocene limestone.
At the Big Collapse Doline (Slovene: Velika Dolina), the Reka River disappears underground into Škocjan Caves and then flows underground for 34 kilometers (21 miles), resurfacing near Monfalcone. There, it contributes approximately one-third of the flow of the Timavo River, which travels 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the Timavo Springs to the Adriatic Sea.[4]
The river flowing through the canyon turns northwest before the Cerkvenik Bridge and continues along Hanke's Channel (Slovene: Hankejev kanal). This underground channel is approximately 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) long, 10 to 60 meters (33 to 197 feet) wide, and over 140 meters (460 feet) high. It expands into underground chambers at certain points, with the largest being Martel's Chamber. With a volume of 2.2 million cubic meters (78 million cubic feet), it is considered the largest discovered underground chamber in Europe and one of the largest in the world. The canyon ends with a relatively small siphon that cannot handle the immense volume of water during heavy rainfall, leading to significant flooding. During such events, water levels can rise by more than one hundred meters (330 feet).[5]
History
The first written sources about Škocjan Caves date back to the
An attempt was made to follow the underground course of the Reka River in order to provide Trieste with drinking water. The deep shafts in the Karst region, as well as Škocjan Caves, were explored for this purpose. The systematic exploration of Škocjan Caves began with a speleology expedition in 1884. Explorers reached the banks of Mrtvo jezero (Dead Lake) in 1890. The discovery of Silent Cave (Slovene: Tiha jama) in 1904 marked a significant achievement when local men climbed the sixty-meter (200 ft) wall of Müller Hall (Slovene: Müllerjeva dvorana). Nearly 100 years after the discovery of Dead Lake (Slovene: Mrtvo jezero), another important event occurred in 1990. Slovenian divers successfully swam through the Ledeni dihnik siphon and discovered over 200 meters (660 ft) of new cave passages.[5]
Archaeology
For countless generations, the
Tourism
Determining the exact start of tourism in Škocjan Caves is challenging. According to some sources, in 1819, Matej Tominc, a county councilor (after whom Tominc Cave is named), ordered the construction of steps leading to the bottom of Big Collapse Doline (Slovene: Velika Dolina). Other sources suggest that the steps were simply renovated during that time. On 1 January 1819, a visitors' book was introduced, marking the beginning of modern tourism in Škocjan Caves.
In recent years, Škocjan Caves has welcomed approximately 100,000 visitors annually. The first section of the caves, consisting of Marinič Cave and Mahorčič Cave with Little Collapse Doline (Slovene: Mala Dolina), was opened to tourists by 1933. However, it suffered severe damage during a flood in 1963. In 2011, the area was renovated, and a new steel bridge was added.[7] Visitors now have the opportunity to explore the underground canyon featuring Big Collapse Doline (Slovene: Velika Dolina). Guided tours of the cave are available in Slovenian, English, Italian, and German.
References
- ^ "Skocjanske Jame". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "The Škocjan Caves". Archived from the original on 20 May 2009.
- ^ "Škocjan Caves - UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Whc.unesco.org. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ "LTER-Slovenia > Project Overview". Lter.zrc-sazu.si. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ a b Kranjc, Andrej (2002). "Zgodovinski pregled in opis jam" [A Historical Overview and Description of the Caves]. Park Škocjanske jame [The Škocjan Caves Park] (in Slovenian). Škocjan Caves Park. pp. 42–57.
- ISBN 9612381283.
- ^ Kuhar, Špela; Struna Bregar, Ana (24 February 2012). "Mostovi kot znamenitost" [Bridges as a Landmark]. Mladina.si (in Slovenian). No. 8.
External links
- Škocjan Caves Park official website
- Škocjan Caves - UNESCO World Heritage Centre listing
- Photos of Škocjan Caves
- Škocjan Caves at Slovenia Landmarks