Škocjan Caves – the Underground Canyons

The Škocjan Caves, located in western Slovenia, are a Karstic caves. The name Karst comes from the name of the region, in which the caves are located – the Karst Plateau or the Classical Karst. Created by the river Reka, which runs for some 30 km until it disappears under the ground.

It reappears some 40 km to the north-west, near the Italian village of San Giovanni di Duino, under the name of Timavo, just 2 of kilometers from the Adriatic Sea. Thus, Timavo is the shortest river in Italy. The ancient Romans thought of it as the “birthplace of the Sea”. Virgil mentions it 3 times: in the Eclogues, the Georgics and the Aeneid.

Furthermore, the caves include a number of breathtaking phenomena, some of which seem almost as man-made.

The village of Matavun is located at the entrance of the cave, overlooking a 80-or-so meter cliff. It’s part of the UNESCO heritage.

Submission by Luka Lisjak. Thank you!

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