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The "Škocjanske jame" Caves are on the UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1986 |
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Because
of their extraordinary significance for the world's natural heritage, in
1986 the Škocjanske jame were included in UNESCO's World Heritage
List. The Republic of Slovenia pledged to ensure the protection of the Škocjanske
jame area and therefore adopted the Škocjanske jame Regional Park
Act.
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There are more than 7,000 caves in Slovenia, but an exceptional underground gorge and a number of vast underground chambers give those in Škocjan a special place. The Škocjan Caves are composed of a system of eleven interconnected caves, flat floored valleys extending over collapsed dolines, natural bridges and sinkholes. For these reasons, the Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. The Caves lie in the heart of the Kars region, whence the word "karst", used by geologists all over the world, originates. They are adorned with marvellous multicoloured stalactites, stone curtains and broad rim stone pools. The Reka river, which gives the caves their basic features, still cascades through the underground gorge, tumbling over rock walls and finally coming to rest in small lakes. Visitors stand amazed and delighted as they gaze into the calm water, which throws back reflections of the fascinating underground world of the Karst. A tour of the caves takes an hour and a half with experienced guides. |
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