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All Slovenia Matavun Skocjan Caves

Skocjan Caves

This massive subterranean fissure is known as the "underground Grand Canyon."

Matavun, Slovenia

Added By
James Loasby
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Skocjan Caves   Ramón/Wikimedia
Skocjan Caves   Ramón/Wikimedia
The cavernous entry hall.   Ramón/Wikimedia
Travertine terraces in the cave.   Lander/Wikimedia
Cave formations   Peretz Partensky/Wikimedia
Illuminated walkway   Vicente Villamón/Wikimedia
Canyon of the caves   TravelingOtter/Wikimedia
Exit of the caves   Tiia Monto/Wikimedia
Skocjan Caves From Above   jetsettingfools / Atlas Obscura User
Wax much?   shaw95 / Atlas Obscura User
  epfromer / Atlas Obscura User
  epfromer / Atlas Obscura User
Overlooking view of the back entrance of the caves and Reka River waterfall   Aty Trocious / Atlas Obscura User
Intertwining stairways and railings lining the twisted exits of the caves lining the Reka River   Aty Trocious / Atlas Obscura User
Where the vanished Reka River reappears through the caves into a waterfall (Reka, literally, “river” in Slovene)   Aty Trocious / Atlas Obscura User
  Ursula / Atlas Obscura User
  Ursula / Atlas Obscura User
  Ursula / Atlas Obscura User
  Ursula / Atlas Obscura User
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Visitors in the caves   Tiia Monto/Wikimedia
Illumination in the cave   Jabbi/Wikimedia
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About

One of the most monumental underground features in the world, Slovenia's Skocjan Caves seem to have sprung directly from the mind of a fantasy author. 

Often referred to as the "Underground Grand Canyon," the Eastern European cave system features one of the largest subterranean chambers in the world. The biggest room in the limestone cave network, known as "Martel's Chamber," is a gaping canyon which was formed by the underground flow of the Reka river, which still rushes along the bottom of the chasm.

Thanks to the amount of water that flows through the canyon, the caves also hold a number of eye-catching geological features such as limestone pools, travertine terraces, and giant stalagmite formations. The cave's unique spaciousness also hosts a number of species of bat, countless unique bio-organisms, and even a variety of fish that have never seen the light of day. A bridge has been built spanning the chasm so visitors can experience the colossal geologic divide.

Archeological research in the area found that the caves were home to humans as far back as 10,000 years in the past. It's likely that the caves were used by ancient people for shelter, and, although there is absolutely no science to support it, the Skocjan Caves also seem like they may have been the perfect lair for a dragon. 

Related Tags

Unesco Caves Subterranean Travertine Terraces Subterranean Sites Ecosystems

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No photos are allowed inside the cave, even without flash or with smart phones.

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Forest to Table in Alpine Slovenia

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Community Contributors

Added By

jloasby

Edited By

Ursa, jetsettingfools, Allison, EricGrundhauser...

  • Ursa
  • jetsettingfools
  • Allison
  • EricGrundhauser
  • shaw95
  • Ursula
  • epfromer
  • Aty Trocious

Published

November 14, 2013

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Sources
  • http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/390
  • http://www.slovenia.info/?kraska_jama=11459&lng=2
  • http://francistapon.com/Travels/Eastern-Europe/3-Otherworldly-Caves-in-Slovenia
  • http://jetsettingfools.com/skocjan-caves-and-divaca-in-24-hours/
Skocjan Caves
Matavun, 6215
Slovenia
45.665804, 13.989979
Visit Website

Nearby Places

Dimnice Cave

Markovščina, Slovenia

miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Slovenia

Slovenia

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Stories 11

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Explore the Destination Guide

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Stories 11

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