| Registration Classification | Natural Heritage |
| Registration Criteria | (7), (8) |
| Year of registration | 1986 |
Located in the Kras region of southwestern Slovenia, the Škocjan Caves is a huge cave system that stretches a total of 20 km.The most famous is the Underground River Cave, which is over 200 m deep and 6 km long.This area is the best known in the world for its stunning karst topography, so much so that it is the origin of the name “karst”.
Here, a World Heritage enthusiast explains why the Škocjan Caves are a World Heritage Site in an easy-to-understand manner.Read this and you will definitely learn more about the Škocjan Caves!
What are the Škocjan Caves?
A group of underground caves on the Kras Plateau in southwestern Slovenia. The surrounding Reka River is a large river that begins flowing underground from the Škocjan Caves and eventually flows to the Adriatic Sea as it returns to the surface. The erosion of the Reka River has created large cavities called dolines, and the surrounding limestone bedrock has changed the topography, creating the largest underground river gorge in the world.The dynamic scenery of this large underground river, 150 meters high and more than 120 meters wide, is unique to Škocjan.
This collapse of subterranean spaces to erode water and reach the surface is a typical example of karst landforms. The term “karst” originated in this region because of the large number of such landforms.
There is a unique world underground, and the mysterious scenery created by the stalactites looks like man-made structures. For example, “Rudolf Cathedral” and “Pipe Organ” are such unique names given to the impressive scenery in the caves.In addition, there are also inhabitants of the “hornworms,” which are called “dragon’s babies” and look like dragons that crawl until they reach the end of their lives. What a strange amphibian that can live for a year without eating anything.Many other endangered species also live here.
The area where the Škocjan Caves complex is located has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with footprints of human habitation, burial sites, and possible ceremonial sites discovered. These deep underground caverns were thought to be important pilgrimage sites.It must have been such a divine landscape.
For what reason are the Škocjan Caves on the World Heritage List?
The Škocjan Caves was evaluated for the following points.
Registration Criteria (vii)
The cave and its surroundings are a vast karst landscape, which means that underground you can see an artistic landscape of stalactites.
Registration Criteria (viii)
This is a classic example of karst topography, in that it is where the basic term “karst” comes from.
Conclusions and Impressions of a World Heritage Maniac
As the birthplace of the word “karst,” the surrounding area still retains “The Karst Landform” topography.In addition, it is also appreciated for its rare karst landscape, as it is home to the world’s largest underground river canyon.
Nevertheless, the most visited by tourists is the Postojna Cave, located about 30 km to the northwest.This one is not registered as a World Heritage site, but it is a famous tourist attraction and has a deep history, so much so that a railroad was built inside the cave from around the 19th century. Moreover, there are many stalactites and they are all pretty… Moreover, it is true that many people are satisfied with Postojna because they can see Proteus anguinus here as well.
However, if Postojna is exclusively for the “go-go” crowd, then Škocjan is the authentic type that connoisseurs prefer, and if you are a World Heritage fan, then Škocjan is the place for you! If you are a World Heritage fan, you should visit Skocjan!
*The contents here are considerations derived from research conducted by World Heritage enthusiasts.As for the data, interpretation differs depending on the media.
