Škocjan Caves

Škocjan Caves (ˈʃkɔːtsjan; Škocjanske jame, Grotte di San Canziano) is a cave system located in Slovenia. Recognized for its exceptional significance, Škocjan Caves was included on UNESCO’s list of natural and cultural World Heritage Sites in 1986. The international scientific community has acknowledged the caves as one of the planet Earth's natural treasures. Renowned as one of the most important caves in the world, Škocjan Caves is a significant underground phenomenon on the Karst Plateau and in Slovenia. After gaining independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, Slovenia made a commitment to actively protect the Škocjan Caves area. To fulfill this commitment, Škocjan Caves Regional Park was established, along with its managing authority, the Škocjan Caves Park Public Service Agency. One of the largest known underground canyons in the world Examples of natural beauty with great aesthetic value Due to particular microclimatic conditions, a special ecosystem has developed The area has great cultural and historical significance as it has been inhabited since the prehistoric times A typical example of contact karst Škocjan Caves is the most significant underground phenomena in the Karst region and Slovenia. They were designated as Ramsar wetlands of international importance on May 18, 1999. Along with the underground stream of the Reka River, they form one of the longest karst underground wetlands in Europe. 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 (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. The sight of the big river disappearing underground at the bottom of the Big Collapse Doline, 160 meters (520 feet) below the surface, is both majestic and awe-inspiring.