Postojna Cave Longer by 3.5 km

Published: 4.8.2015

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Postojna Cave Longer by 3.5 km

At the initiative of the Postojna Cave management, the top Slovenian cavers discovered over 3 kilometres of new tunnels.

Postojna Cave Longer by 3.5 km

The Postojna Cave has been wowing visitors with the beauty and magnificence of its underground halls and the extent of its tunnels for two centuries. At the initiative of the Postojna Cave management, the top Slovenian cavers undertook intense further research into its underground. They discovered over 3 kilometres of new tunnels. According to the latest information, the Postojna Cave measures over 24,000 metres.

The Postojna Cave, which is known for its unique forms of stalactites and stalagmites, is one of the most diverse cave systems in the world. At the initiative of President of the Postojna Cave Management, Marjan Batagelj, new research is being carried out into the underground system. In recent months, favourable water levels of the Pivka river allowed top Slovenian cavers to engage in intense exploration of the system. In the field of caving, a discovery is considered proven only when one swims or walks through the tunnels, siphons and caverns connecting different caves. This year, cavers discovered as many as 3.5 kilometres of new explored and measured tunnels. The Postojna Cave thus now measures 24,120 metres.

First explorations of the Postojna Cave began in the early 19th century. The entrance part had already been visited in the 13th century but the largest portion of the cave was discovered by a local lights keeper Luka Čeč in April 1818. His discovery marked a turning point in the history of the cave. The first visitor to walk through the newly discovered part of the cave was the Austrian Crown Prince Ferdinand who visited it in 1819. His visit opened the doors for tourism development in the Postojna Cave.

The Postojna Cave is now one of the world`s most famous caves open for tourists. The main reasons for visitor frequency and popularity of the cave are the amazing tangle of its underground Karst phenomena and accessibility of its tunnels, galleries and caverns full of stalactites and stalagmites. A special experience is provided by the 140-year-old cave train that takes you deep into the underground, and the olm, a creature endemic to the Slovene Karst.

Imensum ad antrum aditus (Lat.) – Enter, o traveller, the immense cave!

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