Kostanjevica Cave
A flood tore open the entrance in 1937. Behind it lay two kilometres of passages at the foot of the Gorjanci hills.
Opened by water
For most of its history nobody knew the cave existed. In 1937 high water burst out of the hillside near Kostanjevica na Krki and washed away the debris that had blocked the entrance. Cavers from the local club, founded soon afterwards, have been extending the known passages ever since.
Kostanjevica Cave at a glance
- Slovene name
- Kostanjeviška jama
- Location
- Kostanjevica na Krki, foot of Gorjanci
- Explored length
- about 2 km
- Visitor route
- about 300 m
- Entrance revealed
- 1937
- Temperature
- about 12 °C
- Wildlife
- several bat species
- Tour
- about 40 minutes
A short route, well decorated
The visitor route is short but passes a good variety of formations: stalactites, stalagmites, columns, translucent curtains and small pools. A stream still flows in the lower passages and floods part of the cave after heavy rain.
Several species of bat roost here, and the cave is managed with them in mind.
The island town on the Krka
Kostanjevica na Krki is Slovenia's smallest town and sits entirely on an island in a loop of the Krka river. Its former Cistercian monastery houses a gallery and a large open-air collection of wooden sculpture.
Cave, town and monastery make an unhurried day out from Ljubljana or Zagreb.
Kostanjevica Cave in figures
Inside and around Kostanjevica Cave
Select a photograph to enlarge it. All images are freely licensed; authors are listed in the photo credits.
Before you go
Getting there
The cave is about 1.5 km from the centre of Kostanjevica na Krki, signposted from the main road. The town is roughly an hour from Ljubljana by the A2 motorway.
On the tour
Tours are guided, last about 40 minutes and are easy underfoot.
Good to know
The cave is open at weekends in spring and autumn and daily in high summer; it closes in winter for the bats.
Opening times, tour schedules and prices change with the season. Always confirm them with the operator before you travel: kostanjeviska-jama.com.
