Vilenica Cave
The Oldest Touristic Cave in Europe (since 1633)
Vilenica Cave, renowned until the mid-19th century as the most beautiful, largest, and most visited cave of the Classical Karst, boasts a history dating back to 1633, when guided tours were first recorded. That year, Count Petazzi entrusted the cave to the parish of Lokev, granting it the right to collect entrance fees from visitors.
The cave’s fame was due not only to its natural beauty but also to its proximity to the Lipica Stud Farm and the important Vienna–Trieste trade route. Among its early distinguished visitors were Austrian Emperor Leopold I in 1660, during his visit to Lipica, and later King Ferdinand of Naples and Sicily, as well as the naturalist Balthasar Hacquet. In the early 19th century, Emperor Francis I visited twice, in 1816 and 1818.
In 1819, a guestbook (leather-bound, 43 × 30 cm), now preserved at the Karst Research Institute in Postojna, was introduced. Over time, however, the discovery of the Postojna Cave overshadowed Vilenica. From 1836 onward, the Lokev community ceased managing tours, handing over the cave to an innkeeper, Anton Muha. From 1886 until the end of World War II, the cave was managed by the Trieste Alpine Society (Società Alpina delle Giulie di Trieste).
After a long period of neglect, Vilenica was revived in 1963 by the Sežana Speleological Society, whose members restored paths and installed electric lighting. The cave, once a source of awe and legends of fairies living within, even inspired its name – Vilenica (“Fairy Cave”). Today, it also lends its name to the Vilenica International Literary Prize, awarded annually in its enchanting Dance Hall.
For visitors, the cave is equipped and illuminated for 450 meters of its over 1,000-meter length. Guided tours take about one hour.
About the Sežana Speleological Society
In the Heart of the Classical Karst
The Sežana Speleological Society is a voluntary, independent association dedicated to nature conservation, scientific research, sports caving, guiding, and other activities related to caves and the Karst (from the club’s Statute).
The Karst is a rocky landscape where water shapes limestone into unique surface formations, caves, and underground waterways. The word Kras (Karst) comes from an old local term for “stone” and originally described the stony region stretching between the Gulf of Trieste and the Vipava Valley, and between the Soča Valley and the Brkini Hills.
History of the Society
Before 1955 – The Beginnings
Systematic cave exploration in the Sežana Karst began in the second half of the 19th century, led mostly by cavers from Trieste. Two rival speleological groups operated there: the Alpine section of the German-Austrian Mountaineering Society and the Società Alpina delle Giulie. Slovene cavers from Trieste began exploring in the early 20th century and continued between the World Wars. The first local caving group was formed only after World War II, in 1947, under Jože Ukmar, with about ten local members.
1955–1964 – Foundation of the Society
The group briefly disbanded, but in 1955 cavers reorganized as a section of the Sežana Mountaineering Society, led by Avgust Sovdat. We consider 1955 the official beginning of organized caving in Sežana. In 1959, the group joined the Slovenian Cave Exploration Society and adopted the name Sežana Caving Speleological Society.
1964–1991 – To Independent Slovenia
After its formal establishment, the club focused heavily on restoring Vilenica, which was in a poor state. Members repaired the entrance steps, pathways, and other infrastructure – all voluntarily, with financial help from local businesses. On May 19, 1962, Vilenica reopened for guided tours. In 1975, the Caving Home was built near the cave, serving as a social and club center. The club also played a key role in organizing the Vilenica International Literary Festival, starting in 1980 with the first Evening of Slovene Writers in the cave.
1991–Today – Active and Expanding
Since Slovenia’s independence, the club has expanded its activities. We organized expeditions to caves across Europe: Hungary (1992), Portugal (1993), Romania (1994), Czech Republic (1996), Slovakia (1999), Bulgaria (2003), North Macedonia (2005), and Spain (2008). Research has thrived, including two major discoveries in 2003–2004, reaching the underground Reka River in two different caves. In 2011, another passage to the river was found in Sežana River Cave. The club has also worked extensively on ecological projects, cleaning polluted caves and cataloging threats. Since 1991, we have participated in international programs such as PHARE and Interreg.
Source: https://jds.vilenica.com/