Postojna Cave Park - Welcome to the official website

Between 10 and 13 September, Slovenia hosted the inaugural global celebration of UNESCO’s International Day of Caves and Karst. The events were co-organised by the Karst Research Institute (ZRC SAZU) and the International Union of Speleology (UIS), with the support of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO. The central ceremony took place on Saturday, 12 September, in Postojna Cave.

The central message of the event was clear: explore, understand and protect – towards sustainable management of caves and karst. The person most deserving of recognition for UNESCO having proclaimed 13 September as the International Day of Caves and Karst is undoubtedly Dr Nadja Zupan Hajna, karstologist and geologist.

“This international day is not a goal, but a beginning. It is an opportunity to transform greater awareness of the karst world into deeper understanding, greater responsibility and stronger efforts to protect it. I would like people to first notice karst, become aware of it, then understand it and thus get better at protecting it,” she emphasised.

The choice of Postojna Cave as the venue for the main ceremony held particular symbolic significance. Slovenia chose Postojna Cave, one of the best-known symbols of Slovenian Karst, as the setting for the event, reflecting its long-established tradition of exploring and presenting the subterranean world. Slovenia has a more than 200-years tradition of karst research and is considered one of the cradles of karstology. Karst covers approximately half of Slovenia’s surface area and around 16,400 caves are recorded in the Slovenian Cave Register.

The event’s keynote speaker, President of the Republic of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar, addressed representatives of UNESCO and the International Union of Speleology, as well as scientists, cavers, and those dedicated to protecting natural and cultural heritage.

“Today, we can celebrate their collective efforts (ed. note: efforts of those present) here in Postojna Cave, where human curiosity, exploration, science and a sense of wonder at nature have converged for centuries.”

However, as Kaja Batagelj pointed out in her address, Postojna Cave is more than a place of extraordinary natural beauty. It is also a place of outstanding scientific and cultural significance.

“It is considered the birthplace of modern speleobiology – the place where science began to uncover life adapted to absolute darkness. This is why those of us entrusted with its care feel such pride in being able to serve it and preserve it for future generations of admirers. It is a great honour for us to share it with guests from more than 170 countries around the world. Over the centuries, it has welcomed emperors, kings, presidents, scientists, artists and explorers. Today, it welcomes all of you.

On this remarkable occasion, Postojna Cave makes history once again. It is our great privilege to celebrate the International Day of Caves and Karst for the first time right here, in the very place where it all began – in the heart of karst, in the heart of speleobiology, in the heart of the Earth.”

Distinguished guests included H. E. Khondker M. Talha, President of the 43rd session of the General Conference of UNESCO, Magdalena Landry, Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe and representative of the UNESCO Director-General, and Zdeněk Motyčka, President of the International Union of Speleology. After a tour of Postojna Cave, the guests enjoyed the spectacular setting of a theatrical performance.  

“Five years ago, we had little more than an idea and many unanswered questions. No one knew whether the initiative would receive global support. Today, we have managed to bring something that is largely hidden underground into the global spotlight. This is recognition not only for caves and karst, but also for decades of work by cavers, researchers and local communities,” Assoc. Prof Dr Nadja Zupan Hajna remarked on this inaugural occasion.

Above all, caves and karst are an important source of water for all of us. Vast quantities of water are stored underground, and in some places this water is already being tapped for everyday use. On this occasion, Prof Dr Franci Gabrovšek, researcher at the Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU, warned: 

“Carbonate and evaporite rocks make up more than 20 per cent of the ice-free land areas, and over one billion people worldwide depend on karst water.”

The first International Day of Caves and Karst in Postojna Cave brought together a history of research, scientific discoveries and a vision for the future, all united by a common goal: to deepen our understanding of the underground world and preserve it for future generations.