CAVE OF VILENICA (JAMA VILENICA)

Since 1986, on the second weekend of September, the cave has been welcoming European writers. At the end of a three-day symposium, a jury awards a literary prize. At its beginnings, this meeting had an underground, subversive character. Vilenica saw writers in exile from the communist bloc countries as well as from Western Europe. Between the two wars, during the Italian annexation, Slovenes used to gather in this cave to affirm their cultural identity during festivities. The Saturday night dancers resisted fascism in their own way (in the first hall). The cave is probably the oldest open to the public in Europe (17th century). A visitor's register from 1823 is visible in the speleologist's refuge. The first room, the Dancers' room, has good acoustics. The next room is called Stalagmite and Stalactite Forest. The Red Room precedes the Fairy Room. The fifth room, 180 m deep, is only accessible to speleologists. The tour lasts one hour. The average temperature is 10°C. In the summer, the difference in temperature takes your breath away when you go out. The sculptures of Pogačnik, creator of the national flag, exhibited in front of the cave, also possess a strong symbolism. Vilenica, in addition to its natural beauties, welcomes those of men. Although it is not as well known as Postojna or Skocjan, it does have some special features that make it a must-have.