Speleo Adventure

Visit the underground world of BAREDINE CAVE. This cave is a treasury of stalagmites and stalactites, underground sculptures created through the patient and long-lasting work of water. Remarkable limestone formations have emerged, including ten-metre-long “curtains”, a highly realistic statue of the Virgin Mary, the body of the shepherdess Milka, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Snowman Torchbearer, which has become the symbol of the cave. In one of the chambers, you will pass by a shaft 4 metres wide and 66 metres deep that descends to underground lakes. Through five chambers, five galleries of abstract and realistic sculptures, you will enjoy a pleasant 40 minute walk accompanied by a guide and “curator”.

A particular highlight of this adventurous experience is the encounter with underground wildlife: you will see the olm, an endemic species found only in these karst regions, as well as miniature transparent crustaceans and insects. At the entrance to the cave, a museum display case exhibits pottery remains left by prehistoric humans. It is believed that our distant ancestors left their vessels here during hot and dry summers so that they could slowly fill, drop by drop, with precious water.

A love story from the 13th century is also connected to BAREDINE CAVE. According to legend, a nobleman from Poreč named Gabriel fell in love with a beautiful shepherdess from Nova Vas called Milka. Gabriel’s wicked mother could not extinguish their love, despite all her schemes, so she paid bandits three gold coins to secretly kill Milka. The bandits did not kill the shepherdess but threw her into the cave. When noble Gabriel learned of her tragic fate, he mounted his horse and disappeared. Only his horse was later found near another nearby cave.

The story says that the petrified body of the unfortunate shepherdess has been gradually sliding towards the bottom of the cave through the centuries, where it can still be seen today, searching for her beloved. Modern speleologists claim that a small excavation could connect this cave with the neighbouring one. This is seen as confirmation of the legend that one day the bodies of these underground Romeo and Juliet will meet and remain together forever.

OPENING HOURS:

Opened daily from 1st April until 31st October.

MONTH

• IV, X 10 – 16 h
• V, VI, IX 10 – 17 h
• VII, VIII 9:30 – 18 h

The rest of the year opened for individual and group visits with prior announcement at least 1 day in advance.

The sightseeing lasts 40 minutes.

Prior announcement for individual visits during working hours is not required.