Pazin Cave
Istarska županija
Pazin Cave, known locally as Pazinska jama, is a remarkable natural karst feature located in the Istrian peninsula of Croatia. It is a large sinkhole formed at the boundary between the grey and red limestone of Istria, featuring a deep vertical shaft beneath the town of Pazin. The cave is hydrologically significant as the underground channel of the Pazinčica river flows through it, culminating in a large underground hall with a siphon lake approximately 80 meters long. The cave extends about 270 meters underground and is notable for its impressive vertical cliffs rising 198 meters above it, crowned by the historic Pazin Castle. Its natural beauty and geological importance have led to legal protection as a significant landscape. Visitors can experience a guided speleological adventure, including traversing natural underground riverbeds, crossing zip lines over the subterranean lake, and exploring the cave’s dramatic chambers. The cave inspired Jules Verne’s novel "Mathias Sandorf" and has cultural significance linked to local legends, including tales of the mythical giant Ban Dragonja. Pazin Cave is not adapted for mass tourism, preserving its pristine environment and offering a unique ecological and adventurous experience to visitors.
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Tip: The best time to visit Pazin Cave is during the summer months (July to September) when organized speleological tours operate with mandatory reservations due to visitor limits. Visitors should wear sturdy sports shoes and bring clothing for changing, preferably with light long sleeves because the cave temperature is around 15°C. Tours last approximately 2 to 2.5 hours and include professional guides, helmets, and lighting. Advance booking is essential outside the peak season. Children must be at least 8 years old and 130 cm tall to participate.
Interesting facts
- •Pazin Cave inspired Jules Verne's novel "Mathias Sandorf" where the protagonists explore the mysterious cave.
- •The cave features two underground lakes connected by a siphon, known as Martel's Lake and Mitrovo Lake.
- •During heavy rains, the water level in the cave’s sinkhole can rise over 50 meters, creating a temporary lake that can extend 2 to 3 kilometers upstream, sometimes causing flooding damage.
- •The cave is located beneath the medieval Pazin Castle, adding a dramatic historical backdrop to the natural site.
History
The first speleological explorations and mapping of Pazin Cave were conducted by French speleologist Édouard-Alfred Martel between 1893 and 1896.
Italian speleologists continued studies in the 1920s, followed by detailed research and mapping in the 1960s by geologist Mirko Malez and Zagreb speleologists.
In 1975, local speleologist divers explored the submerged siphon, discovering a 70-meter extension of the underwater part of the cave.
The cave’s formation is linked to karst processes at the contact of permeable Cretaceous limestone and impermeable Eocene flysch sediments, where waters from the flysch hinterland eroded the limestone to create underground channels and chambers.
The cave and surrounding canyon have been protected by law as a significant landscape due to their unique hydrogeological and geological features.
Place Guide
Entrance Hall
The cave entrance is a semi-circular vaulted chamber over 20 meters high and 30 to 50 meters wide, filled with large rock blocks and debris. It marks the start of the underground journey into the karst system.
Underground Riverbed of Pazinčica
Visitors traverse the natural, unaltered riverbed of the Pazinčica river flowing through the cave, navigating natural obstacles and narrow passages along a roughly 200-meter underground path.
Final Chamber with Siphon Lake
At about 100 meters from the entrance, the cave opens into a large chamber approximately 80 meters long and 20 meters wide, containing a siphon lake with depths reaching up to 10 meters. Crossing the lake is done via small zip lines to a natural islet, enhancing the adventurous experience.
Pazin Castle Overlooking the Cave10th century
The medieval Pazin Castle stands dramatically on the cliff above the cave entrance, historically guarding the canyon and offering panoramic views of the karst landscape.
Contact
Phone: 091 512 1528
