📋 Tender Overview
In the Za jame project, aimed at preserving or improving the state of biodiversity and the typical living environment in caves, the restoration of the cave infrastructure is already underway in the first two caves: Kostanjeviska cave and Dimnice cave. In the project, the total value of which, with the support of the European Union, amounts to 5.35 million euros, we will restore the cave infrastructure in 12 caves arranged for tourist visits.Chimnice Cave | Author: Park Skocjanska jame
In July, the restoration of the cave infrastructure in the Dimnice cave and the Kostanjeviska cave began. The works, which will contribute to safer visits to the caves and better protection of their sensitive environment, are expected to be completed in 2027. During the works, the caves are closed to visitors.
Renovation of paths, fences and lighting
In the Dimnice cave, where the company Komunala Sezana, d. d., existing paths will be restored and protective fences will be replaced. More than nine kilometers long, the flow cave has tunnels on two floors. In the upper, dry tunnels, paths for visitors began to be arranged as early as 1914.
There is no lighting installed in the cave. Visitors view it with the help of flashlights, which will be preserved even after the renovation due to nature protection.
The company GPI Tehnika, d. o. o., renovated the 55-year-old infrastructure. The cave is more than two kilometers long, and there are 300 meters of trails arranged for visitors. The pavements and guardrails will be replaced on the existing route.
The lighting will also be renovated. With the current lighting, lampenflora appears - vegetation that develops in the otherwise naturally dark cave environment due to artificial lighting and can affect the sensitive cave ecosystem. By renewing the lighting, its occurrence will be reduced.
A better demarcation between visiting and guarding
In both caves, the restoration will enable a better demarcation of the parts intended for visiting and viewing, from the parts important for the preservation of the natural cave environment.
Both caves are part of the European nature conservation network Natura 2000. With the restoration, we will also contribute to the preservation of habitat type 8310 Caves not open to the public, which is protected in accordance with the European Habitats Directive.
All works are carried out taking into account nature conservation conditions and during the period when the harmful impact on cave animals and the cave environment is minimal.
Restoration also in other caves
The renovation of the cave infrastructure will also begin this year in Planina Cave and Zupan Cave. In the coming years, the reconstruction of the infrastructure in Huda Luknja near Gornji Dolic, Jama pod Babji zobom, Krizna jama, Krska jama, Vilenica, Zelezna jama, Francetova jama and Divaska jama is planned.
The Za jame project, which is implemented by the Ministry of the Environment and Space and the Skocjan Caves Park, is co-financed by the European Union as part of the European Cohesion Policy Program 2021-2027. It contributes to the goal of a green transformation for climate neutrality and to improving the state of biodiversity in the Natura 2000 network and in other priority areas of nature protection.
