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Cave · Sežana, Obalno-kraška
Vilenica Cave
Cave near Lokev that has welcomed paying visitors since 1633, considered the oldest show cave in Europe. The guided tour passes through halls with stalactites and the room where an international literary prize is presented.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Vilenica Cave
Vilenica Cave is next to the village of Lokev on the Karst plateau, about 7 km from Sežana. The first records of paid visits date from 1633, when Count Petazzi, the landowner, handed the cave to the parish of Lokev, which began charging an entrance fee. For that reason Vilenica is considered Europe’s oldest show cave. The name comes from vile, the fairies of Slovenian legends.
Until the mid-19th century, Vilenica was the best-known and most visited cave on the Karst, before the tourist development of Postojna. Later it fell into obscurity until it was restored from 1963 by the Sežana speleology society, which rebuilt the paths, installed electric lighting and has cared for the cave since then, largely with volunteer work.
About 450 metres of the cave’s more than one thousand metres are open to visitors, with halls of stalactites, stalagmites and columns. In the largest, the Plesna dvorana, or dance hall, the prize of the Vilenica international literary festival is presented each year, bringing together writers from Central Europe.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About an hour for the guided visit.
Best time
Visits are limited to specific days and times, especially in the season; check before you go. The temperature inside the cave is low year-round, and a warm layer is useful even in summer.
How to get there
It is next to Lokev, about 7 km from Sežana by road; the route is signposted from the village. It pairs well with a visit to the Lipica stud, a few kilometres away.
Tip
Wear closed shoes with good grip: the cave floor is wet and there are stairs.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Vilenica Cave
What is the oldest show cave in Europe?
The Vilenica cave, near Lokev in the Slovenian Karst, with paid visits recorded since 1633.
How long does a visit to Vilenica cave take?
About an hour with a guide, covering roughly 450 meters of chambers.
Is Vilenica cave open every day?
Not necessarily: visits run on limited days and times. Confirm the schedule before you go.