The tourist history of Vilenica Cave began in late prehistory, as evidenced by findings of Copper Age pottery in the entrance area of the cave. At that time, due to its natural characteristics – partial enclosure provided shelter from weather and other adversities – the cave was probably used as a refuge or temporary dwelling. Since only individual artifacts have been found and the cave has not been archaeologically investigated, the purpose of its use during this period is not entirely clear.
FIRST TOURIST VISITS
The first tourist visits to the cave were recorded in 1633, which defines VIlenica as the first show cave in the world. At that time, Count Benvenuto Petazzi (or Petač) gave the cave to the Lokev parish to manage: both parties shared the income from admission fees. Collecting admission fees means that a commercial activity was taking place – and that is why the cave is considered to have functioned as a show cave from that year onwards. In 1809, doors were installed at the entrance and the management of the cave was fully transferred to the Lokev chaplaincy. Until the mid-19th century, Vilenica Cave was renowned as the most beautiful, the largest, and the most visited cave in the Karst region. Besides its beauty, the cave owes its reputation to its geographical location – it is situated right along the old Vienna–Trieste trade route, and in the immediate vicinity of the Lipica Stud Farm, also a very well-known and popular tourist destination.
NOTABLE GUESTS
The first distinguished visitor was the Austrian Emperor Leopold I (in 1660), who stopped to explore the cave during his visit to the Lipica Stud Farm. Several other eminent visitors walked the ancient halls – Ferdinand I, King of Naples and Sicily (in 1790), Emperor Leopold II of Habsburg-Lorraine (in 1790 and 1791), Emperor Francis I of Habsburg- Lorraine (in 1816 and 1818), and King Frederick Augustus I of Saxony (in 1836). Among the important visitors in the 18th century, we should also mention the Carniolan physician and naturalist Balthasar Hacquet.
INSPIRATION TO MANY ARTISTS
The otherworldly speleothem treasures of Vilenica were a source of inspiration for various poets and writers, including Giuseppe Compagnoni di Lugo who wrote the poem La Grotta di Vileniza (The Cave of Vilenica, 1795), and Francesco Trevisani who wrote La Grotta di Vileniza, detta di Corniale (The Cave of Vilenica, Said of Corniale/Lokev, 1802).
The oldest preserved plans of Vilenica date back to the 18th century: a preserved sketch of the ground plan by the Austro-Hungarian mathematician, caver, and cartographer Joseph Anton Nagel from 1748, as well as an image from the Viennese printer and publisher Tranquillo Moll’s atlas from 1752. It should be noted that these are actually more pictorial representations than plans. The oldest plan, made in watercolor and measuring 77 × 50 cm, was painted by Francesco Vicentini and dates back to 1818. In addition to the cave plan with depictions of stalactite formations, tourist paths, and visitors, this document also contains a handwritten description of the cave and the author’s signature.
THE FIRST VISITOR BOOK
In 1821, a visitor book was introduced in Vilenica. In 1889, it contained signatures from more than 2000 foreign and local visitors, with entries in numerous languages. A copy of the book is on display in the caving society hut (the original is kept at the Karst Research Institute in Postojna).
FALLING INTO OBSCURITY
Due to new discoveries in Postojna Cave and the direct railway connection to Postojna, Vilenica slowly began to fade into obscurity. From 1836 onwards, the Lokev community no longer organized cave visits and handed over the management of the cave to innkeeper Anton Muha. Between 1886 and the end of World War II, the cave was managed by the Trieste Alpine Society (Società Alpina delle Giulie – Sezione di Trieste). Finally, in 1963, the Sežana Caving Society (Jamarsko društvo Sežana, JDS) took over.
RENAISSANCE
When the members of the caving society took over, Vilenica was in poor condition. In 1962 began a project to restore the cave to its former glory in the form of thousands of hours of volunteer work, both in the cave and in its surroundings. The work was performed in shifts. It was necessary to replace missing stairs and repair heavily damaged ones, as well as clean and reorganize the cave path and secure it. With working enthusiasm and awareness about preserving the natural heritage for future generations, Vilenica Cave was reopened to visitors on May 19, 1963.
In 1975, the members completed the construction of the Jože Gustinčič Caving Society Hut in front of the entrance to the cave. In the following years, regular maintenance of the cave continued along with several major works: repair of paths, construction of stairs and railings, partial repair of the stage and dance floor in the Dance Hall, upgrading of the existing electrical network, and establishment of sectoral lighting in six chambers of the cave.
A lot was also done outside the cave too: renovations and extensions to the caving hut, installation of water supply and electricity, placement of sculptures (artist Marko Pogačnik), creation and placement of information boards, landscaping of the park in front of the cave entrance. The parking lot was renovated, sanitary facilities were installed, and the surrounding area and the interior of the caving hut were upgraded for the ever- increasing number of visitors. To ensure that Vilenica and its surroundings are well- maintained and that visitors feel welcome, members of the Sežana Caving Society continue to care for it today tirelessly, having contributed more than one hundred thousand hours of volunteer work so far.
