Triester Karst (Italien)

The karst of Trieste is actually a part of the "classical Karst", which actually consits Italian part and the larger part in Slovenia. Like so often in history, the state-boerders are not reflecting the natural or geographical situation. In this case, s separation of the two karst-areas is done only due to a better overview. Indeed, the karst of Trieste can be considerd as a place of birth of modern caving. Reasons for the caving actions were simple considerations: the area lacked easy accessible edible water. Thus, some tough guys reached a depth of 330 in 1841 in the Abisso di Trebiciano. This was for many decades the deepest cave of the world. There, they found the underground river, the Timavo. This river goes underground in the caves of St. Kanzian (Skocjanske Jame) in Slovenia.
In the last years, some spectaculaer and large cave-systems were discoverd due to enlargement by explosives or road-building actions. The whole area is completely filled by caves and dolines. Many of the big and beautiful caves of the area are locked in terms of cave-protection and one has to contact the local cavers for a permission of a visit.