After gaining independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, Slovenia made a commitment to actively protect the Škocjan Caves area.

[4] The river flowing through the canyon turns northwest before the Cerkvenik Bridge and continues along Hanke's Channel (Slovene: Hankejev kanal).

The canyon ends with a relatively small siphon that cannot handle the immense volume of water during heavy rainfall, leading to significant flooding.

The commissioning of the French painter Louis-François Cassas in 1782 to paint landscape pieces further attests to the caves' significance as an important natural feature in the Trieste hinterland during the 18th century.

Slovenian divers successfully swam through the Ledeni dihnik siphon and discovered over 200 meters (660 ft) of new cave passages.

The Reka River sinks beneath a rocky wall, with the village of Škocjan situated on top, lending its name to the caves.

Škocjan Caves Regional Park holds immense archaeological value, with evidence of human habitation dating back over ten thousand years.

Three thousand years ago, this region held great significance as a pilgrimage site, particularly within the Mediterranean, where it played a crucial role in ancestral worship and communication with the afterlife.

[9] Visitors now have the opportunity to explore the underground canyon featuring Big Collapse Doline (Slovene: Velika Dolina).