Sveta Jama Cave at Socerb
The Sveta jama Cave (the “Sacred Cave”) at Socerb is a unique karst cave that hides Slovenia’s only underground church and is linked to the legend of Saint Servulus.
The Sveta Jama Cave at Socerb, 231 meters long and 44 meters deep, hides Slovenia’s only underground church. It is linked to the legend of Saint Servulus, a young saint of Trieste who hid in the cave from the governor of Trieste.
One of the most unique karst caves in Slovenia – Sveta Jama– is located near Strmec Castle in Socerb. This natural site of national importance, 231 meters long and 44 meters deep, hides Slovenia’s only underground church in a natural cavity.
The Sveta Jama Cave has long been associated with the legend of Saint Servulus, a young saint from Trieste who, after converting to Christianity, hid in the cave from the Governor of Trieste. Legend has it that St. Servulus lived for a year and nine months on water from a cave stream. During his stay in the cave, he gained a special power that could heal the seriously ill. But the authorities were not happy with the miracles and Servulus’s promotion of Christianity. In 283, he was imprisoned and tortured to death by the Governor of Trieste.
Sveta Jama is a glacial cave, and a stream flows through it, flowing into the springs of Dolina. The entrance to the cave is located in a grove of trees near Socerb Castle. The interior of the cave is decorated with stalactites and a carved sprinkler, reminiscent of the time when the cave served as a church. Holy Mass was celebrated in the cave until the Second World War, but today, tours of the cave are available every Sunday at 2 p.m.
What to do?
The village of Popetre has been on the windward path since Roman times. Take a walk to the important points…
