The Feštini Kingdom Cave

The Feštini Kingdom Cave (Festinsko kraljevstvo)

In the heart of Istria near the village of Feštini close to Žminj, with its natural beauties is the Feštini Kingdom Cave.  Entering the cave, you can hear the harmonious sound of the water lets that from time immemorial have created wonderful underground treasures reflected in small pools of water.

been equipped with safe walkways that are accessible to every visitor.  The cave inspires visitors with the variety of its stalactite and stalagmite formations, especially The Magician´s Hat, The Tower of Babylon, and the huge Bat´s Wing, through the latter of which the roots of the grapevines above draw water from the floor of the cave.

In addition ot the underground beauties, you can also enjoy the idyllic scenery and other attractions (a mini-farm, a mini-bar with refreshments, etc.)If you want to forget life´s daily stresses at least for a moment, visit us and enjoy the Feštini Kingdom!

The cave is located in central Istria in the District of Žminj in a pasture close to the village of Feštini.  According to a local story, the site was accidentally discovered in 1930, when the floor of the karst valley collapsed while the field was being cultivated.  

After World War II, the cave was covered up, but was re-opened at the beginning of the 1980s.  During that time, it was damaged by unthoughtful visitors who removed many of the cave´s stone features and used them to decorate their yards! 
To prevent further devastation, the current landowners have decided to protect it and to completely equip it for viewing.  Since the cave is located on land once covered by thick forest vegetation, the cave and its beautiful features have been named THE FEŠTINA KINGDOM by the inhabitants of the village.

The cave thrills visitors with the beauty and variety of its stalactite and stalagmite formations, especially The Magician´s Hat, The Tower of Babylon, and the huge Bat´s Wing,  through the latter of which extend the roots of the grapevines above.  The cave is in the shape of an irregular oval.  It has a total length of 67 meters, it widest expanse is 27 meters, its depth is nine meters, and its highest point is six meters.  The average temperature in the cave is 13-15 degrees Centigrade.  The cave was discovered in the 1930s, when Tone Božac known locally as Fraitar accidentally uncovered it.  While digging holes to plant new grapevines, his pick fell through a hole and into the cave below.

At that time he had no idea what was concealed beneath the hole, so he tried to fill it up to prevent an accident.  But he could not succeed in filling in the hole completely because the dirt kept sinking through it.  Time passed and no one knew what was located under Fraitar´s vineyard. 

During the Italian occupation of Istria in the 1940s, the inhabitants of the village decided to find out what was beneath the hole.  They were most interested in finding a shelter from the constant dangers of the war.  After the hole was dug out, the entrance to the cave was opened.  Everyone was amazed at what they saw and could not believe what was hidden beneath the ground of their village.

Children from the neighboring villages came to see the cave.  When their parents asked where they had been, they answered that they had been in the kingdom.  So today the cave is call The Feštini Kingdom. During the war, the village of Feštini suffered a great tragedy.  All of the adult men in the village were killed.  Only Josip Bepo Božac, the son of Fraitar, survived because he hid in the cave!

There was one other tragicomic situation in the interesting history of the cave.  A small playful donkey, which meant more to the villagers than treasure, fell into the cave while playing near its opening.  Fortunately, he was not injured, only frightened.  When the villagers pulled him out of the cave, they joked how the little donkey had been in the kingdom. 

Visits

• A tour of The Feštini Kingdom is led by a guide who speaks four languages (Croatian, Italian, English and German).  The tour lasts about 20 minutes.
• The cave is easily accessible to everyone.  The cave is entered through a walled entrance that leads to a walkway of about 100 meters. 
• During the tour, visitors will learn general information and items of interest about the cave and its many beautiful features like The Bat´s Wing and The Magician´s Hat and the other wonderful stalactite and stalagmite formations! 

PRICE LIST

• Base price  –  40 kn
• Children   – 25 kn
• Group 1* (students) –  20 kn
• Group 2* (adults) –  35 kn

*minimum 10 persons in group 
Children under seven accompanied by parents enter free
Open for visits
April, May, October: Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Other days: by appointment
June - September: Daily from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Feštinsko kraljevstvo
Feštini - Žminj

+385 91 561 63 27

+385 91 721 28 54
info(at)sige.hr
www.sige.hr

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