Županova jama, the cave a mayor found in 1926

Cave tour times and prices

Visits are guided only. In spring and autumn, from March to June and September to November, there are tours on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and school holidays at 11am and 3pm; in July and August, every day at 11am, 1pm and 3pm; and in winter at 11am. Admission is €12 for adults and €8 for under-15s. Good footwear and warm clothing are advised, and the cave entrance is at Cerovo 9.

Seven chambers and a natural icebox

Today you enter through the Ledenica, a chamber locals had known for centuries and which Valvasor described in 1689 in «The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola». It served as a refuge during the Turkish raids and later for storing ice and food in summer, because its lower part never gets above 6°C. Ice stalactites form there at the end of winter.

Then come seven chambers decorated with stalactites, in a cave 700 m long with 600 m of lit paths. It is about 10°C inside all year. Cave crickets, cave beetles and several species of bat live here, and scenes from the Kekec and Winnetou films were shot inside.

Why is it called the Mayor’s Cave?

The cave lies by the village of Velike Lipljene, 7 km south of Grosuplje towards Turjak. It was discovered in 1926 by Josip Perme, mayor of the then municipality of Šentjurij, who reached today’s Great Hall by descending a shaft. He later recalled that he was about to order the return when he noticed another cavity with stalactites, climbed the rock with his companions and entered a huge hall where thousands of them were shining. The great stalactite they climbed to is now called the Monument to the Unknown Hero.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in Grosuplje on Expedia and filter by area before price.

Cerovo and the cycle route

The Cerovo tabor, the walled church of St Nicholas, is right next door, and a demanding cycling route links both from Grosuplje station. It is aimed at riders with some kilometres in their legs, because of the climbs from Št. Jurij to Velike Lipljene or from Kobiljek to Cerovo; for those less fit, the tourist office suggests riding it in the direction that climbs on a 12% forest track and descends on the road. For other caves in the country, see caves in Slovenia, and for the area, the guide to central Slovenia.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in Grosuplje on Booking.com and filter by area before price.