Vogenca (Grofova jama)

Vogenca (Grofova jama) is a karst cave on the slope of Mount Grmada, right above the village of Brestovica pri Komnu in the Kras region, just a few kilometers from the Italian border. The name "Grofova jama" translates as "the Count's Cave," while Vogenca is the older, local name still used by residents of the surrounding villages.

What is this place?

It's a dry, fossil-type cave roughly 226 meters long with a vertical extent of about 46 meters. The entrance sits at around 266 meters above sea level on the northern slope of Grmada — a hill that played a role in the Soča Front during the First World War. Inside, visitors find stalactite and stalagmite formations along with distinctive clay deposits typical of the Kras karst landscape.

How do you get there?

The cave lies along hiking routes starting from Brestovica pri Komnu, a village in the Komen municipality. A marked path leads to the entrance as part of the Walk of Peace, a long-distance trail commemorating the Soča Front that stretches from the Alps to the Adriatic. A round trip from the village to the cave and back typically runs several kilometers depending on the chosen route, and calls for moderate fitness — the ground is rocky karst terrain, steep in places.

What will you see along the way?

The area around Grmada functions as an open-air museum. Trenches, rifle positions, and shelters carved into the rock survive here — remnants of Austro-Hungarian fortifications from World War I. Soldiers used the cave itself as shelter and logistical support, adapting its interior into multi-level quarters for troops. In 2025, an open-air museum called "Grmada" opened in Brestovica, helping visitors make sense of these historical traces.

Can you go inside?

Access to the cave interior isn't unrestricted — it requires prior arrangement and takes place in small groups, usually organized through a local caving club such as Jamarsko društvo Sežana, which provides equipment, safety briefings, and an introduction to karst geology. This setup protects the fragile cave formations while keeping visitors safe on difficult underground terrain.

When should you visit?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for hiking here, when temperatures on the karst plateau are mild and the local vegetation — including vineyards and Mediterranean scrub typical of the region — looks its best. In summer, an early start is worthwhile, since the rocky terrain heats up quickly under direct sun. Each autumn, Brestovica hosts a guided hike called "Along the Trail of the Soča Front," combining local history with an active tour of the surrounding countryside.

Frequently asked questions

Can you enter Vogenca (Grofova jama) on your own? No — entry into the cave requires advance booking and takes place under the supervision of a local caving club, in small groups with proper safety equipment.

How long is the cave? It runs about 226 meters in length with roughly 46 meters of vertical extent, and its entrance sits at around 266 meters above sea level.

What's the cave's connection to World War I? During the war, Austro-Hungarian soldiers converted it into multi-level shelter quarters, and the slopes of Grmada around it still hold trenches and rifle positions from that period.

Where's the best starting point for the hike? Start in the village of Brestovica pri Komnu, from where a marked trail — part of the Walk of Peace — leads toward Grmada and the cave entrance.