by Alessandra Ressa
The Adriatic Speleological Society (SAS) of Trieste is set to unveil groundbreaking findings at its upcoming conference, “Timavo and Secret Caves,” on Saturday, September 21. The event will be held from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Luttazzi Hall in Warehouse 26, located in the Old Port of Trieste.
The conference will spotlight the Timavo River’s unique characteristics and the remarkable progress in cave exploration that has captured international attention. The highlight of the event will be the recent discovery of the Luftloch cave, where, on March 23, a team of SAS speleologists reached a new section of the enigmatic underground river, diving over 300 meters deep. This discovery has reignited global interest in the Karst region, a locale that has been central to speleological research for over 150 years.
“The Timavo River continues to offer new thrills for our speleologists,” said Marco Restaino, president of SAS. “It’s astonishing to think that on a small section of Karst, thoroughly investigated by generations of researchers, we can still make sensational discoveries. The underground remains the last unexplored terrestrial dimension.”
Restaino shared the emotional journey leading to the Luftloch cave’s exploration. After nearly 23 years of excavation, the team finally breached a final rock barrier, rappelling 50 meters into a sandy cavern. Nearby, the Timavo River flowed at a high level, and subsequent descents helped pinpoint the optimal exploration conditions. The team encountered a vast underground hall with a murky lake, revealing new potential for future subaquatic exploration.
The conference will also highlight achievements from the Timavo System Exploration mission, a nearly decade-long collaboration between SAS and the Fédération Française d’Études et de Sports Sous-marins (FFESMM) of Marseille. This mission culminated in August at the Trebiciano cave, a key site for studying the mysterious river. The event will honor Patrice Cabanel, a prominent French speleosubaquatic expert who tragically died in a French cave shortly after leaving Trieste.
The conference aims to shed light on lesser-known aspects of the Timavo River, attracting scientists, explorers, and speleologists. The agenda includes a discussion of the river’s hydrogeological framework by Prof. Luca Zini of the University of Trieste, and insights into blowing caves and cross-border cartography by speleologist and author Paolo Guglia. Slovenian explorers Domen Mahne, Andrej Peca, and Jaka Jakofcic will present their discoveries in Slovenia, while Roberto Prelli will discuss ongoing excavations at the notable cave 87VG. Piero Luchesi of SAS will share results from the eighth edition of the Timavo System Exploration 2024 program, and Marco Restaino will conclude the event with the latest discoveries from the Luftloch cave, offering a new perspective on the Timavo River’s subterranean course.
The conference promises to deepen understanding of the Timavo River and its extensive cave system, reaffirming Trieste’s role as a significant hub for speleological research and exploration.
