by Alessandra Ressa
As part of the wider program for GO!2025 — when Gorizia and Nova Gorica jointly hold the title of European Capital of Culture — the city of Gorizia will host Speleo2025: Waters and Caves Without Borders – Scientific Culture and the Enhancement of Speleological Heritage on June 14 and 15.
The two-day conference, organized by the Federazione Speleologica Regionale FVG in collaboration with the Geological Service of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and the Municipality of Gorizia, aims to promote public understanding and scientific engagement with the subterranean world of the Karst — a limestone-dominated landscape famous for its sinkholes, underground rivers, and extensive cave systems.
The event is free and open to the public, with registration required online at eventi.regione.fvg.it.
Speleo2025 will gather geologists, environmental scientists, speleologists, and members of the public to examine key themes in the field, including hydrogeology in karst environments, environmental monitoring techniques, and new methods of mapping and visualizing subterranean spaces. In addition to scientific presentations, the event emphasizes cross-border collaboration, particularly between Italian and Slovenian researchers and institutions, reflecting the binational spirit of GO!2025.
Running in parallel with the symposium, a public exhibition will open at the same venue on June 14 and remain on view until July 13. Titled Caves Between Exploration and Research: The Speleological Heritage of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the show will trace the evolution of speleological studies in the region, from early cave exploration to modern-day scientific mapping. It also explores the historical relationship between humans and caves, as well as the role of speleology within the broader scientific community.
Together, the conference and exhibition highlight not only the natural wonders beneath the surface, but also the shared cultural and scientific ties that transcend national borders.
