by Alessandra Ressa
In the heart of the Julian Alps, straddling the Italian-Slovenian border, lies one of the most extraordinary karst landscapes on Earth. Here, in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of northeastern Italy, water has sculpted the limestone over millions of years, carving out a dramatic and largely unseen underground world.
At the center of this geological wonder is the Canin massif, home to more than 2,000 catalogued caves—some plunging deeper than 1,000 meters. Among them is the Canin Cave System, a vast and partially unexplored labyrinth stretching nearly 100 kilometers. It is currently the longest known cave system in Italy and, according to scientists and explorers, one of the last great frontiers of terrestrial exploration.
A new exhibition aims to shed light on this hidden world. Titled “Caves Between Exploration and Research: The Speleological Heritage of Friuli Venezia Giulia,” the show is currently on view at the Auditorium della Cultura Friulana in Gorizia as part of the European Capital of Culture program, GO! 2025. Admission is free.
Organized by the Regional Geological Service and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Speleological Federation, the exhibition offers visitors an immersive look at the region’s subterranean treasures. Through detailed panels, archival artifacts, historical tools, and striking video footage, the exhibition brings to life the scientific and exploratory efforts that have shaped our understanding of this complex environment.
A highlight of the display is a 3D model and accompanying video dedicated to the Canin Cave, often described by speleologists as a “cathedral of nature.” The installation pays tribute to the generations of explorers who have ventured into the depths of these caves, confronting darkness and isolation in a bid to document and protect an ecosystem as fragile as it is majestic.
While much of the Canin system remains unmapped, ongoing efforts continue to push the boundaries of what is known—blending adventure, science, and environmental stewardship in equal measure.
As Italy prepares for the spotlight of 2025’s cultural programming, this exhibition offers a timely reminder: some of the most remarkable stories are written not on the surface, but far beneath our feet.
