Phone +386 1 709 34 61 | ||
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Address Rakov Škocjan 2, 1380 Cerknica, Slovenia Similar Lake Cerknica, Rak, Slivnica, Cross Cave, Planina Cave | ||
Rak Škocjan (Slovene: Rakov Škocjan; [ˈɾaːkɔu̯ ˈʃkɔːtsjan]) is a valley and a landscape park, part of Inner Carniola Regional Park in southwestern Slovenia. Administratively, it belongs to the settlement of Rakov Škocjan. Rak Škocjan has been protected since 1949 and is the oldest landscape park in Slovenia.
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Geography
There are two natural bridges in Rak Škocjan, Little Natural Bridge (Slovene: Mali naravni most) and about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) downstream, to the west, Big Natural Bridge (Slovene: Veliki naravni most). Rak Creek traverses the valley and enters Weaver's Cave at its western side. Above the valley, in the vicinity of Big Natural Bridge, stand the ruins of St. Cantianus's Church, built in the early 17th century in the late Gothic style. This area is also an Iron Age archaeological site.
Name
The name Rakov Škocjan literally means 'Škocjan on Rak Creek'. Like other places named Škocjan, the name is a contraction of *šent Kǫcьjanъ 'Saint Cantianus', referring to the patron saint of the local church. The valley shares its name with the settlement of Rakov Škocjan.