January the 30th, 2026 – Feštinsko kraljevstvo isn’t a name you’ll likely have heard, but it’s Istria’s “accidental” cave that was discovered entirely by chance.
As Ivana Vasarevic/Putni kofer writes, in the very heart of Istria, not far from the peaceful old village of Feštini near Žminj, you’ll find the Feštinsko kraljevstvo cave. This natural wonder will enchant you, and you might also be intrigued by its interesting backstory. This work of nature got its name from an anecdote according to which all the children from the surrounding villages gathered and went to play in the cave. When the adults asked them where they’d been and what they’d been doing, the kids would answer: “We’ve been in the kingdom”.
The area is packed with fascinating caves with unique formations such as the so-called “Sorcerer’s hat”, the “Tower of Babel” and the “Bat’s wing”. To make things even more interesting, the latter is covered with vine roots, which draw water from the very bottom of the cave through a hole in the limestone rock. In winter it becomes a regular, safe habitat for bats, after which it was named.
As soon as you step into the Feštinsko kraljevstvo cave, you will hear the harmonious and soothing sound of drops of water introducing you to this mysterious underground world. The interior of the cave itself now boasts approximately 100-metre-long paths, a stroll along them is suitable for all ages and takes about half an hour.
The Feštinsko kraljevstvo cave is actually an irregular oval-shaped hall with a total length of 67 metres. Its greatest width is 27 metres, and its deepest area is -9 metres, while its vault reaches about 6 metres in height. With an average temperature that always ranges between 13 and 15 degrees Celsius, the cave is ideal for touring in summer when seeking a break from the sometimes insufferably boiling Croatian sun.
This hidden treasure of Istria was discovered quite by accident back during the 1930s as grape planting took place. According to older locals, the bottom of the sinkhole collapsed and a tool being used fell into the ground, creating a hole that was later impossible to fill up. This was done after World War II, and the cave was only rediscovered much later in the 1980s.
There is also a tragicomic situation associated with the mysterious Feštinsko kraljevstvo cave. According to the legend, a mischievous little donkey was exploring and fell into it. Fortunately, the donkey was not injured.
This natural wonder is located on the property of the Orbanić family, who have also arranged a lot of additional facilities for visitors there. On the spacious lawn, right next to the cave’s entrance, you will come across a mini farm, a bar, a sandbox, a souvenir shop, a lookout, as well as wooden, handmade sculptures in the shape of Mickey Mouse, Pinocchio, trains, planes, hedgehog houses and more.
