Slovenia is a country of abundant rainfall: The rain makes Slovenia one of the world’s most verdant countries – and it results in spectacular waterfalls around the country, the most visited of which is the Savica Waterfall.
Nestled in the Bohinj Valley and surrounded by rocky peaks of the Alps, the Savica Waterfall is an imposing sight. But its uniqueness extends even beneath the surface. The waterfall is fed by a stream that flows down from the Triglav Lakes Valley high above Savica. Unlike anywhere else on Earth, the stream separates in two before the water emerges from the rock. It turns out that each stream is fed from a different underground lake.
The main stream then falls 78 meters, while the second one experiences a 25-meter drop. Both streams end up in a deep pool that appears to be turquoise or dark green because of the surrounding trees. Intense mists emanate from the pool, to the delight of children who enjoy getting wet in the heat of the summer.
Almost two centuries ago, the unusual waterfall inspired Slovenia’s greatest poet, France Prešeren. In the conclusion of his 1835 epic titled The Baptism on the Savica, the hero decides to be baptized under the waterfall.
However, the beauty of Savica was known even earlier. It was first described by the 17th century polymath Johann Weikhard von Valvasor in his book about the Slovenian Lands. The book sold well across Europe, and it spread the waterfall’s fame far beyond the borders of Slovenia.
Many modern-day visitors to Savica take a nearby cable car to Vogel, which overlooks the Bohinj Valley. From there, they can admire the beauty of Lake Bohinj, Slovenia’s largest lake – a glacial jewel fed by the water from a unique waterfall.
