Bocche del Timavo
Where the mysterious river resurfaces
About this place
The Timavo, the river that flows between Croatia, Slovenia and Italy, has always been considered one of the most interesting karst phenomena and is a subject of study for scientists and speleologists.
This is by virtue of its partly underground course and the fact that it splits and swells in ways that are still unknown today.
The Timavo, in fact, has a long underground stretch of almost 40 kilometers that, from the caves of San Canziano in Slovenia, passing through the Trebiciano Abyss, re-emerges in the village of San Giovanni di Duino, and then flows, after about 2 kilometers, into the Gulf of Trieste.
The resurgences are a very picturesque place, which can be easily visited on foot.
The water gushes clear near the Gothic church of San Giovanni in Tuba, in a verdant area from which several nature trails start.
Why visit them
01.
Relaxing place
After nearly 40 kilometers in its underground bed, the Timavo resurfaces at this pleasant spot, surrounded by poplars, plane trees and cypresses.
Next to the small church is the main mouth, from which crystal-clear waters flow.
02.
The mystery of the Timavo
The Timavo returns to the surface via 3 mouths that have been an object of curiosity for different peoples from the earliest times, so much so that they became a place of worship and veneration.
03.
Simple itinerary
From the parking lot it takes a couple of minutes to reach the resurgence area where the most active mouth is visible, juxtaposed with the small church.
The area, which is completely level, is easily visited by everyone and has benches.
The Timavo River and its underground course
- Length: 89 km
- Source: Monte Nevoso, Turkove škulje
- Mouth: San Giovanni di Duino, Duino Aurisina
WHY SO MANY PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT IT
The Timavo has always been a source of curiosity and mystery because of its karst phenomena, particularly the fact that it has a 39-kilometer underground section in which it runs deep and then re-emerges from three mouths near Trieste.ROUTE AND FEATURES
The Timavo River flows for nearly 90 km through Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. It sinks near the caves of San Canziano in Slovenia, passing through the Trebiciano Abyss. It reappears on the surface in the village of San Giovanni di Duino, then flows into the Gulf of Trieste after a couple of kilometers.THE HISTORY OF EXPLORATION
The mystery of the Timavo has been studied for millennia to the extent that it was mentioned by Virgil in the Aeneid. For years, scholars, scientists and speleologists have descended into the Trebiciano Abyss, one of the “windows” into the underground Timavo, that is, one of the deep caves on the bottom of which the waters of the river flow. In our days, The Adriatic Society of Speleology has promoted the “Timavo System Exploration” a project aimed at exploring the underground course of the river through its different windows: the Trebiciano Abyss, the Serpents’ Abyss, the Lake Cave, and the Pigeon Abyss. Such explorations are extremely complex, mainly because of the depths reached, and it will still take many years to unveil the secrets of this river.
The Church of St. John in Tuba
- Visitable: yes
- Opening hours: 10/16 winter; 09/19 summer
The mouths of the Timavo have always fascinated people, and the area has been an area of worship and veneration over the centuries.
In early Christian times, a basilica was built near what is now the most active mouth, a wall and mosaic of which are still preserved today.
The present building was built between 1399 and 1472, at the behest of the lords of Duino, and is an important testimony to late-Gothic style architecture in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
The bell tower was added later, indicatively in the first half of the 17th century.
Where to park
There are several free parking areas in the immediate vicinity of the entrance to the Timavo resurgence area and the church of St. John in Tuba.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
From the Fisherman’s Village location, via a nature trail, you can reach the Mouths of the Timavo River, the Tuscan Wolves Monument, and some Great War trenches.
Also very attractive is the exploration of the mouths by kayak, also departing from the Fisherman’s Village.
The parking lot is located at the entrance to the resurgence area, which is overlooked by the small church of St. John.
The visit, therefore, takes little time, but it is possible to stop and enjoy the coolness of the clearing on one of the benches there.
The Church of St. John in Tuba is open daily with hours 10/16 in winter and 09/19 in summer.
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