Pavel Kunaver (1889 – 1988) and Lake Cerknica
"Most people know lake Cerknica only by its name. But I can tell you the following: if you have not lived here through different seasons of the year, have not spend nights and mornings here, have not plunged into the mysteries of Velika Karlovica and Mala Karlovica, Okence and Svinjska jama (cave), have not seen the Vranja jama, sinks during the periods of total drought and when they are virtually smothered by surplus water, have not spent a day in the quietness of the mysterious Zadnji kraj, if you do not know Otok (and not only Goričica), the gorgeous landscape from here to the village of Gorenje Jezero, and the numerous mysterious springs below Mt Križna gora...then you do not know that Lake Cerknica can indeed be considered one of the most beautiful and most wonderful lakes in the world."
Pavel Kunaver became interested in Lake Cerknica and its wider surroundings very early in his life, first of all within the circle of his family, then as a caver and member of the Cave Research Association, which was established in Ljubljana in 1910. Prior to World War I, he thus took part in the first research carried out in Velika Karlovica. Rakov Škocjan was viseted by him for the first time in 1918, before the new border was stipulated, while during the Italian occupation he most probably visited it once more at last.
Dr. Jurij Kunaver
