GOTTSCHEER HERITAGE / KARST PHENOMENA: KUNČ AND ICE CAVE AT KUNČ

The former  Gottscheer  village of Kunč (German: Kuntschen, Gottschee Kuntschn) lies on a large clearing at the edge of  Kočevski rog   plateau. It is one of the oldest villages in the area. In 1574 it encompassed only a farm, which was cultivated by two farmers, in 1937, there were five farms, seven houses and 28 inhabitants here. More than half a century before that, Kunč was considered the most "royal" village in Kočevsko, since more than half of house owners had a lastname König (German for king). During the war, Kunč was burnt down, and after the war, one house was rebuilt for the residence of forest workers. The nearby ruins of Auersperg's manor house (wall remains to the left of the path) are related to legends about Veronika of Desenice, the wife of Frederick II, Count of Celje.

In the near vicinity of the village the most prominent ice cave in Kočevski rog is located. According to the story Veronika of Desenice hid here from Herman of Celje, Frederick's father, who greatly opposed to the marriage and considered her to be of lower status. The chronicles of the Counts of Celje suggest he had his son arrested and, while holding him prisoner, initiated a trial against Veronika accusing her of witchcraft. She was acquitted by the court.

KUNČ ICE CAVE

An ice cave is any type of natural cave that contains perennial (year-round) ice. At least a portion of the cave must have a temperature below 0 °C (32 °F) all year round, and  water must have traveled into the cave’s cold zone. Certain cave configurations allow seasonal convection to import cold air from the surface in winter, but not warm air in summer. Kunč Ice Cave is located at the bottom of a sinkhole, northwest from the abandoned Gottscheer village. Here, people would go to the cave for ice during times of drought. Under its vertical wall a prominent entrance opens up (30x20 m) to a closed ice chamber. The entering aisle widens into a 90 meters wide and 30 meters high underground hall. The cave has a diverse ecosystem, among other flora and fauna we can find underground beetles here.