Pazin Chasm

Central & Eastern Istria


Pazin’s most renowned site is undoubtedly this 100m-deep abyss, through which the Pazinčica River sinks into subterranean passages forming three underground lakes. Its shadowy depths inspired the imagination of Jules Verne, as well as numerous Croatian writers. Visitors can walk the 1.3km marked path inside the natural canyon, which takes about 45 minutes and involves a gentle winding climb.

There are two entrances, one by Hotel Lovac and one by the footbridge that spans the abyss, 100m from the castle. You can enter the cave with an expert speleologist (190KN), if arranged in advance through the tourist office. If the trip into the abyss doesn’t appeal, there’s a viewing point just outside the castle.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Central & Eastern Istria attractions

1. Castle

0.07 MILES

Looming over the chasm, Pazin’s castle is the largest and best-preserved medieval structure in all of Istria. First mentioned in AD 983, the castle has…

2. Motovun: A History in Motion

8.31 MILES

Tucked away in a courtyard of the Hotel Kaštel, this small museum has interesting displays on the legendary giant of Motovun Forest, the grim lot of the…

3. Church of St Stephen

8.33 MILES

The town's centrepiece is this large Renaissance church, thought to have been designed by Venetian architect Andrea Palladio. The interior is a restrained…

4. Town Walls

8.35 MILES

It only takes about 10 minutes to circle Motovun's ramparts and you can get similar views of the surrounding countryside for free, just by walking around…

5. St Jerome's Chapel

9.54 MILES

Positioned in a cemetery just outside the town walls, this little 12th-century Romanesque chapel still has the remains of its original frescoes on the…

6. Kotli

9.84 MILES

Don't miss this almost-abandoned village, 2.5km off the road to Roč. It's set on a stream which all but dries up in summer, but at other times bubbles…

7. Glagolitic Alley

10.64 MILES

The road from Roč to Hum has been dubbed Glagolitic Alley in reference to a series of 11 sculptures placed alongside it, commemorating the area’s…

8. Morosini-Grimani Castle

10.71 MILES

The northern part of the main square is occupied by this beautiful 13th-century fortified palace. Its present appearance, including its towers, are a…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "croatia/pazin/attractions/pazin-chasm/a/poi-sig/1272325/1318891",
      "destination": "Central-&-Eastern-Istria",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Croatia",
      "region": "Central-&-Eastern-Istria",
      "position": "superzone"
    }