Russian Cave / Ruska Jama

There is a multitude of natural karst caves in the area of the Kras. During the time of the Isonzo Front (1915-1917) several of them were arranged by the caving-and-constuction detachment of the Corps VII of the Austro- Hungarian Army to serve military purposes. One of the caves that was initially used for ammunition storage was subsequently called the Russian Cave, because later on, the Russian POWs were lodged in it. They had to live there in unbearable conditions.

According to the estimation of historians, about 40.000 Russian POWs captured on the Eastern Front, were present during the First World War on the territory of present-day Slovenia. About 15.000-20.000 of them were confined on the broader area of the Kras. The forced labour of the POWs was exploited by the Austro-Hungarian authorities for tough physical works needed primarily for the army such as construction of roads, tracks, railways, waterworks, ammunition magazines, etc.

Here, in the immediate rear of the Isonzo Front, the Russian POWs were forced to repair the damage done to the road Kostanjevica-Lokvica (Erzherzog Josef Strasse) which was very important for the front. Malnutrition, diseases, shelling, exhaustion front hard work and torture —all these caused high mortality rate among the Russian POWs. For the time being their names and graves remain unknown. Their destiny is still waiting to be researched.

In the 10th Isonzo Battle (May 12 through June 6, 1917) the area was conquered by the Italian Army and the Cave was rearranged for their special needs. The occupation did not last long, because after only a few months the Italian army had to withdraw in the 12th Isonzo Battle (October 24 through 28, 1917).

 

August 2021