Karstology, speleology and speleobiology have a right to a home in Slovenia because of the pioneering research that has been done in this territory. The Institute located on the Classic Karst in Postojna is one of the most important international research and study centers for karstology, as it combines the study of the karst surface, caves, waters, and biotic features in an interdisciplinary way. The understanding of karst is the starting point for sustainable planning of life on karst and its protection, which also led to the establishment of the UNESCO Chair on Karst Education. The Institute organizes the annual International Karstological School, publishes the scientific journal Acta Carsologica, conducts numerous field surveys, manages the Slovenian Cave Registry in cooperation with the Speleological Association of Slovenia, and regularly updates the karstological library. Research results are collected and curated within the framework of European infrastructure research networks. The path of the Institute so far is accompanied with many achievements, which are manifested not only in scientific excellence, but also in solving practical problems that we encounter in the karst.