Speleology

If you want to experience some of the most beautiful caves in Croatia, visit Karlovac County, which is also the birthplace of Croatian speleotourism. The Barać Caves near Nova Kršlja, close to Rakovica, famous for their abundance of calcite formations, were the first in Croatia to be opened to tourists back in 1892. Travelers used to visit them by carriage on their way to Plitvice Lakes.

The Upper Barać Cave was renovated in 2004, and nearby, the first Croatian speleological home was opened. The cave, which spans 520 meters, is recognized as a geomorphological monument of nature due to its beauty, and visitors can enjoy a fascinating story told by the cave guide about its structure, formation, and the history of its exploration. It is the first cave in Croatia to be explored with eco-friendly lighting that preserves the cave’s microclimate and ecosystem.

The southwest of Karlovac County is a region of shallow Dinaric limestone karst with hundreds of caves, pits, and underground systems. Four of the five longest cave systems in Croatia are located here, with the Đulin Ponor - Medvedica near Ogulin being the longest, with over 16 kilometers of explored channels. Many caves hide clear lakes and streams, along with a unique fauna, including the fascinating olm (proteus anguinus) in some caves.

Prehistoric artifacts from the Stone Age (found in Barać Caves) and the early Bronze Age (found in Đutno near Bosiljevo) have been discovered in several caves. In the Bubijeva Cave near Siča, Karlovac speleologists discovered a unique ancient cave necropolis in Europe in 2000. For millennia, many caves served as shelters; those in the cliffs along the deep valleys of the Korana and Mrežnica Rivers are a real challenge for adventurous tourists.

Among the defensive caves is Vrlovka near Kamanje, whose entrance is right next to the Kupa River. It was opened to tourists in 1928, and visitors can explore 330 meters of tunnels. Other popular destinations for speleotourists include some unregulated and more difficult-to-access caves that can be visited with experienced speleologists. These include Vražića Cave in Barilović, Gvozdenica on Skradska gora, and Vodena Cave near Siča. A special feature is the Matešića Cave near Slunj, which has two entrances; after passing through the karst underground, visitors emerge directly into the Korana canyon.