Dotted around the landscape of Serbia lay spectacular cave formations, some of which rank among the best in Europe. There are currently seven caves which have been declared suitable for public visits, with the majority situated in eastern Serbia. This only represents approximately ten per cent of the caves in Serbia and there are still many caves which are yet to be fully explored.
Ceremošnja Cave
flickr/Darko Veselinović
Ceremošnja is located in the northeast of Serbia, beneath the peaks of the Homolje Mountains. It was officially opened to the public in 1980 and in 2007 became protected as a national monument. Features such as draperies, columns, stalagmites, stalactites, flowstone waterfalls and galleries are dotted around the cave formation, leading it to become known as one of the most beautiful caves in Serbia.
There are five natural sections within the cave – The Entrance Section, The Arena, The Swallow-Hole Chamber, The Andesite Chamber and The South Channel. Each section contains rare and unique formations such as a huge cascading calcite column featured in ‘The Arena’. A tourist trail guides visitors through each section in a circular one-way direction, providing the perfect way to enjoy the cave.
Recently, the remains of a cave bear dating back to more than 10,000 years ago were found in the cave.
Rajkova Pećina
Rajkova Pećina is located in eastern Serbia near the town of Majdanpek and is surrounded by wonderful diverse woodland. The cave was first explored in 1894 but research was put on hold until the 1970’s and in 1975 the cave opened to the public. The cave is defined by its spectacular snow-white crystal calcite which is of the highest quality found in the country.
The longest cave in Serbia, Rajkova Pećina has two levels with the river Rajkova Reka flowing along the lower level. The upper tunnel is dry until it joins with the lower level to create an impressive circular path nearly 1.5km long. Along the path many of the formations have been named such as ‘The Polar Bear’, ‘The Egyptian Goddess’ or ‘Tree Stump with Toadstools’.
An ancient stone hammer found at the entrance of the cave has led to the belief Rajkova Pećina was inhabited by humans many thousands of years ago.
Stopića Pećina
Stopića Pećina can be found on the north-eastern side of the Zlatibor Mountain. The cave consists of three levels and five sections with the Trnavski Potok stream flowing through it. The three levels have been heavily influenced by the stream with one level occasionally flooded by it, another level containing it and the third level a fissure created by it.
Although the majority of the cave is closed to the public, there are still some striking features on display. The entrance is the largest of any cave in Serbia measuring almost 40m in height and 18m in width. Beyond the entrance you can find the ‘Well of Life’ waterfall and a series of pools which are among the deepest and largest of any cave pools in Serbia.
Resavska Pećina
Resavska Pećina is located in eastern Serbia, around 20km from the town of Despotovac. It is theoldest cave in Serbia, over 80 million years old with the formation of the cave beginning before the Great Ice Age. The cave was opened to the public in 1972 and contains an array of features including stalagmites, stalactites, columns, galleries, and flowstone waterfalls among others.
There are three colours evident within the cave due to the minerals present; red from iron oxide, white from crystalline calcite and yellow from clay. These colours provide a wonderful contrast between different sections of the caves and various formations. The path for visitors runs in a spiral around the cave, delving 450m below sea level.
Ravništarka
Ravništarka is located within a few kilometres of the Ceremošnja cave and opened to visitors in 2007, when it was also declared a natural monument. The cave contains formations which are similar to that of its neighbour, however, as opposed to the several sections of the Ceremošnja cave, Ravništarka contains only one – The Black Palace.
The Black Palace is awe-inspiring and decorated with some incredible cave formations. Formations such as ‘Prince Marko’s Horse’ and ‘The Fair Maiden of Ravnište’ symbolise the true beauty of this cave. Ravništarka has become extremely popular since its opening and now contains an information centre, souvenir shop and restaurant.
Risovača
Risovača is located near the town of Arandelovac, around 80km from Belgrade. Only a small portion of the cave is open to the public as it has major significance as an archaeological site. Since research began there in the 1950’s, numerous ice-age animal bones have been discovered alongside tools, although there is yet to be human remains found.
The remains which have been discovered date back to over 100,000 years ago and feature animals such as bears, wild horses, cave hyenas, foxes and cave lions. Other significant discoveries such as drawings of figures on the wall have led to the site becoming an underground museum of the Palaeolithic Age.
Potpećka Pećina
Potpećka Pećina is located southeast of Užice and is recognisable from its unique horseshoe shaped entrance. The cave was formed through erosion from the waters of subterranean rivers and has two distinct levels. The decent to the lower level consists of over 700 steps which have been carved out of limestone.
Similar to Risovača, this cave has become a focus for archaeologists. Human remains have been found in Potpećka Pećina, which has led to the conclusion the cave was inhabited as far back as the Neolithic Period. The cave is now protected as a natural monument.
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