Vjetrenica Cave recognized as UNESCO World Heritage site

Vjetrenica Cave, located in Zavala, has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2024. As one of the largest and most significant cave systems in the Dinarides, it features over 7,400 meters of explored channels, including underground lakes, waterfalls, and galleries.

The cave is a critical site for biodiversity, hosting more than 230 taxa of subterranean life. This includes numerous endemic species specifically adapted to total darkness, most notably the ‘human fish’ (olm), which serves as a symbol of the Dinaric underground.

Visitors can experience a natural air current at the entrance that gives the cave its name, and maintain a consistent temperature of approximately 11.6 °C. The site also includes a Biospeleological Museum and an info-educational center utilizing VR technology to explore the surrounding Popovo Polje.