Vjetrenica Cave, Ravno

Map

Vjetrenica Cave, Ravno: A Unique Subterranean Biodiversity Hotspot

The Vjetrenica Cave, situated in the heart of the Dinaric Alps mountain range, is a remarkable natural wonder that has captivated scientists, explorers, and visitors alike since ancient times. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024, this extraordinary cave system is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and endemicity, making it one of the most significant subterranean ecosystems globally.

More to come…

UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

Located in the Dinaric mountain range, the property stands out with its remarkable cave biodiversity and endemicity. Known since antiquity, the well-conserved representation of karst topography is one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots for cave-dwelling fauna, notably subterranean aquatic fauna. It is home to a number of globally threatened vertebrate species, and the only subterranean tubeworm in the world, as well as a diversity of plant species endemic to the Balkans. Additionally, several of the species found in Vjetrenica Cave are tertiary and pre-tertiary relict species, meaning that many of them can be considered living fossils whose closest relatives went extinct a long time ago.

Encyclopedia Record: Vjetrenica Cave

Vjetrenica is the largest cave in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the most biodiverse cave in the world. It is part of the Dinaric Alps mountain range, which is known for its karstic and speleological features. The cave is located in the Popovo field in Ravno, East Herzegovina in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Read more on Wikipedia