Veternica Cave on Medvednica (Bear Mountain)
With more than seven kilometers of branching channels, Veternica is the sixth-largest cave in Croatia and is an important archaeological and paleontological site.
The Veternica cave is located in the Medvednica nature park, it is over 7 kilometers long, but only the first 380 meters are open for visitors. The cave derives its name from the current of air, ‘veter’, which means wind in the local dialect, that is present at the entrance
The ancient people of Zagreb, Neanderthal hunters of the Mousterian culture, worshiped the cult of the cave bear, which was a very common inhabitant of the cave.
Remains of about 70 species of animals were found in Veternica, except for the cave bear, the remains of cave lion and leopard, cave hyena, rhinoceros, wild boar, giant deer, and wild cat were found. Flint artifacts were also found – spikes, scrapers, daggers…
Today, the dark canals of Veternica are ruled by mysterious night flyers – bats. As many as 18 species have been recorded, and 12 of them spend the winter in Veternica. That is why the cave is not open for visitors in the winter period so that no one disturbs the bats in the sensitive period of hibernation – winter sleep.
Because of them, a special latticed bat-friendly door was installed at the entrance of Veternica, which allows the bats to pass unhindered, and prevents the entry of uninvited visitors, thus protecting these unusual animals and their cave home.
Due to its overall values, Veternica was protected as a geomorphological monument of nature as early as 1979.
Visits are possible on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from April to the end of November, so as not to disturb the bats in their sensitive period of hibernation – winter sleep.
The cave can only be visited with a guide authorized by the Medvednica Nature Park Public Institution.
Location
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and largest city of Croatia. It is situated on the slopes of Medvednica mountain, in the Carpathian Basin, and on the banks of the Sava river. Zagreb has a rich and diverse history, culture, and architecture that reflect its long and turbulent past.
ExplorePrehistory
Copper Age finds are from Vučedol culture (named after Vučedol near Vukovar). In Vučedol, people lived on hilltops with palisade walls. Houses were half buried, mostly square or circular (they were also combined in mushroom shape), with floors of burned clay and circular fireplaces.
Explore
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.