1st Speleoarchaeological Congress, Nova Kršlja, October 25-27, 2024

The Public Institution Barać Caves, in collaboration with the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the University of Zadar’s Department of Archaeology, the Institute of Anthropology in Zagreb, the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb, the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, and the Croatian Speleological Federation, is organizing the 1st Speleoarchaeological Congress. This event will be held from October 25-27, 2024, at Speleon – the Center for Underground Heritage, located at Nova Kršlja 47, Rakovica.

The Congress was officially opened by the director of Barać Caves Public Institution, Tihana Oštrina, who emphasized that the motivation behind organizing Croatia’s first Speleoarchaeological Congress is to present the new findings and insights gained through archaeological explorations of speleological sites in Croatia and neighboring countries. She noted that the scope of archaeological research on speleological sites in Croatia has significantly expanded and intensified in recent years.

“…Over the past ten years, the Barać Caves have been systematically explored, yielding remarkably valuable finds that testify to this area’s rich history. This has empowered and motivated us to complete the project in 2023 and open Croatia’s first Center for Underground Heritage – Speleon.

Among the project’s key objectives, in addition to promoting tourism, is fostering collaborative work and experience sharing among institutions, not only within Croatia but also at an international level. We proudly highlight that by organizing such events, we are making substantial strides forward, benefiting both the institution and the local community. We are dedicated to advancing the speleological and archaeological professions and sciences.

I believe the results of our work and knowledge-sharing will have a lasting impact on the future of speleoarchaeology. I thank you for coming, and I look forward to fruitful discussions and collaborations over the coming days. May this congress inspire new ideas and projects that will enrich all of us together…” stated Director Tihana Oštrina.

The congress has gathered numerous participants and speakers from the fields of archaeology and science, including representatives from the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences – Department of Archaeology; the University of Zadar – Department of Archaeology; the Institute of Anthropology in Zagreb; the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb; SK Ursus spelaeus; the Archaeological Museum of Istria; Kaštela City Museum; the University of Juraj Dobrila in Pula, Faculty of Humanities – Department of Archaeology; the University of Wyoming, Department of Anthropology; Dubrovnik Museums – Archaeological Museum; the City of Šibenik, Ozalj Heritage Museum, as well as students.

Alongside the Institution’s director, Associate Professor Dr. Nikola Vukosavljević addressed the attendees, expressing gratitude to the Institution for organizing this congress and appreciation to colleague and friend Hrvoje Cvitanović for initiating this gathering. He also voiced a hope to continue this initiative by holding an annual congress. He wished all presenters success and also spoke in English to colleagues from other countries.

In addition to presentations, the program includes a panel discussion and poster presentations. A Book of Abstracts has also been published for the congress, provided to each participant.

Congress participants are invited to visit and tour the Upper Barać Cave and the Speleon – Center for Underground Heritage, with an optional excursion to Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Photos and the event program are provided below.

Photo credits: Hrvoje Cvitanović, Marina Magdić, Irena Tomičić

Promotional Autumn Week – Visit one of the most famous tourist caves in Croatia, located near Plitvice Lakes National Park!

This autumn, from October 26th to November 3rd, visit Barać Caves and Speleon – the Center for Underground Heritage with promotional ticket prices!

Individual ticket prices for the Upper Barać Cave and the Speleon Visitor Center (for each location) will be:

Adults – €9.00

Children (ages 3-18) – €6.50

Special visitor groups – €8.00

No prior notice is needed for groups of fewer than 15 people. We are open every day, including weekends and holidays.

Working hours of the Upper Barać Cave: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Working hours of the Speleon Visitor Center: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Along with the mysterious underground world, get to know the inhabitants of Speleon – fossil remains of Ice Age animals found in the Upper Barać Cave. Their hyper-realistic replicas will take you back tens of thousands of years to a time when lions, hyenas, woolly rhinos, and other large beasts roamed our area!

The 5th Edition of the Barać Forest Trail – A Spectacular Natural Adventure in the Barać Caves!

This Saturday, in the stunning surroundings of the Barać Caves, we witnessed yet another spectacular edition of the Barać Forest Trail. Around 200 brave runners, their loyal supporters, recreational enthusiasts, and other visitors came to enjoy this unique natural event. This was already the fifth edition of the Barać Forest Trail, and also the final round of Croatia’s most popular trail league – the Kontinenttrail League.

The race attracted many participants. The ZERCA trail gathered the largest number of runners to date. More experienced runners opted for the ŠIŠMIŠ route, while the bravest chose the longest route, now well-known under the name BUNIKA.

“The Zerca trail was run on a marked pedestrian path of 7.5 km with a 173-meter elevation gain, which equals one lap. The second group of runners opted for the Šišmiš trail of 15 km with a 346-meter elevation gain, while the bravest ran a full 22.5 km, conquering an elevation gain of 528 meters. The course was entirely trail (off-road) – 100% nature,” said Leopold Špehar, President of the Plitvice Athletic Club and co-organizer of the race.

All runners received rich starting packages, while visitors, supporters, families, and friends enjoyed additional amenities at our picnic area. The fastest competitors won generous prizes from our sponsors. Of course, the youngest participants were not forgotten, with boys and girls competing in different age categories, and the top three in each category were awarded medals and valuable gifts.

In the gallery, you can find pictures showing how incredible this weekend in the Barać Caves was, and what beautiful trails lie hidden in the forests of this Significant Landscape. Below this report, we present the runners’ rankings.

The director of the Public Institution Barać Caves, as a co-organizer of the race, stated: “Runners are increasingly recognizing this race as an event that must be included in their annual race calendar. This race is important for the tourist and economic contribution to the municipality of Rakovica, which supported this event, along with Karlovac County and the Plitvice Valleys Tourist Board.”

Among other sponsors, we would like to thank Natural Wealth, Select Box, Cetina Water, Dogma, Veronika Desinić Dairy, Nikola Tesla Experience Center Karlovac, Kino Edison, Pazin Cave – Speleo Adventure, Una Kayak Safari, Cave Park Grabovača, Diva Confectionery, OPG TeaSheena, and others.

We thank everyone for their support and commit to making the race better and better each year, serving to promote the municipality of Rakovica, Karlovac County, and the Public Institution Barać Caves.”

If you missed this year’s race, the organizers invite you to join next year and be part of this magical natural adventure.

Race Results

BUNIKA M- 1. Stjepan Žanić / 2. Antun Patrčević / 3. Tonći Šegarić

BUNIKA F – 1. Maja Krčelić / 2. Andreja Ložnjak /3. Antonija Janči

ŠIŠMIŠ M – 1. Dragan Narančić/ 2. Leonardo Pavina / 3. Mateo Ledinski

ŠIŠMIŠ F – 1. Gabrijela Šalković/2. Matea Maslač /3. Mirjana Kolar

ZERCA M – 1. Amir Muminovic /2. Goran Narančić / 3. Zoran Narančić

ZERCA F – 1. Lara Nimac /2. Dora Sušak / 3. Andreja Lacković

Photo: Patricia Rubčić, Kristina Štefanac, Vedran Božičević

 

Workshop “Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – Importance in (Micro)climatic Processes of Caves and How to Monitor It” (Perušić, October 4, 2024)/

On Friday, October 4, 2024, a workshop was held for professionals from the nature conservation sector, researchers, and other interested participants on the topic of monitoring carbon dioxide concentrations in speleological structures. The workshop was organized by the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, and the Public Institution Grabovača Cave Park. The workshop is part of the joint Slovenian-Croatian project CARDIKARST, aimed at monitoring the dynamics and distribution of carbon dioxide in karst areas.

The workshop covered various topics, including identifying key features that need to be monitored, selecting data collection methodologies, monitoring dynamics, and choosing locations both outside and within speleological sites to obtain representative data for scientific analysis, proper management, and ensuring the provision of quality ecosystem services.

The Public Institution Barać Caves is a collaborator on this project. In the Upper and Lower Barać Caves, as well as at the Baraćevac spring, a series of instruments have been installed to collect data on microclimatic conditions and other important parameters. The goal is to identify changes in sensitive karst ecosystem habitats that may signal threats and ensure effective measures for the protection of geodiversity and biodiversity. This includes assessing the current state, identifying potential threats, evaluating the effectiveness of existing management measures, and implementing new ones. The results of the monitoring and management decisions should be transparently communicated with relevant stakeholders, as well as the public, who must understand why the protection of natural values is an existential need.

The fieldwork portion of the workshop took place in the Samograd Cave, where instruments for monitoring microclimatic conditions are also located.

Sources:
https://cardikarst.geog.pmf.hr/?p=622
https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087060277370
Photos by the Public Institution Barać Caves

 

 

 

“Open Days of EU Projects”

The Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds is once again organizing the “Open Days of EU Projects,” which will take place from October 5 to 20, 2024, across the Republic of Croatia.

The public institution Barać Caves will participate in the “Open Days of EU Projects” with a free tour of Speleon – Centre of subterranean heritage, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The aim of this event is to bring EU-funded projects closer to the general public, showcasing how they have contributed to the development of local communities. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about projects in various sectors such as energy, research and development, culture, education, entrepreneurship, transportation, environmental protection, rural development, social inclusion, tourism, health, and many others.

During the “Open Days,” you can visit numerous EU fund beneficiaries across Croatia and discover how they have successfully implemented projects that improve our daily lives.

For more information, visit the official website https://strukturnifondovi.hr/en/activities/open-days/ and follow social media pages https://web.facebook.com/eu.fondovi.hrvatska?_rdc=1&_rdr

#100%eufondovi

CULTURAL HERITAGE – RESTORATION OF FINDS

Barać Caves are a well-known archaeological site, pointed out by, among others, naturalists Hirtz, Kišpatić, and Malez. One of the activities carried out by the Public Institution is the preservation of the area’s cultural values and heritage.

Through years of research and systematic collection, a highly valuable and rich archaeological and paleontological collection has been formed, which is stored in the depot of the Speleon Visitor Center, but also displayed as part of its permanent exhibition. Each find holds exceptional value and reveals new details from the past.

How do you like the medieval thimble we found? The thimble was used for hand sewing, particularly because it prevents pricking the finger. Finding such an item in the cave suggests that people who stayed inside for an extended period of time had lost it.

In the gallery below, you can view photos of some of the finds before and after the restoration process.

20 Years of the Barać Caves/

On Friday, July 19, 2024, we marked 20 years of the Barać Caves’ operation at the Speleon – Center for Underground Heritage, with appropriate speeches from the Director of the Public Institution Tihana Oštrina, Mayor of Rakovica Municipality Mihovil Bićanić, former Mayor of Rakovica Municipality Franjo Franjković, Director of the Plitvice Valley Tourist Board Mira Špoljarić, and Alan Kovačević, a member of DDISKF.

We celebrated this significant anniversary with everyone who contributed to the opening of the Barać Caves, as highlighted by the Director of the Institution, Tihana Oštrina: “I want to emphasize that today we celebrate the success of this project – the Barać Caves project, but most importantly – we celebrate the most crucial factor in every project – the human factor. We celebrate unity, enthusiasm, selflessness, and the faith you all gave at the very beginning, when it was needed the most!”

The event was attended by approximately one hundred guests who, according to the lists of former Mayor Franjo Franjković and the first director Tihomir Kovačević, volunteered in the work actions of arranging the Upper Barać Cave and the picnic area for tourism purposes.

For all attendees, we prepared a short film about the arrangement of the Upper Barać Cave. Thanks to the members of DDISKF, Alan Kovačević and his father Tihomir Kovačević – Tihi, who diligently captured almost every moment, we obtained archival footage of the cave and picnic area arrangement and the first visits to the site. The footage dates from the period 2001 to 2004.

In the entrance area of the visitor center, a photo exhibition “20 Years Through the Lens” has been set up, which you can view until the end of August.
The evening concluded with a social gathering and a musical performance by Tona and Julijana.

Discover the Beauty of Lika Destinations with a voucher booklet!

From June 20 to October 31, 2024, take advantage of a unique opportunity to explore ten of the most beautiful locations in the Lika region with a single joint ticket – voucher booklet. The price for the joint ticket is 70.00 € for adults, 42.50 € for children aged 7-18, and free admission for children under 7.

Each year, Plitvice Lakes National Park brings together diverse attractions to offer visitors the chance to explore the natural beauty and cultural landmarks of Lika with an affordable and accessible ticket. This year’s joint ticket includes visits to:

  • Plitvice Lakes National Park – the oldest and most beautiful national park in Croatia, known for its turquoise lakes and stunning waterfalls, part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
  • Northern Velebit National Park
  • Paklenica National Park
  • Velebit Nature Park – Zavratnica Bay
  • Velebit Nature Park – Cerovačke špilje (caves)
  • Barać Caves
  • Barać Caves – SPELEON Centre of subterranean heritage
  • Grabovača Cave Park
  • Nikola Tesla Memorial Center
  • Croatian Center for Indigenous Species of Fish and Crayfish of Karst Waters

Purchase your voucher with tickets at the entrances of Plitvice Lakes National Park.

The joint ticket not only provides economical access to these destinations but also promotes sustainable tourism and nature conservation, offering visitors an unforgettable experience

Don’t miss the chance to discover the beauty of Lika destinations at an exceptionally affordable price!

Foto: NPPJ

 

 

 

Nature Protection Day in the Republic of Croatia – Freshwater Crayfish/

In May 2024, the Public Institution conducted field research on the stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium) in the Barać Caves Protected Landscape area. This research is a continuation of last year’s study aimed at assessing the population status of the stone crayfish. The field research involved a harmless method of investigation, which includes capturing crayfish using traps and by hand, marking the captured individuals, and measuring other parameters (weight, length) to determine the population status and educate the public as part of the Public Institution’s activities. Dr. Leopoldina Dakić, along with the expert and ranger service of the Public Institution, participated in the research.

To educate the public about the importance of nature protection in the Republic of Croatia and the importance of preserving native and strictly protected species, including the stone crayfish, the Public Institution, together with Dr. Leopoldina Dakić, held a workshop with students from Eugen Kvaternik Elementary School in Rakovica. During the workshop, students had the opportunity to listen to a presentation about crayfish, their development, significance, and threats. They were also introduced to a non-native invasive species, the signal crayfish, and watched an educational film titled “The Story of Crayfish” about the history of European freshwater crayfish and the problems they face due to prolonged exploitation for human consumption, pollution, and invasive alien species.

After the lecture, the students had the chance to see a live stone crayfish and showed great interest and curiosity about crayfish. At the end of the workshop, Dr. Leopoldina Dakić distributed an educational picture book titled “The Story of Jacques the Crayfish,” published by the Public Institution Natura Viva for the management of protected natural areas in Karlovac County as part of the project “Control of Signal Crayfish Populations in the Korana and Radonja Rivers,” in which the Barać Caves Public Institution and other organizations and institutions also participate.

Through education, innovation, and active participation from an early age, we can collectively work towards preserving nature protection, biodiversity, and ecosystems, ensuring a sustainable future for all of us.

You can see photos of the field research and the workshop in our photo gallery.

European Natura 2000 Day/

May 21 – chosen to mark Natura 2000 Day, as on this date in 1992, the Habitats Directive was adopted. The Natura 2000 ecological network is a European ecological network composed of areas hosting natural habitat types and habitats of wild species of interest to the European Union.

According to Article 54 of the Nature Protection Act (NN 80/13, 15/18, 14/19, 127/19, 155/23), Croatia’s ecological network (Natura 2000 network) comprises areas of conservation important for birds – SPAs, areas of conservation important for species and habitat types – SCIs, probable areas of conservation important for species and habitat types (pSCIs), and special areas of conservation important for species and habitat types (SACs). The management of the ecological network areas, based on the Nature Protection Act, is under the jurisdiction of public institutions managing national parks or nature parks, as well as public institutions managing other protected areas and/or other protected parts of nature (PIs).

Due to their value in preserving biodiversity at the European Union level, four speleological objects within the municipality of Rakovica were included in the Natura 2000 ecological network in 2013: Lower Barać Cave, Dumenčić Cave, Božić Cave, and the cave system Panjkov Ponor – Varićak Cave. These speleological objects are protected as sites within the ecological network significant for the conservation of species and habitat types.

The Panjkov Ponor – Varićak Cave system is an internationally important underground shelter for bats, where a hibernation colony of two target species, the Mediterranean horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus euryale) and the lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros), has been recorded (Rnjak and Kovač, 2013; Rnjak, 2014).

In Donja Baraćeva Cave, the hibernation of the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum), the lesser horseshoe bat, and the Mediterranean horseshoe bat has been confirmed (DZZP, 2015; Vuković, 2017, 2020).

Certain caves in the wider area of the Significant Landscape represent type localities (sites of the first discovery of a particular species) for specific species. In Lower Barać Cave, two beetle species endemic to Croatia, Parapropus sericeus sinuaticollis and Machaerites pavleki, have been described. The cave is also the type locality for Machaerites pavleki (Hlavač and Jalžić, 2010; Jalžić et al., 2010; Kovačević, 2003).