Visitor centre

The Centre of Subterranean Heritage ‘Speleon’ is a project aimed at constructing a visitor centre where visitors will be able to learn about natural heritage, with a focus on the speleological sites in the Rakovica area within the Cultural Landscape of Barać Caves and those included in the Natura 2000 network.

One of the project’s main objectives is to build awareness of the need to preserve nature and the importance of sustainable interaction between people and nature, which will be done through educational activities and using multimedia technology. The establishment of the Barać Caves visitor centre is an opportunity to develop the area more comprehensively as well as to add new value to the site of Barać Caves as one of Lika region’s unexplored gems.

In a circular building of 1200m² there will be a multimedia hall, a permanent exhibition, a children’s play area, a speleological library, a depot, offices, atrium as well as a refreshments’ area and a souvenir shop. The project will also involve infrastructural improvements. The centre will aim to provide a unique, innovative, and captivating presentation of the site’s cultural and natural values to all visitors, including those with special needs. The permanent exhibition will include state-of-the-art multimedia interpretational technology including various scale models and replicas, LCD screens, smartglass, animation, multitouch screens, sensory chambers and an atrium with hyperrealistic animal models.

The expected project completion time is 31 January 2023.