FIFTY YEARS SINCE THE DISCOVERY OF ORLOVAČA CAVE CELEBRATED ON PALE

The 50th anniversary of the discovery and beginning of the exploration of Orlovača Cave, located near Sumbulovac on the Pale–Sokolac road, was marked as a major milestone in the field of speleology in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the wider region.

PHOTO: SRNA

Discovered in 1975, Orlovača Cave was declared a natural monument in 2011 and classified as a third-category site under international protection standards. The cave is considered one of the most significant speleological sites in the region, both for its geological value and its appeal to tourists and researchers alike.

To honor the occasion, plaques were awarded to the first explorers of the cave and individuals who played key roles in its development and study. Honorees included academician Milovan R. Pecelj, Muhamed Hadžiabdić, Vlado Vuković, Jasminko Mulaomerović, Professor Jelena Golijanin, and posthumously, Miroslav and Božidar Kurtović and Savo Minić.

The Cultural and Sports Center “Pale” manages the cave. Its director, Slavka Brezo, told reporters that this anniversary is of great importance for the municipality of Pale and the city of East Sarajevo. She emphasized that Orlovača has become an essential destination for nature lovers and speleologists over the past five decades.

“I want to thank everyone who has contributed to preserving this natural treasure and to improving the surrounding area,” said Brezo, expressing hope for continued support from local and regional authorities.

Brezo also encouraged nature enthusiasts to visit the cave, which is 2.5 kilometers long, with a tourist trail extending 565 meters into its depths.

One of the original explorers, Muhamed Hadžiabdić, recalled the first expedition into the cave, which took place on September 13, 1975, alongside the Kurtović brothers and Momčilo Piljević. They entered the cave at the invitation of Savo Minić, recognizing its significance early on. “At the time, access was difficult, and there were issues with flooding, even closure for safety reasons,” Hadžiabdić explained. “We even lowered an 11-year-old boy through a narrow opening to tell us what was inside, as we had no small cameras like today.”

As exploration progressed, they involved experts from various fields to better understand and present the cave's unique features to the world.

Vlado Vuković, another key contributor to the cave's promotion, stressed the need for further development and enhancement of Orlovača as a tourist attraction.

President of the East Sarajevo City Assembly, Boško Jugović, said that many individuals have helped bring attention to the cave and pledged that the municipalities of Pale and East Sarajevo would continue to support the development of tourism in the Sarajevo-Romanija region. “We need to do more to promote this natural gem, especially by integrating it into the educational system through the Ministry of Education and Culture of Republika Srpska,” he said.

Academician Milovan Pecelj, former dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of East Sarajevo, noted that the area around the cave once served as a teaching base for geography students. “We had labs for geomorphology, speleology, climatology, hydrology, and camps for geography students, which played a key role in their education,” said Pecelj. He added that Orlovača is one of the most richly adorned caves in the Balkans, with top-quality and diverse formations.

He also mentioned that the largest brown bear ever discovered was found in the cave.

Visitors reach the site via an asphalt road leading to a small house containing a gift shop and the Orlovača Museum. Inside, guests can view a longitudinal cross-section of stalagmites, paleontological remains of the cave bear (extinct for 10,000–12,000 years), and other fascinating artifacts.

It is estimated that the bones found in the cave are over 16,000 years old.

With its rare decorations formed by chemical and mechanical effects of water, Orlovača Cave remains one of the most beautiful natural monuments in Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina.