LEDENICA CAVE: A HIDDEN GEM OF THE RESANOVAC FIELD

Ledenica Cave, an open-type ponor cave, is located on the northwestern edge of the Resanovac field, on the slopes of Stražbenica, near the village of Resanovci.

PHOTO: Prirodne ljepote - B. Grahovo

PHOTO: Prirodne ljepote - B. Grahovo

PHOTO: Prirodne ljepote - B. Grahovo

Its name derives from the ice that forms in the entrance hall during winter and lasts until July or August. The entrance to the cave is situated at an altitude of 878 meters or 901 meters when considering the rim of the funnel-shaped sinkhole that leads to the cave’s opening.

The explored section of Ledenica is 697.5 meters long, representing only a small part of an ancient, extensive cave system created by the sinking waters of the Grahovo and Resanovac fields. 

This cave is significant due to its rich cave formations, with an abundance of large and high-quality speleothems, putting it on par with the renowned Postojna Cave. Ledenica was declared a protected natural and geological monument in 1959.

Among its formations are stalactites, stalagmites, columns, coral decorations, and calcite terraces. Some of these formations reach heights of over 10 meters, with stalactites up to 4 meters long. The colors range from black and grey to snow-white, with shimmering crystal calcite adding to the cave's beauty.

Ledenica features 13 chambers of varying sizes, with the largest being the "Tamni vilajet" (Dark Realm), which is adorned with massive stalagmites and stalactites, creating an eerie atmosphere. The cave’s explored length is considered a fragment of what is believed to be a much larger system.