THE HIDDEN CAVE ABOVE THE BLIHA WATERFALL

Near the village of Fajtovci, just above the famous waterfall on the Bliha River, lies an interesting and picturesque cave inhabited by colonies of very rare species of bats.

Due to the karst composition of the land and numerous rivers, the wider area of Sanski Most and Mount Grmeč is rich in a large number of larger or smaller caves. However, this particular cave, due to its geographical position and inaccessibility, is one of the lesser-known and less-explored caves. Reaching the cave requires physical effort and caution, as there is a high cliff at the base, down which the Bliha River cascades.

The entrance is narrow, and nothing indicates that within the earth lies a series of large cave galleries, which are very tall and spacious, with fascinating cave formations.

The central part of the cave is an underground hall that is 40 meters long and about 25 meters wide, with an impressive height, along with two smaller chambers that connect to the central area.

To reach the center, one must pass through a 50-meter long access corridor, the height of which varies from one to four meters.

The cave floor is covered with mud and earth, which creates a muddy environment due to heavy rainfall.

On this floor, tracks from a large number of animals can be seen, as they occasionally visit the cave seeking shelter in its interior.

Unlike the much better-known Hrustovačka Cave, this cave is not as rich in decorations, stalactites, and stalagmites, but it is home to a diverse range of plant and animal life.

In addition to cave crickets, spiders, butterflies, and other insects, the cave is inhabited by a large colony of bats, the most numerous of which is the large horseshoe bat.

It is easy to recognize this bat by its size and the pronounced saddle-shaped nose, which has the form of a horseshoe, giving this family of bats its name.

A few years ago, as part of research on bat habitats, local scientists visited this cave.

They proposed that the Fajtovačka Cave should be protected in some way, as its tourist valorization could endanger the survival of these rare mammals.

Bats hibernate in caves because they offer stable conditions for staying, and they use them for mating and caring for their young.

The cave has never been the subject of archaeological research, so nothing is known about whether it was once a refuge for humans in the past.

It is also worth noting that this cave is located near a hiking trail connecting the Jasići picnic area with the Bliha waterfall. Walking along this trail, one can reach the cliff, which offers an impressive view of the waterfall and the canyon of this beautiful river.