The Usac Cave is home to extremely rare "pigeons": A speleological treasure located in the Uvac River Canyon

Photo: RINA

Nova Varos - Uvac Canyon in southwestern Serbia is widely known for its meanders, and images of this incredible beauty have been going around the world for years. However, this Special Nature Reserve has much more to offer, especially to speleology enthusiasts, as it is home to the largest cave system in the Balkans. You can reach the Usac Cave (Serbian: Usacka Pecina) hidden among these meanders only by boat, along the turquoise lake. RINA agency reported the whole story about this exceptional natural treasure.

Recommended

"The cave is located in the heart of the reserve. This system got its name because the Usac Cave connects with the Ice (Ledena) Cave in the Bezdan pit and thus makes the longest cave system of over six kilometers. Within are many unexplored canals, so it is considered to be one of the largest speleological structures in this part of Europe. The real entrance to this system is ten kilometers from Sjenica in the village of Lopize in the hamlet of Usaci," Steva Radovanovic, guardian of the protected area of the Special Nature Reserve Uvac, told RINA.

Photo: RINA

The total length of the Usac Cave canal is 2,520 meters, with the main being 2,090 meters long, while the rest belongs to side canals. It is hydrologically active, and an occasional flow goes through the main canal. It effectively represents a tunnel through which the Deep (Duboki) Stream flows.

In several places in the cave, the water sinks and reappears in the form of springs and streams. In a large number of places, especially where the direction of the canal changes, there are river terraces made of clastic sediments deposited by this stream.

Photo: RINA

"This cave abounds in cave decorations, there are two halls visitors can reach in the length of about 550 meters. In the first part of the cave, there are lone draperies, small groups of stalagmites and stalactites. The second part is quite generous, and massive stalactites and stalagmites can be seen in there, as well as pillars," stressed Radovanovic.

What makes the Usac Cave also special is that four extremely rare species of bats can be seen inside, which are also called "cave pigeons." The nests of one of the largest colonies of griffon vultures in the Balkans are located just above the Usac Cave.

This extremely attractive landscape has been attracting more and more visitors in recent years and additionally contributes to the tourist offer of Mt. Zlatar, which is located in the immediate vicinity.

(Ona.rs/RINA)