Mermerna Pecina

The cave is situated in the village of Donje Gadimje on the eastern side of the Kosovo valley. It is a dentritic resurgence on two levels. Throughout its long evolution, many passages in the cave have become choked with mud and gravel which had to be removed before the cave could be opened up to the public.

The cave takes its name from the metamorphosed limestone in which it is formed. The Ulazna galerija (entrance passage) was completely choked and is devoid of speleothems. The Zapadna Galerija (Western Passage) consists of a maze of smaller passages with many dead ends. They show marvellous forms in mottled marble, eroded by river waters.

The Severna Galerijna (Northern Passage) contains the best speleothems in the cave which include some rare aragonite formations. Of special interest is the Veliko Jezero (The Big Lake), Kristalna Dvorana (Crystal Hall), Kristalno Jezero (Crystal Lake), Biserni Stupovi (Pearl Columns), Ljubauni Sastanak (Lovers Meeting Place) etc. Some parts of the ceiling are decorated with stalactites which take the form of organ pipes and transparent curtains.

The Istocnu Galerija (Eastern Passage) leads to the Dugi Kannal (Long Channel) and to the Plavi Kanal (Blue Channel) which is connected to Dvorana Suza (Hall of Tears) containing many straw stalactites. Plavi Kanal (Blue Channel) is noted for its blue coloured speleothems, hence its name.

A large part of Mermerna Pecina is still unexplored as many of the passages and chambers are still choked with river borne deposits.

Whilst the cave was being opened up for tourists large amounts of debris were removed, altering the micro climate. The consequences of this are still being studied.

It is the aragonite speleothems which makes this cave unique in Serbia. The variety and fantastic forms of relief ensure that this cave is not only the most important of its kind in southern Serbia, but making it the most important tourist attraction in the area.

Text by Tony Oldham (2002). With kind permission.