Пештера Шаркова Дупка

Sharkova Dupka Cave


Useful Information

Location: Mavrovo-Rostuše village.
(41.651208, 20.734160)
Open: after appointmen for groups.
[2024]
Fee: Adults MKD 200.
[2024]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst Cave
Light: LightLED
Dimension: T=5 °C.
Biggest Room: L=25 m, W=18 m, H=12 m.
Guided tours: D=30 min, VR=20 m.
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:
Address: Sharkova Dupka Cave, Mavrovo 365, Tel: +389-72-210-777.
Tourist Information Center NP Mavrovo, Tel: +389-42-489-425.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1949 National Park "Mavrovo" founded.
DEC-2021 cave officially opened to the public.

Description

Пештера Шаркова Дупка (Pestera Sharkova Dupka, Shark Hole Cave) was discovered by the people of the village Mavrovo more than 30 years ago. But it was a pothole, and so they feared an accident and did not enter the cave. Finally, a guy named "Sharko", who lived near the cave, cut down some trees, lowered them into the hole and, with the help of ropes and neighbors, managed to get inside the cave. As a result the cave was named after him Sharkova Dupka.

The cave was developed as a show cave with funds of the National Park "Mavrovo". The project was supported by the speleologists of the Speleological Federation of Macedonia. They explored the cave and mady a scientific study on the problems with such a show cave. They also train the guides and offer knowledge to the people working at the cave.

The cave is located right above the village Mavrovo, which sits at the end of the valley and is known for its skiing area. Behind the last house a narrow trail winds uphill to a small hut which contains the ticket office, about 10 minutes walk. The view across the valley is great. Then the abyss of the cave is entered. A long iron spiral staircase leads down to the floor of the abyss, where the main hall offers a wealth of speleothems. It is 25 m long, 18 m wide and 12 m high.