Cave
Barać Caves
Gospić · Lika & Plitvice
QUICK INFORMATION
- CATEGORY
- Cave
- COUNTRY
- Croatia
- REGION
- Gospić · Lika & Plitvice
- DURATION
- 1–2 days
ABOUT THIS ATTRACTION
The Barać Caves are a complex of karst caves near Rakovica, in the Plitvice reach of the region, opened as a show cave with guided tours through the largest, lit chamber. The upper cave walks through decorated rooms of stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone, and the site doubles as an educational centre for the karst of the Plitvice hinterland — an easy, all-weather stop on the Plitvice–Slunj axis.
HISTORY & BACKGROUND
The story behind it
The caves are named after the Barać family whose land holds them, and they have been known locally for generations; legend ties the name to a hero Barać who fought brigands at the entrance. They were developed for visits and opened as a managed show cave in the 2000s, with lighting and walkways installed in the upper cave and a visitor centre built at the site.
WHAT TO SEE
What to see here
The decorated chambers of stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone in the upper cave.
The guided walk explaining the karst geology of the Plitvice hinterland.
The visitor centre and karst education trail at the entrance.
GOOD TO KNOW
Facts & Curiosities
The show cave is visited on guided tours of roughly an hour through lit, walkway-equipped chambers.
The cave complex holds several caves; the upper (Upper Barać) cave is the one opened to visitors.
The caves sit near the village of Nova Kršlja in Rakovica municipality, between Slunj and Plitvice.
They are managed with an educational programme on karst geology for schools and visitors.
WHY IT MATTERS
Why it matters
The Barać Caves are the easiest cave visit in the Plitvice region — all-weather, close to the main road and genuinely decorated. For a visitor they add an underground dimension to a waterfall-focused trip.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before you go
THROUGH THE LENS
From the road
MAP & LOCATION
Barać Caves
Barać Caves, Gospić, Lika & Plitvice, Croatia
44.9838, 15.7228
MORE ATTRACTIONS
More to see in Gospić
THINGS TO DO
Things to do nearby
FOOD & DRINK
Where to eat nearby
Lika konobas in Gospić — lamb under the bell, potato “under the bell” and škripavac cheese
Town-centre restaurants and bakeries along the main street
HOTELS & STAYS
Where to stay nearby
Hotels and guesthouses in Gospić town centre
Rural accommodation and camps in the Plitvice hinterland (see Camping in Lika)
NEARBY DESTINATIONS
Continue the journey
INTERESTS
Explore by what you love
PART OF
Keep exploring
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