TOMISLAVGRAD, August 3 (FENA) – Over the past three years, cavers have explored 92 caves and pits on Mount Čvrsnica, making it one of the most extensively explored mountains for speleology in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to the Mijatovi Dvori Speleological Society, the first phase of the 17th International Speleological and Scientific Research Expedition Heart of Čvrsnica has concluded with significant results.

From July 18 to 25, the expedition’s base camp, located at an altitude of 1,810 meters, hosted cavers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Bulgaria, Poland, Serbia and Türkiye. A total of 28 cavers took part in the expedition, supported by a six-member logistics team.

During the expedition, researchers explored 40 speleological sites, mostly vertical caves, while reconnaissance work identified another 56 previously unknown sites. More than two kilometers of underground passages were also surveyed.

The team continued exploring the Radetzky Pit, discovered last year by a Bulgarian expedition. Following extensive work, the cave has now reached a depth of 212 meters, with surveyed passages totaling 498 meters. Exploration will continue, as a newly discovered 50-meter vertical shaft extends beyond the currently mapped section.

Researchers also explored the Malinaka Pit (-87 m), Parzulesta Pit (-60 m) and Gnijezdo Pit (-60 m). Several additional caves continue through narrow meandering passages and will require further exploration.

“Despite the physically demanding conditions and weather that brought all four seasons during the expedition, the outstanding team and Čvrsnica’s remarkable underground world once again proved an ideal setting for valuable speleological research in the untouched areas of the Blidinje Nature Park. We are proud to confirm that between 2023 and 2026 we explored 92 speleological sites on Čvrsnica, making it one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s best-explored mountains in terms of speleology,” the society said.

The second phase of the expedition is scheduled for August 27–30, with a base camp at the speleological lodge in Gornja Bukovica. Researchers will continue exploring significant cave systems in the Municipality of Tomislavgrad.