Pećina Bijambare

Bijambare Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Krivajevići, Ilijas, Sarajevo Canton. Bijambare, between Nišići and Krivajevići villages, Ilijaš Municipality, north-eastern Sarajevo Canton. Follow main road Sarajevo-Tuzla, turn off on asphalt road at 40 km from Sarajevo, 90 km from Tuzla. Turn north towards Bijambare hut. (44.0945364, 18.5030947)
Open:	JUN to SEP Mon-Fri 11, 12:30, 14, 15:15, 16:40, Sat, Sun 11:10, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:40, 16:30. [2024]
Fee:	Park Entry: Adults BAM 5, Children (6-18) BAM 3, Children (0-5) free. Croatians: Adults BAM 2, Children (6-18) BAM 2, Seniors BAM 1. Middle Bijambar Cave: Adults BAM 6, Children (6-18) BAM 4, Children (0-5) free. Croatians: Adults BAM 4, Children (6-18) BAM 3, Seniors BAM 3. [2024]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	A=945 m asl.
Guided tours:	L=420 m, Max=30.
Photography:
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Branilaca Sarajevo 28/1, 71000 Sarajevo, Tel: +387-33-201-112, Tel: +387-33-498-959. E-mail: E-mail:
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

1954	declared a natural monument.
1998-2000	renovation of paths and electric light.

Description

Bijambare are actually eight different caves located in a nature resort around 95 m asl. They are called Upper Cave, Middle Cave, Lower Cave, Duricina Cave, and Dimsina Cave. Three of them are open to visitors, but Middle Cave is the only show cave, equipped with electric light and paths.

Srednja bijambarska pećina/Средња бијамбарска пећина (Middle Bijambare Cave) or simply Srednja pećina (Middle Cave) is a single exit cave. The tour follows the main branch of the cave for about 420 m through four chambers, then the visitors return the same way to the entrance. The fourth chamber is the biggest one, 60 m in diameter and 15-30 m in height. Because of its good acoustics it is called Music Hall. The last part of the passage is rather narrow, and was widened artificially during the development of the cave. As a result the air current flowing through the cave ends before the last chamber, which is rather poorly ventilated. As a result CO₂ exhaled by tourists stays in the chamber for a long time, after they already left the cave. This was measured during a scientific research carried out to help the development of the area as a tourist destination. Middle Cave is famous for numerous speleothems, especially stalactites, stalagmites, and draperies. The entrance allows a nice view over the surrounding forests. The entrance part of the cave has ice stalagmites during winter.

In Gornja bijambarska pećina/Горња бијамбарска пећина (Upper Bijambare Cave) tools and weapons from the Stone Age were found. Today they are on display in the National Museum in Sarajevo. The cave is a typical shelter, a huge portal with round arch, a single chamber behind with almost the same dimensions. The floor is dry clay with rectangular holes from the excavations. A part at the entrance was leveled and has now wooden benches and desks, to rest after the ascent and enjoy the great view. Donja pećina/Доња пећина (Lower Cave) is the lowest level of the cave system and is a river cave. It is the sink of the Brodic brook. Both caves can be visited self-guided before or after the show cave tour. There is no entrance fee, both are freely accessible.

The Bijambare nature protection area has a size of 497 ha and an average elevation of 950 m asl. While it is mostly covered in thick evergreen forests, it also has some lovely pastures. The area is famous for its biodiversity, there are 133 different communities of life, and over 800 higher plant species. It also has an enormous amount of medical flora, healing, edible, aromatic, and vitamin plants. The fauna is also quite divers, with a wide range of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, molluscs, insects, and other animal groups. There are numerous hiking trails all across the area, however, as it is a nature protection area it's not allowed to leave the trails. If you are not so fond of hiking, elderly or just lazy, you can use an electric tourist "train" from the car park to the show cave. If you are in the country without a car, there are day trips to the cave from Sarajevo, for example, the Bijambare cave and spring of river Bosna tour.

The entrance fee is quite moderate, but be aware that there are two different fees, the park fee and the show cave fee. The electric train costs extra. All tickets are sold only at the information point.