Baradine Cave

Baradine Cave Review

Far from sun and sea though it may be, the Baradine Cave has long been one of the Porec area's top natural attractions. About 8 km (5 miles) northeast of town, near Nova Vas, this wonderful world of five limestone halls includes not only miniature transparent crabs and insects but, of course, stalactites, stalagmites, and dripstone formations—from "curtains" 10 yards long to "statues" resembling the Virgin Mary, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the body of the 13th-century shepherdess Milka, who supposedly lost her way down here while looking for her lover Gabriel (who met the same fate). One of the halls includes a hatch some 70 yards deep that leads to underground lakes. Groups leave every half hour on a 40-minute guided tour. You can also partake of either a brief round of "speleoclimbing" that allows you to try out caving techniques with equipment and under the watchful eye of a professional spelunker; or a more involved, five-hour "speleo-adventure" that gives you even more technical training (plus a certificate at the end) as you explore various other caves nearby. Those without car transport may wish to contact one of the various private agencies in Porec and other nearby towns that offer excursions to Baradine Cave.