Croatia Urban Speleology Tour
Secret Underground World Of Dalmatia
Unfortunately we don't do Urban speleology tour anymore
but don't leave just yet...
…we are going to recommend you the best things to do in this part of Croatia.
Adventure awaits! You might find some affiliate links in this post. They help keep the adventure going—no extra cost for you. Thanks for being part of the journey!
About Maričevac Tunnel
Maričevac is a tunnel with one of the most peculiar stories you’ll ever hear. It’s located in southern Croatia and was made 100 years ago to take the excess water away from Jezero Valley (also known as Vrgorac Valley) and make life more bearable for the locals who lived there, but were unable to grow any on once fertile soil. The Maričevac tunnel is 2 kilometers long and it was dug without usage of any machinery. Jezero Valley was once a huge lake and locals were unable to grow any plants on the bottom of this lake which was once a fertile valley, just like it is today. The only solution was to dig this tunnel and let the Matica River flow through it, first into the Baćina Lakes and then from Baćina Lakes into the Adriatic sea in the vicinity of the city of Ploče.
And that’s how the Jezero Valley became fertile once more. This tunnel still takes away the floods during the rainy seasons and it’s possible to pass through it only in the summer months. Take this unique opportunity and embark on a journey through the past while discovering all the secrets of this life-changing project.
How it was back then...
Handpicked Experiences
best abandoned places tours &Nearby Adventures
If you are visiting this part of the Dalmatian coast, here are some great activities to do nearby. You can also visit our Croatia adventure tours section for more curated experiences from all around Croatia. We’ll mention the best abandoned places tours in Croatia too.
Featured Tours
Željava - abandoned military base near Plitvice
Željava Airbase is the single largest and most famous abandoned underground place in Croatia. Located near the famous Plitvice Lakes, one of the most famous national parks in Croatia. We have visited Željava underground airport many times now and if you choose to visit it as well, we suggest you do so through this guided tour that will uncover you more details about this mysterious place.
Vis Military Tour
Apart from the Željava Airbase, Vis Island is another famous location when it comes to abandoned underground places in Croatia. There is a vast network of underground tunnels underneath the island’s surface and the whole island was out of the limits for visitors for a long time.
Vis Military and Islands Tour
Similar to the previous tour, this one visits some of the most famous underground tunnels on Vis Island and it’s a great choice if you want to visit some of the most stunning places and enjoy a vibe of different times.
Makarska Riviera Kayaking Tour
A tour pretty similar to the Makarska Riviera sunset kayaking tour we used to organize. Explore Makarska and this part of the Dalmatian coastline from a kayaking perspective through this half-day kayaking tour along the stunning Makarska Riviera. Kayak near landmarks like the St. Peter Lighthouse and visit some of the best beaches in the area, such as Nugal Beach. There is a break for snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. A great thing about this kayaking tour is the small-group experience with limited spots.
Private Island boat tour
A great idea for a day tour from Makarska to nearby islands of southern Croatia. Speedboats of this kind are among the best ones in Croatia an tours like these are great choice if you want to visit some of the most famous locations on the nearby islands of Hvar, Brač, and Vis.
Omiš Via Ferrata
Omiš Via Ferrata is among the most popular Via Ferrata trails in Croatia. The city of Omiš is famous for its adventure tours and it’s often proclaimed as the adventure capital of Croatia. There are many great things to do in Omiš ranging from Via Ferrata trails, ziplines, rafting on Cetina River, and so on. If you are interested in this mix of hiking and rock climbing, check also the Čikola Via Ferrata located near the city of Drniš.
Latest Stories
Explore Underground places of croatia
Croatia is full of all kinds of abandoned places scattered all over its territory. The most famous one is Željava Airbase, located near the Plitvice Lakes National Park in central Croatia. But there are more similar places that attract many urban explorers each year. Vis island is known for its vast underground tunnel network built during the Cold War era. At these times, access to the island was very limited and it was almost impossible to get to this island unless you were local who lived there.
But you don’t need to travel far away from the Maričevac tunnel mentioned on this page to find even more abandoned places of all sorts. There are underground bunkers near Ploče, regular bunkers all around the Baćina lakes, and abandoned military structures of all kinds. Many of these were built to protect the strategic value of the Port of Ploče, an important seaport today, as well as in the past decades. There is a whole hiking trail called ‘Tragom Bunkera’ that connects the old bunkers on Striževo Hill near the city of Ploče. If you are visiting this part of Croatia, or you’re traveling from Split to Dubrovnik or from Dubrovnik to Split, we suggest you stop here and explore if you’re into urban exploration and abandoned places of Croatia.
