Discover Kotlenice

Vranjača Cave gives Kotlenice a clear focus for nature and cave enthusiasts: two cave sections with nine decorated chambers display stalactites, stalagmites, cave columns and arcades. Other trails and cultural sites are part of the wider destination of the Municipality of Dugopolje and offer further insight into the region.

Vranjača Cave: Visiting and Getting There

You can allow about 60 minutes for a visit to Vranjača; the paths inside the cave cover 365 metres. The duration and path length provide two different points of reference for planning your day. The cave can be visited year-round, and the temperature inside is about 15°C. This gives you a specific indication of what clothing to plan for your cave visit. Confirm the details about duration and access before your trip.

The cave can be reached by car or public transport. Bus route 67 runs between Split, Kotlenice, Donji Dolac and Gornji Dolac. Since bus timetables can change, check the connection before setting off. This lets you include travel via Kotlenice in your plans without relying solely on a timetable that may no longer be current.

Municipality of Dugopolje: Scenery, Trails and Peaks

Within the wider destination of the Municipality of Dugopolje, the cave is in the village of Kotlenice, at the foot of the central part of the Mosor mountain range. In 1963, Vranjača was designated a protected geomorphological natural monument. The landscape extends beyond the cave: the municipality has themed trails and hiking destinations with different starting points and endpoints.

The “Mali put” themed trail through the Dugopolje field is part of the “Hidden Dalmatia” project. The Roman Road is a separate themed hiking trail that runs along the municipal boundary between Dugopolje and Klis; its preserved section is about 2 km long. Another route leads from the Plitača site in the Dugopolje field to the 1,262 m-high summit of Ljubljan. The trail to the 1,325 m-high Vickov stup starts in the hamlet of Punde in the village of Kotlenice and is described as challenging. Vickov stup is therefore 63 m higher than Ljubljan; the routes differ in both their summit destination and their stated level of difficulty.

A pilgrimage route also crosses the destination: the “Our Lady of Sinj Route” leads from Solin via Klis and Dugopolje to the Shrine of Our Lady of Sinj. It is another regional route alongside the themed hiking trails. The routes should be considered as distinct offerings: the Roman Road is associated with the boundary between two municipalities, while the pilgrimage route connects several places on its way to its destination shrine.

Culture and Activities in the Destination

In the wider destination of the Municipality of Dugopolje, the new parish church of St. Michael the Archangel was built in Dugopolje in 1983. Also in Dugopolje, within the wider destination of the Municipality of Dugopolje, the old parish church dedicated to the same patron saint stands in the local cemetery; it was fully restored in 1997. In Kute, within the wider destination of the Municipality of Dugopolje, stands the Church of St. Roch, a single-nave building with a square apse; it is thought to date from the early 19th century. The Church of All Saints in Koprivno, within the wider destination of the Municipality of Dugopolje, was built in 1901. In Kotlenice, a place within the wider destination of the Municipality of Dugopolje, the parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul dates from 1873.

The International Folklore Gatherings “Ljepota u kamenu” have been held in Dugopolje, within the wider destination of the Municipality of Dugopolje, since 2004. A trail race is held every year during the winter months on the northern slopes of Mosor in the wider destination of the Municipality of Dugopolje, as part of a mini trail league. Event dates vary from year to year; check the dates for the relevant edition if you want to plan your trip around it. Educational workshops for children and young people can be organised at the “Hidden Dalmatia” Visitor Center in the wider destination of the Municipality of Dugopolje. Horse-riding tours through the vineyards and orchards of Dugopolje are offered in the wider destination of the Municipality of Dugopolje for both experienced riders and beginners. Check in advance which providers and offers are available during your travel dates.

Cuisine in the Wider Dugopolje Area

Cuisine in the wider Dugopolje area includes pršut (dry-cured ham), local goat’s and cow’s cheeses, veal cooked under a baking bell, spit-roasted lamb and suckling pig, and local wine. This selection offers a glimpse of regional food traditions; what an individual restaurant serves may vary by establishment and season. If you want to try a particular dish, check the restaurant’s current menu.

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