Do you know what is hidden in the heart of Papuk? This is the first Croatian geological natural monument!

After visiting Novo Zvečevo, more precisely the lake that used to be a favorite bathing spot and resort, the road took us deep into the forests of the Papuk Nature Park towards the small town of Voćin. Covered in snow and hard to see at first, because it has merged so much with nature, there is an interesting geological monument of nature, Rupnica, the first of its kind in Croatia.

In 1948, this exceptional natural phenomenon gained the status of a protected area due to its geological and scientific value. But why is it so special?

Rupnica – Papuk Nature Park, Photo: Adria.fun

You see, Rupnica was created approximately 70 million years ago, in the Cretaceous period, thanks to the process of cooling and crystallization of volcanic lava. As the lava gathered and erupted, geometric shapes were created, namely four-sided, five-sided, and six-sided columns that range from just a few centimeters to several decimeters, and their length reaches several hundred meters.

This type of columns, known as basalt columns, are very rare in Croatia, and Rupnica itself is one of the most significant sites of this type in this part of Europe. Its importance is compared to a site like the “Passage of the Giants” located in Northern Ireland.

Rupnica – Papuk Nature Park, Photo: Adria.fun

Today, Rupnica is a real geological treasure that serves as a natural classroom for geologists, biologists, and nature lovers. Over the decades, it has become a destination for researchers and students studying volcanoes, mineralogy, and Earth history, and its scientific significance contributes to the understanding of the geological processes that shaped this part of Europe.

When you get to Rupnica, you will certainly be attracted by its formation at first and you will want to see it up close. The entire locality is marked with various information boards, about the Rupnica formation itself as a locality of geological importance, up to information about volcanoes and lava formations, which could be especially interesting for children. It is divided into three parts so that you can see it as well as possible, and the path will take you all the way to the top, where you will be able to experience the greatness of the locality even better.

Rupnica – Papuk Nature Park, Photo: Adria.fun

IT impressed us, so we hope it will impress you too. If the road takes you towards Papuk, definitely explore it, but remember, it is a natural monument, so taking any rock samples is strictly prohibited.