We continue the underground journey through Rajko’s cave that we started yesterday. You must have wondered where the cave’s name came from. Legend has it that Rajko was an innkeeper during the day, and at night he robbed rich travelers and caravans, and then hid the treasures in this cave. In front of the cave there is a short text about the legend:

You will not find his plundered treasure, but you will find a precious natural treasure… These shapes on the ground are called Rimstone Pools.

And this one is called Crystal Pool.

It is not always easy to remember what stalactites are and what stalagmites are. Well, let’s try to give a brief explanation. So when you find yourself in a cave consisting of limestone minerals, the decorations above you they are called stalactites, and the ornaments that grow from the ground are called stalagmites.

When the stalactite and stalagmite merge, we have a pillar (or column), as in the following photos:

And for our “Amazing Nature” contest, we move on to the most beautiful part: sculptural works of nature. Figures sculpted in limestone, which miraculously change shapes as you move around them. Imagine what it was like for the brigands who hid in these caves carrying the flickering light of torches. Take for example this royal escort: The old King and his Queen with their subjects…

You really don’t need much for such impressive sculptures: a little calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), a little water dripping between those limestone rocks and just a few hundred million years of dripping… I wonder how long it took for ‘Rajko brigand leader?’

There is as much as you need of it in Rajko’s cave. It is currently Summer and the level of the river is low, but when it swells, then the water can fill the entire abyss on the dam behind the visitors.

Speaking of water, we have entered the river horizon of the cave and are descending towards the river.

Here we are at the river level.

Leaning Tower shows us that we are on the right path to the exit.

But just look at these scenes. Is Darth Vader lurking here out in the darkness? Or some scary monster?

There it is! I knew it! It’s a gigantic snail!

Fortunately, this snail will not chase after us. And even if he sprints, he wouldn’t get us in a million years. We are already in the lobby of the cave where there is a detailed map of all the rooms and sculptures we have visited.

Here we are an the enterance/exit…

The adventure is unfortunately over. Outside we can still see Janko’s cave, the place where Rajko’s river springs from his cave and continues its way through the miraculous nature…

Thank you so much for following us on this exciting journey through the Amazing Nature.

It’s not over! Next Wednesday, Ceremošnja cave! 😃

The photos in this #wednesdaywalk taken with the Fujifilm X-T20, the Canon EFs 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 and the Canon EFs 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lenses.

This post is also made as a contribution to a photo challenge done in collaboration of two of our members: @tattoodjay hosts a competition called “Wednesday Walk” and @elizacheng’s contest called “Make me Smile”.