THE CAVE OF PETRLAS

       The Cave of Petrlas is actually a system of caves on the southern edge of the karst field of Odorovce, in the region of Zabrdje. It is about 12 km north from the town, and 10 km of the road are covered with asphalt, whereas the remaining 2 km are covered with soil.

       The karst field of Odorovce is the largest karst field in eastern and south-eastern Serbia . It is 7 km long, and about 4.5 km wide. It is a spacious and relatively flat field which is circled by lower limestone ranges and Vidlic. The field leans towards the south and south-west. The Odorovacka Reka river, which is a lost river, flows off by the bottom of the field. Part of the field is bounded by a karst surface where typical karst forms can be found, especially spacious depressions and valleys. That karst surface extends to the west as a long karst valley Tepos, which continues as the ravine of Pirot after 10 km. The neogenic lake of the field of Odorovce probably flew off by the valley. The water course through the field has been maintained ever since. The waters of the field of Odorovce emerge in the valley of the Nisava river even today.

      On the southern edge of the field of Odorovce there are some underground karst forms, which had been created during the lake phase towards the end of the Pleistocene. Among these forms, the most famous and the most important one is the Cave of Petrlas . It is a pearl of nature, rich in cave jewellery, but, unfortunately, it has not been sufficiently explored and exploatated. With minimal investment, this site could become a meeting place of speleology and natural beauties devotees, The lakes of Smilovci, as well as the monasteries of Sveta Petka and Sveti Kirik i Julita are situated near the cave (about 2 km away).