Keva's pit cave

Keva's pit cave is a vertical karst shaft located right by the village of Radošić, in the municipality of Lećevica, Split-Dalmatia County, roughly 30 km from Split. It is one of many speleological features scattered across this karst pocket of inland Dalmatia, and it is known mainly to cavers and to those interested in the region's wartime history.

How do you get there?

Radošić sits inland, within the municipality of Lećevica, between Sinj and Trogir. There's no public transport link — you'll need your own car, driving along narrow local roads that wind through the limestone hills behind Split. The cave itself has no official tourist signage or visitor infrastructure, so finding the exact entrance usually calls for local knowledge or the help of a caving club or guide.

What will you see?

Keva's pit cave has a funnel shape that widens to about 30 metres across at its broadest point. A description from 1923 records that the funnel-shaped opening drops into a vertical shaft roughly 35 metres deep, which then opens into a large, dome-shaped chamber. In the middle of the chamber floor, directly below the shaft opening, a cone of debris about 10 metres high rises up — built from limestone rubble and material that has fallen from the shaft walls over time. The cave's total depth reaches 76 metres, making it one of the deeper pits in the area, though nearby, beneath the hill of Veliki Kraljevec, lies an even deeper shaft exceeding 100 metres.

The area around Radošić is unusually rich in karst features — pits, shafts and sinkholes are more densely packed here than in many other parts of Dalmatia, which makes it a compelling stop for anyone interested in karst geology and speleology.

Keva's pit cave also carries a grim chapter of regional history. During and after the Second World War, Yugoslav Partisans used the shaft to dispose of the bodies of thousands of local civilians who had been executed as suspected Axis collaborators or opponents of the new Communist authorities. For many visitors, this gives the site the weight of a historical memorial rather than a purely natural curiosity.

When should you visit?

Given the lack of tourist infrastructure and the nature of the site — a vertical shaft that is hazardous without proper equipment and experience — the best time to visit is during the dry months, from late spring through early autumn, when the local access roads are easiest to drive and the ground around the entrance is dry and stable. In winter or after heavy rain, the surrounding dirt tracks can become difficult to pass.

Frequently asked questions

Can you descend into Keva's pit cave on your own? It isn't recommended. This is a vertical pit 76 metres deep that requires proper caving equipment and experience with vertical caves. Exploration is best left to organised groups or local caving clubs.

Are there other caves worth seeing nearby? Yes — the area around Radošić and the Lećevica municipality is one of the richest in the region for karst features, including the even deeper pit beneath Veliki Kraljevec.

Why is Keva's pit cave known for its history rather than just its geology? During and after World War II, the shaft was used to hide the bodies of civilians executed by Yugoslav Partisans, which gave the site the status of a historical memorial site.

Do you need a guide to visit? Given the lack of signage and infrastructure, along with the terrain itself, it's worth arranging a local guide or caving club, especially if you're planning to enter the shaft itself.