Romuald’s Cave

Romuald's Cave sits on the eastern slope of the Lim Channel in western Istria, Croatia, close to the hamlet of Bubani. It's one of the region's most fascinating sites, tying together a hermit's legend, Ice Age wildlife remains, and the oldest known cave paintings in southeastern Europe.

How do you get there?

The cave lies at the bottom of the Lim Valley, roughly 120 meters above sea level, reached by an easy walking trail that follows the fjord floor and takes just over an hour to cover. The most convenient starting points are Rovinj or Vrsar, both a short drive from the mouth of the Lim Channel, and several boat tours combine a cruise through the fjord with a stop at the trailhead. Note that the cave itself is currently closed to visitors for safety reasons, so the highlight of a visit is the walk and the view of the entrance rather than going inside.

What will you see?

The entrance is famously tight — only half a meter high, forcing visitors to duck low just to peer in. Beyond it, the passages stretch 105 meters into the hillside, opening into a main chamber six meters tall, decorated with striking rock formations. It was here, in 2010, that Professor Darko Komšo identified prehistoric wall paintings — the oldest confirmed in this part of Europe, with the discovery formally published in the journal Antiquity in 2019. Excavations dating back to the late 19th century have also uncovered the remains of long-vanished Ice Age animals, including cave bears, cave lions, leopards, and cave hyenas, alongside Upper Paleolithic human tools such as scrapers and awls. Today the cave also shelters a protected colony of greater mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis), one of the last sizeable colonies of the species left in Europe.

The cave's name comes from a local legend: Saint Romuald, an Italian hermit, is said to have spent several years living in seclusion here at the start of the 11th century. His presence is linked to the founding of the nearby Monastery of St. Michael the Archangel on the Lim, established around 1040.

When should you visit?

Spring and early autumn are the best times, offering comfortable temperatures for the walk without the summer crowds and heat that build up in the narrow valley. The Lim Channel itself, which the trail follows, is a popular spot for boat trips and kayaking, and the waterfront restaurants nearby are well known for fresh seafood and the local Lim oysters.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Romuald's Cave? Not at the moment — the cave is closed to visitors for safety reasons. You can still walk the trail to its entrance and take in the surroundings from outside.

Where does the cave's name come from? It's named after Saint Romuald, an Italian hermit believed to have lived here in the early 11th century, shortly before a Benedictine monastery was founded nearby.

Why is this site scientifically important? It holds the oldest known cave paintings in southeastern Europe, and excavations have revealed remains of Ice Age animals as well as evidence of Upper Paleolithic human activity.

How long does the walk to the cave take? The trail along the bottom of the Lim Channel is easy and typically takes about an hour one way.