Rupnica Hides Lava 600 Million Years Old
Papuk is much more than a favorite excursion spot. Rupnica near Voćin is Croatia's first geological nature monument, and its volcanic columns tell a story millions of years old.
Papuk is much more than a favorite excursion spot. Rupnica near Voćin is Croatia's first geological nature monument, and its volcanic columns tell a story millions of years old.
When Papuk is mentioned, most people think of Jankovac and a walk through the forest. However, this mountain in Slavonia hides much more than that. From JUPP Papuk, they say that Rupnica, hidden near Voćin, is one of the most impressive geological sites in the country, a place where stone literally tells the story of Earth's past.
Rupnica is known for its unusual, regularly shaped columns of volcanic rock. They were formed by the cooling of lava millions of years ago, and their appearance today attracts the curious and nature lovers alike. "Did you know that Papuk is home to one of the most interesting geological sites in Croatia?" they asked followers on Facebook from JUPP Papuk.
Due to its exceptional geological value, Rupnica was declared Croatia's first geological nature monument back in 1948. In a relatively small area, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks formed in different geological periods meet. Some of them are over 600 million years old.
It is precisely this geological diversity that is one of the reasons Papuk became Croatia's first geopark in 2007. Today, it is under UNESCO protection, confirming its value on a global level. Visitors can learn how the rocks were formed, what Papuk looked like millions of years ago, and which animals lived in the area at the Geo Info Center in Voćin.
For those who think they've seen everything Papuk has to offer, Rupnica is proof that this mountain still holds stories worth exploring.
