UNESCO-listed Vjetrenica cave in southern Bosnia offers cool escape from heatwave

As a 40-degree Celsius heatwave hits southern Bosnia, tourists are finding relief inside the UNESCO-listed Vjetrenica cave, which maintains a constant 11 degrees Celsius year-round. Located about 25 kilometres north of Dubrovnik, the cave allows maximum groups of 80 visitors to explore its 7.5-kilometre labyrinth. Its constant coolness has made it a refuge for wildlife, with visitors describing the experience as 'free air conditioning.' Cave director Davor Bakovic said intense heatwaves brought over half of last year's 21,000 visitors in summer. The cave hosts hundreds of organisms, including a blind cave salamander that lives up to 100 years.