The centre, based in Nova Kršlja near the town of Rakovica, 80 kilometres southwest of Zagreb, provides information to visitors about natural heritage, particularly about the Barać Caves protected natural habitat, which is also of great archaeological importance.
The centre is a circular building of 1200 square metres and includes a multimedia hall, a permanent exhibition, a children’s play area, a speleological library, a depot, offices, an atrium as well as a refreshments area and a souvenir shop.
Initially, the project was estimated at €2.6 million, however, the disruptions in supply chains made the implementation of the project more expensive, and it cost four million euros. The original sum of €2.6 million was covered by European Union's funds, while the additional costs were covered by the Plitvice Lakes National Park and with a loan which the Baraćeve Špilje (Barać Caves) public institution has taken from the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR), the institution's director, Tihana Oštrina said at today's ceremony.
The economy and sustainable development ministry's state secretary Mario Šiljeg said that Speleo would likely attract at least 25,000 visitors in 2023.