Speleological complex Stijene
The Ponikva cave and the "Stijene" quarry are located on the very outskirts of Vareš in the north direction, directly next to the local road that connects Vareš, via the Zvijezda mountain, with the Krivaja valley. The locality is valuable in itself, but also because of the very morphology of the terrain, because on one side there is a deeply cut bed of Stavnja, and on the other a quarry, in direct contact with possible visitors. It is a gold mine for researchers, because it is practically a safe in which many valuables from previous periods have been preserved.
In an old channel that is already quite ruined, the upper part of the skull of a cave bear was found, as well as deposits of the so-called of cave milk. Younger Paleolithic tools were also found, as well as a piece of harpoon.
In addition to the paleontological values of this locality, which are not even remotely explored, a rare species of bat known as the brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus was registered in the already mentioned cave. Brandt's bat Myotis brandtii, a completely new species of bat for Bosnia and Herzegovina, was discovered in a cave located right next to the quarry. In addition to these two species, there is also a small bat species, Rhinolophus hipposideros.
Immediately below the quarry, in the bed of the river Stavnja, a very strong spring was discovered after the last war, which could supply water not only to Vareš, but also to many places downstream.
