Guardians of the Underground: Why Albania Needs Its Cave Explorers

Deep beneath Albania’s rugged mountains lies a hidden world few have seen: an underground realm of extraordinary caves, where water has patiently carved stories into stone for millions of years. These caves are more than just holes in the ground; they are our connection to Earth’s memory, holding secrets about our past and clues about our future.
Our country’s karst landscape harbors some of Europe’s most significant cave systems. These natural formations serve as crucial water reservoirs, historical archives, and unique ecosystems. However, their exploration and preservation require more than just enthusiasm; they demand expertise, equipment, and organized teams ready to face the challenges of underground exploration. Consider the recent discovery of the Shpella Kopiles cave system in southern Albania. What began as a local legend of an endless abyss became, through the work of speleologists, a documented wonder. The team’s systematic approach revealed not just the cave’s physical dimensions but also evidence of a unique thermal lake, which is said to be the biggest underground thermal lake in the world. This single discovery underscores the diverse value of professional cave exploration.

The need for professional speleology teams in Albania has never been more pressing. And this is why we, a group of Albanian nature lovers, decided to come together to create an association as a dedicated speleology team – not just as explorers, but as guardians of these underground treasures. Think of caves as nature’s time capsules. Every stalactite holds a record of ancient rains, every crystal formation tells a story of minerals dancing through underground streams, and every dark corner might shelter unique forms of life that have evolved in isolation.
When a speleologist enters a cave, they carry with them years of training in rope work, emergency medicine, and underground navigation. This expertise transforms what could be a dangerous venture into a journey of discovery. They know how to read the cave’s mood, understanding when water levels might rise, which rocks are stable, and how to move through tight spaces safely. This knowledge isn’t just for their own safety; it’s essential for protecting others who might be drawn to explore these underground wonders.
It is important for us to have our own dedicated speleology team. These professionals serve as first responders in cave emergencies, where their specialized knowledge can mean the difference between life and death.

When civilians became trapped in the earthquake of 2019, it was the quick response and technical expertise of Roland Doja that ensured their safe rescue. As an experienced speleology instructor, member of cave rescue teams and other difficult terrain search and rescue units, Roland was among the first to engage in rescue operations during this devastating event. Drawing on his exceptional experience in difficult terrain search-and-rescue, he contributed to saving lives during this national emergency. In 2023, he brought this expertise back to Albania with a vision to develop professional speleology capabilities in a country rich with unexplored cave systems. Such incidents highlight the critical need for trained rescue teams for emergency situations in difficult terrains familiar with Albania’s specific environments.

Documentation and mapping represent another crucial aspect of their work. Some caves still hold traces of past lives, from marks left by ancestors, ancient animals, changing climates, and the stories of histories long before us, surviving for millennia in the darkness. Professional speleologists work carefully to document these treasures, ensuring that this connection to our past isn’t lost to time or careless handling. Every survey, every photograph, and every data point collected adds to our understanding of Albania’s underground geography.
This information proves invaluable not just for future explorers but for hydrologists studying our water resources, biologists tracking cave ecosystems, and archaeologists piecing together human history. Particularly with the expanding population, the detailed mapping of the cave system near Tirana, for instance, hopefully can lead to the discovery of an underground river vital to the region’s water supply in the future.

Looking toward the future, the role of professional speleology teams takes on even greater significance.. Caves are nature’s own climate archives, natural recorders of environmental change where every stalactite and mineral deposit tells a story of ancient climate shifts. The steady drip of water that formed stalactites over thousands of years reveals past rainfall patterns, while changes in cave ecosystems can warn us about environmental impacts happening now.
As our planet’s climate shifts in unprecedented ways, these underground formations become invaluable records, helping us understand patterns of change that stretch back millennia. Professional teams are uniquely positioned to monitor these subtle shifts, documenting how changing rainfall patterns and temperature fluctuations leave their marks in the cave’s delicate ecosystems.
Their work becomes even more critical as adventure tourism grows, bringing new challenges of balancing public access with preservation. These teams must now serve multiple vital roles: as scientists documenting environmental change, as guides ensuring safe exploration, and as guardians protecting these irreplaceable natural laboratories. Through their careful monitoring and documentation, they help us not just understand our past, but potentially navigate our environmental future.

The economic potential of well-managed caves shouldn’t be overlooked, but it must be balanced with preservation. When properly studied and protected, caves can become sustainable attractions that benefit local communities while preserving their natural and scientific value. While some caves should remain accessible only to trained speleologists, others can be safely developed for visitors. Imagine a dedicated Pellumbas Cave Tourist Center with a museum explaining the cave’s formation and significance, featuring safe pathways, proper lighting, and perhaps a small souvenir shop to support the local economy.
Professional speleology can engage with local communities, teaching them about their underground resources and transforming caves from feared or ignored spaces into appreciated natural monuments. As adventure tourism grows, these trained experts become even more vital, serving as teachers who show others how to explore underground spaces safely and responsibly.

Perhaps their most important role is as guardians of mystery and wonder. . In an age where satellite imagery can show us any corner of Earth’s surface, caves remain among the few places where genuine discovery still exists. Professional speleologists protect this sense of wonder while ensuring that all exploration is conducted safely and sustainably, preserving these irreplaceable treasures for future generations.
In Albania, hospitality isn’t just a tradition, but part of our identity. We welcome every explorer who steps on these lands, but simultaneously expect them and our fellow Albanians to respect and protect what has been given to us by mother nature. This simple philosophy guides us in every step: to welcome by providing safety and to preserve natural wealth for generations to come. The time has come for Albania to fully recognize and support its speleology team. Their work not only unveils the secrets of our underground world but also protects it and those who wish to explore it. In their hands lies not just the safety of cave explorers but the preservation of a unique part of Albania’s natural heritage.
We came together as volunteers, driven by a love for our land that wouldn’t let us stand idle. We are determined to take action because each of us is responsible for doing our part to effect change. Our resources may be modest, but our spirits are rich with determination – because we believe that preserving Albania’s underground treasures isn’t just a duty, it’s a sacred trust passed down through generations. Each step we take into these ancient caves is a step toward honoring that trust. While we hope institutions will one day recognize the importance of this mission and join hands with us, our commitment remains unshakeable. We will continue our work until Nëna Shqipëri receives the reverence she has earned through millennia of sheltering our history in her depths.

Dorarta Koka