The most attractive part of the national park covers an area of 8 km long area of lakes and waterfalls, where they are best maintained tourist trails. Kilometer-long network of wooden bridges and trails allows close contact with waterfalls and lakes.
The wealth and splendor of the water, probably the first thing people think when you first encounter the Plitvice waterfalls. Plitvice Lakes are a unique natural object with a specific phenomenon of karst hydrography that the rich flora and fauna of an invaluable scientific value. Great variety of natural forms have led to the Plitvice Lakes National Park inscribed on UNESCO's "World Heritage List" 1979th year.
Plitvice Lakes are situated on the border between two climatic regions: the maritime and inland, where they confront varying penetration of moist maritime air and kontinetalnih air currents. The annual rainfall is 1487 mm and mean annual temperature is 8.7 ° C. The seasons here are reflected in distinct forms.
To toured the narrowest strip of the national park requires several days, so they park in elaborated variants of the tour, given the time available to tourists. Natural Park Plitvice system is a unique example of physical and biochemical laboratory in the open. By creating a lime peel on the underwater vegetation, in places the water overflow weir which formed the valley of the upper Korane transformed into a series of 16 pools with cascading waterfalls and lakes.
From highest to lowest are: Prošćansko Lake (suitors), Ciginovac, Okrugljak, Batinovac, Vir, Large and Small Jovinovac (Big and Small Lake), Galovac, Milino, Gradinsko Lake, Big Burget, Kozjak Milanovac, Kaluderovac and Novakovic -ship. The total area of the lake is 200 ha, of which about three quarters accounted for the two largest lakes: Lake Kozjak Prošćansko.
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The first cartographic records lakes are found in drawings from the 17th century, and the text is mentioned in records from the second half of the 18th century. Name Plitvice in literature was first entered back in 1777th year. For the nineties of the 19th century in the first organized initiative to designate a protected area lakes.
Thirties of the 20th century academician Ivo Pevalek first scientifically explained the reasons for the protection of lakes. Studying the growth of moss and algae, concluded that the genesis and growth of tufa, which participates in the construction of geomorphological forms of lakes, the most important and most sensitive biogenic process, which is "the essence of the Plitvice Lakes. These scientific knowledge and efforts of academics I Pavelek brought up to date on the historic 8th April 1949. when the Plitvice Lakes were declared the first Croatian national park.
Even before, especially after getting the official status of this area was the subject of many scientific and technical research. So it raised a lot of knowledge about the natural values of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, which are not "just" sedrotvorni waterfalls and world famous sixteen cascading lakes. On this occasion, informs the reader with a wealth of geomorphological forms, forest and grassland habitats, flora and fauna and cultural heritage tourism, and finally the biggest and oldest Croatian national park.
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The National Park Plitvice Lakes is part of the Dinaric karst area characterized by carbonate geological background, a number of karst forms, rare occurrence of surface flow, and expressed surface-bond underground through numerous cracks. Plenty of water and creating a lake in the end such an extraordinary and precious occurrence.
Important role in the whole system is gathering area that supplies water to the lake. It is highly porous with numerous underground (caves and pits) and surface karst formations (sinkholes or sinkhole and field), but poor surface flows. The limestone peaks rise right in that area, and the highest - Seliški peak, 1279 m. After the way through the underground water encounters an obstacle - an impermeable rock with which expires at the surface, forming many streams, which enrich the lake. The most important sources of Black and White rivers. At the impermeable surface were formed Upper Lakes: Prošćansko, Ciginovac, Okrugljak, Batinovac, Big Lake, Small Lake, Vir, Galovac, Milino, Gradinsko Lake, the largest Burgeti Plitvice Lakes - Kozjak. Lower lakes: Milanovac, Gavanovac, Kaluđerovac and Novakovic Brod, limestone canyon in the concave surface, part of the transmissive areas, where water sinks and is lost through the numerous cracks in the underground. On the surface of the mesh network of numerous depressions called sinkholes, as a "tower", jutting limestone blocks.
Water streams Plitvice descending over cliffs forming a 78 me Amphitheatre Great waterfall highest waterfall in Croatia, together with water forms a lake waterfall essays which begins river Koran.
Water saturated with calcium carbonate, one of the conditions for the emergence of barriers. It occurs on outcrops of moss, where millions live algae and bacteria, which secrete mucus, to which fine crystals of calcite and turned into a "living stone". The most common moss that covers the steep vertical limestone barriers, and participates in the creation of barriers is Cratoneuron comutataum. She quickly "okamenjuje", a look of moss remains well preserved in the sediment. On the quieter places, water moss, Bryum pseudotriquetrum creating tufa "brijumskog type. This type belongs to the travertine that builds essays.
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The geographical location (60 km air distance from the sea) in the hinterland of Velebit, on the border of the continental and maritime precipitation regime, at an altitude of 418-1279 m, and geololška basis which is reflected in a number of karst features have enabled the development of the interaction of such a rich and diverse flora world. The park is rich in endemic species of narrower and wider range (72 species). Special value which are endemic for the first time described in this region: narrow-leafed bellflower (Edraianthus tenuifolius), žabnjak kolovrc (Ranunculus scutatu), and meadow procjepak (Scilla litardierei) - species abundantly represented within the moist valley meadows in the park.
Park emphasizes the richness of the Nature Protection Act of Croatian protected species (22 species). In this group are especially distinguished lady's slipper (Cypripedium calceolus) - the most beautiful orchids in Europe. As a rare and endangered forest areas located in the Red Book plant species in Croatia and this IUCN Red List of endangered species in this category.
A special attraction of the park are carnivorous (carnivorous) plants. On Čretni (peat) habitat in the Park grows okruglolisna sundew (Drosera rotundifolia). Because of the rarity of these habitats is one of the rare plant Croatian flora. Within the moist valley meadows of the park comes tustica kukcolovka (Pinguicula vulgaris) - a rare carnivorous plant, on the IUCN Red List This is the category of vulnerable species. In this region recorded a small mješinka (Utricularia minor), a rare aquatic carnivorous plant.
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When it comes to wildlife Plitvice Lakes National Park, the first association was his trademark - a bear. However, the wealth of fauna, this national park is much larger and more valuable than "celebrating" its most attractive representative. Common inhabitants of the lake are two types of cancers: cancer of the river and creek.
Insects, which are among the most frequent number of species in terrestrial habitats, were aroused further interest in biology - the researchers the habitat of meadows and forests. Deserved the attention received by a group of butterflies whose number of known species according to current research was raised to 321, of which 76 species of, and 245 species of moths.
Plitvice Lakes and their tributaries generally have the main characteristics of typical mountain water trout. However, brook trout, one of the aboriginal inhabitants of these lakes, has been significantly suppressed allochthonous populations of chub and roach. Besides these, only Lake Kozjak proven the presence of at least 4 kinds of fish.
Amphibians are the twelve species is quite numerous group of vertebrates in the Plitvice Lakes National Park, while reptiles are represented in relatively small number of species. Long winters and thick snow cover reduce the number of this group of vertebrates.
Fauna of birds recorded so far with 157 species is the third most number of species among the national parks in Croatia. Particularly interesting is a kind of blackbird, a rare bird habitats dependent on clean water source.
The National Park Plitvice Lakes has been observed more than 50 species of mammals: dormice, shrews, voles, hedgehog, marten, stone marten, wild boar, etc. The latest research has found 20 species of bats - which live in different habitats, holes and caves, then under the bark of trees, in holes, etc. Special interest is often to populations of wolves, roe deer, wild cat, lynx, otters, brown bears, and of course, from the beginning of the story, as the crown of Plitvice animal kingdom.
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Today, more than 80% of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, is covered by forest stands of natural composition that prevent erosion, and are very important for the regime optjecanja water, and valuable habitat for a diverse and rich fauna of the park, primarily the National Park Forests provide shelter for all three European large carnivores (bear, wolf and lynx).
The most common forest community in the area of Plitvice Lakes National Park is a mountain beech forest (Lamium orvala-Fagetum Ht.38 sylvatica), which extends from the shores of lakes to which 700 m above sea level. Because of its competitiveness and Cloud Cover soil trees, beech gives little scope for the development of other tree species. The majority of forest communities is the Dinaric beech and fir (Abieti-Fagetum dinaricum Treg. 75) which extends in the zone above 700 m above sea level, constructed from a large number (over 250) types. In the forests of beech and fir are the two major forest communities of relic character and they are: plain forest and pine with Claus (Heleboro - Pinetum Ht.38), and spruce forests on dolomite (Picetum - dolomiticum Ht.58)
As one of the best preserved primeval forest ecosystems within the range of beech and fir forests, located in the area of Plitvice Lakes National Park rainforest "Cork Cove. A special reserve of forest vegetation was declared in 1965. year, with an area of 84 ha and an altitude of 860-1028 m above sea level we all phases of a rainforest dominated by the stage of aging and decay. Belongs in secondary jungle where human influence was present occasionally, but not so much jungle that has lost its significance.
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Travel functions Plitvice Lakes National Park makes sense stems from the existence of national parks as protected areas, and to protect the special natural and cultural values of national and international significance for scientific, educational and recreational use. No visitors that tourism brings this sense of loss. Tourism in the park today is the product of its developmental periods in the past.
Plitvice lakes are starting to even mention in the literature in the 16th century Nevertheless, it is up to the mid-19th century due to historical circumstances remain unknown. During this period, only rarely visited by tourists and passers-by adventurers. Due to insecurity and the proximity of the Turkish threat to the romantic, then almost wild end to the contemporary writings as "the Devil's Garden" - "Hortus diabolus."
Calming the situation on the Austrian-Turkish border in the 19th century near lakes becomes interesting primarily to military commanders. On the initiative and funding of military officers, 1861./1862.g. built the first building to accommodate the passengers called tourist, traveler, or the Imperial house. The first forms a significant restaurants in the late 19th century
At the end of the 19th century Society for the Protection and Beautification of the Plitvice Lakes is a significant first went into the formation of the tourist offer and began working in the field of motivation for visiting the Plitvice Lakes. In the period from 1894th to 1896 it builds a hotel with 28 rooms in the style of Border balcony overlooking the lake Kozjak, and for driving Kozjaku procured two boats. Regulates the paths, trails and rest areas, placed signs and banners, benches, and lamps. The Company manufactures and distributes posters of the Plitvice lakes, and local and foreign publications incorporates articles about them. 1891.g. Plitvice Lakes were first linked by road from Karlovac.
After the second world war and declaration of a national park in 8th April 1949, a general wave of tourism affects the area lakes and tourism has become an activity that will evaluate this relatively preserved masterpiece of nature. Tourism development is increasingly planned and access 1950 This is the first regional plan to regulate the way of building bridges and trails for visitors, and facilities, provided that they retain the impression of untouched nature. In the period 1954.-1958.g. Plitvice hotel is being built and many other objects of which is particularly interesting so. Object 99, ie the source of the luxurious villa built for Tito, who had also stayed there several times.
Sixties of the 20th century built a system of wooden track and bridge, and the seventies are two trains that were purchased by electric boats on the lake Kozjak nature even closer to visitors.
In order to protect areas of outstanding value in 1979 Plitvice Lakes are listed on the UNESCO list of world natural and cultural heritage. During the seventies and eighties of the 20th century recorded the strongest growth in visitor numbers and build new capacity.
After the war during which the national park area was inaccessible to his visitors, and tourism infrastructure largely destroyed tourism in the national park is very quickly came to life again. In 2006, attended by over 860 000 visitors from around the world.
Coupon Plitvice Lakes allows visitors to be guided tour of selected program learn through activities that include hiking, riding an electric train trips and a panoramic, photography, boating, hiking and skiing. All these activities and accommodation in modern hotels allow visitors to keep several days in this unusually beautiful area.
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The population of this region in the past, mostly engaged in cattle breeding, agriculture, milling, and the exploitation of forests. This is largely determined how their eating and preparing meals.
Food was kept on the hearth in earthen pots, so called. rukačama. Bread as a basic foodstuff, made mostly from corn, and initially was baked just covered with ashes and live coals on the hearth. Later they appeared in the lid (pekve) made by the potters of the country. In addition to bread, are being extensively developed and polenta, which was cooked cereal (oatmeal, barley and millet), and seasoned with butter.
Milk, by the end of the livestock were not enough, prepared in various ways: as sour or sweet. Regularly prepared acid (sour milk), cheese, butter, basa (soft cheese made from "Skorupa") and cream.
For the production of cheese was used animal rennet, and the butter was prepared in pots - sticks. Dairy products are mainly used in summer, complemented by fresh and boiled vegetables and smoked meat (ham, bacon, sausage). One of the main delight was roast lamb.
Since most cakes are prepared by bruising (fatty pastry filled with onions, cheese, ham or sweet cheese with raisins), asks krumpirača, zaljanica, form cake, donuts and various strudels. In the winter, with the meat, mostly dried, boiled potatoes and sauerkraut, beans, beets and kohlrabi. Pickled vegetable dish and a salad with spicy polenta.
As the noise was inevitable in the lives of inhabitants of this region, was used as a food source. Population is engaged in hunting animals (they were a delicacy, dormice) and collecting forest products. In the forest were also often brale fungi: smrčci, oyster mushrooms. Surprisingly rare considering its proximity to the lake, residents were engaged in fishing. Most of the trout fishing in streams Plitvice, Sartuk and Jasenica.
And today is part of the course of the old atmosphere available to visitors through the rich cuisine of the National Park Plitvice Lakes. Passengers passing through here I can buy some of the traditional specialties, while enjoying gourmet cuisine and the occasional ambient Highland house restaurant. Park located within the complex are two restaurants - a restaurant and Borje Poljana restaurant and many facilities for refreshments and holiday guests.
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Plitvice Lakes National Park covers an area of 29685.15 hectares. While every corner of the park is not accessible to visitors, you can use the miles of hiking trails and wooden bridges to explore and walk around in a natural environment that is constantly changing and astonishing beauty.
Integral and indispensable part of our system are razgledanog plitvički train by which you can reach some distant point of the park and in certain locations to enjoy the panoramic view of the lake, and electric boats plitvički Kozjak, Sedra, Otter 2, Lee, Little Bear, Buk and waterfalls operate the largest lake Kozjak zone linking the lower and upper lakes.
The most comprehensive way to visit the park is to plan ahead by the time you have available. If you want to stay longer than one day and you get to know or explore the beauty and richness of our and your park, our hotel complex is available.
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