Destination info

PLITVIČKA JEZERA (PLITVICE LAKES), 16 interlinked lakes between Mala Kapela Mountain and Pljesevica Mountain in the region of Lika. The lake system is divided into the upper lakes (Proscansko Lake, Ciginovac, Okrugljak, Batinovac, Veliko Jezero - Big Lake, Malo Jezero - Small Lake, Vir, Galovac, Milino Lake, Jezerce, Burgetiand Kozjak) and the lower lakes (Milinovac, Gavanovac, Kaluderovacand Novakovica Brod). The highest of them is Proscansko Lake (639 m) and the lowest Novakovica Brod (503 m). The upper lakes, surrounded by thick forests and interlinked by numerous waterfalls, lie in a dolomite valley, while the lower lakes, smaller and shallower, surrounded only by sparse underbrush, lie on the limestone bedrock. The Lakes receive most of their water from the rivers called Bijela and Crna Rijeka (White and Black Rivers), which are joined into one course south of Proscansko Lake. After the waterfall Sastavci on the lower lakes, the Lakes' waters continue into the Korana river, as well as the Plitvice brook, which falls from an elevation of 76 m. The upper lakes are tierically arranged, separated by dolomite barriers, which grow with the formation of travertine, forming thus travertine barriers. Travertine is mostly formed on the spots where water falls from an elevation, by the incrustation of algae and moss with calcium carbonate. The lower lakes were formed by crumbling and caving-in of the vaults above subterranean cavities through which water of the upper lakes disappeared. Cliffy rocks around the Lakes and along the Korana comprise 14 caves in limestone and 6 caves in travertine (supljara, Golubnjaca, Mracnjaca, Velika Pecina, etc.).

Climate is alpine, with an average annual temperature between 8°C and 10°C and the annual rainfall of 1,200-1,400 mm. The water temperature in Proscansko Lake and Kozjak Lake reaches even 24°C in summer. The whole region is covered by snow from November until the end of March; the Lakes are frozen in December and January. Due to their natural beauty and significance, the Plitvice Lakes and a large forest complex around it were set aside as a national park in 1949. The national park comprises an area of 295 sq km, while the Lakes account for about 2 sq km of the total area. Plitvice Lakes National Park is divided into a broad and a narrow protection zone, which defines the level of protection. Some traditional occupations, such as grazing on certain pastures and forest management according to stringent regulations are permitted in the broad protection zone, however, excluding any deliberate modification or utilization of natural resources. In the narrow protection zone only protective measures are permitted. The first lodging facility was erected in 1852, the first hotel was built in 1861. The Plitvice Lakes are located on the main road (M13.01, E751) Karlovac - Slunj - Gracac - Zadar.

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