NATURE PARKS

 

Croatia has altogether 10 Nature Parks, 5 of which lie on the coast.
Nature Park Biokovo is situated on the same called mountain above Makarska riviera and is very popular among botanists, bicyclists and climbers.
Nature Park Telašćica, situated on the entrance to National Park Kornati, is a bay with a high vertical cliff with a salt lake on its top.
Nature Park Velebit near Zadar riviera attracts many speleologists and those who seek an active holiday. Near Zadar there is also the biggest Croatian lake – Vranjsko Lake. Mountain Učka Nature Park is situated above Opatija and it has very favorable microclimate.

 

Protected Nature Park Biokovo spreads over mountain Biokovo, and the mountain itself makes a huge natural barrier above Makarska riviera.
This karst coastal area of unique natural characteristics is full of deep chasms, caves, abysses and beech forests. Some of the abysses are so deep under ground that even during summer heat one can find snow and ice on their bottoms, which has been used, in the past times for storing food.
All tourists are welcomed to visit a botanical garden on the mountain and reach the peaks Vošac and St. Jure on the Biokovo road. Those who prefer an active holiday can enjoy bicycling, mountaineering, riding and many other activities. True adventurers can have their go at paragliding. Botanical garden is situated above the village Kotiština. St. Jure is the highest peak of Biokovo mountain. You can reach it by car which makes it especially attractive and available. Every year on the last Saturday in July pilgrims walk to the top of the mountain. There is a magnificent view over Makarska riviera and Middle-Dalmatian islands, and on very clear and sunny days one can see as far as to the peaks of Italian Apennines.

 

Kopački rit
Nature Park situated close to Drava estuary next to the border with Serbia is one of the most important, largest and most attractive preserved original swamp areas of Europe. It consists of numerous tributaries and lakes next to the river Danube. One part of Kopački rit is placed under strict protection as a special zoo reservation. There are approximately 260 various bird species nesting here, and many species temporarily stay here on their way from northern colder regions towards southern warmer ones and vice versa. There are about 40 fish species in the water, and many types of mammals on land (deers, does, wild boars, wild cats, pine martens, beech martens, otters etc.) Tourist visits and sightseeing are organized with guides on panoramic ships, boats, on horse pulled carriages and on foot. There are also arrangements where it is possible to film the animals, especially birds. The other part of Kopački rit, which is less protected, is available for hunters and fishermen.

 

Lonjsko polje is a part of a valley between the river Sava and Moslavačka Mountain next to the river Lonja, approximately 30 km away from the town of Sisak. This is the largest protected flooded area not only in Croatia but along the entire Danube. Rich flora and fauna as well as architecture of traditional wooden houses in Posavina, which are a true cultural monument due to their beauty, perseverance and number, characterize this area. Several areas within the Nature Park (ornithological reservation Krapje Đol) are under strict protection regime. Swamp meadows, forests of ash, willow and poplar are important for nesting of ducks, while in the flooded oak forests and meadows of Lonjsko Polje one can see rare European animals (white-tailed eagle and short-toed eagle, gray heron and little egret, black stork and other). One of the largest carp spawning places in Europe takes place in this flooded area where high water remains for up to six months in a year.

 

Mountain Medvednica with its highest peak Sljeme is situated in the North of Zagreb.
Very few European capitals have a Nature Park so close to their centers as Zagreb.
You can reach the foot of Medvednica from various parts of Zagreb by car, tram or bus, and you can reach Sljeme on foot or by cable car. Well-preserved forests of Medvednica are main recreational areas of Zagreb. Beside its woods, Medvednica offers its visitors several beautiful caves, most interesting of which is Veternica, one of the largest in Croatia.
Next to the medieval fortress Medvedgrad, today stands an Altar to Homeland, a memorial for those fallen in the recent war for Croatian independence.
In the winter snow lasts for 100 days in a year in average, and it is thickest in February.
In the spring and summer there is more sun on Medvednica than in Zagreb and Zagorje.

 

 

 

 

 

Nature Park Telašćica is situated on the entrance to National Park Kornati. It consists of a narrow bay with a 100 m high vertical cliff on whose top there is a large salt lake that was a part of the National Park Kornati until 1988.
Today it is a Nature Park on the southeastern coast of the Long Island with the highest point Grpašćak and salt lake Mir.
Telašćica is one of the most beautiful and largest bays on the Adriatic.
It is also known as a good and safe shelter for all types of vessels. The northeastern side of the bay is completely stripped of all plants, while the southwestern side is covered in thick pine, olive, and fig forest.
The lake Mir changes water level just like the sea only with a certain delay compared to the sea.
The area around Telašćica has been inhabited since ancient times which can be seen from the remains from the Paleolith until the present (remains around the place Sali, Roman remains in Mala Proversa, old-Croatian Pre-Romanic churches in Dugopolje).
There are many animals in this area. Over 250 plant species and 300 animal species live in the sea including the Mediterranean sponge and rare red corals.

 

There is a great number of reasons why Velebit was proclaimed a Nature Park; unusual rocks, canyons, deep pits, caves, and numerous endemic species that inhabit this mountain.
The fact that there are two National Parks on Velebit gives it the name " the Park of National Parks". In the year 1978 it was included in World Net of Biosphere Reservations ("Program man and biosphere", UNESCO). There are various habitats of numerous endemic species of flora and fauna on Velebit.
Velebit has many caves, the most famous of which are Cerovačke Caves near Gračac and caves around Paklenica near Starigrad.
In the past this area has been inhabited by a number of people that left their traces in the forms of ruins, houses, sacral buildings and cultural monuments.
Today these remains testify of the life in the past, customs and culture of residents on this mysterious mountain. Numerous mountain paths pass through the Park the most famous of which is Premužić path.
From the mountaintops there is a magnificent view over the Adriatic Sea and several islands. In the Park you are welcome to raft on the river Zrmanja, climb, fish and mountaineer.

 

Nature Park Učka includes mountain range Učka and part of Ćićarija with total surface area of 160 km2 situated on the eastern side of Istrian peninsula. The highest peak of Učka is Vojak with a tower serving as a lookout point and a souvenir shop. From the lookout point there is a breathtaking view over the islands of Krk, Lošinj and Cres, Gorski Kotar and the Istrian peninsula. Učka has rich flora and fauna with endemic species such as Učarski bluebell and rare griffin vulture. It is important to mention centennial forests of sweet chestnut, beech forest and various kinds of herbs and fruit. This area was inhabited since ancient times which can be seen from the several ruins, which remained. Adventure lovers can enjoy many activities within the park such as mountain bicycling, rock climbing (the most popular is Vela Draga), kite flying, simple hiking and horse riding in fresh air and beautiful countryside.

The hilly southern slopes of Žumberak Mountain were proclaimed a Nature Park in 1999.
The Park is situated 30 km southwest of Zagreb and it got its name after the old town of Žumberak which burned down in 1793, and whose ruins can still be seen today. The protected area of the Park includes hills of Žumberak and Samobor Mountains.
This area is characterized by karst (caves, chasms, and pits) with beech and chestnut forests.
The Nature Park area is characterized by a large number of water springs. Archeological excavations have discovered that this area has been continuously inhabited since the Stone Age.
The oldest preserved building originates from the 13th century. The park area is rich in flora and fauna with large predators like bears and wolfs.
Out of many types of birds living here it is noteworthy to mention the goshawk (jastreb), which gave the name to the town of Jastrebarsko.

 

 

 

 

Papuk near the town of Požega situated on the northern and northwestern border of Požeška valley belongs to Slavonian mountain chain with its highest part Papuk. This area is covered in beautiful forests. There are numerous places worth visiting; geological pheonomena, botanically interesting areas, historical buildings, archeological sites. Nature Park Papuk is open for visitors the whole year round. It offers various possibilities of recreation and is a perfect place for active holiday (mountain bicycling, mountaineering, hiking through nature which is interesting in all seasons of the year). All are welcome to mountaineer regardless of their age, since the heights of Papuk reach up to 1000m in height. In the summer you can enjoy thermal water pools in a nearby spa situated near the town Velika. Those who love snow and winter sports can have fun on ski piste "Nevoljač".

 

Vransko Lake is a natural phenomenon and the larges natural lake in Croatia. It is situated between two historic towns of Zadar and Šibenik, several kilometers away from the town of Biograd. The lake and surrounding area have been proclaimed a Nature Park in 1999. It is really a sunken karst field, and several smaller springs provide the lake with water. The lake is interesting in several ways. Part of it is protected as an ornithological reservation (since 1983), while the whole lake is proclaimed to be important bird area (Important Bird Area – IBA) according to criteria by the European Union. Vransko Lake has always been famous for its nature. There are archeological remains on the "Crkvina" locality and other places near the lake from several Roman agricultural estates. Roman sign that was found on the nearby Roman aquaduct testifies of important agricultural activity of Roman empire on this area. Roman aquaduct built from Vrane to Zadar not only supplied Zadar with water but also all of the agricultural estates near the aquaduct.

 

The island group Lastovo has become Nature Park in 2006. The green island Lastovo is surrounded by islets of Priježba, Mrčara, Vlasnik, Bratin island, Kopište and Sušac and islet group called Lastovnjaci from the East. Sandy beaches characterize the islet of Saplun in the islet group Lastovnjaci. Sušac is the largest and most separated island of the Lastovo archipelago. It is interesting to know that there are no further residents on this island beside the lighthouse crew and one shepard with 300 sheep and 50 goats. Lastovo is a perfect place for nature, sailing, and fishing lovers and those who enjoy traditional Croatian cuisine (Lastovo is famous for lobster and wine). The island can be explored from the sea and land, but its hidden beauty under the sea with underwater cliffs and caves should not be missed. Lastovo becomes vibrant in the beginning of August during the festival "Lastovo, the island of music". source: Adriatica.net

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