Imagine if you will, breathtaking waterfalls, sixteen magnificent lakes, and beautiful densely forested woods and you have a glimpse of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Located between the capitol of Croatia, Zagreb and Zadar Plitvice Lakes National is one of the top picks added to the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Heritage List.
The captivating beauty of this National Park rests underneath the surface. You see, the park is built upon a natural structure known as Karst. Karst is created from a mixture of porous Limestone and Dolomotic rock. The mixture allows water to flow through and forms underground streams. This is why Plitvice Lakes National Park is home to 16 lakes connected by exquisite waterfalls. The other secret to this marvelous wonder is Travertine. Travertine (the mineral used to construct the Roman Coliseum) is a sedimentary rock that forms when mineral springs and streams deposit calcium carbonate mixed with limestone. The mixture releases carbon dioxide and causes the calcium carbonate to crystalize. This process takes place over various fauna that lives underwater and the result is a very porous rock. Plitvice Lakes National Park is home to sixteen natural Travertine dams, the foundational structure for the breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls.
The alluring turquoise lakes are the result of three rivers. These rivers are the Crna, Bijela, and the Rjecica. The Crna is the largest river that leads to the lakes. The lakes flow through brooks, the waterfalls, and eventually make their way to the Korana River. The most striking feature that one notices when admiring the lakes is their color. The colors range from deep Azure or Turquoise to Gray and Blue. The beautifully tinted colors are the results of the various minerals present in the water. The lakes are divided into two main sections: The Upper and Lower. The Upper Lakes include: Proscansko, Ciginovac, Okruglijak, Batinovac, Galovac, Milino, Gradinsko, Great Burget, and Kozjak. When it comes to admiring the mirage of colors viewable in the lakes, Lake Kozjak is noted for being the most visible. The Upper Lakes are also known for their abundance of stunning wildlife. The Lower Lakes are home to various caves and grottoes. The Lakes consist of: Milanovac, Gavanovac, Klauderovac, and Novakovica Brod.
If you are going to stay in the region you will want to choose one of the four hotels that are in the heart of the National Park. The fist hotel is the Hotel Jezero. Hotel Jezero overlooks Lake Kozjak giving you a stunning view of the amazing lake. The hotel also has a restaurant, nightclub, and children’s play room. The next hotel of interest is the Hotel Plitvice. The hotel has 51 rooms. The Hotel Bellevue has 70 rooms and is located near the park as well. Finally, if you really want to be in the core center of the Plitvice Lakes, then you will want to stay in the Villa Mukinja. The Villa is a ten-minute walk from the lakes, and is the stay of choice for the nature lover who wants to leave the modern amenities behind and focus on the beauties of this superb park. With only six rooms, it is the perfect choice for those who wish to enjoy the solitude of this natural beauty.
Amazingly, the Plitvice Lakes National Park is still home to all of its native animals. This has made the effort to preserve the natural environment of the park a priority. Visitors should be aware that the animal life that they will encounter at Plitvice Lakes National Park has been untouched by human hands. Some of the animals that call Plitvice Lakes National Park home include: Hares, the Wolf, the Fox, Skunks, Weasels, Otters, Meles, Pine Marten, Stone Marten, Lynx, Wild Cat, Wild Boar, Deer, and the Brown Bear.
The appeal of the Lakes wildlife doesn’t extend to mammals only. It is also home to over 120 species of birds and they nest in the richly dense forests. The most populous tree found in the park is the Beech Tree, which covers nearly 73% of the entire forested area. After the Beech Tree, the next populous tree is the Fir Tree. The Fir Tree comprises about 22% of the park’s forests. The forests are full of some of the most breathtaking natural sites known to man and combined with the majestic splendor of the lakes and the waterfalls, it is no wonder why Plitvice Lakes National Park is revered as one of the most amazing parks in the world.
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