Page 108 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

106  CRO A TIA AREA B Y AREA

7 Krka National Park
Nacionalni park Krka
The park covers an area of 109 sq km
(42 sq miles) and was established in 1985 to
protect the middle and lower stretches of the
River Krka, which flow into the bay of Šibenik.
The source of the river is near Knin, and the
river begins its journey of 75 km (47 miles)
inside a canyon on the limestone plateau
behind Šibenik. It finally spills over into the
spectacular Roški slap and Skradinski buk Monastery of Visovac
In the middle of the lake is the monastery of Visovac.
waterfalls, forming a series of lakes and rapids It was founded by Franciscans in 1445 who were
surrounded by vegetation. The bird life in the joined by Franciscans from Bosnia in 1576. They
park is very varied. brought books, illuminated manuscripts and sacred
vestments with them.
Skradin
Once a settlement of Ðevrske
Illyrian and Liburnian
tribes, then a Roman town, Ðevrske
Skradin was a bishop’s see
from the 6th century. It is
one of the main access Smrdelje
points to the park; boats
go upriver from here to
the waterfalls.
Ićevo

Entrance 2 Bribirske
Mostine
Bribirske
Mostine
KEY
Bratiškovci Rupe
1 The lower basin becomes a
pool of emerald-green water in the
summer and is an attractive place
to sunbathe or picnic.
2 Around the lake families of
egrets and night herons can be Prukljan
seen perched on the branches of Visovačko
the willows or hidden among the Dubravice • Jezero Monastery of
Visovac
reeds. About 200 species of bird
have been counted here.
Prukljansko
3 Krka monastery was first Jezero
mentioned in 1402. Skradin
4 Lake Visovac is at the heart of Raslina
the park. After the waterfalls, the river
flows through a narrow valley and Nos Kalik
then widens to form the lake. Some
stretches of the banks are steep and .
others hilly with oak woods.
Lozovac
5 Skradinski buk is an impressive
waterfall that cascades from a height Šibenik
of 45 m (147 ft) down 17 steps over
a distance of 800 m (2,624 ft). Some Entrance 1
of the park paths, sprayed by the Šibenik
falls, pass next to what is one
of the most spectacular natural 0 kilometres 5
displays in Croatia.
0 miles 5
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp228–30 and pp240–45

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