"Krka National Park" celebrated 40 years with the opening of a new interpretation center

Krka National Park celebrated four decades of existence with the final conference of the project Unknown Krka: hidden treasures of the upper and middle course of the river KrkaThe event was held at the newly opened Nature Interpretation Center Krka – the Source of Life in Kistanje, which hosted numerous guests and visitors.

The conference was attended by the Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition Marija Vučković, the envoy of the Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, and representatives of the Central Agency for Finance and Contracting of EU Programmes and Projects (CAFC).

"In the past period, twenty projects with almost 100 million euros were co-financed from European funds in protected areas of the Republic of Croatia. The project Unknown Krka is special because it sends several important messages. Namely, it is about improving the natural and cultural heritage and building a visitor and interpretation center that will attract visitors to lesser-known areas of the national park. The project also contributes to the goals of sustainable development and tourism and will certainly stimulate socio-economic development. National parks can be leaders in promoting sustainable development and preserving natural and cultural heritage. We are proud of that. The 'Krka' National Park, as one of the most recognizable and best-preserved protected areas, has managed to preserve and enhance natural values ​​and valorize cultural and historical heritage", she said Marija Vuckovic, Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition.

The Krka Nature Interpretation Center - Spring of Life, which was officially opened on this occasion, has become the central access point to the western part of the Krka National Park. Thanks to modern multimedia solutions and interactive exhibitions, the Center uniquely introduces visitors to the importance of preserving water as a resource essential for life on Earth.

The conference highlighted the value of the project Unknown Krka, which is co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund. Total value of the project amounts to EUR 10.625.476,03, of which EUR 8.786.275,54 was financed from EU funds. The project encompassed a series of infrastructural interventions, the arrangement of pedestrian paths, the electrification of ship traffic and the development of new educational and presentation content, which further enriched the Park's offer.

"Investing in projects like Unknown Krka confirms our commitment to sustainability and the preservation of natural heritage as key priorities for the future. Under the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion, almost EUR 173 million has been contracted through 563 environmental protection and resource sustainability projects, of which EUR 393 million are grants, and of this, ten projects with EUR 24,5 million in grants have been contracted in the Šibenik-Knin County. These figures are not just statistics, they represent real, continuous investments in the preservation of natural resources, the development of green initiatives and the creation of more resilient, sustainable communities for future generations", he stressed Dragan Jelic, Director of the Central Agency for Financing and Contracting of EU Programmes and Projects.

The Krka Interpretation Center - Source of Life, thematically divided into several units, each of which interprets the theme of water and its meaning for life in its own way, conveys to visitors the story of the Krka River, its history, flora and fauna, and its role in the lives of the local population from prehistoric times to the present day through interactive elements and multimedia.

"Project completion Unknown Krka: hidden treasures of the upper and middle course of the river Krka marks a milestone in our efforts to present the Krka National Park in its entirety. By establishing the Krka Nature Interpretation Center - the source of life in Kistanje, we have rounded off the story of the valorization of the upper and middle reaches of the Krka River through innovative interpretative content. This project is not only an investment in infrastructure, but also an investment in education, preservation of natural values ​​and cooperation with the local community. At the same time, the project contributes to a more even spatial and temporal distribution of visits to the Park, which is crucial for the sustainable management of our resources.", emphasized the director of the Public Institution "Krka National Park" Nella Slavica and concluded:

"We are particularly pleased that the Center in Kistanje and the 'Krka' Eco Campus in Puljani connect people, history and nature in a way that enriches the visitor experience, but also stimulates local economic development through new employment opportunities and the promotion of local products. This is an example of how we can reconcile nature conservation with the development of rural areas."

Attendees were able to enjoy a tour of the new Center and learn about the rich natural and cultural treasures of the upper and middle reaches of the Krka River. The event concluded by emphasizing the importance of further cooperation with the local community and promoting sustainable development that contributes to the economic and demographic growth of this region.

Opening of the Center and completion of the project Unknown Krka They thus marked the fortieth birthday of the "Krka" National Park, which continues to delight visitors with its natural values ​​and educational content, while preserving this unique landscape for future generations.

Source and photo: "Krka National Park"