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Krka is an unmissable destination in Croatia, not only for nature lovers, but also for all other visitors - local and foreign.
The most famous and most visited is Skradinski buk, the longest travertine barrier in Europe. Around it, over wooden bridges, there is an almost two-kilometer-long path that passes through a network of water mills.
However, the national park is also known for its rich flora and fauna, which, due to the implementation of protection measures, began to recover significantly.
"By limiting both the number of visitors and swimming, the footprint of people on the area is smaller. As soon as the footprint of people is smaller, nature uses it in the best possible way. So, the otter, the turtle, the white-legged crab that we didn't have on the Krka for years have returned, now they are back recorded", she said to HRT Gordan Goret, expert manager of NP Krka. The vegetation is more lush, and the travertine is also recovering, she added.
Ordinance on the protection and preservation of the Krka National Park
Strict measures were introduced several years ago, so these excellent results are expected. Namely, in 2020, a new one entered into force Rulebook on the protection and preservation of the Krka National Park whose fundamental determinant is the protection of natural processes and biological diversity of this area.
With the intention of implementing active conservation and revitalization measures and harmonizing cooperation and activities with the local community, the Ordinance brought news in accordance with long-term strategic goals and new sustainable management measures.
The entire survival of the Krka river basin and its wildlife rests on the development of travertine barriers, so it is preservation of tufa deposition process the fundamental goal of the Krka NP Public Institution.
For this reason, the new Ordinance was adopted from January 1, 2021. ban on bathing in NP Krka.
The protection zone includes pre-natural ecosystems such as grasslands, pastures, water habitats and others, which for the purpose of long-term preservation require the implementation of active management measures for maintenance or restoration.
Active conservation and revitalization measures are allowed in targeted protection zones, without which the essential characteristics of the area would change.
Redirecting visitors
In order to relieve the noise of Skradinski, visitors are directed to other parts of the park. Nella Slavica, director of NP Krka, said that she is extremely happy that visitors have discovered the middle and upper course of the river, but also that they like boat trips.
The area along the Krka, in addition to the preserved nature, also reveals the story of the coexistence of man and water. Namely, on Skradinski buk there are restored mills, rolling mills and stupas, which have been using the power of the water flow for centuries.
While respecting the traditional architectural value, some mills have been arranged as souvenir shops, while others have been turned into exhibition spaces with ethnographic collections.
"In the past, mills were of exceptional economic importance, and today they represent cultural and historical heritage. They are a witness of a time and proof of the eternal connection between man and water - water as a driver and water energy that meant life, and it still means today", she told HRT Mihaela Lemac, interpreter at Krka National Park.
Tourists are delighted
Here you can also enjoy a rich autochthonous gastronomic offer. Dear Pletikosa, the owner of a rural household on Roški Slap, pointed out that pancetta, prosciutto, and cheese were always eaten there, and good wine was also drunk.
It is precisely this combination of nature and rich heritage that tourists are delighted with.
Tourist from Australia she told HRT that it is really wonderful here and that they spent "the most wonderful day". They started from the spring with the hope that during the afternoon they would be able to visit as much of the park as possible.
He is also delighted Stefan from Germany, and his compatriot, Melanie, thinks that it is great for children here - her whole family enjoyed nature. He points out that it is nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Lia, a tourist from France, said that it is beautiful and that the waterfalls are magnificent and the nature is enchanting.
There are more visitors than last year's October, according to NP Krk, but now it is being done strict supervision their impact on this protected area. It is obvious how this brings positive results.
