Krka National Park
If you chance to visit Croatia, you should certainly find some time for visiting Krka National Park. No one will ever believe you you've been to the place absolutely untouched by the modern civilization. So mesmerizing that you couldn't move...
Although getting to the park can be a challenge, it is really worth it. Once you reach Sibenik, take a bus to Skradin and then take a ferry ride to the Park itself. When you get off the ferry, follow the crowd and it will take you to the entrance. You cannot get there by car because driving on the territory of Krka National Park is forbidden.
Proclaimed a national park in 1985, Krka occupies the area of 142 km2, following the line of the Krka River, from its source at the foot of the Dinaric Mountains all the way through amazing karst landscapes to the Adriatic Sea. What makes Krka National Park one of the most romantic places on the planet is its seven waterfalls, with the widest one being Roski slap, and the biggest one known as Skradinski buk. It is not surprising that most visitors are spellbound by these two waterfalls and can't take their eyes off them, enjoying the power and roar of the water. The most crowd-gathering place overlooking the falls is in front of old stone house under the shade of trees. If you have the strength to stop looking at waterfalls, walk the miles of winding paths of Krka National Park, most of which follow ancient trails, and let the intricacies of harmonious sounds carry you into its magic world. On your hiking trip you will see a number of historical monuments and learn some bits about the park's curriculum vitae.
On an islet located upstream one can find a monastery of St. Archangel built in a Byzantine style and the fort Trosenj nearby. Another remarkable monastery is Franciscan and can be seen on the islet of Visovac. The old mills (19th c.), which have been turned into ethnographic museums, are also big draws for visitors, where they can see how flour was made in the days long gone. Those visitors who are into history would be also happy to have a look at Fort Klju-Hica, which is the best preserved medieval construction on the territory of the park. The valuable ancient site is called "the cave" and lies on the very top of the canyon rising above Roski slap. One more site worth a visit is a Roman military camp Burnum(1st c. AD) in Ivosevci.
This place is a real natural wonderland abounding in various species of plants and animals. 860 subspecies of plants have been found here, some of which are endemic Illyrian-Adriatic species. Moreover, 18 species of fishes live in the waters of the Krka River, 10 of which are endemic. 222 bird species identified there make the park an ornithologist's Shangri-la. It's great they have a place to be free and do various bird-things. As many as 18 species of bats are alive and kicking there, although their congeners which live elsewhere in the world are near extinction. The rules of the park are not as strict as in Plitvice so that visitors are even allowed to swim in the pools. If you are lucky, you can see ospreys lazily circling the river hoping to catch a delicious fish breakfast and touts perching along the reed beds.
When you enter the realm of Krka National Park, you will be overwhelmed by its untouched beauty and unbelievable romantic panoramas. It is nothing short of breathtaking!