Velebit: a Mountain in Croatia Transdniestr Eurostar Connections the Home of the Moravian Brethren Checking Airline Routes on the Web

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Velebit: a Mountain in Croatia Transdniestr Eurostar Connections the Home of the Moravian Brethren Checking Airline Routes on the Web issue 22 — september 2008 € 7,00 / £ 4.85 hidden europe the magazine exploring Europe’s special spaces including Germany: along the Moselle river Velebit: a mountain in Croatia Transdniestr Eurostar connections the home of the Moravian Brethren checking airline routes on the web www.hiddeneurope.co.uk source: hidden europe 22 (September 2008) text © 2008-2009 Rudolf Abraham feature copyright of images as indicated cover picture hidden europe 22 © Eric Gevaert www.hiddeneurope.co.uk Velebit — a mountain in Croatia by Rudolf Abraham elebit, we are told in the words of an This stark upland, just a stone’s throw from old Croatian folk song, is the haunt the Adriatic, includes two of Croatia’s eight V of fairies. It is a strangely beautiful national parks. Sjeverni Velebit, in the north, place, its wind-scoured heights characterized by was created in 1999 and is the country’s new- areas of bizarrely sculpted and weathered rock, est national park. Further south is Paklenica, studded with thickets of dwarf mountain pine, established in 1949. The entire region is also 14 and pierced by some of the deepest sinkholes a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, yet its in the world. In winter, it is transformed into a southern slopes remain strewn with landmines snowbound landscape like something out of a from the 1991–1995 war. painting by Caspar David Friedrich. Wild, eerie, Velebit forms part of that long, sinuous and fractured and disjointed. loosely defined range of mountains known as the Dinaric Alps. Stretching from the Slovenian above: Rossijevo sklonište and Pasarićev kuk viewed from Varnjača kuk, a precarious ridge in Sjeverni (Northern) border in the north, these run down through Velebit (photo by Rudolf Abraham) Croatia parallel to the coast, on through Monte- hidden europe 22 / September 2008 Oj ti vilo, vilo Velebita, Ti našeg roda diko, Tvoja slava jeste nama sveta, Tebi Hrvat kliko. Oh fairy, fairy of Velebit, The pride of our nation, Your glory is precious to us, Croats delight in you. from ‘Vila Velebita’, a Croatian folk song negro and into Albania, later to re-emerge as in the 1991–1995 war as a volunteer, and was the Pindus Mountains in Greece. The familiar killed by a sniper. Another sinkhole, Patkov gušt, golden bumps of the Croatian archipelago — has a single vertical drop of over five hundred those dark bronze islands, on a sea at once green metres — the second largest in the world. Fur- and hard as glass, to paraphrase Rebecca West ther south, the bizarre rock formations of Bačić — constitute merely the eroded tops of various kuk and Bojinac protrude from the landscape outer ridges of this mountain range, now part- like so many stumpy, petrified fingers. ially submerged beneath the waters of the Adri- Velebit is also a mountain of winds. The 15 atic. Many visitors to Croatia pass beneath the most notorious of these is the bura, which ramparts of Velebit as they drive along the all- blows over the mountains from the Lika basin, too-crowded coast road. But few are the travel- descending onto the Adriatic to wreak havoc lers who venture up onto its heights. among fishermen. Its gale-force blasts were Ages of chemical weathering have left their described by the eighteenth-century Venetian mark both above and beneath the surface, and traveller Abbé Alberto Fortis as having the force Velebit displays all those features so distinctive to pick up children and dash them against the of a karst landscape. This is limestone coun- walls of houses. It could even knock over horses try, pitted with potholes and caves. These karst laden with salt. The bura played havoc with the feature s are at their most impressive in the pro- Venetian ships that used to ply the channels tected areas of Hajdučki kukovi and Rožanski kukovi in the north, which form a quite labyrinthine succes- sion of shattered tops and rocky dells. The area has a complex under- ground drainage system, and is rid- dled with caves and some alarming- ly deep sinkholes — most notably Lukina jama, which from its en- trance in Hajdučki kukovi plun ges well over a thousand metres into the depths of the mountain. Only discovered in 1992, it is named after a local caving enthusiast who joined a mountain division (gorski zdrug) right: Južni (Southern) Velebit and Paklenica, viewed across the Velebit Channel from the village of Vinjerac (photo by Rudolf Abraham) hidden europe 22 / September 2008 Južni (Southern) Velebit and Paklenica, viewed across the Velebit Channel from the village of Jovići (photo by Rudolf Abraham) between the islands and the Croatian coast, an — are generally built with no windows or ter- 16 inshore wate r route known to the Venetians as races facing east. the Canale della Morlacca. Running for some fifty kilometres through “Puše bura” say the local fishermen across the very heart of northern and central Velebit the Velebit Channel, looking knowingly over is Premužićeva staza. This wonderfully engin- the waters at the wall of mountains on the other eered track was built during the early nineteen- side, slashed by the twin gorges of Velika and thirties under the direction of Ante Premužić, a Mala Paklenica: “the bura is blowing”. On such local forestry engineer, using local labour and a day, wisdom dictates that small fishing boats thus ensuring a regular income for local work- should remain safe at their moorings. In defence ers during this period of economic hardship. against this wind, houses in villages such as Backbreaking work. Winding its way among the Jovići across the Velebit Channel from Paklenica crags of Rožanski kukovi, the path forms part of — which might otherwise boast some of the the Velebitski planinarski put, Croatia’s longest finest views in Croatia from their living rooms hiking trail, which stretches one hundred kilo- getting to Velebit Velebit is very easily reached. The E65 Adriatic then taking a bus down the coast, is really the most coast road (locally called the Jadranska magistrala) practical option for the northern part of the range; hugs the coast from Rijeka south via Senj towards for the southern areas, Starigrad-Paklenica can be Zadar. Along the way there are several access points reached by bus from Zadar or elsewhere on the into the nearby hills. Buses run regularly along the coast. coast road. Zavižan is best accessed from the village of The nearest airports are at Zadar and Rijeka Gornja Klada on the coast (22 km south of Senj), (where the airport is actually located on the island of from where it is a four hour hike up to the hut, with Krk). For rail travellers the station at Gospić, on the some lovely views out across the Adriatic. There is Zagreb–Split line, gives access to the eastern side a road too — but that would be cheating. Further of Velebit — although onward transport from here south, the gorge of Velika Paklenica is easily is somewhat limited. Travelling by train to Rijeka, accessible from the town of Starigrad-Paklenica. hidden europe 22 / September 2008 map: Velebit towers above the Croatian coast and overlooks the islands of Rab and Pag (map courtesy of Collins Bartholo­ mew Ltd; scale 1:1,750,000) metres from the village of Oltare in the north to the gorge of Velika Paklenica in the south. Scattered through this landscape are a number of well-preserved hamlets — small clusters of low-roofed, stone cottages, such as Marasovići and Parići in Paklenica National Park; others, such as Skorpovac, are little more than ruined shells, long abandoned. There is a small church at Veliko Rujno in southern Velebit, to which the locals travel on 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption (Velika Gospa). After Mass, there is a picnic on the open grasslands outside. An enormous metal cross was erected here a few years ago, paid for by the inhabitants “Puše bura” say the of a small village local fishermen across on the coast. An- the Velebit Channel, other, older, cross stands on the bleak, looking knowingly rounded summit of over the waters at Sveto brdo (Holy the wall of mountains Mountain), at the on the other side: southern extrem- “the bura is blowing”. ity of Paklenica Na- tional Park. Moun- rest and lay the body on the ground at one point tain peaks, it would only, before continuing. This point would later seem, have lost none of their associations with be marked by a stone slab, called a mirilo, and it the Gods. was to this place that relatives would later come In the north of the range, near the to pay their respects. The tradition died out in beginning of the forestry trail, is Zavižan — a the nineteen fifties, but its memory survives in meteoro logical station run by the ever-friendly place names such as Martinovo mirilo, above Ante Vukušić and his family. It also doubles as Mala Paklenica. a mountain hut. The Vukušić family hails from Over the years, Velebit has provided an the small village of Gornja Klada on the coast, i deal refuge for outlaws and rebels. It was after from where it is some four hours on foot, or all from the port of Senj, at the northern end 17 considerably less by car, up to the hut. My first of Velebit, that the Uskoks launched their pirat e visit to this village was particularly memorable raids against the Ottoman (and Venetian) fleets for the sight of a pear tree bristling with glass on the Adriatic; and it was from Velebit and bottles. These bottles would later be ‘picked’, other mountainous areas of Croatia that the along with the fruit which had grown inside Hajduks harassed and harangued the Ottomans, them, and filled with homemade rakija.
Recommended publications
  • Nature Parks in the Republic of Croatia
    Cigrovski-Detelić B., Tutić D., Udovičić D. (2010). Nature Parks in the Republic of Croatia. In: D. Kereković (ed.). Space, Heritage & Future. Croatian Information Technology Association – GIS Forum, University of Silesia, Zagreb, 82-92. NATURE PARKS IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA Brankica Cigrovski-Detelić, Dražen Tutić, Dino Udovičić University of Zagreb, Faculty of geodesy Kačićeva 26, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia Abstract Environmental protection, the preservation of biological and landscape diversity, and rational usage of natural resources and energy in the most convenient way are the basic conditions of healthy life and the fundament of a sustainable development of every country. The nature and natural values are of great interest for the Republic of Croatia, and they are particularly protected, which is also legally regulated. There are altogether 11 nature parks in the Republic of Croatia: Biokovo, Kopački rit, Lonjsko polje, Medvednica, Papuk, Telašćica, Velebit, Vranko Lake and Učka. The paper presents the particularities and geographic position of all Croatian nature parks. Key words: Nature Park, natural resources, environmental protection 1. INTRODUCTION Nature Park is, according to the Environmental Protection Act of the Republic of Croatia (National Gazette 162/03) regionally natural or partly cultivated land and/or sea area with ecological properties of international or national significance, with emphasized landscape, educational, cultural and historical, and tourist and recreation values. In the Republic of Croatia there are altogether 11 nature parks: Nature Park Biokovo, Nature Par Kopački rit, Nature Park Lonjsko polje, Nature Park Medvednica, Nature Park Papuk, Nature Park Telaščica, Nature Park Velebit, Nature Park Vransko Lake, Nature Park Učka, Nature Park Žumberak – Samobor Mountains and Nature Park Lastovo islands.
    [Show full text]
  • Park Prirode Velebit
    Park prirode Velebit Dužina: 145 km, Vratnik – okuka Zrmanje Širina: Prosječna 14 km, max. 30 km, min. 10km. Površina 2 270 km2 Vrhova: 130 prosječne visine 1370 m. Sjeverni Velebit - vrhovi dosežu gotovo 1700 m (Mali Rajinac 1699 m), Srednji Velebit - vrhovi prelaze 1600 m (Šatorina 1624 m, Ograđenik 1604 m, Ograđenica 1614 m), Južni Velebit - vrhovi 1700 - 1758 m (Babin vrh 1723 m, Vaganski vrh 1757 m, Segestin 1715 m, Malovan 1709 m, Sveto brdo 1751 m) Park prirode Velebit • Ostala zaštićena područja unutar Parka prirode „Velebit“ temeljem upisnika zaštićenih područja Ministarstva kulture: • Kategorija zaštite Lokalitet • Strogi rezervati: Hajdučki i Rožanski kukovi (unutar granica NP "Sjeverni Velebit") • Botanički rezervati: Zavižan – Balinovac – Zavižanska kosa Visibaba (unutar granica NP "Sjeverni Velebit") • Rezervat šumske vegetacije: Šuma Štirovača na Srednjem Velebitu • Posebni geomorfološki rezervat: Cerovačke špilje kod Gračaca • Spomenici prirode: Velnačka glavica (paleontološki) • Značajni krajobraz: Zaljev Zavratnica (geomorfološki) Park prirode Velebit • KLIMA • Primorska padina – submediteranska • Kontinentalna padina – kontinentalna • Oborina • Vršni dio – max. južni Velebit > 3000 mm, • Podnožje – primorska padina prosječno 1188mm lička padina prosječno 1884 mm • Broj dana s maglom – 187 • Broj dana sa snijegom iznad 30 cm; • Primorska padina 0 • Lička padina 20-40 • Vršni dio 70 • Najviši vrhovi >100 Park prirode Velebit • Velebit – područje Nacionalne ekološke mreže – Važna područja za divlje svojte i stanišne tipove 31. Klepina duliba • 1. Cerovačka špilja donja 32. Ramino korito • 2. Cerovačka špilja gornja 33. Sadikovac • 3.Čavle špilja 34. Visočica • 4. Ivina jama 35. Veliki i Mali Kozjak • 5. Jama II kod Velikih Brisnica 36. Borov vrh • 6. Jama iznad Kugine kuće 37. Rončević dolac • 7.
    [Show full text]
  • CROATIA the Trail Running Paradise VELEBIT-PAKLENICA-ZRMANJA
    CROATIA The Trail Running Paradise VELEBIT-PAKLENICA-ZRMANJA CLIMBING TREKKING & TRAIL MTB Welcome to a World Biosphere Reserve, feel free to take a deep breath! elebit is the largest Croatian Vmountain range (2274 km2), deeply interwoven into the space, lives and consciousness of the locals. Due to the impressive beauty of the landscape, the variety of relief shapes, flora and fauna as well as the untouched nature, it was declared a Nature Park and placed in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (UNESCO, 1978) Numerous hiking trails, historical buildings, old regal trails, fortresses and sacred monuments are evidence of man’s centuries long relationship with this mythical mountain range. South Velebit is part of Zadar region in Dalmatia - the region of the sea, mountains, rivers, lakes and island. There are 4 National Parks (Paklenica, Kornati, Krka, Plitvička jezera) and 3 Nature Parks (Velebit, Vransko jezero, Telaščica), all within 100 km range! breathtaking beauty of Velebit A reaches its peak in Paklenica National Park, recognized for its monumental canyons vertically incised into the slopes of the mountain. On a relatively small area of a mere 95 km2 you will find exceptional landascape, over 4000 different fauna speceies, more than 150 km of hiking trails and over 400 climbing routes. The particular attraction of the area is the closeness of the seacoast, known as Paklenica Riviera. Along 20 km of seacoast gently laid out at the foot of Velebit mountain, Paklenica Riviera offers staying in a small places of preserved simplicity. Starigrad-Paklenica as the center of the area is a pleasent seaside resort as well as a traditional gathering place for hikers, climbers and all nature lovers who come to enjoy the beauties of the sea and the mountain.
    [Show full text]
  • PA-BAT) in Croatia TABLE of CONTENTS
    REPORT ADRIA 2017 Protected Area Benefit Assessment (PA-BAT) in Croatia TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 4 METHODOLOGY 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 7 MAJOR ECONOMIC VALUES 12 TOURISM 14 WATER 17 Widstrand Birdwatching is becoming a frequent tourist attraction in protected areas © Staffan JOBS AND NATURE PROTECTION 18 FORESTRY 21 INCOME FLOW TO PROTECTED AREA 22 STAKEHOLDERS MAIN POTENTIALS 24 IMPORTANCE OF DIALOGUE WITH STAKEHOLDERS 27 CHALLENGES 28 CONCLUSION 38 Published by: WWF Adria, Budmanijeva 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia For the publisher: Martin Šolar, WWF Adria director Authors: Andrea Štefan, Kasandra-Zorica Ivanić, Deni Porej Front page photos: Kornati National Park © Novena d.o.o. Design: Ivan Antunović Contact: [email protected] [email protected] Printed on eco-friendly paper February, 2017 Introduction The vision of WWF1 is to ensure that valid evaluation of protected Using this methodology, workshop participants assess economic and area values results in an increased interest, investments of higher non-economic/existential values (fulfilment of basic subsistence needs) quality and better conservation of natural values. Evaluation of eco- in terms of their benefits for different stakeholders. The benefits are system services provided by protected areas has a long-term impor- assessed at six possible levels: no benefit; minor or major existential tance for the local and national economy. It takes years of working benefit; minor or major economic benefit; and potential benefit. on mapping values, engaging key decision makers, changing policies and development of economic models which include natural values The PA-BAT has been designed to be used by protected area managers in their development plans.
    [Show full text]
  • Procjena Dobrobiti Zaštićenih Područja (PA-BAT) U Hrvatskoj SADRŽAJ Fan Widstrand
    REPORT ADRIA 2017 Procjena dobrobiti zaštićenih područja (PA-BAT) u Hrvatskoj SADRŽAJ fan Widstrand UVOD 4 METODOLOGIJA 4 REZULTATI I RASPRAVA 7 GLAVNE EKONOMSKE VRIJEDNOSTI 12 TURIZAM 14 VODA 17 Promatranje ptica sve je češća turistička atrakcija u zaštićenim područjima © Staf RADNA MJESTA I ZAŠTITA PRIRODE 18 ŠUMARSTVO 21 TIJEK PRIHODA DIONICIMA 22 ZAŠTIĆENIH PODRUČJA GLAVNI POTENCIJALI 24 VAŽNOST DIJALOGA S DIONICIMA 27 IZAZOVI 28 ZAKLJUČAK 38 Izdavač: WWF Adria, Budmanijeva 5, 10 000 Zagreb, Hrvatska Za izdavača: Martin Šolar, direktor WWF Adria Autorice: Andrea Štefan i Kasandra-Zorica Ivanić Fotografija na naslovnoj stranici: Nacionalni park Kornati © Novena d.o.o. Dizajn: Ivan Antunović Kontakt: [email protected] [email protected] Tiskano na ekološki prihvatljivom papiru Veljača, 2017. Uvod Vizija je WWF-a1 osigurati da valjana procjena vrijednosti zaštićenih Sudionici radionica uz pomoć te metodologije ocjenjuju ekonomske područja rezultira većim interesom, kvalitetnijim investicijama i i neekonomske/egzistencijalne vrijednosti (zadovoljavanje osnovnih boljom očuvanosti prirodnih vrijednosti. Procjena usluga ekosusta- životnih potreba) u smislu njihovih dobrobiti za razne dionike/kori- va koje pružaju zaštićena područja dugoročno je važna za lokalno i snike. Dobrobiti se ocjenjuju na šest mogućih razina: nema dobrobiti, nacionalno gospodarstvo. Potrebne su godine rada na utvrđivanju mala ili značajna egzistencijalna dobrobit, mala ili značajna ekonomska vrijednosti, uključivanju ključnih donositelja odluka, promjeni dobrobit i potencijalna dobrobit. politika i razvoja gospodarskih modela u čije su razvojne planove uključene prirodne vrijednosti. WWF je izradio procjenu koja može PA-BAT je osmišljen kako bi ga koristili upravljači zaštićenih područja pružiti početnu informaciju o stavu dionika o stvarnim i potencijal- te kako bi u suradnji s ostalim dionicima odredili važne vrijednosti i nim vrijednostima zaštićenih područja, a s ciljem što skorije integra- dobrobiti koje one donose dionicima.
    [Show full text]
  • Lepidoptera: Crambidae) New to the Fauna of Croatia
    Acta entomologica serbica, 20 20 , 25(1): xx -xx UDC DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3735368 THREE MONTANE GRASS MOTHS (LEPIDOPTERA: CRAMBIDAE) NEW TO THE FAUNA OF CROATIA TONI KOREN Association Hyla, Lipovac I 7, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Three species of grass moths (Crambidae) were recorded for the first time in Croatia. Udea alpinalis and Crambus ericella were found on the peaks of Mts. Guslica and Snježnik in Gorski Kotar region, while Catoptria pyramidellus was recorded on various mountain chains across the country. The discovery of three montane species in Croatia demonstrates the lack of Microlepidoptera surveys in these areas and the need for further research. KEY WORDS : Udea alpinalis, Crambus ericella, Catoptria pyramidellus, diversity , Gorski Kotar, mountains Introduction Grass moths (Crambidae) belong to one of the best studied Microlepidoptera groups in Europe, with a surprising number of available publications (Leraut, 2012; Slamka, 2006, 2008, 2013). However, the Crambidae fauna of many countries, especially in eastern Europe, has remained poorly studied. This is easily noticeable from the distribution maps published in a book series “Pyraloidea of Europe” (Slamka, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2019). Here, the highest occurrence of species is shown for Croatia, with a very limited number of records in eastern Europe. Only recently, a tentative checklist of all Pyraloidea of Croatia was published (Gumhalter, 2019). Although the checklist is based almost entirely on published papers and the examination of several smaller collections, it is useful as a good starting point to explore the Crambidae and Pyralidae fauna of the country. 2 T.
    [Show full text]
  • Full Day Excursions
    FULL DAY EXCURSIONS CITY & WINE TOUR: Zadar Sightseeing The 3000 years of rich history! Wherever you go or stay there were, before you, the steps of Illyrians, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Napoleon, Habsburgs ... Visiting the old city of Zadar, the antique Forum, the old Church of St. Donatus, the Cathedral St. Anastasia, museums, monumental Renaissance city walls and gates, old palaces, squares and narrow streets... Nin Sightseeing Nin is a former Croatian royal town and one of the most important cultural centres of the early Croatian state. The small Pre-Romanesque Church of the Holy Cross originating from the 9th century, also known as the smallest cathedral in the world, is absolutely a must-see. Take some time for a walk along this lovely town. Wine Tour and Tasting with expert guidance Over the recent years there has been a strong resurgence of wines being produced in the vineyards around Zadar. Today a small but growing group of vineyards are producing some excellent wines from grapes native to Zadar region. One of the best vineyards around Zadar is KRALJEVSKI VINOGRADI (Royal Vineyards) PUNTA SKALA. Join us for a wine tour through the vineyard with expert guidance and wine tasting in the cellar where you will get a lot of interesting information about the wine-making, about the wine specifics, the combination of wine and food etc. During the wine tour through the vineyard you will definitely enjoy a beautiful view of the city of Zadar and the islands. POŠIP - excellent white wine / CRLJENAK and PLAVAC MALI - red wine Full-Day Excursion includes: Transfer, Guide, Zadar & Nin Sightseeing, Museum Entrance in Zadar, Wine Tour and Tasting in the wine cellar with expert guidance.
    [Show full text]
  • Pristup Cjelovitom Tekstu Rada
    Nat. Croat. Vol. 24(2), 2015 281 NAT. CROAT. VOL. 24 No 2 281–292 ZAGREB December 31, 2015 original scientific paper / izvorni znanstveni rad DOI: 10.302/NC.2015.24.18 New contrIbutions tO the KNOwLeDGe OF THE butterfly FauNa of Mt VeLebIt and the NeighbOuring area of Lika (CrOatIa) Nikola Tvrtković¹, Rudi Verovnik², Leona Lovrenčić¹, Marijana Vuković¹ & Martina Šašić¹ ¹Croatian Natural history Museum, Demetrova 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia (e-mail: [email protected]) ²Oddelek za biologijob iotehniške fakultete univerze v Ljubljani, Jamnikarjeva 101, sI-1000 Ljubljana, slovenija Tvrtković, N., Verovnik, R., Lovrenčić, L., Vuković, M. & Šašić, M.: New contributions to the butterfly fauna of Mt Velebit and the neighbouring area of Lika (Croatia). Nat. Croat., Vol. 24, No. 2., 281–292, Zagreb, 2015. During the last eight years several surveys were undertaken to improve the knowledge of the but- terfly distribution in Croatia. In this paper we provide additional data for Mt Velebit for some taxa with poorly known distributions like Pieris (napi) balcana Lorković, 1970 as well as the first records forCart - erocephalus palaemon, Gegenes pumilio, Lycaena tityrus, Polyommatus escheri, Neptis rivularis, and Charaxes jasius. with the review of recently published data and our contribution, the number of species found on Mt Velebit has increased to 153 in all, which makes Velebit a mountain with a relatively great diver- sity of butterfly species. additionally, we include records of some species of conservation concern for the neighbouring area of Lika, for Polyommatus damon, P. ripartii, P. admetus, Lycaena dispar, Phengaris alcon (humid meadow ecotype) and Euphydryas maturna.
    [Show full text]
  • Bear Trail Bikepacking in Slovenia and Croatia a Sustainable Approach to Cycling That Has Minimal Impact on the Environment
    C R O A T I A Bear Trail Bikepacking in Slovenia and Croatia A sustainable approach to cycling that has minimal impact on the environment. With the help of experienced guides, your animal watching will be friendly to nature and its inhabitants A W I L D W E E K E X P L O R I N G B Y B I K E AThe programme is intended for all enthusiastic wildlife observers, photographers and bikers who would like to experience the magic of unspoilt nature and the power and appeal of the Slovenian and Croatian forests and their inhabitants first hand, by biking in nature. Although the programme is more than just about observing animals, since it requires the participants to cycle almost 400 km in total, it allows enough time for activities where one can learn many interesting facts that will place wildlife in a wider context, all with the help of experienced guides, and by watching bears from an observatory adapted for photography. The trip boasts remarkably well maintained routes, gorgeous landscapes and lush green nature. In the course of one week, the seaside and wild mountains resonate in an amazing symphony through the dense forests of Notranjska region and Gorski Kotar, the rocky Velebit mastiff, and beautiful beaches of the Croatian coast. D A Y T O D A Y P R O G R A M M E Day 1 Divača – Ilirska Bistrica Distance: 67km Elevation: 1550m The day starts at the UNESCO site, the world famous Škocjan Caves with the educational trail offering wonderful views of the deep collapse dolines, steep walls, the disappearing Reka river and the surrounding hills.
    [Show full text]
  • E525 January 2002
    E525 January 2002 Croatia Karst Ecosystem Conservation Project ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Public Disclosure Authorized Back2round: Croatia enjoys unusually rich biodiversity of global significance due to its geography, between the Mediterranean and Central-European continental climatic regions, and its geology, which is predominantly karst. The term "karst" originated in Croatia and is applied to a specific landscape and morphology characterized by the presence of limestone or other soluble rocks, where drainage has been largely diverted into subterranean routes. The globally prominent Croatian karst ecosystems host 3,500 species of flora (283 endemic), 12 species of amphibians, 36 species of reptiles, 200 species of resident birds, 79 species of mammals, and 64 species of freshwater fish, (11 endemic). Subterranean karst habitats support an ever increasing list of newly discovered endemic trogloditic (eyeless and adapted for an entirely subterranean existence) species and families. These include one new species, genus and family of leech Croatobranchus mestrovi. Croatia's subterranean biodiversity also includes the world's only known cave Public Disclosure Authorized sponge, the only known cave calm, and the only known cave polychaete worm. Croatia is famous for its karst freshwater ecosystems which include travertine/tuffa-building communities of micro-organisms. The resulting travertine barriers, some estimated to be over 40,000 years old, have led to the spectacular lakes and waterfalls now protected within two national parks - Plitvice and Krka. The global significance of Croatia's karst ecosystem is internationally recognized. Plitvice Lakes National Park is on the UNESCO's World List of Natural and Cultural Heritage. The Velebit Mountain Range is part of the UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program, and has been identified by the World Wildlife Fund's Forest Hotspot Initiative as one of the ten most important forest areas in the Mediterranean region.
    [Show full text]
  • {TEXTBOOK} Walking in Croatia Pdf Free Download
    WALKING IN CROATIA PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Rudolf Abraham | 272 pages | 01 Oct 2010 | Cicerone Press | 9781852846145 | English | Cumbria, United Kingdom Walking in Croatia PDF Book Croatia walking holiday, castles to coast Walk in style from Motovun to Opatija. Hidden Gems. See 9 Experiences. Boat Rentals 3. Almost a quarter consists of sea surface with scattered islands in the Adriatic Sea. Walking in Croatia, an introduction. Krka Wasserfall — Aussichtspunkt Loop from Poduriljko. Also See. Day 6 — Free day. See the Kornati National Park website for more information. Tailor made: Daily departures from April to October. Take a look through our walking itineraries below to start planning your next adventure in this magnificent corner of Europe! The result is a landscape of steep jagged escarpments , through which steep-sided gorges and canyons are cleft by the rivers draining the higher slopes. Walking Tour of Split Split. Segway Tours 1. Popular around Croatia. Booker travel agency Split. Honeymoon spot. Small group travel. Walking Tours in Croatia Immerse yourself in the authentic charm of Croatia on a self-guided walking tour. The islands are generally quite dry; the further away from the mainland the drier they get. A mountain hut in Risnjak National Park, a fantastic area for walking in Croatia. Walking in Croatia Writer The impressive waterfalls in Krka National Park. Travel Team If you would like some help or advice, or just want to discuss your ideas for your next trip, do give us a call. Day 6 — Free day. See 10 Experiences. Walk Day 5: approx 3 hours Today we propos e a liner coastal walk, walking along the coastal path from Baska Voda to the market town of Mararska, The trail leaves near our hotel heading South East on a developed coastal path, part of which is sheltered by a canopy of trees, again we pass older style holiday accommodation before moving on enjoying magnificent sea views before arriving at the marina of the small coastal village of Promajna for a break.
    [Show full text]
  • Za Kartiranje I Upravljanje Staništima U Parku Prirode Lonjsko Polje IMPRESUM
    JAVNA USTANOVA PARK PRIRODE LONJSKO POLJE PRIRUČNIK za kartiranje i upravljanje staništima u Parku prirode Lonjsko polje IMPRESUM Nakladnik / Published by: Javna ustanova Park prirode Lonjsko polje Lonjsko Polje Nature Park Public Service HR-44 325 Krapje, Krapje 30 Hrvatska / Croatia Glavni i odgovorni urednik / Editor in chief: Goran Gugić Uredništvo / Editorial board: Prof. dr. sc. Ljudevit Ilijanić Prof. dr. sc. Jasenka Topić Doc. dr. sc. Igor Anić Doc. dr. sc. Sanja Gottstein Valerija Hima, dipl. ing Dražen Ivaštinović, dipl. ing. Tajnica uredništva / administrative secretary: Marija Kušina Lektor i korektor: Ivan Jindra Fotografi je na naslovnici: Boris Krstinić Naklada: 100 primjeraka Tisak: ITG d.o.o. CIP zapis dostupan u računalnom katalogu Nacionalne i sveučilišne knjižnice u Zagrebu pod brojem 690755. ISBN 978-953-97950-8-7. This Manual fi le has been carried out with the contribution of the LIFE fi nancial instrument of the European Community within the LIFE05 TCY/CRO/000111 project “Central Posavina – Wading Toward Integrated Basin Management” SADRŽAJ Predgovor i uvod Vodena staništa Travnjañka staništa Šumska staništa Zakljuñne napomene Literatura Karta staništa UvodPredgovor Prema Zakonu o zaštiti prirode (NN 70/05.), stanište je jedinstvena funkcio- nalna jedinica ekološkog sustava, određena zemljopisnim, biotičkim i abiotič- kim svojstvima; sva staništa iste vrste čine jedan stanišni tip. Kartiranjem staništa, a to znači prepoznavanjem tipa staništa, određi- vanjem površine i geografskog položaja i unošenjem oznaka (kôd) i granice staništa u topografsku kartu, pregledno se prikazuju opće ekološke značajke nekog područja. Kao prikladan prikaz rasporeda i zastupljenosti različitih stani- šta u vrijeme kartiranja („nulto stanje“), karta staništa vrlo je važna podloga za 1 prostorno planiranje i uspješno gospodarenje prostorom, sukladno principima zaštite staništa.
    [Show full text]