TELAŠČICA-a large cove on the island Dugi Otok, VRANSKO JEZERO-a lake and cryptodepression, BIOKOVO-a mountain along the Dalmatian coast, PAKLENICA-the most attractive parts of southern Velebit, KORNATI-the most indented island group in the Mediterranean, KRKA-in limestone it forms a narrow and deep canyon creating waterfalls, MLJET-one of the most beautiful island in the Adriatic
TELASCICA, a large cove in the extreme south of the island Dugi Otok; around 10 km long and between 160 and 1,800 m wide, with several expansions with sandy and mud bottoms; the depth in the inner part attains 12 m, and in the outer part reaches up to 60 m. The eastern coast comprises the inlets Cuska, Dumboka, Oscenica, Gozdenja, Rakvic, Krasevica and Mangrovica, while the coves Strizna, Tripuljak, Mir, Jaz and Pasjak are in the west. The western expansion comprises the small islands Donji and Gornji Skolj, the central part the islet of Farfarikulac, and the cliffs Gozdenja, Galijola and the small island of Korotan are in the eastern part which reaches the islands of Velika Aba and Katina. The north-eastern coast of Telascica is predominantly bare, and the south-eastern part is covered by forest of pine, olive and fig trees; macchia, interspersed with forests, grows further from the coast. The southern coast of Telascica is separated from the sea by a narrow, forested crest, terminating in a 50 to 100-m high and steep seashore. A brackish lake (beach) is located in this region; area 0.23 sq km; depth 5.8 m. Telascica is one of the largest and most beautiful coves on the Croatian coast. A path from the western part of Telascica leads to the village Sali, situated on the eastern part of the island. The cove represents good anchoring ground and shelter for yachts.
The following sentence could best describe the beauty of Telascica, visited by many tourists in form of guided Excursions: "When God created the universe, he was particularly generous to this place". The cove has 25 inlets, five islets and a special natural attraction - the salt lake. The medicinal lake water has a higher salt content and temperature from the surrounding sea, being thus especially attractive for swimmers. The steep cliffs, rising up to 166 m and protecting the cove from the raging sea, are very impressive. The mysterious legends of buried gold and strange original inhabitants with five small horns on their heads fit into this marvellous and beautiful scenery. Boaters and visitors to this cove, one of the best-protected on the Adriatic Sea, can enjoy a safe yachting experience as well as top-quality fish food and domestic wines. Kornati National Park is not far from Telascica (1.6 Nm).
VRANSKO JEZERO ( VRANSKO LAKE ), a lake and cryptodepression in Ravni Kotari, northeast of Pakostane; area 30.1 sq km (length 13.6 km, width up to 2.2 m, depth up to 3.9 m). The water, supplied by the Skorobic brook and sev-eral springs, flows beneath the ground and through the artificial canal Prosika (850 m) into the bay of Pirovac. The highest summits in Ravni Kotari (standarac, 305 m), offering a nice view on the hinterland and the coastal strip, rise along the north-eastern, forested shore of the lake. The lake is rich in fish ( carps, mullets, eels, etc. ). The area comprising 30 hectares is designated a special ornithological reserve. The easiest access to the lake is from the main road at Pakostane (400 m) or from Prosika. Today one of the famous freshwater fishing grounds in this part of Europe, known among Australians, Germans, Italians and other nations. Fishing can be individual or organized, as well as excursions to the lake.
BIOKOVO, a mountain along the central part of the Dalmatian coast. In the north-west, the Dupci Pass (288 m) separates Biokovo from the Omis part of Dinara Mountain; in the south-east, a steep limestone mountain range continues all the way to Bacina, i.e. to the area around the Neretva mouth (36 km long, up to 9.5 km wide). Biokovo descends toward the sea in very steep and bare limestone rocks, under which is a narrow and green littoral belt. Major peaks include: Sv. Ilija (St. Elias) (1,640 m), Sibenik (1,314 m), Stropac (1,145 m), Vrsac (1,411 m), Sinjal (1,333 m). Only a couple of trails for people and animals lead along limestone cliffs. Sparse forests, barren karst valleys and scanty pastures offer rather limited resources. Permanent and temporary water sources appear on the point of contact between limestone rocks and the Primorje flysh zone, important for the villages and crop farming. Coastal settlements developed in the 19th century ( Makarska, Baska Voda ), winning an important role in traffic and trade after the construction of roads around Biokovo. In recent times, beauties of the landscape under Biokovo and tameness of its littoral attract many foreign visitors, facilitating thus a more rapid development of tourism. Biokovo offers several mountain lodges: the mountain lodge under Vosac, another one under the Sveti Jure peak and the "Slobodan Ravlic" lodge at Lokva. The Biokovo Botanical Garden Kotisina has been established (1984) above the village of Kotisina, a horticultural monument (16.5 hectares) aimed at nature conservation, i.e. protection and cultivation of the Biokovo plant life.
PAKLENICA, includes the most attractive parts of southern Velebit, including its highest peaks. Two impressive canyons of Velika and Mala Paklenica, vertically cut into the mountain from the sea to the peaks are the main attraction of the park. In a relatively small area of the national park, there are several unusual carst forms, several caves, and extremely rich and varied flora and fauna. Among steep rocks, Anića kuk is the most popular destination of Croatian alpinists. In the upper parts of the canyon, a larger forest area has been preserved on the littoral side of Velebit. This, in addition to the existence of several vegetation and climate zones from warm Mediterranean to harsh mountain zones on the top of Velebit, largely contributed to it that this area was among the first in Croatia to be proclaimed a NP, first provisionally in 1928, and then definitely in 1949.
KORNATI ISLANDS, archipelago is the most indented island group in the Mediterranean, situated in North Dalmatia, not far from Šibenik. It includes 140 uninhabited islands, islets and reefs with the area of only 70 km2. In the immediate vicinity of the Kornati National Park, there is another jewel of protected nature in Croatia - the Telašćica Natural Park, which includes a spacious and deep bay of the same name on the neighbouring Dugi otok. The Kornati islands are noted for their varied unusual forms and extraordinary relief structure.
KRKA, a river in Dalmatia; springs out at the western foot of Dinara Mountain and flows into the sea near Sibenik; length 72.5 km. In the parts of the course where the Krka flows through marly soils, certain extensions are created ( Arandelovac, etc.). In limestone it forms a narrow and deep canyon ( up to 200 m ), flowing over travertine barriers and creating waterfalls. In the upper course are two 10-m high waterfalls. At the entrance of the Krka into the Knin field is a waterfall called Veliki Buk ( 20 m ). In the lower part of the course are the waterfalls: Bilusic ( 19.6 m ), Prijen ( 15 m ), Manojlovac ( three waterfalls; 84.5 m ), Roski Slap ( 25.5 m ) and Skradinski Buk ( 37.5 m ), the most beautiful of all. Between Roski Slap and Skradinski Buk is Visovac Lake ( 13 km long ) with an islet Visovac. Downstream of Skradinski Buk is the Krka river estuary ( about 20 km long ), in which freshwater mixes with saltwater. Part of the estuary is also Prukljansko Lake. The waterfalls were used for the production of electric power. The first hydro-electric power plant was constructed in 1898 near Skradinski Buk and the second one in 1906 near the Manojlovac waterfall ( hydro-electric power plant Manojlovac I ). The course downstream from Knin to the Sibenik bridge, comprising an area of 110 sq km, was set aside as a national park in 1985. The National Park may be reached from Skradin, by boat of the National Park, which goes upstream to Skradinski Buk. Another access to the Park is by car, to the entrance in Lozovac. From Lozovac -buses of the National Park take visitors to Skradinski Buk. The waterfall Roski Slap may be reached by car via Miljevci or via Skradin. The cruise from Skradinski Buk to Roski Slap includes also Visovac Lake, located between these two wonderful waterfalls. The tour includes also the sightseeing of Visovac and the Franciscan monastery on the islet. The monastery may be visited individually. In that case it is necessary to take the monastery ship on the Miljevci side of the coast of Visovac Lake, below the village of Bristane. The Park visitors may see the water mills in which cereals are ground with millstones and taste bread made of such ground cereals. There is also an ethnographical collection. Within the Park are several catering establishments.
The Island of MLJET is situated in the far South of Croatia, west from Dubrovnik, Croatia's best known summer resort. A national park of the same name includes a western part of, according to some, the most beautiful island in the Adriatic. The Park is characterised by two deep bays which are called lakes due to their very narrow passages to the open sea (Veliko and Malo jezero/ the Great Lake and the Small Lake), and lush and diversified Mediterranean vegetation.
Croatian National Tourist Board
