April 15, 2020 - A powerful 17th and 18th centuries artillery weapon mačkula was guarded for centuries by the Nečven fortress.

A greatly preserved mačkula, still used today to celebrate the victory at the traditional manifestation Sinjska alka was found at one of the two gatekeepers of Krka River, the Nečven medieval fortress, in the near future connected by a hanging hiking bridge with the fortress Trošenj on the opposite side of the river bank. 

During conservation works on the Nečven medieval fortress in Krka National Park in March, archaeologists were exalted by a valuable finding of a powerful artillery weapon – the mačkula. The extraordinarily conserved bronze specimen, the precursor of today's mortar, was used to invade fortified settlements and enemies in deep cover. Mačkula (mortar, merzer) is a weapon that holds a special place in the Croatian warrior heritage. During the traditional manifestation Sinjska alka, every goal „u sridu“ ('in the middle') is celebrated by a shot from the mačkula. Its value is enhanced even more during the ceremony of the winner proclamation when several mačkula are shooting from Sinj's old fortified walls.

Systematic archaeological research of Nečven fortress started in 2011. and along with archaeological excavations conservation works of the fortress were accomplished. Metal and stone findings were conserved at the Krka NP conservation workshop.

„The specimen mačkula is another valuable finding that will complete the Krka NP archaeological collection and contribute to the valorisation of the cultural and historical heritage of our region“struck Nella Slavica, director of the Public Institute of Krka National Park, and explained that the conservation of the Nečven fortress is a long-lasting project to preserve heritage conducted along with preparatory activities for the future construction of the hanging hiking bridge between the fortresses Nečven and Trošenj over the Krka River canyon. „The bridge construction aims to keep and direct visitors towards upstream locations of Krka River canyon in order to present, among others, the Krka Eco Campus in Puljane, the Burnum archaeological site, the Oziđana pećina cave and the extraordinary Manojlovac waterfall“ pointed Slavica.

At the beginning of this year, conservation works on the remains of the north and northwestern parts of the Nečven fortress were accomplished along with several internal objects previously archaeologically explored. Afterward started the research of the polygonal tower in the lower part of the fortress. The mačkula was found in the bulwark of the hexagonal tower right from the fortress entrance.

Built at the beginning of the 14^th century, the Nečven fortress is one of the most valuable monuments of medieval fortification architecture in Dalmatia. It was owned by the Nelipić family for two centuries. In the 16^th century, Nečven is conquered by the Ottomans but a year before the final expulsion of the Ottomans and the liberation of the City of Knin in 1688 Skradin inhabitants took over Nečven fortress and from it guarded the border. Opposite Nečven fortress above Krka canyon Trošenj fortress proudly stands for centuries. Both fortresses represent valuable monuments of Croatian cultural heritage. Fortresses Nečven and Trošenj, built and owned by great Croatian families Nelipići and Šubići as part of the medieval defence system today are valued within Krka National Park.

Want to know more about Krka National Park? Here is the Total Croatia Krka National Park in a Page guide.

March 9, 2020 – Two new electric boats were presented at the Krka National Park, with the idea that they would contribute to the long-term nature preservation.

The two catamarans, built at the Dalmont shipyard in Kraljevica, will be able to transport a total of one hundred passengers, with four crew members, and they’ll be able to accommodate four persons that use a wheelchair.

They’ve been given very local names, Visovac and Miljevci, and will start transporting passengers in early April. The project through which they’ve been acquired was been presented recently at Roški slap in the national park, called ''The Unknown Krka: the Hidden Treasures of the Upper and the Middle Flow of the Krka River'’. One of the aims of the project is to develop sustainably and preserve the eco-system of the Krka river.

Nella Slavica, the director of the Krka National Park said that the electric boats are the most eco-friendly solution in protected areas. She added that all the activities within the National Park are about implementing high-quality solutions which influence the protection of the biodiversity of the Krka river long-term. The boats are built according to the newest and the highest eco and technological standards, which confirms the hundreds of years of know-how in Croatian shipbuilding.

Ivan Ivić, the owner and director of the shipyard, is also very proud of the work they’ve done on the boats. Visovac and Miljevac are the first electric catamarans built in their shipyards. They’re especially proud of the fact that those boats will operate within a Croatian national park and help protect the beauty of the park.

The electric catamarans have been built using the highest-quality aluminium, and the batteries and the propulsion engines in them allow them to have autonomy of around eight hours. Of course, the top of the boat is covered in solar panels, so when it’s sunny, the boats will have additional ten hours of autonomy. And since this is among the sunniest regions in Croatia, it’s obvious that this renewable source will be powering the boats during the summer season.

The Unknown Krka project is financed by the EU operational programme, and the project is worth over 80 million kuna in total. It includes numerous infrastructure interventions within the national park, the introduction of a lot of presentational and interpretational content for visitors, new walking paths and the improvement of the content management and visitation system. The ultimate goal of the project is to develop the national park and achieve better spatial and temporal distribution of visitors, which will improve their experience but also improve the situation in and around the national park in terms of economy, ecology and society.

January 18, 2020 - Swimming at the famous Skradinski Buk will be no more as of next year. 

HRTurizam writes that conserving and protecting natural resources and biodiversity are the main determinants of the new Regulation on protecting and preserving Krka National Park.

At a time when the world is facing the challenges of climate change, sustainability is becoming imperative for future development, especially in tourism, without talking about natural resources such as Krka National Park.

The overall viability of the Krka River basin and its wildlife rests on the development of travertine barriers, so preserving the travertine deposition process is a fundamental goal of Krka National Park.

To implement active conservation and revitalization measures and align cooperation and activities with the local community, the new regulations deliver innovations in line with long-term strategic goals and new sustainable management measures that underpin the future management plan and the pending spatial plan.

For this reason, there will be a swimming ban at Krka National Park from January 1, 2021.

However, since humans have coexisted with the river thus far, swimming will be allowed at the following locations: Stinice, Remetić - Pisak and the downstream of the Roški Slap.

Therefore, swimming at Skradinski buk, which was most attractive to visitors, will no longer be allowed.

“The public institution 'Krka National Park', before its 35th birthday, will adopt the most important strategic documents that will determine the path we want to take towards our mature years. What kind of ecosystem we will leave for future generations is our most important task and new regulations have been adopted following it. After many years of deliberation and research, considering the needs of both nature and us, who in one way or another use what Krka has given us, measures have been adopted that will contribute to long-term sustainable management and protecting nature,” said the director of Krka National Park, Nella Slavica, who added:

“The regulations are strongly focused on conserving resources and the richness of biodiversity, whether it concerns regulating visitor numbers, waste disposal, hunting and fishing or deforestation. The manner of using water and public water resources in sub-zones is clearly defined and obliges the users to submit annual work plans following the activities of the Institution.“

The regulations apply to employees of Krka National Park, residents of the National Park, property owners and right holders of real estate in the Park and their family members, natural and legal persons who carry out permitted activities, visitors and other users of the Park space in the area of Krka National Park.

Compared to the old 2011 regulations, the new one also provides a detailed explanation of the Krka National Park zoning, which includes management zones of strict and directional protection, as well as zones of use and subzones of settlements, visitor infrastructure, using natural resources and roads that are under the Management Plan, a 10-year strategy document and a zoning map attached.

"In the strict protection zone, the goal of management is to preserve natural processes and habitats and their components," emphasized the expert director of Krka National Park, Drago Marguš, who explained that “the directional protection zone encompasses non-native ecosystems: grasslands, pastures, aquatic habitats, etc., which for the purpose of long-term conservation require active management measures of maintenance or restoration."

“Active conservation and revitalization measures are allowed in the directional protection zones without which the essential characteristics of the area would be changed. Agricultural activities are allowed by the management objectives for the conservation of biological, geological and landscape values,” emphasized Marguš.

For example, this means that the mowing and traditional grazing of livestock breeds under human control is permitted, except on steep canyon slopes, Skradinski buk and Roški Slap, and visitor infrastructure subzones.

Hunting and fishing, on the other hand, are not permitted activities at the National Park. Because of its geological history, the Krka River is home to endemic fish species, and its banks preserve the habitats of numerous endangered animals. Therefore, it is considered a natural monument of the highest category and should be preserved for the future.

The new regulations, adopted by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy of the Republic of Croatia, were decided on December 21, 2019, which you can read here.

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

''Unknown Krka: Hidden treasures of the upper and middle reaches of the Krka river'' is a project being run by the Krka National Park public institution co-financed under the Operational Program of Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020. Its completion is planned for the 27th of May, 2020.

As Morski writes on the 15th of November, 2019, a grant from the European Regional Development Fund in the amount of 78,620,719.12 kuna was approved, while the total project value stands at 80,057,649.15 kuna.

The project includes a series of infrastructure interventions within Krka National Park itself, the design and introduction of new presentation and interpretation facilities, properly arranging footpaths, electrifying nautical traffic and improving the park's content management and visitation system. Krka National Park has explained what the project covers in more detail below.

The construction, decoration and proper equipping of the Eco Campus "Krka" visitor centre:

With the implementation of this project, the Eco Campus will become a unique destination within Krka National Park's offer. At the moment, works on the Temple of Nature natural history and presentation centre have been completed, for which a valid occupancy permit has been issued. The reconstruction of the building and the surrounding environment of the volunteer centre and the construction of an auxiliary building (engine room) have been completed and a work permit is expected to be issued soon.

Landscaping and the construction of the water supply and hydrant network and drainage system have now also been completed. The internal fitting out of the facilities still remains, abd documentation for that is currently being prepared. The opening of the Eco Campus to the public will occur upon receipt of all of the necessary permits, and no later than the deadline for the completion of the project.

The reconstruction and equipping of the interpretation centre: Krka - the well of life:

The centre relies on the fundamental role of the Eco Campus which has the key role of providing additional attractive content in the northern part of the park through the construction of an educational and presentation centre. Construction work on the site was halted on April the 30th due to the discovery of WW2 mines, which were immediately removed by the competent authority.

An inspection found that the mines no longer contained any explosive charges and as such didn't pose a risk to life or property. The ''NP Krka'' public institution implemented all of the procedures prescribed by law for the purpose of determining the safety of the works. Due to the justified suspension of the works, the contract term was extended for a period of five months.

Given the fact that the contractor didn't sign and agree to the addition of the contract and as such didn't continue with the works stipulated by that contract, the contract was terminated. In spite of the commotion, the completion of the construction of the aforementioned centre in Kistanje is foreseen by the deadline for completion of the project.

The repair, arrangement and proper equipping of three hiking trails:

Hiking trails are an extremely important part of expanding and completing the offer in the northern part of Krka National Park. Historic trails like Rimski put, Brljan - Manojlovac and Perice enable visitors to experience active walks and provide access to gorgeous upstream waterfalls. They also connect the Nečven fort with access to the left bank of the Krka river. The hiking trails are well-maintained and properly equipped, presented and open to the public.

The electrification of vessels:

The introduction of electric vessels will significantly reduce emissions and increase the transportation capacity of visitors. The more efficient redirection of visitors will allow for an increase in the number of visitors to midstream sites. The trial run has been carried out and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure has confirmed the names of the vessels, and their licenses and certificates are being obtained by the appropriate Croatian register, after which the vessels will be presented to the public and put into service.

The improvement of content and visitor management systems:

Building the necessary capacities for the sustainable and successful management of protected area resources, the integration of the surrounding area(s) through connecting with key stakeholders from the local community and the implementation of new educational programs will contribute to improving the quality of Krka National Park's visitor services. 

It will also contribute to overall visitor safety, the better preservation of natural heritage, and will attract more visitors into the northern part of the park. Within the framework of the aforementioned activities, an evaluation of the state of the park's management system was undertaken, an analysis of the reception capacity and a visitor management study (APUP) was carried out. The presentation of that study then followed. A security report on the use of visitor content in Krka National Park was also drafted. Thematic tourism products and volunteer programs are now being designed.

Publicity/promotion and visibility:

In order to improve the publicity/promotion and visibility of the project and the Krka National Park public institution, leaflets, brochures, posters, audio-visual presentations and a promotional film will be produced owing to the project.

Make sure to follow our dedicated lifestyle page for more.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 23rd of May, 2019, enjoying nature and the peace of the beautiful little island of Visovac is the main motive of the visitors who come here to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and to be filled with new energy. The peaceful draw of this island on Visovac Lake, between the Roški slap and the Skradinski buk, is something special indeed.

When it comes to the question of just why this unassuming little pearl of the Krka National Park has always been a place for prayer and reflection, or simply a place to take in the vibrant nature, it's best to seek the answer yourself.

Visovac was first settled by the hermits, more specifically deserters of the Order of St. Augustine, who built a smaller monastery and a small church dedicated to St. The apostle Paul on the island, the Franciscans then arrived on the island after their departure.

Since the mid-fifteenth century, the Franciscan monastery and the Church of Our Lady of Visovac have been located there, which together with the natural landscape itself, make for a truly unique little island. The monastery boasts a valuable archaeological collection, as well as a varied collection of historical objects and a valuable library.

The enchanting nature of Visovac Lake and Krka National Park was quickly recognised and valued by producers, and back in the 1960s, this little island was the ideal place, what with its untouched beauty, to play the location at which the Native Americans once lived, depicted in the adventures of Winnetou. Four years ago, there was yet another new trilogy shot at Visovac.

Boats are sailing to Visovac from Stinica and Remetić.

"On Sunday, visitors to the island will enjoy free transport the boats from Stinica and Remetić, but only when the departures for masses leave (09:30/45, 10:00/15, and 10:30/45, and the boats return immediately after the end of the masses). As for the rest of the days, the boats sail to Visovac at their normal price and with the regular cruise line for Krka NP,'' writes Visovac.hr

The National Park organises excursions by boat from Skradinski buk for which its wise to set aside around two hours. A somewhat longer tour lasts for four hours, and it includes the beauty of Skradinski buk and Roški slap, as well as including Visovac. The prices are from 35 to 130 kuna per person, and children get free tickets up until four years of age, reports PunKufer.

Make sure to follow our dedicated lifestyle page for much more.

Krka National Park has expanded its tourist offer by arranging fourteen cycling routes that connect the most attractive parts of the park. And now, all the benefits of biking within Krka National Park can be discovered in a single place through a new website specializing in cycling tourism - Krka Bike, reports HRTurizam on April 16, 2019. 

The site offers tracks for mountain and road cycling and trekking. All the tracks are circular and detailed, associated with various rest points and viewpoints, and apart from the basic gpx trails, the tracks are also displayed through video animation via the Relive platform. 

"The middle and upper streams of the Krka River are an ideal destination for those who want to spend their vacation actively in untouched nature because of their specific terrain configuration and natural phenomena in the environment. It's all about cyclists - from beginners to recreational to professional - everyone can find a real challenge for themselves,” said NP Krka.

There are a total of five mountain routes, designed for bicyclists with good physical condition and advanced bicycle management skills, and are driven by landscaped and unspoiled forest paths with ascents and descents that can have a higher incline. Road routes are characterized for road sports bikes on high-quality asphalted roads, on routes above the overall total length and different height profiles. They are intended for active athletes looking for physically demanding sports challenges. For active family outings in nature as well as for occasional recreationalists, there are six trekking routes, which combine riding on paved roads and good quality macadam roads, without technically demanding parts.

When planning a bicycle trip at Krka, keep in mind that tickets are charged for the entrance to Skradinski buk, Roški slap, the Krka Monastery and Burnum.

Five promotional videos for cycling tourism at NP Krka were also published on the park’s YouTube channel. You can find the Krka Bike website here. 

To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

Croatia boasts many a stunning national park, and the stunning NP Krka is just one on a list of must-see's when in Croatia, either on the continent or on the coast. How about experiencing what NP Krka has to offer on two wheels with the national park's brand new tourist offer for cycling lovers - Krka Bike?

As Morski writes on the 26th of February, 2019, Krka National Park has expanded its tourist offer to include bicycle routes that connect some of the most beautiful parts of NP Krka, revealing its sheer natural beauty to its numerous international visitors, not to mention offering them a few brand new cycling challenges as well.

Krka Bike comprises a total of fourteen routes, including five fit for mountain bikes (MTBs), three for road bikes (Road) and six trekking routes (Track) for a more enjoyable, less challenging bike ride. Along these picturesque bike routes, vertical signaling with the appropriate markings which state the track type will be set up. For example, the R-1 mark, the M-1 mountain sign, and the T-1 trekking mark.

Krka Bike's more challenging mountain routes are designed for bicyclists in good physical condition and who possess more advanced bicycle management skills, these paths take riders along properly looked after and yet still relatively undisturbed forest paths with ups and downs which provide a higher incline.

The road routes are characterised by high quality asphalted roads and are intended for more active athletes looking for physically demanding sporting challenges. For active family outings in nature as well as for recreational cycling, there are six trekking routes, on which riders cycle along properly asphalted roads to take in NP Krka's postcard-like scenery. All the routes, regardless of their classification, are circular in shape and are designed in order to facilitate the cycling, nestled in amongst some utterly jaw-dropping scenery.

In the cooler spring months, NP Krka is a far more welcoming place than it is during the warm summer months. With less people around and less sweat to wipe off one's forehead, exploring the less developed, but no less fascinating parts of this fairytale-like Croatian national park, is a must-do.

Make sure to stay up to date following our dedicated lifetyle page.

As Frane Saric/VL/Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 24th of February, 2019, a research and exploration vessel sailed to Šibenik-Knin County, along with all of its modern and sophisticated equipment, in order to properly track what is happening in the sea in that area of Dalmatia.

The Nature of Šibenik-Knin County (Priroda) public institution, in cooperation with the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Split has begun with numerous activities of scientific monitoring in the area of ​​the ecological network "Natura 2000 Ušće Krke", covering the area from Skradinski buk to the historic St. Nicholas Fort.

Šibenik-Knin County reported on the move and pointed out that the well-equipped IB BIOS DVA exploratory vessel is 36 metres in length, and is currently in Šibenik's waters. With an array of highly sophisticated equipment, it can explore complex physical, chemical and biological processes going on under the sea in the area.

"This important research, as part of the project worth more than 26 million kuna, will be carried out by a large number of scientists from the field of physical, chemical and biological oceanography of the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, and this will showcase the situation in the Natura area under the great pressure of tourism, maritime traffic, and construction,'' said Anita Babačić Ajduk of the aforementioned public institution.

The results of the monitoring will, as the county has already stated, serve as the basis for the popular-scientific presentation and an attractive exhibition in the city's future visitor centre.

The sheer importance of scientific research as the first step in tourism valorisation projects in this area was greatly emphasised, and Šibenik-Knin County has stated that the contract is worth 500,000 kuna. The contract is part of a local tourism valorisation project, which includes sampling and carrying out an analysis of the data with the aim of making an initial assessment of the status of the biological and oceanological indicators in that area.

The aim of the project is to preserve the biological and landscape diversity of Šibenik's underwater area, increase the area's attractiveness and educational capacity, and improve the tourist and economic potential, as was  reported from Šibenik-Knin County.

Through this project, there will, as has already been mentioned, be more visitor infrastructure arranged, and a range of new tourist products will be created with the help of the upcoming introduction of brand new educational and information content.

Make sure to stay up to date with more of what's going on in Šibenik-Knin County and beyond by following our dedicated lifestyle page.

Click here for the original article by Frane Saric/VL on Poslovni Dnevnik

Blogger Dražen Breitenfeld decided to try out some of the 500 kilometres of new bike trails in the Krka National Park. To begin with, he chose a visit to the Rogovo viewing point and came to the new Visitor Centre in Laškovica, which is the starting point for cycling through the most beautiful parts of Krka, reports tportal.hr on February 3, 2019.

The Krka national park offers fourteen cycling routes, from mountainous to relatively easy trekking routes, which will undoubtedly be exciting and highly-visited since even beginners will be able to master them.

In addition to Laškovica, the bike routes start from Skradin and the Eco campus in Puljani. These locations also have national park facilities where you can get all the information about routes, bike maps and everything else you need for a perfect getaway. Although it is still winter, when the weather is beautiful and sunny it is possible to enjoy a comfortable ride and the spectacular views of the Krka River and Miljevac plateau.

Laškovica can be reached easily and quickly from the A1 motorway, from the Skradin exit. Then you should continue to Plastovo and towards the Roški waterfall. After half an hour of driving, you will arrive in Laškovica. There is a large car park where you can leave your car and prepare for a bicycle ride, as well as a smart bench, an electric car charging station, and a nice bar where you can drink coffee, water or beverages. The trails are well-marked with blue markings and, apart from the number of the route, include the location which you are approaching, which is good for easier orientation, so you do not have to take out your map all the time.

The map should nevertheless be taken at the starting point when you pay for a ticket to enter the Krka National Park. You have to buy just a regular ticket for tourists, which is cheaper outside of the primary tourist season. It now costs 30 kuna; in pre-season it is 65 kuna, while in July and August you will have to pay 110 kuna.

The Trek 5 route from Laškovica to Rogovo and Dračevica is just fourteen kilometres long. You use an asphalt road from Laškovica towards the village of Rupa, but before the village, you turn left. The trail then follows a macadam path. A half hour ride later and on your left, you will see a phenomenal view of Promina and Krka. Soon you will come to a location where you will temporarily leave your bike. Nearby is Rogovo, from where you can see almost half of the national park. Downstream is the Krka river which expands into a large lake, and you can also see the Visovac island. Everything is blue and green, and you will want to stay there for quite some time. There are climbs on this route, but you will hardly feel them since they are very mild.

Another feature which you have to visit is the Roški waterfall, which can be reached by bike or car. It is about three kilometres away, and it includes a climb on your way back. It will take you at least an hour to visit the waterfall. The whole route number 5 will take you more than two hours, not including a detour to the Roški waterfall.

More ambitious cyclists can opt for the MTB Route 2, which is longer and has more climbs. It is 34.4 kilometres long and has 732 meters of climbing. Longer and more difficult parts demand more time and more serious planning. You should also keep in mind that in the park you must respect the rules – from protecting the environment to taking care of other traffic participants, especially hikers. You should ride your bikes only on marked tracks or roads.

Of course, it is best to ride in sunny weather, and there is no lack of it here. The national park area has about 2,500 sunny hours a year. The park hopes that the bike routes will attract guests to visit other parts of the park towards the middle and upper reaches of Krka and move visitors away from the popular Skradinski Buk.

They also plan to construct one of the largest suspension bridges in the world that will connect the two banks of Krka. When it is built, the bridge over the Krka canyon will connect two fortresses, Trošenj and Nečven, and the broader areas of Promine and Kistanje.

Translated from tportal.hr (written by Dražen Breitenfeld).

More news on the Krka national park can be found in the Lifestyle section.

For Krka National Park's 34th birthday, visitors will receive free entrance on Saturday and Sunday, January 26th and 27th - and on Thursday, January 24th, a concert will be held with the Four Tenors and Šibenik sopranists Nera Gojanović and Tea Slavica, accompanied by pianist Gordana Pavić, at the Croatian National Theater in Šibenik.