Croatia's 7th National Park - Krk Waterfalls in Croatia (Hrvatska)
Water, Power and Beauty
The Krk Water Falls (Slapovi Krke in Croatian) were collectively declared a Croatian National Park in 1985, making it the seventh of Croatia's eight National Parks. It supports bird, plant, and animal life, and promotes fresh air and water, making it an important ecological location in the somewhat inland, central Dalmatian area. It is also a very important scientific and educational area, providing an onsite learning site for research students, environmentalists, biologists and scientists.
A/C Electrical Power
The Krk Waterfalls was an important area for the pioneering developments of hydro-electric, or water powered electricity over 100 years ago. The Jaruga Power Plant was built in 1895, the first of its type in all of Europe. It began operations on August 28, 1895 only three days behind the Adams Power Plant in Niagara Falls. The mayor of Šibenik, Ante Šupuk (Shoo-pook) got permission in 1893 to access the waterfalls' natural power to convert to newly developed A/C power. With the electrical power generated, the modest Croatian seaside town of Sibenik became the third city in the world to have a/c current generated electrical power.
Three years later, the new Jaruga Power Plant began construction, which as been the main power plant location since 1903. The water flows directly from the force of Skradinski Buk to the entrance to the Jaruga Power Plant.
Spacious and Vast
Driving downward into a scenically divine rocky canyon about 200 meters deep, it's a slow and easy descent to reach the Park's location. There, several tributary rivers create the natural waterfall phenomenon. Those rivers are the Krčić, Kosovčica, Orašnica, Butišnica, Goduča, Rivina Jaruga and Čikola which meet at Krk. There are also two lakes at the base of the falls, the result of the cascading river water. They are called Visovačko and Prokljansko Lake. Visovačko is perhaps best known for its tiny island located in the middle. On it remains a Franciscan seminary built in 15th century, and an Eastern Orthodox seminary from the 14th century. Every thing in Croatia tends to be centuries old! (See the photo, below.)
Seven actual waterfalls result in their culmination. The largest and most impressive is called Skradinski Buk (SKRAD-een-skee- Boooook). This water fall is by far the most highly photographed. Combined, the seven falls make up 242 meters of waterfalls.
From the eyes of a child - a tour of Krk
Touring the National Park
Once you arrive, park your car and board a taxi-boat. You will need to travel by boat to reach the actual Falls location. Once in the park, there are wonderful wooden board walks providing leisurely strolling between the seven falls. I toured the falls in the Autumn of 2005 and it was a half day excursion - just perfect. The falls were still full of water and it was a spectacular sight.
As you may have noticed on the video, you can bathe at the base of the falls during hot summer weather! It is a place to both relax and unwind, as well as commune with nature. Daily tours during the summer bring tourists here from all over the world. Adult admission is 70 Croatian kuna; child admission, depending on their ages, ranges from 15 - 65 Croatian Kuna. With a conversion rate of 5 kuna per dollar, the cost in dollars comes to $14 or $3-$13 per person and this includes the taxi boat excursion.
Water Falls
Entering the Park
There are three entrances:
- Skradin (where the largest fall is located)
- Lozovac
- Rošci Slap
Skradin
Most people enter the national park at Skradin. After you park, taxi boats will escort you into the park from 10 am to 18 (6 pm). Tickets can be purchased at the kiosk in front. This is the main entrance to the falls. Those who want to walk around at a distance (for example, disabled people who do not want to hike around the park for hours) are able to observe the falls without paying park admission.
Lozovac
Located toward the top of the slope, this location is mostly used for commercial auto buses.
Roški Slap (Roski Falls)
Second in popularity to Skradinski Buk, this waterfall is too large to be seen in one day. The entrance is through the village of Siritovci, on the opposite side of the park.
Beauty and Power
Where is Croatia, and where is Krk National Park?
Krk is beautiful in the Autumn and Winter, too
The Jaruga Power Plant - a historical site as well
Comparing it to other Waterfalls
Here are some interesting facts about waterfalls around the world:
- Tallest Waterfall in the World: Victoria Falls, located on the African continent on the Zambian-Zimbabwe border, which is over one mile long.
- Most Powerful Falls in North America: Niagara Falls at the US - Canadian border.
- North American: Fourth Tallest - Yosemite Falls at Yosemite National Park, 739 meters.
- European: Venta Rapid, located in Latvia, is Europe's widest waterfall.
- Asian: Jog Falls, in Karnataka India is the home of India's most famous waterfalls
- Detian - Ban Gioc is the world's fourth largest international falls, located at the Vietnam-Chinese border.
- World's Tallest Falls: Angel Falls in Venezuela, South America at 979 meters high.
- World's Second Tallest Falls: Tugela Falls in South Africa, which is 947 meters high.
Have you been to any waterfalls
Have you been to any waterfalls listed above?
Seven waterfalls at the Croatian National Park
- ::: Nacionalni park Krka :::
Here is a video showing the "pride of Dalmatia" natural water fall site and national park. Krk is pronounced Kirk, and consists of five tributary rivers. With seven waterfalls, it's a national treasure and wild life reserve
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yours truly,
EuroCafeAuLait
