PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK
Natural Wonder
Birth of the Lakes
Through the process of sedimentation of calcium carbonate and the work of special kinds of algae and moss, tufa or travertine has been deposited, and is still deposited to form the natural dams that separate the lakes.
Since the process is going on today, just as it always has, new travertine barriers, curtains, stalactites, channels and cascades are being built and the existing ones are changing. As it is deposited, the tufa coasts the beds and banks of the lakes, giving the water sparkling beauty and petrifying trees and stones which fall into the lakes. The water keeps breaking through the travertine barriers at different places, so that the entire process of formation of lakes and dams is alive and very dynamic. This is, in fact, a continuous dynamic process of tufa formation, a unique, interesting natural phenomenon. Nature's construction work continues in undisturbed ecological conditions.
Caves
Beside the lakes are some interesting caves in which remains of prehistoric settlements have been found.
Plitvice Lakes in Numbers
Animal Life
These forests, which in some places seem almost primeval, contain a wealth and variety of animal and plant life. There are deer, bears, wolves, wild boar, wild cats, small game and many kinds of birds. The waters have excellent trout. Hunting, fishing and swimming are not allowed.
National Park
There are two entrances to the National Park (Upper and Lower Lakes). On the panoramic map these are marked 1 and 2. Big notice boards at each entrance provide visitors with basic information concerning walking trails through the Park and the locations of viewpoints, car parks, hotels, post office, bus stops, first-aid posts, etc. The trails are also marked on the tickets that visitors buy when enter.
