Cultural heritage at Plitvice Lakes National Park

Welcome to the enchanting world of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, situated within the very coronary heart of Croatia. The area will entice you with its great nature, in addition to ample cultural heritage. Through archaeological discoveries, fascinating legends, extraordinary structure, charming mills dotted alongside the Korana river, and a dedication to preserving cultural heritage, we’re right here to introduce you to the connection that this magical nook of the world has with historical past and custom. Join us as we discover the fascinating world of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, the place we are going to look into the varied points of its cultural historical past, discovering its deep roots and the significance it has for contemporary society.

Archaeological analysis

The outdated city of Krčingrad is located on the peninsula between the Gradinsko and the Kozjak lakes inside the Plitvice Lakes National Park. The hill is protected by pure formations, in addition to a further defence wall constructed of out tufa ashlar and a triangular tower as soon as tasked with defending the one method to attain the city by land. Despite its extraordinary place and architectural formation, the historical past of Krčingrad is just about unknown because of a scarcity of preserved written sources. However, proof obtained by means of archaeological analysis means that its development in late thirteenth and early 14th century might be linked to the highly effective knez household Babonić. In addition to supervising the mediaeval business route traversing the Plitvice Lakes area, the outdated city of Krčingrad was additionally a present of the ability held by one of the influential noble households within the late mediaeval Slavonia.

In the Široka Luka and Plitvica Selo area, archaeological analysis uncovered stays of the church of St Mark, or extra precisely St George, first talked about within the thirteenth century. This discovery casts a brand new mild over the historical past of this area, particularly given the false indications of title-holders within the twentieth century. A complete of 13 graves had been discovered inside the church, relationship from the thirteenth to the fifteenth century, and so they had been all entrusted to the Anthropology Centre of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts for evaluation. The mysterious custom of pilgrimage to the ruins of the church of St. George on St. George’s Day provides extra aptitude to the area’s story.

Not solely does the archaeological analysis within the Plitvice Lakes National Park uncover misplaced cities and church buildings, but it surely additionally sheds a lightweight on the continuity of settlement, thus providing us an perception into the wealthy historical past of this lovely a part of Croatia.

Legends linked to the Plitvice Lakes National Park

Myths and legends are sometimes instrumental in shaping native tradition and historical past, and the Plitvice Lakes National Park is not any exception. The creation of this attractive Park is the topic of many legends, and every of the 16 lakes has its personal story and identify. However, one legend rises above the remainder – the legend of the Black Queen.

It says that had it not have been for the Black Queen, there could be no Black river and no White river, and with out the 2 of them – there could be no Plitvice Lakes.

According to this legend, as soon as upon a time, a drought took maintain of the area. The vegetation, the animals and the folks all prayed for rain, however the whole lot was dry, and nothing grew. The folks gathered on the Spring of Life and began sharing their deepest emotions – everybody however the richest and most egocentric man from the tribe, who refused to repent. The tribe elder forged him away, and as he did so, a rainbow emerged above the Spring, filling the folks with hope and pleasure. The Black Queen spoke then, answered their prayers, and as quickly as she left, clouds coated the skies and it started to rain. Once it began raining, it didn’t cease for days, till the water ranges rose excessive sufficient to kind lovely lakes. The first of the Upper Lakes, the Prošćansko lake, was named after the phrase “prositi” (that means “to pray”) as a result of it was born out of prayer stated by the locals. This legend of the Black Queen, her golden chariot, golden hair and fairies continues to be advised to this very day.

Architecture within the Plitvice Lakes National Park

One of essentially the most vital architectural monuments inside the National Park is the Hotel Plitvice, in-built 1958 in step with the designs created by a famend Croatian architect Marijan Haberle. The ground plan of the lodge is within the form of the letter T, with a number of storeys, and it consists of the lodge space providing lodging and an tour and financial providers space, all forming a single entire. The lodge blends completely with its pure environment, and when it was renovated within the Nineteen Nineties, it stored sure retro components making it a singular and charming place to remain. It is now thought-about protected cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia. There are different architectural websites price mentioning, such because the residential homes within the city of Mukinje, and the mill and sawmill powered by water within the Korana village, uncommon examples of preserved vernacular structure. The Krčingrad fort inside the Plitvice Lakes National Park is a uncommon instance of mediaeval structure.

Mills in Korana

In the enchanting village of Korana, named after the eponymous river meandering by means of the village, there’s a mill thought-about part of the cultural heritage of the Plitvice Lakes National Park. The village was as soon as dwelling to five repeatedly operating mills. All of the ability of the water entered the village by means of smaller waterfalls used for the primeval exercise of milling wheat into flour. A very long time in the past, mills made positive that the locals had flour and different grain wanted to feed their households. Although the mills had been deserted up till just lately, they’ve been renovated, which was difficult as no outdated constructing plans had been preserved. The renovation was profitable, and the mill is now good as new. This is just one of many examples of the preservation of cultural and architectural heritage within the National Park.

The preservation of cultural heritage within the Plitvice Lakes National Park isn’t solely our duty, but it surely additionally proves our dedication to preserving pure and historic values. Archaeological analysis, legends, structure and the Korana village mills bear witness to the deep connection of individuals to this space all through historical past. The integration of cultural heritage into the pure environment enriches the guests’ expertise and contributes to the general attraction and sustainability of the Park. The preservation of cultural heritage permits guests to immerse themselves within the wealthy historical past and tradition of this glorious area, making them the keepers of this invaluable heritage.