Nature at its finest – Plitvice lakes

We are taking you into the magical world of untouched nature and breathtaking landscapes. Join us at the International Summer School at Algebra University College and visit Plitvice Lakes National Park, the place in Croatia that all the world wants to see.

Plitvice lakes

Plitvice Lakes National Park, colloquial Plitvice (pronounced [plîtʋitse]) is one of the oldest and the largest national parks in Croatia and a Protected Natural Value of Croatia. In 1979, Plitvice Lakes National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage register.

The national park is world-famous for its lakes arranged in cascades. It became famous during the 1960s and 1970s through several Western film productions of Karl May novels. Many scenes have been shot on the lakes or waterfalls. Ever since millions of tourists visit Plitvice annually.

What can we see there?

The National Park is underlain by karstic rock, mainly dolomite and limestone with associated lakes and caves, this has given rise to the most distinctive feature of the lakes.  Currently, 16 lakes can be seen from the surface. These lakes are a result of the confluence of several small rivers and subterranean karst rivers. The lakes are all interconnected and follow the water flow.

The highest waterfalls are the Large Waterfall 78 meters tall (Croatian Veliki slap) at the end of the Lower Lakes, over which the Plitvica river falls, and Galovački buk, 25 meters tall at the Upper Lakes.

Plitvice are the most beautiful in winter or summer?

In January, the average temperature is 2.2 °C (36 °F). During the summer months of July and August, the temperature rises to 17.4 °C (63 °F). During summer time you can enjoy the pleasant temperatures and admire crystal clear water, watch the fishes in the water, ducks, frogs, birds, immense green landscapes and huge waterfalls.

If you come during winter months you will witness a totally different dimension of beauty. White winter shapes of snow and ice give an impression of being in a fairytale.

It’s hard to decide which season is better. Finally, it will depend on your own preferences but we advise you to visit Plitvice in both winter and summer time.

Rare species and wild life

With regard to plant and animal diversity, the area of the Plitvice Lakes belongs to the most significant areas of Croatia, due to climatic conditions and on the other hand due to the location of this area, since the lakes are far away from polluted and noisy cities or industrial plants.

For reasons of the poor industrial development of this region and early introduced protection measures, a nearly untouched landscape has been preserved. In the partially primeval beech and fir forests various rare species, such as the brown bear have survived. Plitvice Lakes are also home to many kinds of bats, eagles, olms, turtles…