The Mrežnica is a beautiful river in Croatia which is well known for its cascades and travertines. About 100 cascades can be found along its course of 64 kilometres. Foamy cascade barriers and travertines alternate with green lake-like parts. Decelerated by these barriers, the river is an excellent biotope for frogs, water snake and other animals. The Mrežnica is appreciated as a place to swim or for rafting tours in the beautiful scenery of untouched nature.
Recreationists can admire water mills, whose primary function of grinding wheat or sewing wood has disappeared; their wheels do not produce flour, but they are exceptionally valuable as cultural heritage.
Tounj Bridge in the village of Tounj near Ogulin was built in stone. The bridge has two levels with three openings, crossing the Tounjčica River. The lower level was built in 1775, and the second level was added in 1836. This is the only bridge of this type in Croatia and this part of Europe. A pedestal in front of the bridge holds a statue of a Roman Soldier erected in 1775.
Rastoke is nicknamed ‘Small Plitvice’ as it shares some of the very features that make the Plitvice Lakes, situated close by, so popular. Like the Lakes, Rastoke too sits on a limestone barrier, and is blessed with a dramatically beautiful setting. This little village has grown along the edge of a respectable and robust waterfall where the Korana and Slunjcica rivers meet. These waters flow around and into the village, creating numerous streams and pools.
The serenity of the village masks a difficult, violent past. This region was one of the hardest hit during the war in the early 1990s. The entire village was horribly damaged. Homes were burnt down and the surrounding area was loaded with landmines and explosives. Since then, the region has undergone a successful restoration program carried out by the government. It has been de-mined and restored, maintaining the village’s architectural integrity.
The Radovna river cuts the Vintgar gorge deep between the hills of Hom and Boršt. The gorge is flanked by steep slopes overgrown with beech forests. It was discovered in 1891 by Mr. Jakob Žumer, mayor of Gorje, and Mr. Benedikt Lergetporer, a cartographer and photographer from Bled. Both were amazed by the beauty and the mysterious character of the natural attraction. Local people, however, have always viewed the gorge with awe and respect. In 1893 the gorge was opened to the public. Constructing a secured tourist trail through the wild gorge was a demanding and an extremely dangerous task. The roar of the fettered Radovna river echoes along the 1.600 meter long gorge, full of small waterfalls, rapids and erosion potholes where the river briefly slows down its pace. Trails, narrow passages and bridges lead a visitor to the end of the gorge, which is marked by the magnificent, 16 meter high Šum waterfall, the highest fluvial waterfall in Slovenia.
Radovna river in the morning haze
The Vintgar gorge also includes two man-made sights. The single-arch stone bridge of the Bohinj railway, constructed in 1906, which crosses the gorge 33.5 m above the trail, and the dam from which the water is routed to the small Vintgar hydroelectric power plant under the Šum waterfall.
Single-arch stone bridge of the Bohinj railway over small dam
For more dreamy photos of Vintgar gorge visit my photo stream.
There are scenes you simply cannot get enough of. Hallstatt no doubt is one of them. The picturesque location by the lake, the closely nested and towering houses, the flair of millenniums of history - all this makes Hallstatt one of the most photographed places in Austria. It first came to the attention of tourists as far back as in imperial times. While the Emperor and his court made their summer retreat in nearby Bad Ischl, a motley entourage of artists always followed. And so painters, romantics and travel reporters quickly spread the news of the beauty of Hallstatt across the region.
Iconic view photographed from "Römisches" district
The village with a population of 800 has lost nothing of its appeal to this date. People have been attracted for centuries to the village at the foot of the oldest still operating salt mine in the world.
Hallstatt's Market Square
And so I went to see its beauty for myself - its alpine houses, narrow streets, steep stairs, warm people, its untouched surroundings and of course Hallstatt's famous salt in 101 variants.
Take a look at more photos of this salty alpine pearl in my photo stream - click here.
That photo was taken in the bushes of Croatian isle of Ugljan. Terrain was very steep, so photographing was anything but easy. Camera in one hand, flash in the other... plus I had to balance myself in the bushes full of thornes. At least I had some luck as spider had a lot of patience... and free time for photoshooting :D
Despite the middle of the summer, the water was very cold. In hope that I will find an interesting motif, I went into this 14 degree water. While I walked along the shallow waters, I saw a few sunken boats on the shore. Immediately I saw the excellent infrared photograph. It was worth to have a completely numb legs. :)
On an afternoon walk I stumbled upon this cute abandoned traditional Croatian house. Narrow road runs right next to it and give just the right look to the photo. Taken in HDR technique.
