Legends of Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice lakes are one of the most popular touristic destinations in Croatia.

The lake system  includes 16 lakes.

Prošćansko jezero, Ciginovac, Okrugljak, Batinovac, Vir, Veliko jezero, Malo jezero, Galovac, Milino jezero, Gradinsko jezero, Burgeti and Kozjak makes a group of Upper lakes.

Milanovac, Gavanovac, Kaluđerovac and Novakovića Brod makes a group of Lower lakes.

The highest of them is Prošćansko jezero with 636  m of altitude, and the lowest is Novakovića Brod with 503 m of altitude.

Name Plitvice was mentioned in the literature for the first time by vicar Dominik Vukasović from Otočac in 1777.

The territory of Plitvice lakes was declared the national park on April 8′th 1949.

In 1979. it was included into a list of world’s natural heritage by UNESCO.

Basic natural and geographical characteristic of Plitvice lakes are constant transformation of  geographical forms, constant change of the  depth of the lakes, and it’s famous waterfalls .

Upper lakes are characterized by a rich wood  vegetation and dolomite valley. Lower lakes are smaller, shallow, with canyons and cliffs.

There is a legend about the names of each lake.

For example, Gradinsko jezero got a name after an old building (in Croatian „gradina“) on the hill between this lake and lake Kozjak.

Lake Kozjak, got the name after goats  who were drowned there while running away from hungry wolfs.

In lake Gavanovac disappeared Gavan’s treasure, Kaluđerovac got the name after the monk  etc.

One of  the most popular and the most interesting is the legend about the name of Prošćansko jezero-the Legend of the Black Queen.

It says that during great heat people were trying to find some source of water and refreshment. They couldn’t find it, so they went to beg the Black Queen to send rain and water for the dry earth.

The Black Queen gave them rain which was falling very hard so there was enough water to form the lakes.