|
|
Gorski Kotar & Plitvice
Please, select your destination lower down you wish to go to.
|
About Gorski KotarAccommodation in Gorski Kotar is something special. If you like fishing, extraordinary scenery, fresh air and poorly populated area, you are at the right place.
Gorski kotar is situated in the west part of Croatia. It is manly composed of mountains and rocks. From the north, its border starts at the source of Cabranka river and continues down the Cabranka and Kupa river courses to Zdihovo Bosiljevsko. This line also represents the historical state-political border between Croatia and Slovenia. From the northwest, starting at the Cabranka source and through Prezid, Čabarska Polica, the Obruc west slopes and towards Klana, the border is of historical, geographical and ethnic character.
Ever since the 4th century, there was a Roman defensive barrier (limes) in these parts, featuring towers and fortresses, in order to prevent the raids of the Japod illiric tribe. This barrier represents the division line between the Croatian highland zone and the Slovenian mountain range.
To the southwest, the Gorski kotar border runs over the Obruč slopes over Grobničko polje, through Kamenjak, Hum, Draževski vrh, and then over Vinodol valley, Pleteno, Luka Krmpotska, Alan and Krivi Put, always at the altitude of 700 meters above sea-level.
The border is clearly marked by the transition from the desert-like coastal areas into the mountain woodlands.
Towards the east, the border passes by the Ogulinsko-plašćanska vallley. It begins at Severin na Kupi and continues to Krpelj, going round Ogulinsko polje to Ogulinski Hreljin, and over the Klek slopes and Modruško zagorje to Modruš.
The southeast border is a transitional area. It encompasses the areas between Rudolf's and Jozefin's roads, and these parts are referred to as Drežnica or Kapela regions. The main characteristic of this area is karst covered in tall woodlands.
Along with Istria and Rijeka Primorje, Gorski kotar is situated in the far west of the Croatian ethnicum. At the time of Turkish invasions, its borderline position established it as the area where the refugees took shelter from the enemy forces. The mountain woodlands, especially in winter, were impassable for the Turkish invaders and so their conquests were halted and shifted towards Kordun and Bela Krajina. Therefore, Gorski kotar became a national shelter. In European proportions, it represents the borderline area for the Balkans, in both its positive and negative aspects.
The lower areas of Gorski kotar (up to 400 m above sea-level) are mostly covered in deciduous trees. The majority of these are beech-trees (Fagus silvatica), then also hornbeams, elm-trees, ash-trees, lindens, etc. Of the lower plants, there are woodruffs, coleworts, red lilies, and various others.
In the highland areas (400 -1000 m above sea-level) one finds disticintive wild-grown, heterogeneous or homogeneous forests, conifer forests, mostly firs and junipers. Of the pine forests, there are mostly junipers, some firs and rarely yews.
The premountain area starts at 1000 m above sea-level. Very strong winds, a lot of snow and ice are the key ecological factors here. A distinctive premountain beech forest (Fagetum croaticum subalpinum Horv.) grows in this area, and the groundcover features yellow mistletoe, club-moss, twin leaf and mountain fern; moreover, premountain juniper forests (Piceetum croaticum subalpinum Horv.) composed of tall-statured junipers with low crowns are easily distinguished - the groundcover here includes blueberries, cranberries, moss and other acidophilus plants. Finally, at the highest altitudes of these premountain areas, at 1400 m above sea-level (Bjelolasica), there are junipers of beech-trees (Fagetum suffrutcosum Horv). Big-leafed willows (Salicetum grandifoliae Horv.) grow at ravine edges and in depressions where snow keeps for long periods.
The scenery is also characterized by meadows, heathers, swards and other areas that are not covered by forests.
Animal life is virtually identical in all parts of Gorski kotar, so we will present only the most significant species.
Of the invertebrates, some butterflies are shielded species: swallow tail, striped swallow tail, Parnassian and several others. Amphibian creatures include black salamander, mountain or alpine cricket and various frogs (green and common toad). Also characteristic of these parts is a special kind of lizard that bears live young. In deciduous (light) forests one can happen upon a white snake or Aesculapius's snake, although they are extremely rare. In warmer, sun exposed areas the most poisonous snake of Europe resides - the horned viper, and in the mountain areas there are common adders.
A variety of birds lives in fir and beech forests: jays, nutcrackers, bullfinches, finches and tipmouses. Thrushes nest in the higher areas. There are also our smallest birds - gold crests and fire crests. Near roads, trails and trains common wrens can often be seen. There are various woodpeckers. The three-fingered turkey-cock is particularly interesting as it is a relict from the stone-age. Eagle-owl is also characteristic.
Goshawks appear often, while cruiser eagles usually stay hidden in the most secluded and impervious mountain areas. Grouses (which are almost extinct) nest in the quiet, heterogeneous forests at altitudes of 700 -1200 meters above sea-level.
Ancient representatives of mammal life are brown bears and wolves. There are also minks, and weasels are wide-spread. Wild cat is a true rarity, so it is state-protected. Primary game are deer, but they have been over hunted. There is wild boar, especially in the meadows at the foot of Bjelolasica. Recurrent residents of fields and forests are also rabbits, doormouses, common hamsters, forest-mouses, forest voles, hedge hocks and squirrels, which are state-protected because they've become quite a rarity.
The elementary climate characteristic of Gorski kotar as a whole is that areas above 1200 meters above sea-level are situated in the sub arctic climate belt, featuring snows and forests. The lower areas are characterized by moderate-warm climate, featuring rain.
Winds have a strong influence here, especially north-eastern and southern winds that are known to be extremely fierce, especially in the highlands.
Cold winters with much snow gives you nice opportunity to enjoy in beautiful panoramas.
|
Buyers | Publish your property | About us | Contacts | Home | Partners 1
| Partners 2 | Partners 3 | Partners 4 | Partners 5 | Partners 1.1
| Partners 1.2 | Partners 1.3 | Partners 1.4 | Partners 1.5 |
Partners 1.6 | Partners 1.7 | Partners 1.8 | Partners 1.9 | Partners 1.10 |
© Copyright 2007-2009, MSD Europe & Associates. Autorska prava
Web design Pula Croatia
|
|
May 09
