Plitvice Lakes National park is one of the most visited natural sites in the region. Over thousands of years, surface and subterranean rivers have carved paths for themselves through the limestone, only to be halted by natural travertine dams, resulting in the formation of sixteen lakes all pooling into one another, creating one of nature’s greatest masterpieces. Aside from the grandeur of its cascading waterfalls, the national park’s lush forest is home to many endemic species, including the European brown bear, wolf, lynx, and numerous rare bird species.
Founded in 1949, Plitvice Lakes is the oldest national park in Southeast Europe, and also the largest national park in Croatia. In 1979, it was among the first natural sites to be accepted into the UNESCO World Heritage register.