Formed from streams cascading down the mountains, these breathtaking turquoise pools are separated from one another by natural dams of travertine, with waterfalls tumbling over them.
In 1979, the park was added to Unesco's World Heritage list, although a conservation committee has been set up since 1893 to protect the area from development.
Plitvice's past has not always been so harmonious, however. In 1991, the war in Croatia forced thousands of people to flee the area. The park's forests were cut down and its facilities destroyed during the conflict: landmines threatened both humans and wildlife, while fishing with explosives degraded the lakes. When the conflict ended in 1995, the government worked to restore the area's natural beauty: numerous conservation initiatives have followed to help improve and maintain the park's ecosystem.
A centre dedicated to scientific research and preservation has been established and the government has been working to raise awareness of the site's ecological and historical significance. Educational projects have been launched and the visitor centre improved.
The boardwalks, pictured, have been one of Plitvice's greatest achievements. Offering visitors exceptional access to great viewpoints, they have played a key role in restoring the area economy. But the main purpose of these wooden pathways is to prevent damage to the surrounding valley, helping to ensure that this unique environment is preserved.
