Krka National Park hosts many cultural monuments. These are the archaeological sites, monuments of industrial architecture, natural wanders as well as monuments of religious heritage. Visitors are very interested in ethno village that preserves the memory of the old crafts and ways of life. We bring you a description of the most important attractions in the area of the river Krka.

Krka Monastery (St Archangel)

North of the Roški waterfall, situated on the small expansion of the Krka River called “Carigradska Draga”, is Krka Monastery. It was built on the foundations of an older, eremitical monastery, and in written documents was first mentioned in 1402 as an endowment of Jelena Čubić. This is one of the most important spiritual center of the Orthodox Dalmatian Eparchy based in Šibenik.

Monastery of St Archangel is located in the middle of the Krka canyon, and this area is called Arandjelovac after it. Nearby is a church that has a form of byzantine buildings with a dome. The bell tower was built in the Romanesque style. Under the church are the Roman catacombs, which are open to visitors. The monastery has a large and rich library with a lot of historical manuscripts, incunabula and rare books. Tourists can visit the monastery by excursion boat from Roški waterfall.

Hydro Power Plant Krka

The remains of the former power plant “Krka” can be found at Skradinski buk in the middle of the Krka National Park. It was built and began operations in 1895, just two days after Tesla’s hydroelectric power plant at Niagara Falls. Along with it a transmission line for power transmission 11 km in length was built and the city electrical lighting network – the first complete electricity system in Croatia. Thus, thanks to its builders Šibenik Mayor Ante Šupuk and engineer Vjekoslav Meischner, Šibenik got electric lighting before many European cities: Budapest, Rome, Vienna, London and others.

Ten years later, a hundred meters downstream from the first, Ante Šupuk built a second hydroelectric power station (HEP “Jaruga”) which, with installation of additional turbines in 1936, has been working until today. Because of its historical significance, hydropower plants “Krka” are protected as a monument to industrial architecture and there is ongoing conservation work aimed at its preservation and presentation.

Visovac

Located on Lake Visovac, island Visovac is one of the most important natural and cultural values of Croatia. At this small island the followers of St Augustine built a monastery and church in the fourteenth century. Later they left the island due to threats of the Turkish Empire. After them the island was inhabited by Bosnian Franciscans who have remained there with brief interruptions until today. Franciscan Monastery of the Mother of Mercy and church of Our Lady of Visovac form unique scenery with beautiful view of Visovačko Lake.

During the turbulent history, Visovac was and remains an island of peace and prayer, a Franciscan monastery fortress of spirituality and faith, but also one of the key foundation stones of Croatians and the preservation of the Croatian national identity. The monastery has an important archaeological collection, a collection of ecclesiastical vestments and vessels, and a rich library with more valuable books and incunabula.

The center of worship is the painting of Our Lady of Visovac which was, according to tradition, brought by the Franciscans when they, in front of the Turks, left Bosnia and found new shelter on Visovac. Due to the century of reverence of the Mother of God, even Visovac island is sometimes called Our Lady’s Island.

Among the many reasons why the National Park Krka is recognized as a must-see stop during exploration of natural and cultural values of Dalmatia, one of the most important is that Krka on its course builds seven beautiful and picturesque waterfalls.

The most beautiful among seven waterfalls is Skradinski buk

Skradinski Buk is the last of the seven and the longest travertine barrier on the Krka River. The growth of travertine barriers caused a pool of water of the river Krka to form before turning into Roski waterfall and three kilometers of downstream river Čikola, thus creating one of the most unusual and the most beautiful landscape pictures of Krka National Park.

Over 17 steps of Skradinski buk, spread over 800 meters in length, it is the last time after 49 km of its journey towards the sea, common waters of river Krka and Čikola flow together. The width of the waterfall is 200 to 400 meters with a total height difference of 45.7 m. A walking path has been constructed across the river. A tour of the track during just a one hour walk, shaded by lush vegetation, one can directly experience a unique microcosm of magical sounds, lights and colors.

Along the course of the path there are more mills which for centuries used the power of the water flow. Most of the mills were restored to their original function, and inside them the noise of a millstone can be heard once again. Some mills are rearranged, in accordance with the traditional architectural values, into souvenir shops and exhibition spaces in which there are exposed thematic ethnographic collections of useful items. The exhibits represent the life, work and customs of the people along the banks of the Krka in a distinctive and colorful way.

In the area of the river Krka, Croatian dukes erected very famous fortress-cities during the Middle Ages. Today only a handful of ruins with some visible towers and walls which testify to their former size have been preserved. The fortifications were built on the Krka on both its right and left sides. In addition to occasionally having a defensive function, these fortifications are the core of particular settlements. Croatian aristocratic family Šubić had built a fort Trošenj-city and Rogovo on the right bank of the river.

The fortifications on the left bank of the Krka River Nečven, Bogočin and Kamičak were in the possession of other Croatian noble families: Nelipići, Martinušići, Bogetići, Utješinovići and Mišljenovići. The most beautiful among fortresses, Ključica, was in the possession of a nobleman Nelipić, raised above the canyon of the river Čikola.

If you want to take an excursion and have someone drive you and show you the sights, we recommend the Pelican Tours’ trip to Krka Waterfalls which has been rated as the Best Krka tour from Split in the year 2016 on Viator and Expedia.

This article is a guest post contributed by Pelican Tours. Be sure to visit their website for top-rated Krka Waterfalls tour and other fantastic day trips in Croatia.

Share and help:

If you like this travel guide about Krka National Park Hosts Many Cultural Monuments and found it useful, consider supporting the author with a coffee or share it with your friends:


Compare deals:MY PARTNERED SITES

Compare deals from multiple websites to find your hotel, hostel, or private apartment for the best price! You can also check for flights and ferries to Croatia, book airport transfers in advance, or find most popular tours and cruises, all thanks to my partners!

This flight search form enables you to search and compare 1000+ airlines, travel agents and travel sites to get the cheapest flights and best dates. Try it out!


Search not displaying correctly? Search directly on any of the following sites:

Use the following search to book and purchase ferry tickets to and in Croatia. Find info about times, prices, tickets, routes, ports and availability for all companies operating ferries between Italy and Croatia.

If the form above is not loading you can search directly on DirectFerries.

Below are my recommended sailing trips in Croatia from trusted companies and tour operators. Feel free to check the offers and links to find additional information and more related cruises!

From Split:

Top rated: Southern Explorer

Split Cruises

Starting and ending in Split, this cruise will take you to Makarska, Mljet, Dubrovnik, Trstenik, Korcula, Hvar and Brac!

Dates & pricing »

From Dubrovnik:

Top rated: Dubrovnik Discovery

 Dubrovnik Cruises

Depart from Dubrovnik on a week long cruise and explore Mljet, Hvar, Korcula, Trstenik, and Sipan.

Dates & pricing »

More departure ports:

Organized tours are excellent ways to explore my beautiful country, and I highly recommend taking at least one trip during your visit. There are limitless fascinating places to see, and you can easily book a tour or day trip from my trusted partners below.

Below are five top rated tours from Split!

from 212h30m
Join a top-rated walking tour of Split's famous monuments and landmarks with a professional tour guide and learn more about our history and heritage.
from 11012h
Visit Komiza village, Blue cave on Bisevo island, Stiniva bay on island Vis, Green cave, Budikovac island, Pakleni islands, and Hvar island and town.
from 373h
Paddle around Split and Marjan Hill, discover and snorkel in secluded beaches and enjoy magnificent views.
from 5410h
Take a break from Split enjoy your coastline drive to Krka National Park and see what it's like to swim in pristine nature, with a visit to old town of Sibenik.
from 554h
Swim and snorkel in breathtaking blue lagoon, see small but beautiful Ciovo island, and grab a free lunch in memorable Trogir town.

Discover more trip ideas:

Find transfers and compare prices on:

From Dubrovnik:

From Any Location:

More options:


Consider cruise holidays!

Cruises are fantastic and inexpensive way to discover multiple destinations in Croatia.

Split to Dubrovnik Luxury Cruise

8 days, 9 destinations

From Split to Bol (Brač island), Hvar, Vis, Korčula, Mljet, Slano and Ston, Dubrovnik

€ 1260 - 1360

(€ 157 - 170 per day)

Learn more »

Dalmatian Islands Experience Cruise

8 days, 9 destinations

From Split to Omis or Pucisca (Brac island), Korcula, Lastovo, Green cave (Ravnik), Komiza, Blue cave (Bisevo), Stari Grad (Hvar), Bol (Brac island)

€ 615 - 890

(€ 76 - 111 per day)

Learn more »

Split to Dubrovnik Cruise

8 days, 9 destinations

From Dubrovnik to Sipan or Slano, Mljet, Korcula, Bisevo, Vis, Hvar, Bol (Brac island), Makarska, Pucisca (Brac), Omis, and Split

€ 425 - 890

(€ 53 - 111 per day)

Learn more »
About me:

Guest Author

This article was contributed by an outside guest author. Want to publish your own work? See our Advertise or Sponsored Posts pages and get in touch.

Cheapoair - See the world for less