On Saturday, the 25th of January 2025, the Krka National Park celebrated four decades of existence with the final conference related to the project The Unknown Krka: Hidden Treasures of the Upper and Middle Courses of the Krka River. This event was held at the newly opened Krka Nature Interpretation Centre – the Well of Life in Kistanje, and numerous guests and visitors were hosted for the first time today.

The conference was attended by the Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition Marija Vučković, the envoy of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, and representatives of the Central Agency for Finance and Contracting of EU Programmes and Projects (CAFC).

In the past period, twenty projects supported by almost 100 million euros have been co-financed from European funds in protected areas of the Republic of Croatia. The Unknown Krka project is special because it sends several important messages. Namely, it is about improving the natural and cultural heritage and building a visitor and interpretation centre that will attract visitors to lesser-known areas of the national park. The project also contributes to the goals of sustainable development and tourism and will certainly stimulate socio-economic development”, stated Marija Vučković, Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, who added: “National parks can be the leaders in promoting sustainable development and preserving the natural and cultural heritage. We are proud of that. The Krka National Park, as one of the most recognisable and best-preserved protected areas, has managed to preserve and enhance its natural features ​​and valorise the cultural and historical heritage.

The Nature Interpretation Centre of the Krka – the Well of Life, which was officially opened on this occasion, has become the central access point to the western part of Krka National Park. Thanks to modern multimedia solutions and interactive exhibitions, the Centre in a unique manner introduces visitors to the importance of preserving water as a resource essential for life on Earth.

The conference highlighted the value of the Unknown Krka project, which was co-financed by funding from the European Union and the European Regional Development Fund. The total value of the project was 10,625,476.03 euros, of which 8,786,275.54 euros were financed from EU funds. The project included a number of infrastructure projects, including the development of pedestrian paths, the electrification of boat traffic, and the development of new educational content and means of presentation, which has further enriched the Park’s offerings.

Investing in projects like the Unknown Krka confirms our commitment to sustainability and the preservation of the natural heritage as key priorities for the future. Under the Operational Programme of Competitiveness and Cohesion, almost EUR 563 million has been contracted through 173 projects for environmental protection and resource sustainability, of which EUR 393 million are grants, and of that, ten projects consisting of EUR 24.5 million in grants have been contracted in the Šibenik-Knin County. These numbers are not just statistics, they represent real, continuous investments in preserving natural resources, developing green initiatives, and creating more resilient, sustainable communities for future generations.”, was emphasised by Dragan Jelić, Director of the Central Agency for Financing and Contracting of EU Programmes and Projects.

The Interpretation Centre of the Krka – the Well of Life, thematically divided into several units, each of which interprets the theme of water and its meaning for life in its own way, conveys to visitors the story of the Krka River, its history, flora, and fauna, and its role in the lives of the local population from prehistoric times to the present day through interactive elements and multimedia.

The completion of the project The Unknown Krka: the Hidden Treasures of the Upper and Middle Courses of the Krka River marks a turning point in our efforts to present the Krka National Park in its entirety. By establishing the Nature Interpretation Centre of the Krka – the Well of Life in Kistanje, we have completed the story of the valorisation of the upper and middle reaches of the Krka River through innovative interpretive content. This project is not merely an investment in infrastructure, but also an investment in education, the preservation of natural features, and cooperation with the local community. At the same time, the project contributes to a more even spatial and temporal distribution of visits to the Park, which is crucial for the sustainable management of our resources”, emphasised the director of the Krka National Park, Nella Slavica, and conluded: “We are particularly pleased that the Centre in Kistanje and the Krka Eco Campus  in Puljane connect people, history, and nature in a way that enriches the visitor experience, but also stimulates local economic development through new employment opportunities and the promotion of local products. This is an example of how we can reconcile nature conservation with the development of rural areas.

Those attending were able to enjoy a tour of the new Center and learn about the rich natural and cultural treasures of the upper and middle courses of the Krka River. The event concluded by emphasising the importance of further cooperation with the local community and the promotion of sustainable development that can contribute to the economic and demographic growth of this region.

The opening of the Centre and the completion of the Unknown Krka project marked the fortieth birthday of the Krka National Park, which continues to delight visitors with its natural features ​​and educational content, while preserving this unique landscape for future generations.

 

 

 

Unknown Krka

JOŠ NOVOSTI IZ KATEGORIJE

  18/01/2025
Free admission and the Green Eye Festival will mark the 40th anniversary of the Krka National Park

The Krka National Park is celebrating its 40th birthday this year. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of its declaration as a national park on the 24th of January 1985, the public institution responsible for managing this protected area will organize a series of events to celebrate four decades of active work aimed at preserving the natural and cultural-historical heritage of the area and educating employees, visitors, and the local community about its significance.

  19/05/2023
Public forum held at Krka NP – the synergy of nature conservation, cultural heritage, and tourism in destination development; the development of the northern part of the Park will bring direct benefits to the local community

“We are exceptionally pleased by the synergy of included stakeholders, as in the future this will result in even better solutions for the development of the northern part of the Park, secure a future for young people, attract numerous visitors, and bring direct benefits to the local community,” stated Nella Slavica, director of the Public Institute of Krka NP at the public forum

  15/05/2023
Krka National Park invites all to participate in a public forum

A public forum entitled “Krka National Park – synergy between protecting natural and cultural heritage and tourism to drive destination development” will be held at 11 am on Thursday, 18 May at the Krka Eco Campus in Puljane

  27/12/2022
Revealing the unknown Krka – project media campaign

The project Unknown Krka – hidden treasures of the upper and middle course of the Krka River connects the two river banks, the two municipalities of Promina and Bukovica, the Krka Eco Campus in Puljane and the Krka Nature Interpretation Centre – well of life in Kistanje

109

km2

07

waterfalls

388

km bike route

47

km of hiking trails

10

entrances