A Step from the Sea – Lake Vrana Nature park

The largest natural lake in Croatia, more than 13 kilometers long and covering an area of ​​about 30 km², is located only a few hundred meters from the sea, from which a porous limestone ridge separates it. Shallow, with an average depth of about four meters, Vrana Lake is an exceptional natural phenomenon: the water surface is above sea level. At the same time, the bottom is protected by a layer of impermeable flysch, which allows the survival of a rich wildlife.

In the southeastern part of the lake is one of the most valuable ornithological reserves in Europe, an important wintering and resting place for more than 100,000 water birds. 256 species of birds have been recorded, of which more than a hundred regularly nest in this area. Among them are endangered species such as the little egret, the little black vulture, and the tern, as well as several European rare nesting birds. Reed beds, rushes, and sedges also hide a rich world of insects, butterflies, and other aquatic organisms.

The lake waters are rich in fish. Carp, catfish, and pike attract sport fishermen. At the same time, the indigenous eel – whose life cycle connects the Sargasso Sea and these calm waters – is a strictly protected and particularly valuable natural species.

The lake is connected to the sea by the historic Prosika Canal, dug in 1781, which regulates the water level and creates a unique mixture of fresh and brackish waters. A panoramic trail runs along the coast, about 40 kilometers long, ideal for cyclists and walkers, while educational trails and observation posts allow for quiet bird watching. The Kamenjak viewpoint offers one of the most famous Dalmatian views – simultaneously of the lake, Ravne Kotari, the Kornati Islands, and the Adriatic blue.

Vrana Lake is a space where swamp, sea, and karst meet – a landscape of strong contrasts and a rare balance of natural worlds.