Croatia > Zadar riviera

Zadar riviera

Close to Pakostane, on the opposite side of the Adriatic road, only 2 kilometers from the coast is situated another natural phenomenon of the Zadar riviera - the fresh-water lake of Vrana. It is 14 kilometers long and 4 kilometers wide. Close to the lake there are the fertile fields of Vrana. Northward from the lake there are the fragments of the old towji of Vrana and of the Turkish cara-vanserai. The town of Vrana was founded in the period of the first Croatian kings, while in the Middle ages it was nded by the Knights Ivanhoes and? Templars.

Nowadays the Vrana lake is an interesting natural phenomenon offering numerous exceptional possibilities. It is an ornithological refuge, with several protected bird species.

The deeper countryside of the Zadar riviera is an interesting area. Following the road in the direction of the Velebit mountain you pass along endless orchards of Ravni kotari, particularly orchards of marasca. the sour cherry used in the production of the famous liqueur “Maraschino". Further onward the way leads you along peaceful valleys ideal for mounted sports, recently being developed in Polaca. The place was named according to the noblemen’s palaces from the Middle ages. Benkovac is a place celebrated in numerous epic bal-

Lake Vrana

Nowadays the Vrana lake is an interesting natural phenomenon offering numerous excep-tional possibilities. It is an ornithological refuge, with several protected bird species, such as, for example, heron. The lake offers the pleasures of fresh-water fishing only a few kilometers from the sea. Visitors can enjoy horse riding along the lake and camping next to it.