Senj is located where the mountain’s edge is washed by the sea, where intact nature, clean air and crystal clear waters invigorate the body, and where history and culture foster renewal of the spirit. It’s a town renowned for its eventful history, cutural heritage, literature and tradition. Senj is the centre of a region covering more than 650 km2 and encompassing numerous small towns and villages dotted along the shore at the foot of Mount Velebit (Sv. Juraj, Lukovo, Klada, Starigrad, Jablanac, Stinica and Prizna) or higher up in the mountains of Velebit and Kpela (Krasno, Krivi Put, Stolac, Vratnik and Senjska Draga). The region’s areas of natural heritage preservation are the Velebit Nature Park and Croatia’s youngest national park – Northern Velebit.
The town of Senj is the largest urban anglomeration on the Croatian coast beetwen Rijeka and Zadar. It’s linked with the hinterland by the roads across the Vratnik pass (700m above the sea level) in the North, but also with the Vinodol Valley and Rijeka in the West and with Zadar, Split and southren Dalmatia in the South. The temperatures (in degrees Celsius) in winter range from -1° to 3°C in the continental zone, from -5° to 0°C in the mountain region, and from 5° to 10°C in the coastal region.
The temperatures (in degrees Celsius) in summer range from 22° to 26°C in the continental part of the country, 15° to 20°C in the mountain region, and 26° to 30°C in the coastal region.
With 2.600 hours of sunshine per year, the Adriatic Coast is one of the sunniest in the Mediterranean. City of Senj has aproximately 2338 hours of sunshine per year. The temperature of sea during the summer season is 25° to 27°C.
The most common winds are the north-eastern wind called bura that brings cold weather, the landward breeze called maestral, which announces nice weather and starts blowing at around 11AM, and jugo, the humid wind that blows from the southeast.
North Velebit is the youngest of the Croatian national parks, established in 1999. It comprises the most attractive and, in terms of nature, the most valuable areas of the northern part of Velebit. A large number of attractive sights are concentrated in this predominantly mountainous park – magnificent carst forms of Hajdučki and Rožanski kukovi, unique botanical garden and Lukina cave, one of the longest in the world. Croatian mountaineers consider this area the greatest jewel among the Croatian mountains. Due to its remoteness from the main roads, this area is somewhat less visited, but this only increases its mystic and primeval natural ambience.
More information is available on: http://www.np-sjeverni-velebit.hr/
Forestry Museum Krasno was opened in 2005 on the anneversary of the 240 years of activities of the Forestry Office Krasno as the first forestry museum in Croatia. Permanent collection includes 300 history exhibits related to the care and cultivation of forests along with the planting production.
The musseum offers transport vechiles that once use din forestry, old forestry maps, photographs, paper documents and specialized literature, as well as game trophies that reside int his area.
Velebit, with its area of almost 2,000 km² is the largest protected area of Croatia, larger than all other protected areas taken together. Within the Park, there is a series of smaller protected areas, including two national parks: Northern Velebit and Paklenica, and the strict reserves of Hajdučki and Rožanski kukovi. On this magnificent mountain that in its diversity, unique relief and richness of plant and animal life is one of the most significant in Europe, there is a whole series of natural sights ranking among the highest values Croatia has to offer. Therefore, this whole 150 km long mountain is protected as UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, currently the only one in Croatia.
Within the Velebit mountain there are strict and botanical reserves, natural monuments, and 2 national parks (North Velebit). In the category of special protection falls and cove Zavratnica.
Zavratnica is certainly one of the most beautiful bays of the Croatian coast. Looks like a miniature Norwegian fjords. It is only a 15 minute walk along the coast from Jablanac. Until it can be reached from the village Zavratnica, descending from a lookout point sandy path to the bay.
The bay is long 900 m., and the width varies from 50 to 150 m. The canyon rises to a height of 100 m. Due to its natural values even in 1964. Was declared a “protected area”, and since 1981, is an integral part nature park “Velebit”.
In the early 20th century builds the upper path with a belvedere and promenade. Around this time Zavratnica becomes secluded resort town of Vienna and Prague elite. It is visited by many famous people of the time (dr. Miroslav Hirtz, Arpad von Degen, etc.). Magic attractiveness Zavratnica could not resist nor known writer Vjenceslav Novak, who is here finding inspiration for his works.
In the bay can be seen the remains of a ship which, in 1944 g. Sunk Allied planes. Ship a real tourist attraction to numerous divers.
Zavratnica is scarce soil, therefore the development of flora and vegetation scarce here. The flora is represented by 129 different species of plants, of which 100 indigenous and 29 introduced species. To halt work torrent, man is in the dry wall built stunts and terraces on which is planted cypresses, Aleppo and black pine, fig, oak and other trees.
More information on: http://www.pp-velebit.hr/
