Largest natural lake in Croatia
Lake Vrana or Vrana is the largest natural lake in Croatia. The lake is located in northern Dalmatia, more precisely northeast of Pakoštan. The lake is 13.6 kilometers long, 2.2 kilometers wide, and 3.9 meters deep. It gets its water from several sources and stream Skorobić, and flows through sinkholes and the artificial canal Prosika. Prosika is a canal that was dug in 1770 in order to drain the swampy Vransko polje so that it would be suitable for cultivation. When the canal was dug, the level of Lake Vrana decreased by 3 meters. Vrana lake was declared a nature park in 1999. It covers an area of 57 square kilometers.
About 235 species of birds have been recorded in the park so far, of which 102 are nesting birds, while the rest of the lake is a resting place during the migration or a wintering place. The specialty of the park is the wealth of fish and the developed sports fishing tourism. Today, there are only two autochthonous species of fish in the lake, namely the eel and the river midwife, the rest of the fish in the lake were imported by accident or for breeding purposes. The most numerous and common type of amphibian in the park is the big green frog, the frog, and the green and brown toad. The park is home to 19 species of reptiles, all of which are legally protected, including turtles, lizards, and snakes. The mammal fauna is typical for Dalmatia and consists of about 40 species, some of which are country rats, wood mice and rabbits, bats, Dalmatian karst fluff, wild boar, white marten, and ferret. An important part of the fauna is also a large number of insects, 133 species of spiders were found in the park, of which as many as 15 species were recorded for the first time in Croatia.
Ornithological reserve
Part of the park was declared an ornithological reserve in 1983 and belongs to one of the most valuable ornithological areas in Croatia. Over 100 species of waterfowl nest in the reserve. What is very important is that the little crow nests on the lake, which is a European endangered species and for which this is the only nesting site in Croatia.
The park is also interesting because of its cultural heritage. One of the oldest historical buildings by the lake is the late antique tower "Osridak" which dates back to the 4th century. Of the religious buildings, the largest is the Old Town of Vrana, which was a Benedictine monastery, later the headquarters of the Templars. In the coronation declaration of King Zvonimir, it is mentioned that he donates the monastery together with all its property to the Holy See.
The Vransko Jezero Nature Park is an important center of biodiversity in Croatia, and also a precious natural area to experience nature through different activities.
Vrana's special features
Largest lake in Croatia
Rich history (the first finding date back to 2000 years before Christ)
The habitat of four bird species endangered at the European level
Special ornithological reserve