Pantan swamp

The Pantan swamp not far from the town of Trogir, is only what remains of the onetime swamp, which covered a much greater area, but over the centuries its area has been reduced because of the filling up with earth and the process of urbanization. However, the Pantan swamp is valuable today as a typical example of a swamp on the eastern coast of the Adriatic, where fresh-water and sea mix, which produces specific biocenoses. There is a very important fish hatchery in the brakish water of the Pantan lagoon and the whole swamp is the resting place for different kinds of swamp birds on their long journey as they migrate. Autumn is the best period for watching the greatest number of bird species.

The old olive tree

The old olive tree in Kaštel Štafilie (town of Kaštela) is a protected nature sight. It has a very attractive habitus and is estimated to be 1,500 years old. Most probably it originates from south Italy or Greece, because it belongs to a sort which doesn't exist in these areas which makes it a specific curiosity.

Botanical garden

The botanical garden in the elementary school "Ostrog" in Kaštel Lukšić dates from 1976 when the school building was built. It covers an area of 4 hectares and it was created thanks to the care and enthusiasm of teachers and pupils.
At the beginning there were no great ambitions in creating the garden, but as time went by it reached an enormous quality and value with a large number of autochthonous and exotic
species some of which, in this very garden, were successfully cultivated for the first time on the Croatian Adriatic.

Jadro river

The source and upper course of the Jadro River have been protected since 1984 as a special ichthyological reserve. Thus, the endemic subspieces soft-mouthed trout (Salmothymus obtusirostris salonitana) developed in the Jadro River. It is found only in this area and therefore is of great value, rare and potentially endangered.

Marjan peninsula

The Marjan peninsula in Split is both the city's symbol and an inseparable part of its history. Split citizens are emotionally tied to Marian, therefore it was and still is an inspiration to many artists from Split. We may well say that it stands as a myth in the city's collective consciousness. The forest park Marjan today covers a greater part of the area with Allepo pines (Pinus halepensis), part of a meadow and arable areas, the sea-shore and Sustjepan park. Marian is also the best known site for outings and during the summertime its beaches are full of swimmers. On its northern side, in the Bene Cove, there are catering and recreation facilities and the dense forest reaches almost to the very sea. Since Marian is closed to traffic it is a real paradise for walks in nature. From its top there is a magnificent view of Split and its surroundings.
There are also many cultural monuments on Marjan- churches, remains of Illyrian hill-forts and dwellings of hermits.

Vranjača Cave

Vranjača Cave near the village of Kotlenica in the hinterland of Split, was discovered in 1903. It is probably the most beautiful cave in Central Dalmatia, characteristic for the Dalmatian karst region, which was formed in mineral limestone. It consists of two main halls and a corridor which connects them. The cave is rich in shapes typical for caves and is very impressive. Its length is about 300 and depth about 65 meters. Because of its attractive interior and surroundings, as well as the proximity of road and parking place, the cave is easily accessible and attractive for excursionists. Since 1929 there has been electricity in the cave, and there is a hiking, trail about 300 meters long.

The canyon of the Cetina River

The canyon of the Cetina River stretches from the mouth near the town of Omiš and 10 kilometes upstream. The canyon is one of the most remarkable geomorphological phenomena which was formed by the Cetina as a typical karst river. In its lower course the Cetina River has deeply cut into the limestone base between Mosor an Dinara above Omiš, forming a canyon up to 300 meters deep. The river is surrounded by luxuriant greenery with several small but beautiful islets. At places the river flows fast, and sporadically it is completely calm, and as such is a pedect place to relax the body and soul.

The pubescent oak

The pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens) in Donja Brela is thought to be more than 300 years old, and by its large size and well developed habitus it dominates the landscape. Oaks of this size are very i rare, especially along the Croatian coast.

Brela

"Brela is a source of beauty" - indeed, thanks to dense pine forests, nice beaches, clear seawater, sources of potable water, Brela has been known for decades as one of the most attractive seaside resorts in Dalmatia. Beautiful, luxuriant pine forests are located close to nice pebble beaches. Brela also offers a nicely arranged coastal promenade and a number of excellent restaurants with seafood.

Prološko Blato

Prološko Blato is a vast swampy region of the Imotski field, which is part of the year under water, and only one small part is flooded during the whole year (Proložac Lake). Being the habitat of swamp birds as the resting place on their long journey as they migrate it has a great ecological value.
In the period of high waters, when the whole Blato (Swamp) is flooded, only an islet called Manastir (Monastery) remains. It's called like that because the Franciscans built a monastery on it in 1453. According to legend, the friars, in fear of frequent Turkish attacks, used to fill up chasms through which the water drained away, so in that way they could keep the water during the whole year and protect the monastery on the islet.

Vrljika River

The source, upper course and area around the banks of the Vrljika River about 100 meters wide, is a protected ichthyological reserve. This river is significant for its numerous endemic species and different species of fish.

Red Lake and Blue Lake

The finest examples of specific hydrography and morphology of the Dalmatian karst are Crveno jezero (Red Lake) and Modro jezero (Blue Lake) which are situated near the town of Imotski. Both lakes are characterized by a specific shape, dimensions and colors, and by their origin they belong to the so-called caved lakes, which means that they were formed by ceilings of large caves caving in.
Crveno jezero is located 1.5 kilometres northwest of Imotski. The limestone shores are almost completely vertical and are mostly red-brown, the color which gave the lake its name.
Modro jezero is located beside the town of Imotski in a precipice approximately 200 meters deep. Its greatest length is about 800 and width 500 meters, but these dimensions greatly vary since the lake may even sometimes dry up during the summer. The reason for this are estavelles which can be found on the lake bottom. Estavelles act as wells in the rainy period, and like chasms during droughts. The water is clearly blue, so this color gave the lake its name. The shores are not as steep as those of Crveno jezero, so there is a path leading to the very bottom. During the summertime Modro jezero becomes a very popular bathing place, and when it dries up boys play football on its bottom, which has become a sort of tradition.
Galipovac, Lokvičići and Knezović Lakes belong to the group of Lokvičići Lakes. These lakes are not as well-known as the two previous ones, but they are similar in origin and appearance although less accessible (Lokvičić and Knezović Lakes) which gives them an additional touch of wild and intact beauty.

Biokovo

Biokovo is one of the largest and most impressive mountains in Dalmatia. It rises almost vertically from the very coast. Biokovo is the habitat of many rare endemic plants, but we can also find forests of the Dalmatian black pine. The great wealth of Biokovo's plant life can be seen in the Kotišina botanical garden on the mountain slopes. It is also the habitat of numerous very rare birds of prey, like the golden eagle and other extraordinary animal species.
Biokovo's unique beauty are its geomorphological phenomena such as caves and funnel-shaped holes in the limestone formation.

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