Kornati National Park

Kornati National Park

An apparently barren place, yet Kornati is rich in every sense of the word. In fact, Kornati National Park covers the larger part of the island group of the same name in the Adriatic Sea. Kornati is located in the Croatian part of the Adriatic, in central Dalmatia. If you look closely at a map of the Croatian islands, you can find Kornati by looking west of Šibenik.

Kornati National Park was declared in 1980, when it was also placed under protection. The total area of this park is around 220 square kilometres, and it is made up of larger and smaller islands, as well as cliffs that rise out of the blue of the Adriatic Sea. Of the total area of Kornati, only ¼ is land. The rest of the National Park consists of the sea and the living world that inhabits it.

Although at first glance Kornati may seem like a barren and extremely isolated place, this park abounds in natural and cultural riches. The animal and plant world are also another special feature of the park. It abounds in natural and cultural peculiarities. The vertical cliffs facing the open sea, the so-called crowns, stand out in particular. They are a kind of phenomenon of Kornati, and a habitat for rare species of plants and animals.

Kornati National Park – interesting facts

First we should mention that the land part of the park is privately owned. Although protected, Kornati National Park is in private ownership. This gives this park one particular feature, and there are many more.

The beauty is most distinguished by its natural diversity, and the powerful silhouette of this archipelago. The cultural heritage will only further enrich the beauty of Kornati, and offer something special for those who wish to visit the National Park.

What to see in Kornati National Park?

On this occasion we will mention only some of the park's treasures.

Due to the fact that the land part of the park is privately owned, we ask all guests to behave as befits a good and considerate guest.

The Kornati crowns are special. This phenomenon formed over thousands of years, through the action of natural forces and the movement of the enormous tectonic plates of Africa and Europe. In this area you can see rocks that were thrust up above the sea surface during the movement of Africa and its "collision" with Europe. The longest crown you can see when you visit Kornati is on the island of Mana. If you want to see the highest crown as well, visit the island of Klobučar, while the deepest crown of the Kornati archipelago is on the island of Piškera.

The crowns are a natural phenomenon, but also a habitat for some very rare species. Today they are home to the peregrine falcon, the shag, the Eleonora's falcon, as well as a diverse plant community.

Tourists who visit Kornati also like to come and see another natural phenomenon. It is called Magazinova škrila, and it is a special kind of landslide. The landslide formed as a result of the movement of limestone surfaces during a major earthquake. We do not know exactly when the earthquake occurred, but we assume it was strong enough to create this special natural beauty.

If you want to visit Magazinova škrila, you need to enter private property, which is why we especially warn and invite everyone to behave in a cultured and considerate manner.

On Kornati you have excellent places for taking in the horizon – viewpoints.

Viewpoints on Kornati:

Metlina, Otočevac, Opat, Vrujsko, Litnji vrh, Ravni Žakan, and a few other lesser-known ones.

We will not venture to single out any one viewpoint and say it is better than the others. They are all special in their own way, and it is up to you to visit them all and feel the charm of each one. There are still more viewpoints on Kornati, but it is up to you to find them and enjoy the view offered from each of them.

The highest peak of Kornati National Park is Metlina – which is also the viewpoint from which you can see the farthest in all directions. The peak of Metlina rises to 237 metres above sea level, which also makes it the hardest to reach. If you are a nature lover, are travelling with a group and have already done some hiking – be sure to visit the Kornati peak.

Second in height is the peak of Opat, located in the south-eastern part of Kornati. From it too there is a magnificent view of the archipelago, as well as of the mainland in the distance. For less experienced hikers, we recommend visiting the peak of Levrnaka. It is easy to reach and will offer a beautiful view of the surroundings and the natural beauty of Kornati National Park.

Diving tourism – Kornati – Crowns

First we should note that diving tourism in Kornati National Park is permitted exclusively for organised and approved diving groups. If you wish to dive and explore the depths around the Kornati archipelago, contact one of the many diving centres that have special permits and can take you on this special underwater journey.

Kornati - Tureta Fortress

Many will agree that the most striking structure on Kornati is the Tureta fortress, which has stood there since the time of Byzantium.

We assume that the fortress had a military purpose, and that it served to secure and control navigation at that time – when the Adriatic Sea was quite unsafe for trade and maritime traffic.

Today the fortress is a popular spot on Kornati, an attraction visited by most tourists.

Besides just a few basic features and treasures of Kornati – which we mentioned above – there is really still a great deal more to see. If you come to Kornati National Park, you will be convinced of the richness of what it offers, its natural beauty, and the power of millennia of geological action and movement of the land. The plant and animal world is a special story of its own, one that is hard to tell – but easy to experience. We invite you all to come to Kornati and enjoy the beauty of our park.

Until you come, below you can take a look at just a few photographs. Kornati may seem deserted, but in this case appearances are very deceiving.