Triglav National Park
Triglav National Park (Triglavski Narodni Park) is Slovenia’s only national park and covers most of the Julian Alps located in Slovenia. The park covers 836 square kilometers or about 4% of the country. The park is one of Europes oldest national parks and borders Italy to the west and Austria to the north.
The park got its name from the highest Slovenian mountain Mt. Triglav. Mount Triglav, is the highest peak of Julian Alps and is at the centre of the park. In fact, most of Slovenia’s 400 two-thousand metre plus mountain peaks are located in the Park including, the imposing peaks of Spik, Mangart, Jalovec, and Prisojnik.
Two major rivers have their source in the Mountains, the Soca and Sava which flow to the sea through impressive gorges and lush green valleys. There are a number of waterfalls in the park, and most of them are in the valleys through which the Soča River flows. Forests cover about 70% of the park and the trees, are mostly beech trees although to the north, there are a large number of spruce and larch.
The park only has total population of around 2,500, most of whom live in the town of Ribčev Laz. The park is the most protected area of Slovenia and buildingis strictly controlled, to maintain the natural beauty of the park and protect its wildlife. The park has an abundance of wildlife and contains many rare and endangered animals including – the brown bear and the golden eagle but its most famous inhabitant is the chamois, of which there are only around 2,000 left in existence.
The park is an area of outstanding natural beauty and attracts several million visitors annually.
History
Prof. Albin Belar in 1906, made the first move to make the area a national park but it wasn’t until 1924, the Alpine Conservation Park was established to cover the Triglav Lakes. In 1961, the Triglav National Park was established and in 1981, the park was expanded to its present day size.
In 2003, the park became part of biosphere areas of UNESCO’s MaB network of sites and in 2004 it was given a diploma by the Council of Europe for exemplary management of the park in terms of its running of a protected area. In 2007 the park recieved the Europa Nostra diploma from the European Union, in the architectural heritage category for the restoration of the Pocar homestead in Zgornja Radovna. In 2008, the Soča River area of the park was given the staus of Slovenia’s first European Destination of Excellence (EDEN).
Attractions
There are a number of attractions in the park of which the ones below, are some of the most popular.
Mount Triglav: Mount Triglav is the 2864m high “Three-Headed” mountain which is on the Slovenia flag and a symbol of Slovenia. You dont actually need any climbing skills to climb it but a tour guide is a good idea and climbers need to keep in mind the weather can change quickly.
Lake Bohinj (Bohinjsko Jezero) Slovenia’s largest glacial lake and is surrounded by the imposing Julian Alps. The lake is one of Triglav parks and Slovenia’s, most popular toursit attractions. Another two popular lakes are Krnsko and jezero.
Church of St. John the Baptist: The church is located in the town of Ribčev Laz. Its only a small chruch but a beautiful building which was built in the early 13th century. The church has some of the most beautiful and stunning frescoes in Slovenia, most of which were painted by the Master of Bohinj.
Vogel Cable Car: This popular cable car ride, offers stunning views of of the lake Bohinj and the surrounding mountains including Mount Triglav.
Kluže Fortress, is an ancient fortification, located above the deep gorge of the Koritnica River and is a formidible and beautiful building.
Waterfalls: There are many waterfalls in the park of which the most popular are – the Savica and the Peričnik Waterfalls, the latter of which is the source of the Soca river.
Gorges and Ravines: Pokljuka Ravine is a popular limestone gorge whcih is around 2km long and 40m deep. Mostnica Gorge, is a ravine which is around 1km long and about 20m deep, featuring several hundred circular hollows which are known as river mills.
Activities
The park is used for a wide range of activities of which, skiing and mountaineering are very popular but its also popular, for a wide range of adventure sports such as white water rafting. Other more gentle activities can also be enjoyed including – hiking, fishing, camping and cycling.
The park is located in the Kranjska Gora region of Slovenia and we offer a wide range of property for sale and rentals in this popular area of Slovenia. If you are looking for property in the area, feel free to contact us without cost or obligation and we will be delighted to help – to view our wide range of real estate Click Here
