Una National Park (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Una National Park (Bosnian: Nacionalni park Una) was established in 2008 (29/05/08) around the Upper Una River and the Unac River. It is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most recently established national park. The main purpose of the park is to protect the unspoiled Una and Unac rivers which run through it.

Protection zone of the National Park stretches on the western side from the source of the Krka creek and its course to the confluence with the Una on the state border of Bosnia and Herzegovina with Croatia from where park border follows the Una and state border to the town of Martin Brod and confluence with the Unac. On the eastern side border of the park goes from the entrance of the Unac River into its canyon, few kilometers downstream from town of Drvar, and follows the Unac and its canyon all the way to the confluence with the Una in town of Martin Brod. From there park border follows the Una on the right and state border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia on the left, until it reach a small town of Ripac, few kilometers upstream from town of Bihac.

The Una’s waterfalls and white water rapids highlight the park. The most famous waterfalls are those at Martion Brod, where the popular "International Una Regatta" kayaking competition begins, and Strbacki Buk further downstream. Throughout the park, visitors can enjoy prime conditions for rafting, fishing, cycling, hiking, and camping. Jumping from the city bridges in Bihac and Bosanska Krupa is also popular. Largest waterfall on the Una river is Strbacki Buk, and is one of the main feature in the Park.

Una National Park is also noted for its biodiversity, with 30 fish species, 130 bird species, and other animals, including lynx, fox, wolf, bear and chamois.

Area of the park has rich cultural-historic heritage and numerous archaeological sites, many dating from the prehistoric period. Significant historical and cultural heritage of the area within and outside the park zone are the Roman fort Milanceva Kula, Rmanj, Rmanj Monastery, medieval fortress Ostrovica above Kulen Vakuf, as well as outside the park zone Sokolacka Kula fortress in Sokolac village near Bihac and Ostrozac Castle between Bihać and Bosanska Krupa.

Proximity to Pljesevica mountain virgin forest, which stretches between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, and Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park makes Una National Park a top destination for visitors. More importantly, all of the facts about these two National Parks, their proximity, natural, cultural and historical richness, brings out the possibility and makes viable idea of joint management and promotion.

The Plitvice Lakes National Park has been inhabited by strong conquerors that lived centuries ago, including Celts, Romans or Ottomans. Nowadays, the park, which occupies nearly 297 square kilometers, is protected by law and for good reason.

While there is a large number of sightseeing objectives in this area, most tourists come to watch the 16 interconnected lakes linked to one another by a series of rivers and spectacular waterfalls. Ever since the 19th century, when locals began building hotels here, tourists were given the chance of walking over rivers and woods on specially designed bridges.

One of the most beautiful objectives here, Veliki Slap, is the tallest waterfall in Croatia; as tourists admit, watching the water coming from the Plitvice stream and falling down on the 78 meters high rocks covered in plants is, indeed, a unique experience.

http://nationalpark-una.ba/en/