Blidinje

Blidinje is a Nature park in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in a massive valley between Čvrsnica and Vran mountains.The melting glaciers from Čvrsnica during the two past ice ages created this open and barren valley leading into the park.

Blidinje Lake is the direct result of a glacial retreat located at 1.184 m in the valley below. This runway for ice, water and debris did not, however, manage to stop a wide range of life forms from prospering here. Accompanying some of the rocky and seemingly lifeless slopes are thick forests of pine, including the endemic white-bark pine at Masna Luka called Pinus leucodermis. Three types of wild thyme and dozens of wild flowers cover the valley and mountain sides in the spring and summer. The 3-5 km valley, situated at an elevation of 1.150-1.300 m, is dotted with the trademark stećci from medieval ages. It is not clear how long human settlements have existed here but research began when Blidinje recently received Nature park status. Traces of Illyrian graves and Roman roads indicate that Blidinje has been settled for at least 2,500 years. The large necropolis at Dugo Polje indicates that the waves of Slavs that came in the 7th century also made this area their home. The park is set in long sweeping valleys.

To the north and southeast are the peaks of Vran and Čvrsnica. Ploča on Cvrsnica is the highest peak in Herzegovina at 2.226 m. The park itself is free of mines with well-marked trails. It's best to visit the hotel by the ski lifts at Risovac for information. They will also have information about the park, its history and the Franciscan monastery that is located within the park and open to visitors. Houses here are traditional shepherd homes with straw roofs that are mainly used during the spring and summer seasons. Winter is harsh and cold in these parts.

See also

*List of National parks and Nature parks in Bosnia and Herzegovina

External links

* http://www.tel.net.ba/blidinje/index_eng.htm