Pliva Lakes, Natural lakes in Jajce Municipality, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Pliva Lakes consist of two connected bodies of water nestled in limestone terrain, separated by natural barriers and spanning several kilometers. The pair sits close together, creating a continuous water system in the Jajce area.
These lakes formed naturally through geological processes that created tufa barriers over time, shaping the landscape we see today. In 1963, major international kayaking championships took place here, bringing global attention to the area.
Traditional watermills line the area between the two lakes, reminding visitors how water power shaped local life for hundreds of years. You can see how these structures once served as centers of daily activity and community work.
The area is accessible year-round, though summer offers the best conditions for water activities like swimming, kayaking, and fishing. Walking trails run along the shoreline, making it easy to explore at your own pace without a guide.
These lakes formed through complex tectonic shifts combined with slow limestone deposits, creating a rare natural formation in the region. This unusual geological process explains why traditional watermills thrived specifically at this location.
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