Vransko Lake [Nature parks]

Vransko Lake is a natural phenomenon and the larges natural lake in Croatia. It is situated between two historic towns of Zadar and Šibenik, several kilometers away from the town of Biograd. The lake and surrounding area have been proclaimed a Nature Park in 1999. It is really a sunken karst field, and several smaller springs provide the lake with water. The lake is interesting in several ways. Part of it is protected as an ornithological reservation (since 1983), while the whole lake is proclaimed to be important bird area (Important Bird Area – IBA) according to criteria by the European Union. Vransko Lake has always been famous for its nature. There are archeological remains on the "Crkvina" locality and other places near the lake from several Roman agricultural estates. Roman sign that was found on the nearby Roman aquaduct testifies of important agricultural activity of Roman empire on this area. Roman aquaduct built from Vrane to Zadar not only supplied Zadar with water but also all of the agricultural estates near the aquaduct.