World 🢖 Europe 🢖 Croatia

Sinkholes 🢔 Caves 🢔 Geological wonders 🢔 Categories of wonders

Wonder

Modro Jezero – Blue Lake

Modro Jezero (Croatia) from above. Seen the road built for the visit of Emperor Frantz Joseph I
Modro Jezero from above. Seen the road built for the visit of Emperor Frantz Joseph I / Wikimedia Commons, user Modzzak, CC BY-SA 3.0

WorldBlue  In short

One of the most beautiful and interesting karst formations in Dinaric Alps is Modro Jezero – approximately 220 – 290 m deep sinkhole with beautiful lake on its bottom and vertical cliffs around it.

4.5 out of 10 stars 45.3%

GPS coordinates
43.4501 N 17.2107 E
Location, address
Europe, Croatia, Split-Dalmatia, some 24 km north-east from Makarska, 0.4 km north-west from Imotski
Alternate names
Blue Lake, Plavo jezero
Depth
290 m, this includes up to 90 m deep lake

Map of the site

Travelers' Map is loading...
If you see this after your page is loaded completely, leafletJS files are missing.

WorldYellow In detail

General description

Modro Jezero in Croatia. Note the person below, in forefront. There are seen also traces of much higher water levels
Modro Jezero. Note the person below, in the forefront. There are seen also traces of much higher water levels
/ Wikimedia Commons, user Dreizung, CC BY-SA 3.0

Most likely this sinkhole formed after the collapse of an enormous cave hall. Not far from this sinkhole are other large sinkholes including one of the largest in the world – Crveno Jezero.

Upper opening of the sinkhole is approximately 520 m long and 280 m wide, 290 m deep. Volume – 22 million m³. The sinkhole has very steep sides – the southern rim is vertical. For the most part at the bottom of the sinkhole is a lake. Lake level is up to 342 m above the sea level (at high water).

The lake is the most interesting feature of the sinkhole. This beautiful blue-green lake, in general, is 800 x 500 m large. The level of this lake varies with the season and rainfall. In spring it can be up to 100 m deep but in summer – even totally dry with mud-filled holes in locations where the water disappeared.

In 1914 the lake rose up to 114 m depth and started to flow over the southern rim of the sinkhole.

Earlier the lake was deeper – but an earthquake in 1942 caused large landfall and thus reduced the depth of the lake.

Upper rim of surrounding cliffs rises some 220 m above the bottom of the sinkhole.

The intermittent level of the lake has formed several caves around it – Boškova, Golubova, Top, Vilinska. Boškova cave is hard to reach – it was used as a shelter during World War II.

Exotic swimming place

The lake of this sinkhole is easy to access and thus it is a popular swimming place.

A road with breathtaking sights was built to the lake for the visit of Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1907. Since then the road has been repaired many times and is very busy in the summertime. At a high water level, the lower end of this road is under the water.

In the lake there are seen several notable boulders, which in a way serve for easy determination of the lake level: Katavić, Jakićin, Pavić. When the 6 m tall Katavić appears, the swimming season may start. The name of Jakićin is given to commemorate a man who drowned here in 1834 – this boulder marks the middle of the swimming season. Pavić appears at the end of the swimming season.

Towering above the lake there is a vertical cliff, where swimmers are jumping in the lake – some even from 40 m height.

When the lake dries out, the flat bottom is used even for playing football – between the local teams Vilenjaci and Vukodlaci.

Above the lake towers an ancient fortress – Imotski Fortress (Topana) – mentioned in written sources already in the 10th century, built around 845 – 864 AD. Imotski town developed around this fortification.

References
  1. Modro Jezero. Accessed on August 13, 2010

WorldYellow Linked articles

The lake of acid in Ijen Crater, Indonesia
The lake of acid in Ijen Crater / © CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Wikimedia Commons

Lakes and streams

There are many factors that can make lakes, sea bays, or rivers unusual. Some lakes have unusual chemical properties and even do not contain water at all – such as lava lakes. Others may have unusual animals living in them or… legends about such animals.

Great Blue Hole, Belize
Great Blue Hole / Eric Pheterson, Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Sinkholes

This category includes outstanding sinkholes – large natural depressions or holes, which for most the part represent collapsed caves.

Plitvice Lakes in Croatia
Plitvice Lakes in Croatia / Bart Dubelaar, / SA BY-SA 2.0

Wonders of Croatia

The natural and cultural heritage of Croatia is diverse and very charming. Highlights of Croatia are the ancient, beautiful Dalmatian seaside cities and towns and the diverse karst formations – such as waterfalls with tuff formations, sinkholes, caves, and others.

WorldYellow Recommended books

Rock Formations and Unusual Geologic Structures


Looks at the earth’s crust, sedimentary strata, erosion, geologic mapping, fossil beds, folds and faults, volcanoes, and glaciers.

Rick Steves Croatia & Slovenia


Stroll Dubrovnik’s ancient walls, drive through the idyllic Julian Alps, and set sail on the glimmering Adriatic: with Rick Steves on your side, Croatia and Slovenia can be yours!


0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments