The Blue and the Red lake of Imotski

Eco and Wildlife tour in Split, Imotski

Tour Price : €380 Duration : 5-7 hours Languages: English, Italian, Croatian

Imotska krajina is a historical name for an area situated in the hinterland of the Biokova massif. The fertile Imotsko polje (field) has had a key role in the life of this area. In between its almost flat surface and the Biokova massif (1762 m) there is a spacious karst area with a series of alternating hills and bays. The field and the karst area in its immediate vicinity abound in water. The Vrljika River flows alongside the entire field, and Prološko blato in its north-western part becomes a floodplain area during the cold season of the year. Thanks to them the field offers excellent conditions for agriculture. Several karst lakes for which Imotska krajina is well-known are situated in the karst area north of the field.

Not far from Imotsko polje, on the slope of the Podi hill is situated Imotski. It developed from the medieval fortress which was the centre of the Croatian municipality and whose existence in the 10th-century was recorded by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine Porphyrogennetos. The rest of the important settlements were situated by the very edge of the field. The town centre of Imotski developed at the foot of a medieval fortress. Since the early middle ages Imotski has had an important administrative function although its population was small. The most intensive development of the town took place in the 19th and 20th-century. There are four recognizable parallel streets in its urban structure, linked vertically by numerous stairs. Houses in the well-preserved and protected town centre stand out with their neo-style and Art Nouveau characteristics, while special atmosphere is created by numerous buildings of a more modest architectural value built in the tradition of the local popular construction. The lakes of Imotski are two karst lakes situated in the immediate vicinity of the town centre.

The Blue Lake (Modro jezero) is a sinkhole, about 150 m deep in its southern part and about 290 m deep in its northern part. The water level varies during the year – sometimes its depth reaches more than 100 m, but it is not uncommon to completely dry out in autumn. Then the bottom of the lake turns into a football pitch for the traditional football game played between the teams of players who live in the quarters at the edge of the lake. Roads (1100 m) which lead to the water were built at the end of the 19th-century. The Red Lake (Crveno jezero), named after its formidable red-coloured cliffs, is situated about 1,5 km west of the town centre. At times its depth reaches up to 300 m, while the total depth of the sinkhole from its bottom (under the sea level) to the highest edge is a total of 550 m. Previous research has not confirmed the existence of communication between the waters of these two natural phenomena.

• 1 - 4 persons – 380 EUR - by car
• 5 - 8 persons – 560 EUR - by minivan
• for bigger groups – price on demand 

* Tour price includes tour arranging and planning costs, experienced licensed tour guides' fees and travel costs (where needed) and taxes, plus driver's fees (where needed) A/C rent a car/van, fuel, tolls, parking costs and entrance fees to the Blue lake panoramic view.

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