Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of Croatia's most popular inland tourist destinations, where its wooden walkways teem with visitors throughout the year. Officials controlling the park have just released plans and photos of an impressive visitors centre that will be built near the entrance of the park. 20 million kunas from the European Cohesion Fund has been earmarked to build the new centre, which should be completed within three years.
The bulk of the new visitor's centre will be housed underground, utilising some of the area's natural rock as a visually stunning part of the sizeable structure. It will house a museum complex, an educational centre with a library, a multimedia hall, catering area, children's playroom, souvenir shop and offices. The centre itself is a beautiful example of Adriatic modernism - half patterned glass, half-grassy knoll, it looks like something from Lord of the Rings, or a hidden lair fit for a bond villain.
Among the aims of the new project are the desire to provide a better, more pleasant and more informative experience for visitors, to help in catering for visitors with special needs, to encourage interest in local culture and nature, to extend the stay of visitors and to engage both visitors and locals in ecological issues.
