Few years after the construction of the railway, in the summer of 1887, the members of the Austrian Tourist Club (\u00d6sterreichischer Touristen Klub) built the first lodge for mountain climbers on U\u010dka right here on Poklon, and named it after princess Stephanie, wife of His Royal Majesty Prince Rudolf and daughter of the Belgian king Leopold II.<\/p>\n
Today Poklon includes an information office and souvenir shop, public toilets, and a car park with rest area. A board with a perspective drawing of U\u010dka Nature Park informs visitors about some basic facts about the area. Further information can be obtained in the office, where visitors can also buy the hiking-topographic map of U\u010dka Nature Park or some original souvenirs.
Did you know?<\/p>\n
In\u00a01958<\/strong>,\u00a0U\u010dka pension and restaurant\u00a0was built on the site of the former barracks of the Italian finance authority.<\/p>\n In\u00a01965<\/strong>, members of the Opatija Climbing Club built the new\u00a0Poklon mountain hut<\/strong>, which still exists.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”13062,13060,13057,13058,13059,13061,13063,13064,13724,13700,13706,13709,13715,13733,13742,13065,13066,13067,13068,13055″ posts_number=”3″ show_title_and_caption=”off” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”6228fd79-643c-418d-a023-37301e1acda9″][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_id=”veli-planik” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”0dde398e-b9b1-4181-9db9-5507a180521a”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.pp-ucka.hr\/2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/veliki_planik.jpg” alt=”Veliki Planik” title_text=”Veliki Planik” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n Veli Planik<\/strong>\u00a0is the highest peak of the \u0106i\u0107arija mountain range, at an elevation of 1,272 m above sea-level. Its bare rocks loom above the dense surrounding forests. If you climb this peak, you will enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the area.<\/p>\n Would you like to reach the highest peak of \u0106i\u0107arija? You can do so by one of the marked trails:<\/p>\n Poklon \u2013 O\u0161alj peak (1,176 m) \u2013 Planik<\/p>\n Veprinac \u2013 Mahenac (830 m) \u2013 Planik<\/p>\n Kastav forest (Lisina forest park) \u2013 Planik<\/p>\n Brgudac \u2013 Korita \u2013 \u0160krljavnik (1,067 m) \u2013 Planik (ca. 2 h)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_id=”korita” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”0dde398e-b9b1-4181-9db9-5507a180521a”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.pp-ucka.hr\/2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/pp_ucka_atrakcije_korita_naslovna.jpg” alt=”Veliki Planik” title_text=”pp_ucka_atrakcije_korita_naslovna” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n The jewel of the \u0106i\u0107arija mountain range<\/strong><\/p>\n The source of Korita<\/strong> lies at 45 minutes\u2019 walking distance from the village of Brgudac. It can be reached on a path that leads through a dense hornbeam and oak forest, with an occasional spruce and many protected plants and animals.<\/p>\n Located in a meadow under the Brajkova stijena cliff, this source of drinking water pours into ten solid wooden troughs, beneath which is a rather large pool rich in plant and animal life. This facility played a very important role in the life of local people because it was a major water source for them and their cattle.<\/p>\n A rest area at the source offers a wonderful view of the U\u010dka massif. Interpretation boards explain the cultural and natural significance of this spot.<\/p>\n Not far from the source is the\u00a0Na Koritima\u00a0mountain hut, which at weekends offers accommodation and refreshments.<\/p>\n If you intend to stay overnight in the hut, we recommend first checking its availability with the Glas Istre mountaineering club.<\/p>\n tel: +385\/ 98 390346<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_id=”kozljak” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”0dde398e-b9b1-4181-9db9-5507a180521a”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.pp-ucka.hr\/2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/pp_ucka_atrakcije_kozljak_naslovna.jpg” alt=”Veliki Planik” title_text=”pp_ucka_atrakcije_kozljak_naslovna” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n The medieval castle of Ko\u017eljak<\/strong> (210 m), built on a steep cliff above the former lake of \u010cepi\u0107, which was eventually drained and is today a fertile field, was first mentioned in some documents dating from the beginning of the 12th\u00a0century. The preserved stone steps, which even today seems to echo the clatter of hooves and rattling of armour, and parts of the defensive walls are reminders of those troubled times. A series of coats of arms chiselled into the rock attests to changing owners and rulers throughout the centuries.<\/p>\n To visit Ko\u017eljak, take the road that leads from Vranja to \u0160u\u0161njevica and continue towards Ko\u017eljak.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_id=”the-vojak-tower” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”0dde398e-b9b1-4181-9db9-5507a180521a”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.pp-ucka.hr\/2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/pp_ucka_atrakcije_vojak_naslovna.jpg” alt=”Veliki Planik” title_text=”pp_ucka_atrakcije_vojak_naslovna” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n Vojak<\/strong> is the highest peak in U\u010dka Nature Park; it is also the highest peak on the Istrian peninsula, rising 1,401 metres above sea level.<\/p>\n The Vojak Tower was built in 1911 to benefit from the mountain\u2019s wonderful panoramic views of Istria, the Kvarner Bay with the islands, the mountains in the Gorski kotar area, Mount Velebit, the Alps, and Italy. The tower was built by mountain climbers and nature enthusiasts from the\u00a0\u00d6sterreichischer Touristen Club<\/strong>\u00a0in the Austro-Hungarian period. During World War I, it served as an Austro-Hungarian military and naval lookout post.<\/p>\n After the massif of Mount U\u010dka and one part of \u0106i\u0107arija mountain range were declared the U\u010dka Nature Park in 1999, the Vojak Tower became the symbol of the park. To preserve the area\u2019s cultural and historical heritage and the long tradition of climbing to U\u010dka\u2019s highest peak and observation tower, as well as to make the most of the splendid panoramic views, the U\u010dka Nature Park Public Institution renovated the tower completely in 2004. Today, the tower includes an information office, a souvenir shop and an observation deck equipped with telescopes offering magnificent views of the surrounding landscapes.<\/p>\n The following routes are recommended for climbing Vojak:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_id=”water-of-joseph-2-fountain” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”0dde398e-b9b1-4181-9db9-5507a180521a”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.pp-ucka.hr\/2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/pp_ucka_atrakcije_voda-josipa-2_naslovna.jpg” alt=”Veliki Planik” title_text=”pp_ucka_atrakcije_voda-josipa-2_naslovna” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off”]The \u201cWater of Joseph II\u201d<\/strong> is located in a small rural settlement called\u00a0Vela U\u010dka, on the western slopes of U\u010dka Nature Park.<\/p>\n The style and the dimensions of the facility create the impression of a fountain, which is how it is mostly known by the local people. In the folk tradition it was also called \u201cNapoleon\u2019s water\u201d.<\/p>\n The old \u201cpipe\u201d, with its beauty and patina of times gone by, has always attracted the attention of U\u010dka\u2019s inhabitants and the travellers who have been stopping by for centuries to refresh themselves from its fresh spring water.<\/p>\n Based on the style of the building, it is presumed that the fountain was built during the reign of the\u00a0Habsburg Monarchy, at the time when the road over U\u010dka was constructed. Most of the large number of people that inhabited U\u010dka at that time were involved in cattle breeding and agriculture and therefore this facility was used by them as a place to rest and water their animals. This fact was confirmed by an inscription revealed during the monument\u2019s restoration in which the name of Emperor\u00a0Joseph II of Lorraine\u00a0appears, the sovereign of the Monarchy from 1780 to 1790.<\/p>\n Natpis glasi:<\/p>\n \u2026.sule Viator \u2026.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 traveller!<\/em><\/p>\n ad dignitatem\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 in honour of<\/em><\/p>\n Divi Caesaris Josephi II\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 the divine Emperor Joseph II<\/em><\/p>\n Imperatoris\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 sole<\/em><\/p>\n uninsque\u2026\u2026\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 emperor<\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The fountain was renovated to mark the occasion of International Year of Freshwater in 2003 as part of the cultural heritage protection programme run by the U\u010dka Nature Park Public Institution in collaboration with the relevant administrative department for the protection of cultural heritage at the Conservatory Department in Rijeka and the sculptor Zvonimir Kamenar.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=”off|off|off” module_id=”ekomuseum-vlaski-puti” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”0dde398e-b9b1-4181-9db9-5507a180521a”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/www.pp-ucka.hr\/2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/pp_ucka_atrakcije_ekomuzej_naslovna.jpg” alt=”Veliki Planik” title_text=”pp_ucka_atrakcije_ekomuzej_naslovna” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n The Ecomuseum Vla\u0161ki Puti (Vlach Paths)<\/b> is a place of valorisation and presentation of the social history and traditional culture of \u0160u\u0161njevica and nearby surroundings through the concept of a cultural landscape<\/b> . It consists of the Interpretation Centre<\/b> and the Media Library<\/b> , situated in the old local school, and the walking theme paths<\/b> through the U\u010dka Nature Park, directly connected with the life and activities of the community.<\/p>\n In its organization, the Interpretation Centre with the theme paths and the landscape interpretation is based on the concept of ecomuseology<\/b> , i.e. a holistic approach to the heritage and active engagement of the local community in the interpretation and management of their own cultural heritage.<\/p>\n The mission of the Interpretation Centre and the Ecomuseum Vla\u0161ki Puti is to valorise and present the social history and the traditional culture of \u0160u\u0161njevica and the surrounding villages with particular emphasis on transfer of knowledge about the Vlach (so called Istro-Romanian) language<\/b> and culture. The Vlachs are a bigger ethnic community formed from different ethnic groups settled in South-eastern Europe. In the past they lived mostly in tribes as nomadic cattlemen without leaving much material cultural remainings. Not once during their domination over the Istrian peninsula, did the Venetians and Austrians inhabit these areas with Slavic and Vlach people. The Istrian Vlachs also called \u0106i\u0107i\u00a0 <\/i> preserved their customs and native Istro-romanian language and live mostly on the South-eastern part of Istria – in the villages of \u017dejane, \u0160u\u0161njevica, Nova Vas (near Kr\u0161an), and in the surroundings of \u010cepi\u0107 field and the Boljun\u010dica river valley. However, there are less and less Vlach language native speakers, which is the cause of its endangered status and why it’s listed as national protected cultural heritage and in the UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger <\/i> .<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" PoklonThe pass between the mountains of U\u010dka and \u0106i\u0107arija is called Poklon (922 m). The name (\u201cBow\u201d in English) comes from the traditional folk religion: before the Istrian railway was built in 1876, pilgrims from Istria had for centuries travelled across this pass to the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Trsat in Rijeka. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":16702,"parent":276,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<\/a>Poklon<\/a> | Veli planik<\/a> | Korita<\/a> | Ko\u017eljak<\/a> | The Vojak Tower<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Water of Joseph II Fountain<\/a>\r\n Back to top ^^<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n Back to top ^^<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n Back to top ^^<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n Back to top ^^<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n Back to top ^^<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\nVeli planik<\/h1>\n
Korita<\/h1>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.pp-ucka.hr\/2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/korita-1.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\nKo\u017eljak<\/h1>\n
Vojak<\/h1>\n
\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\nWater of Joseph II<\/h1>\n
RESTORATION AND PROTECTION<\/h4>\n
Ecomuseum Vla\u0161ki Puti (Vlach Paths)<\/h1>\n
<\/a>Poklon<\/h2>\r\n
<\/a>The pass between the mountains of U\u010dka and \u0106i\u0107arija is called Poklon (922 m). The name (\"Bow\" in English) comes from the traditional folk religion: before the Istrian railway was built in 1876, pilgrims from Istria had for centuries travelled across this pass to the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Trsat in Rijeka. Once they reached Poklon, which offers a beautiful view of Kvarner Bay, they would bow to the votive church of Our Lady of Trsat. In remembrance of this tradition of bowing, a cross was placed here on Poklon.\r\n\r\nFew years after the construction of the railway, in the summer of 1887, the members of the Austrian Tourist Club (\u00d6sterreichischer Touristen Klub) built the first lodge for mountain climbers on U\u010dka right here on Poklon, and named it after princess Stephanie, wife of His Royal Majesty Prince Rudolf and daughter of the Belgian king Leopold II.\r\n\r\nToday Poklon includes an information office and souvenir shop, public toilets, and a car park with rest area. A board with a perspective drawing of U\u010dka Nature Park informs visitors about some basic facts about the area. Further information can be obtained in the office, where visitors can also buy the hiking-topographic map of U\u010dka Nature Park or some original souvenirs.\r\nDid you know?\r\n\r\nIn\u00a01958<\/strong>,\u00a0U\u010dka pension and restaurant\u00a0was built on the site of the former barracks of the Italian finance authority.\r\n\r\nIn\u00a01965<\/strong>, members of the Opatija Climbing Club built the new\u00a0Poklon mountain hut<\/strong>, which still exists.\r\n<\/a>Veli Planik<\/h2>\r\n
<\/a>Veli Planik<\/strong>\u00a0is the highest peak of the \u0106i\u0107arija mountain range, at an elevation of 1,272 m above sea-level. Its bare rocks loom above the dense surrounding forests. If you climb this peak, you will enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the area.\r\n\r\nWould you like to reach the highest peak of \u0106i\u0107arija? You can do so by one of the marked trails:\r\n\r\nPoklon \u2013 O\u0161alj peak (1,176 m) \u2013 Planik\r\n\r\nVeprinac \u2013 Mahenac (830 m) \u2013 Planik\r\n\r\nKastav forest (Lisina forest park) \u2013 Planik\r\n\r\nBrgudac \u2013 Korita \u2013 \u0160krljavnik (1,067 m) \u2013 Planik (ca. 2 h)\r\n<\/a>Korita<\/h2>\r\n
<\/a>\r\n\r\nThe jewel of the \u0106i\u0107arija mountain range<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe source of Korita lies at 45 minutes' walking distance from the village of Brgudac. It can be reached on a path that leads through a dense hornbeam and oak forest, with an occasional spruce and many protected plants and animals.\r\n\r\nLocated in a meadow under the Brajkova stijena cliff, this source of drinking water pours into ten solid wooden troughs, beneath which is a rather large pool rich in plant and animal life. This facility played a very important role in the life of local people because it was a major water source for them and their cattle.\r\n\r\nA rest area at the source offers a wonderful view of the U\u010dka massif. Interpretation boards explain the cultural and natural significance of this spot.\r\n\r\nNot far from the source is the\u00a0Na Koritima\u00a0mountain hut, which at weekends offers accommodation and refreshments.\r\n\r\nIf you intend to stay overnight in the hut, we recommend first checking its availability with the Glas Istre mountaineering club.\r\n\r\ntel: +385\/ 98 390346\r\n\r\n[gallery columns=\"6\" ids=\"719,720,721,722,723,724,725,726,727\"]\r\n<\/a>Ko\u017eljak<\/h2>\r\n
<\/a>The medieval castle of Ko\u017eljak (210 m), built on a steep cliff above the former lake of \u010cepi\u0107, which was eventually drained and is today a fertile field, was first mentioned in some documents dating from the beginning of the 12th\u00a0century. The preserved stone steps, which even today seems to echo the clatter of hooves and rattling of armour, and parts of the defensive walls are reminders of those troubled times. A series of coats of arms chiselled into the rock attests to changing owners and rulers throughout the centuries.\r\n\r\nTo visit Ko\u017eljak, take the road that leads from Vranja to \u0160u\u0161njevica and continue towards Ko\u017eljak.\r\n<\/a>Vojak<\/h2>\r\n
<\/a>\r\n\r\nVojak is the highest peak in U\u010dka Nature Park; it is also the highest peak on the Istrian peninsula, rising 1,401 metres above sea level.\r\n\r\nThe Vojak Tower was built in 1911 to benefit from the mountain's wonderful panoramic views of Istria, the Kvarner Bay with the islands, the mountains in the Gorski kotar area, Mount Velebit, the Alps, and Italy. The tower was built by mountain climbers and nature enthusiasts from the\u00a0\u00d6sterreichischer Touristen Club<\/strong>\u00a0in the Austro-Hungarian period. During World War I, it served as an Austro-Hungarian military and naval lookout post.\r\n\r\nAfter the massif of Mount U\u010dka and one part of \u0106i\u0107arija mountain range were declared the U\u010dka Nature Park in 1999, the Vojak Tower became the symbol of the park. To preserve the area's cultural and historical heritage and the long tradition of climbing to U\u010dka's highest peak and observation tower, as well as to make the most of the splendid panoramic views, the U\u010dka Nature Park Public Institution renovated the tower completely in 2004. Today, the tower includes an information office, a souvenir shop and an observation deck equipped with telescopes offering magnificent views of the surrounding landscapes.\r\n\r\nThe following routes are recommended for climbing Vojak:\r\n\r\nPoklon \u2013 Vojak\r\n\r\nVela U\u010dka \u2013 Sedlo \u2013 Vojak\r\n\r\nMala U\u010dka \u2013 Sedlo \u2013 Vojak\r\n\r\nLovranska Draga \u2013 Mala U\u010dka \u2013 Vojak\r\n\r\n[gallery columns=\"6\" ids=\"731,732,733,734,735,736,737,738,739,740,741\"]\r\n<\/a>Voda Josipa II<\/h2>\r\n
<\/a>\r\n\r\nThe \"Water of Joseph II\" is located in a small rural settlement called\u00a0Vela U\u010dka, on the western slopes of U\u010dka Nature Park.\r\n\r\nThe style and the dimensions of the facility create the impression of a fountain, which is how it is mostly known by the local people. In the folk tradition it was also called \"Napoleon's water\".\r\n\r\nThe old \"pipe\", with its beauty and patina of times gone by, has always attracted the attention of U\u010dka's inhabitants and the travellers who have been stopping by for centuries to refresh themselves from its fresh spring water.\r\n\r\nBased on the style of the building, it is presumed that the fountain was built during the reign of the\u00a0Habsburg Monarchy, at the time when the road over U\u010dka was constructed. Most of the large number of people that inhabited U\u010dka at that time were involved in cattle breeding and agriculture and therefore this facility was used by them as a place to rest and water their animals. This fact was confirmed by an inscription revealed during the monument's restoration in which the name of Emperor\u00a0Joseph II of Lorraine\u00a0appears, the sovereign of the Monarchy from 1780 to 1790.\r\n\r\nThe inscription reads:\r\n\r\n....sule Viator ....\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 traveller!<\/em>\r\n\r\nad dignitatem\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 in honour of<\/em>\r\n\r\nDivi Caesaris Josephi II\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the divine Emperor Joseph II<\/em>\r\n\r\nImperatoris\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 sole<\/em>\r\n\r\nuninsque...... \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 emperor<\/em>\r\n\r\nRESTORATION AND PROTECTION<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe fountain was renovated to mark the occasion of International Year of Freshwater in 2003 as part of the cultural heritage protection programme run by the U\u010dka Nature Park Public Institution in collaboration with the relevant administrative department for the protection of cultural heritage at the Conservatory Department in Rijeka and the sculptor Zvonimir Kamenar.\r\n