Imotski Croatia: the land of epic nature and poetic people

Imotski is a small town in inland Dalmatia. A trip there is a world away from the Dalmatian coast. But if you can get by without the Adriatic Sea a day or two, your visit won’t be short of wonders.

I have traveled Croatia far and wide. I’ve seen the glorious Croatian coast, lush mountains, exciting Croatian cities. But Imotski has a peculiar allure that touches even those who think they’ve seen it all.

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So what is the secret charm of Imotski?

It’s a historic town but not in a postcard-perfect way as Dubrovnik. Far from being a tourist haunt, Imotski unravels its stories only if you scratch deep enough.

If you approach it from the coast, you’ll have to take the tunnel through Biokovo mountain. Yes, this immense rugged ridge robs Imotski of a sea view. But its karst formations are ‘guilty’ of several breathtaking natural wonders.

Imotski lakes are its most famous nature designs that have already made it on Dalmatia’s tourist map. And this is not where Imotski water world stops.

The river Vrljika is unique too. A sinking karst river that goes under 5 different names along its 70 km flow.

Imotski landscape and legends

The landscape of this entire region of Imotska krajina has inspired countless folk tales. A random rock, cave, or a sinkhole is never only that. In the local people’s imagination they are home to fairies, angels or cursed rulers.

The mythology abounds with tragic heroes and heroines. But look beyond those harrowing details. Because the creative force behind them is mellow and poetic. Yes, Imotski is also famous as the home town of several outstanding Croatian poets.

Now put together this harsh nature and this sublime, gentle poetry. What you get is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Let me show you the details.

1 | Imotski Lakes – the Red Lake

In May 2017 Imotski caught big media attention. It was when French cave diver Frederic Swierczynski reached the bottom of the Red Lake. Not only was he the first person in the world to do it. But now we finally know the exact depth of the lake – 245 meters.

A couple of months later, the Red Lake threw even a bigger show. This time, more people could watch. Because a group of Austrian slackliners walked across this world’s third biggest sinkhole.

Watch this video.

The slackliners gave quite a performance and promised to be back next year.

The Red Lake, in Croatian Crveno jezero, is a geological wonder of the Dinaric karst. It takes eons for the water to dissolve limestone and carve out underground pits. Once they are too large, they collapse under the weight of the soil.

But you don’t need the scientific explanation to admire the Red Lake. In fact, centuries ago, people had only folk tales about its origin. They passed them down as a way to marvel at its chilling beauty.

Red lake legend

The story of Gavan is still alive and it goes… Rich man Gavan lived by the edge of the Red Lake. Both him and his wife Gavanica were mean and greedy. One night an angel visited them. But when he begged them for some food and water, Gavanica sent him away. At that moment, the earth collapsed into an abyss, dragging down Gavan’s castle with it.

So there you have another explanation of how the Red Lake came to be. You can choose whichever one you like. But one thing never changes.

As you stand over the lake, its mystical beauty will lock you in. Take your time. Stare at its matt reflection for hours. Contemplate. They say the lake takes its name after the burning red rocks of the grotto.

2 | Imotski Lakes – the Blue Lake

The Blue Lake, in Croatian Modro jezero, is much tamer. You can relish in its beauty from high above or walk down and swim in it.

There are several belvederes around it. When you see the Blue Lake from all of them you’ll catch its kidney-like shape. The science says it is actually made of two sinkholes that caved in and merged.

There is a long meandering footpath that leads all the way down to the lake. You should take it for two reasons. One is quite obvious: you can have a great swim in the Blue Lake. The other is more etherial…

Imotski Fairies

As you tread down, you’ll reach the so called Fairy’s Resting Place. According to the local legend, it’s where fairies come out at dawn and dusk. The nearby Fairy Cave is a place where no human has ever entered!

My favorite view of the Blue Lake is from the Topana Imotski Fortress which rises from a massive cliff. Topana was of strategic importance throughout the long history of Imotski. From as early at the 10th century when the town was the capital of the Croatian parish of Emotha.

During the Ottoman invasion (1493-1717), Topana was the center of the Turkish command. When the Venetians took over, the fort played another peculiar role. The border between the two empires got marked by a cannon ball fired into the Imotski field.

3 | Imotski Poet – Tin Ujević

The beauty of Imotski Lakes may be your reason number one to visit. But after you’ve had your dose of natural wonders, stick around the town too.

Walk around the typical Dalmatian stone streets. Pjaca is the prettiest one and completely pedestrianized. Then explore the oldest part of Imotski – Bazana. You’ll find it snuggled underneath Topana fortress.

Finally, get to Skalini, the 18th century staircase that connects Bazana with the newer part of Imotski. At this historic hub, you’ll find the statue of Tin Ujević – one of Croatia’s greatest poets.

Tin Ujević was born in nearby Vrgorac but he went to school in Imotski. And the locals are immensely proud of this connection. Especially of Ujević’s poem about the sadness for leaving Imotski.

Departure

In a hunch, longing for distances, distances;

in the heart, in the breath mountains, mountains.Small places of my heart,

recollections of Brac, of Imotski.

And the blaze of a famous mace,
And the smell, the smell of alecost.

There, there if I could travel to,
There, there to grieve;

If I could hear those old fables,
To dream the milk of a blue fairy tale;

Not to know of myself anymore,
or the smokes of pain in the fogs.

Ujević is often called the last Croatian bard. He was a true poetic giant whose verses ooze with both mellow and sombre tones.

Read more about Croatian Writers

4 | Imotski poet – Vlado Gotovac

As I followed my grumbling tummy that day in Imotski, I found two delicacies. First, I discovered a unique eco village Grabovci, only 8 km from the Blue Lake. Once abandoned, the village now celebrates traditional way of life of Imotska krajina.

The Grabovac family farm will treat you will all kinds of scrumptious dishes. Roast meat, home grown vegetables, cheese and delicious cakes.

As a vegetarian, I am used to eating poorly in places where meat is the star ingredient. But at Grabovac farm, my food preferences weren’t a problem. I got a fantastic grilled cheese and vegetables picked straight from their garden.

Then, I got chatting with the owner. It didn’t take long before I mentioned Vlado Gotovac – one of my favorite Croatian poets. I knew he too was born in Imotski. The owner pointed to a small stone house outside the window.

There, just across the restaurant was his birthplace.

Vlado Gotovac was a poet and a philosopher. A patriot whose love for Croatia cost him more than a decade in prison during communism. He wrote one of the truest and most moving verses about free speech.

Silence the poet

Silence the poet
And the words exchanged will be fewer
— An unexpected radiance rarer
A mysterious reverie more seldom …
Safer the moment will be,
But squandered will be the era …

5 | Imotski poetry – Hasanaginica

Let’s revisit the Blue Lake. And let’s bring together what may seem incompatible – rugged nature and tender poetry.

Right by one of the Blue Lake belvederes, you’ll find the Hasanaginica thematic park. The glass plaque has verses from the famous namesake poem. Its English title is The Mourning Song of the Noble Wife of the Asan Aga.

No one knows the author of the ballad. But its verses have been recited for generations across the whole Balkans. Hasanaginica, the wife of Lord (aga) Hasan Arapović is a tragic heroine because she dies for being a good wife.

Illogical. So let me explain.

Hasanaginica plot

Aga is lying wounded in his tent. His mother and sister visit him, but not his wife Hasanaginica. The rules of the society are such. She only obeys them. But wounded and emotional, Aga expects her to break them. And when she doesn’t, he disowns her.

Hasanaginica must leave her children and marry another wealthy man. Of course she cannot. And when she sees her children for the last time, she dies of grief.

There have been countless studies of Hasanaginica. Into several plot mismatches, into who the author might have been. But all this aside, the ballad’s heartfelt poetry spread all around Europe.

It was especially popular during the 18th century Romanticism. Goethe translated it into German, Mérimée into French, Pushkin into Russian and Walter Scott into English. Today it’s available in more than 40 language.

The plot of the poem takes place near the Blue Lake. And the ruins of the Hasan towers still exist on its southwestern slopes.

6 | Day trip from Split

Imotski can be your perfect day trip from Split. It’s also very easy to visit from Makarska with lots of buses running throughout the day.

If you’re a fan of inland Dalmatia like me, consider spending a few days there. Imotski is turning into a tourist destination in its own right. Accommodation options are getting better by the day. Especially with the boom of luxury villas with swimming pools.

Who knows, you might not even miss the sea…

Let me sign off with a few verses from Hasanaginica:

What’s so white upon yon verdant forest?
Snow perhaps it is or swans assembled?
Snow would surely long ago have melted.
And a flight of swans would have departed.
No! not swans, not snow it is you see there,
‘Tis the tent of Aga, Hasan Aga;
On his couch he lies, severely wounded.
And his mother seeks him, and his sister,
But for very shame his wife is absent.

Are you tempted to visit Imotski? You should be. The nature will wow you. But don’t forget the poetry too!

Special thanks to the Imotski Tourist Board for welcoming me and showing me Imotski attractions.