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THE VALLEY OF GACKA

We have singled out everything you can visit during your stay in the Gacka Valley. From the mill, where you can experience the unique centuries-old peace, to the famous fish farm-pond 'Gacka', a place where fish have been farmed for 3 decades and where you can see the famous California brown trout. In addition to all of that, you also have to visit the Ličko lešće Cave, which is rich in the Iyapodic culture. There is also the Sanctuary of the pagan god Mithras, a remnant of the ancient sanctuary known for the fact that this particular religion was reserved for men only. Further on, we have the Gacka Park, a beautiful and cultural-historical sight which takes you back through time all the way to the formation of the Early Croatian State, and the Duke Borna in the early 9th century. We also single out the Fortica fortress, one of the last two remaining triangular fortresses in Croatia. And, last but not least, if you want to see live bears, then the “Velebit” bear cub orphanage is the place to do it.

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Fish farm Gacka

The fishpond working hours are from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. on workdays, retailing of fish from own production.

Fishpond-fish farm “Gacka” in Sinac works under the company Leko d.o.o. It was established as a full-system closed-end type fishpond with its own production of young stock of the domesticated rainbow trout and the indigenous brown trout and the production of mentioned fish species in all age categories, intended for restocking natural watercourses and sports and recreational facilities, including the production of fish for consumption.

The tradition of producing fish has been around at this fish farm for three decades in continuity. There is also a plant for fish processing and the production of a wide range of prepared and processed fish products. From our range, we can highlight the rainbow trout, indigenous and salmon-like brown trout for consumption, fillets of the previously mentioned trout, cold-smoked fillet of the Gacka trout and caviar and pate as delicacies, also made from the Gacka trout.

Information: LEKO d.o.o., Sinac BB, 53220 Otočac, Tel.: 053/787-797, E-mail: leko@zg.t-com.hr; leko@gs.t-com.hr

Croatian Centre for Indigenous Karst Water Fish and Crawfish Species

Pećina (Cave) in Ličko Lešće

In a historical and cultural sense, the region of Gacka is most famous for the Iapodic culture. It was a grand, impressive, rich culture which lasted over a thousand years in continuity. It is considered that it spanned the period from 11 th century BC and that it continued to function during the Roman rule, in parallel with the culture of the Roman conquerors, until a century or so AD.

Even though the Iapodic culture, which is increasingly being divided from the Illyrian culture by modern science, and which considers the Iapods as a separate entity and ethnicity, belongs to prehistory, something must have existed earlier. Because it is not expected that such a culture originates by itself, out of thin air. That period before, which is also prehistoric because there are no written clues, preceded the Bronze Age and was part of the Neolithic period of the Stone Age. Between the earlier and later Stone Age there was a transitional period, the so-called Mesolithic. In the area of the Gacka region today, the Mesolithic spanned the period from around 10.000 BC to 6.500 BC. It was a time when man was still a wild animal hunter.

But what is the evidence that this is correct in the Gacka region? Pećina. This is not a generic name for every cavernous area, but rather the name of the cave near the spring Pećina in Lešće, therefore, near the source of Kostelka, the tributary of the river Gacka. Besides, that part of Lešće bears the same name.

The Lešće Pećina (Cave) is truly impressive, the aperture is large, and its floor gently slopes into the depths.

Certain archaeological excavations have documented traces of carbonised wild animal bones (hunter) from the Mesolithic period and the bones have visible traces of tools, but allegedly, traces of the culture from the later, Iapodic period have also been found. That is Pećina’s testimony of its use in a very large time period, some of it in continuity, some of it with interruptions.

For visitors, this archaeological site is basically in the palm of their hands. One only needs to gently ascend some hundred meters from the spring Pećina, i.e., the Croatian Centre for Indigenous Species of Fish and Crayfish in Karstic Waters and descend to the other side to the cave, use his/her imagination and try and return a few thousand years in the past to feel the scents of the past. There is a rock shelter here, the forest is right there, the water and the entire prehistoric comfort. Hence, Pećina (Cave) is a first-rate tourist site.

The Shrine of the god Mithras

Gacka Park of Croatian Memory

Fortress Fortica in Otočac

Fortica, a fortress in Otočac, is a true rarity because it is one of the only two remaining regular triangular forts in Croatia, while there are only several of them in Europe. Fifteen Stations of the Way of the Cross, placed on Fortica’s slope, are a contribution not only to the religious content in this town but also represent a distinctive artistic experience for every visitor.

The sculptural Calvary of Otočac begins at the foot of Fortica with the Most Holy Trinity piece. It continues with fifteen stone steles which are placed from the foot of Fortica to the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows, located almost at the top of the hill, enriching the existing view of the area and returning an already somewhat forgotten memory of the Calvary, the other name of the hill used by the Christian faithful.

The fortress Fortica was built by people of Senj with the local population in 1619, fortifying the town of Otočac on the eponymous hill, located on an island in the middle of the river Gacka, but also Senj which was defending itself in the Gacka region from Ottoman incursions.

It was a fortress with three towers, the biggest on the east side and two smaller ones on the west side, interconnected by walls with a thickness of 1.80 - 2 m. It was built in haste with smaller stones, evidently, there was no time or money to carve stone blocks. The inside courtyard was very narrow and included tanks which were used to collect water. Fortica was used as a permanent residence for soldiers, storage for ammunition and gunpowder and as a storage for food with kitchens and dormitories.

Archaeological research discovered the walls of each of these towers and interconnecting walls, but it also discovered the entrance door threshold. Fortica’s entrance was on the south side, towards Otočac. The entrance door was high above the ground, so in the time of its construction, Fortica could only be entered by using a ladder, while later, a porch with stairs was built. During its military use, the Fortica hill was stark for defence purposes, with no trees. Fortica’s first commander was Andrija Kolaković. Fortica was abandoned in the second half of the 19 th century when Otočac started to systematically develop as an urban environment. All important military buildings of the Otočac regiment were located beneath Fortica. The fortress began to lose its significance at the start of the 19 th century, as can be seen from the fact that it was adapted into a gunpowder magazine in 1804. In 1882, a strong wind raised the roof of the widest tower and dropped it on the ground, so not only did neglect but also the weather contributed to Fortica’s deterioration.

At the start of the 20 century, Fortica was being afforested. Pharmacist Častek ordered Czech pine trees to be planted on the hill’s private property. The new forest was growing nicely until World War II. In 1941, the Italians that came to Otočac ordered the trees to be cut and placed their battery there. An interesting fact to mention is that the fortress Fortica, in its restored and preserved state, is now the only renaissance remnant in the Otočac area. In fact, before the Renaissance, rectangular forts were built and the triangular ones were much rarer, while in the Renaissance, the forts and castles were fortified with round towers.

Velebit Bear Orphanage