November the 30th, 2025 – There’s an ancient Croatian city which has 7 entirely different rivers flowing through it. Each has its own colour, character, and meaning to local people.
As Putni kofer/Antonio Ivcevic writes, whenever cities and rivers are mentioned in Croatia, the conversation almost instinctively turns to Karlovac. Frankly, it isn’t difficult to understand why. This beautiful continental city rose up at the confluence of the Dobra, Korana, Kupa and Mrežnica rivers, in one of the most special river embraces that Croatia boasts. Those rivers have shaped its character, history and its very rhythm of life, making it a traffic hub and a place that is rightly considered one of the rare cities in the world with such a wealth of water in one relatively small place. Few realise that there’s an old Croatian city much further away from Karlovac that is surrounded by 7 rivers.
Knin is the only Croatian city with as many as 7 different rivers flowing through its very centre and surroundings, and this number is not only an interesting fact but also the key to understanding its special character. Water is an integral and very important element of the entire landscape surrounding Knin, but also an everyday companion, a border, a signpost and a silent witness to the rich history of the city at the foot of a famous fortress.
Although there are several other watercourses in the wider administrative area governed by Knin, such as the Došnica in Golubić and the Mračaj and Bošnjakuša in Strmica, they aren’t counted among the rivers of Knin. The reason for that is very clear – the true status of a “Knin” river is only held by the one along which the city actually developed, the river that touches it, shapes it or flows in its immediate vicinity. Or more precisely, as the locals often say, every river from which the view reaches the mighty Knin fortress belongs to Knin.
The rivers that flow through Knin are the Krčić, Krka, Kosovčica, Orašnica, Radljevac, Marčinkovac and Butižnica. Each of them has its own rhythm, its own colour and its own character, but it’s Krka in particular that occupies a special place for Knin. It’s the most famous river of all, emerging from under the mighty Dinara and from there beginning its journey down towards Šibenik. The Krka River is a symbol of this entire region of Dalmatia, a line that connects the mountains, the city and the coastline, and a river that creates one of the most magnificent water systems in Croatia.
Just a few kilometres from the very heart of Knin, right at the foot of the mighty Dinara mountain, lies the breathtaking Krčić waterfall. This magnificent waterfall, about 22 metres high, cascades down the rugged rocks and literally creates the Krka River, one of the most famous and most beautiful Croatian rivers of all.
Surrounded by untouched nature, forest and harsh stone, the Krčić is an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and get some refreshment from the scorching heat. Its surroundings are peaceful, and the sound of water and fresh mountain air create the perfect backdrop for tapping into real zen.
This Dalmatian beauty was granted the status of a national park 40 years ago, and its beauty continues to fascinate all those who visit it (in their droves) even today. On its approximately 73-kilometre-long journey, the Krka River tumbles into spectacular waterfalls, powers power plants, and creates one of the most impressive estuaries in this part of Europe. The national park itself spans an area exceeding 100 square kilometres and is visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world every year.
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