The basketball players of the club GKK Šibenik visiting Visovac and Roški slap

The basketball players of the club GKK Šibenik visiting Visovac and Roški slap
The basketball players of the club GKK Šibenik sailed the historical route of the Krka River downstream from Roški slap to Visovac Island on the electric catamaran of Krka National Park

The Šibenik team sailed to Visovac Island, for centuries a destination for pilgrims from all around the world, in complete silence, so welcome after intensive workouts and games accompanied by the loud cheering of fans. The two new electric boats – Visovac and Miljevci – sail without any noise or fuel pollution, which directly impacts the long-term conservation of nature. These boats were procured as part of the project “Unknown Krka – hidden treasures of the upper and middle course of the Krka River”, with the aim of ensuring the sustainable development and preservation of the ecosystem of the Krka River.

En route to Visovac, the basketball players were able to enjoy one of the Park’s loveliest landscapes, the Među gredama canyon. Just 500 metres long and from 50 to 100 metres wide, cut deep into the vertical, bare cliffs up to 150 metres tall, the canyon is considered one of the most geomorphologically interesting parts of the Krka River. Though the experienced Krka captains hold fast the ship’s helm, the guide did not fail to mention that the passengers are protected by St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors, as they passed by the votive chapel on the left bank of the chapel that is consecrated to this saint. Further downstream on the same bank, in the middle of the canyon, there is a small fault line in the cliff, which turns every sound into a triple echo as a play of nature, which the players had a chance to try out themselves. Though not old enough to fondly remember the series of films about the Indian chief Winnetou, but still young enough to remember children’s games, they listened with interest about how in the 1960s, the character rode on horseback right here in the canyon during the filming of the series.

The canyon then expands into Visovac Lake, created by the raising of the travertine barrier at Skradinski buk. At the broadest part of the lake is Visovac Island, formerly called Bijela stijena (Lapis albus, meaning White rock), its banks lined with tall poplar trees. On it are the church and monastery, surrounded by the fragrant Mediterranean garden. Visovac is an island of peace and prayer, for centuries a destination for pilgrims and visitors from around the world. The basketball players received a special warm welcome, greeted by the residents of the island that are almost more famous as the Franciscan monks – the colourful peacocks.

Both of the sacral structures on the island are consecrated to Our Lady of Visovac. Legend has it that the Franciscans brought a painting of Our Lady when they settled on the island in 1445. The island also houses the ferman, or royal decree of Sultan Mehmed IV from the 17^th century guaranteeing the residents security, and the sabre of Vuk Mandušić, the national hero celebrated for his role in battling the Turks. The monastery collection also houses numerous valuable items, such as incunables and artwork. In the 16^th century, Pope Innocent XI issued a decree granting forgiveness for all those who seek it on Visovac Island every year on 2 August, when Catholics celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Angels.