Rastoke: delightful old watermill village

Rastoke is a beautiful place near Slunj, where river Slunjcica flows into river Korana. It is well known for its well preserved mills and few fantastic waterfalls. Sometimes called The Small Lakes of Plitvice, it emphasizes the true beauty of the place.

We spent only one afternoon in Rastoke, but it felt like like one whole vacation. The place itself is pretty small, but it hosts three named waterfalls (Fairies Hair, Buk and Hrvoje), a cave, a mill, a textile processing facility, a museum, a fishpond and a big meadow with a totem in the middle. There is also a tavern, a small motel, a souvenir shop and even a congress hall, perfect for seminars, lectures and team building.

The weirdest thing was that, although it was only the beginning of the season (the beginning of April), you’d expect more people coming in. But we definitely didn’t complain…

The legend says that a young man named Hrvoje ended his life jumping over the waterfall. He was a miller and the girl he loved was very wealthy and her parents didn’t approve of the relationship. This waterfall is also the highest waterfall in Rastoke.

Rastoke 3 — Buk waterfall got its name because of the noise it makes (in Croatian the word ‘Buka’ means ‘noise’).

Rastoke 5 — That thing on the rope is in fact the gate used in canoe races.

Rastoke 5b — There a few bicycle routes along side Rastoke, and you can also rent a bike.

Welcome to Rastoke

Because of its natural beauties and tradition, Rastoke village has been under the protection of the State Directorate for cultural and historical heritage since 1962. For thousands of years, the waters of Korana and Slunjcica, fought the laws of nature and this remarkable canyon was made.

Today, there are about 30 households in Rastoke, living mainly from watermills.

Rastoke 5e — Residents of Rastoke live in houses beside the river.

During the Homeland War in the 1990’s, the village was completely devastated. It was renovated with the help of Croatian Ministry of Development and Reconstruction.

Restaurant Pod Rastockim Krovom is the perfect place if you want to try homemade specialties (masnica, proja, batter-dumplings and trouts from the nearby mere) and see a mill where golden flour is made in an old-fashioned way.

Rastoke 18 — Yes, that’s the beginning of a rainbow.

Rastoke 23 — Waterfall Hrvoje once again

Rastoke 19 — Rastoke is a perfect place for taking some time to reflect.

The Cave

Rastoke are a karst-limestone origin as can be seen by numerous waterfalls, islands and cliffs. The water itself made numerous ground formations, including caves.