Blue Lake

How it formed

Like the nearby Red Lake, Blue Lake lies in a deep sinkhole that probably formed when an enormous cave collapsed. The depth of the water depends on the season: when snow melts on the surrounding mountains in spring the lake is at its highest, and in 1914 it rose so far that it overflowed the southern rim. By the end of summer it can disappear altogether. A rockfall caused by the earthquake of 1942 reduced the depth of the lake.

History

The lake has been protected since 1964. A road down to the lake was built in 1907. It lies below the gorge with the Topana fortress, close to the Gospin dolac stadium where the town’s football club plays, and a local legend about its origin is the same as that of Red Lake, the Gavan palaces.

Football on the lakebed

When the water disappears, which happens only now and then, the dry lakebed becomes a football pitch, and local teams with names taken from folk tales play on it.

Topana above the lake

The Topana fortress stands on the rock above the lake and is the highest point of the town. It dates from the 9th or 10th century and was probably built by Duke Trpimir. It was an Ottoman stronghold from 1493 to 1717 and was abandoned in the 19th century. Today it is well preserved and gives views of Imotski, the lake and the countryside.

Nature

Because the water level varies so much, the lake can disappear altogether by the end of summer. The municipality takes particular care of the water quality, the beaches and the surroundings, planting and tending suitable Mediterranean species.