Bosnia and Herzegovina · Herzegovina

Rama Lake

Directions

Ramsko jezero

Rama Lake (Ramsko jezero) is a long reservoir in the mountains of northern Herzegovina, in the municipality of Prozor-Rama, ringed by Raduša, Makljen, Ljubuša and Vran. Its best-known spot is the peninsula of Šćit, with its Franciscan monastery, and its unusual shape and mountain setting draw more visitors every year.

How it formed

The lake was created in 1968 by the Rama dam, as the reservoir of the Rama hydroelectric plant. The springs of the Rama, the Buk and the Krupić and several smaller streams feed it, its water is cold and clean, and its shallower parts freeze in winter.

History

The Franciscan monastery at Šćit goes back to the 13th century and has been rebuilt after fires; with the church of the Assumption and the surrounding cultural landscape, it was named a national monument in 2006. When the lake was drawn down a few years ago, traces of old trees, a cemetery and a settlement more than 500 years old came to light on the lake bed.

Nature

The lake is regularly stocked and is known for sport fishing, with local, national and international competitions held on it.

Gallery

3 photos

Photo: Martin Brož · CC BY 3.0

Photo: Anto (talk) 16:16, 16 June 2009 (UTC) · CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Mqasim1947 · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Visit

Getting there

Nearest settlement: Prozor

Swimming

No reliable information

Tips

Boats can be hired to visit Šćit, the springs of the Rama, the dam and the islands, and kayaks reach parts of the shore that roads do not; the lake is good for swimming on hot summer days, and there is a lakeside campsite about 15 minutes from Prozor-Rama. Visit the monastery, with its museum and art gallery, and the House of Peace.

A cycling loop of 58 km goes round the lake from the rowing centre at Šćit, and the lake is a stage of the Via Dinarica White Trail. Early morning gives mirror-like water, and June to August is the pleasant time. The water level changes with the power plant, so the shoreline and boat launches can shift.