Description:
The Balkana Tourist Recreation Center is part of the upper Sana-Pliva tourist zone and is located along the former "AVNOJ Road" (Jajce – Mrkonjić Grad – Bihać). It is 4 kilometers from Mrkonjić Grad and is the most attractive excursion site in this area. Balkana consists of two oval artificial lakes: Veliko and Malo, with a total area of 56,000 m². They are located in the valley of Lisina mountain. They were built in the 1950s. They are fed by mountain streams Cjepalo and Skakavac, as well as groundwater springs under Veliko Lake. They are surrounded by pastures and dense oak and coniferous forests. The smaller part of the lake is arranged as a bathing area, while the larger part is rich in trout. During winter, its surface often freezes, allowing winter sports. Veliko Lake is rich in various fish species: amur, tench, trout, etc. Next to the lake there are courts for basketball, small football, handball, beach volleyball, parking, arranged and marked places for grilling and camping, trim trail, etc. Swimming, sunbathing, fishing in summer, skiing and hiking in winter give Balkana the character of a complete tourist-recreational center. Legend has it that at the site of today's Balkana there were two well-springs full of fish. In Turkish, the word "baluk" means fish, so the spring site over time got the name "Balukhana", meaning fish habitat. Next to the lake, the famous competition "Dani kosidbe na Balkani - Memorial Lazar Laketa" is held every year. The mowers compete using the famous "varcarka" scythe, which has been forged for centuries in Mrkonjić Grad and surroundings.
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Video length: 10:04