Jasikovac Forest

Jasikovac Forest, known locally as Park šuma Jasikovac, is a green recreation area on the edge of Gospić, the main town of Lika, in the interior of Croatia. It is a modest, local place rather than a famous landmark, and little has been written about its history, so it is best described by what it offers today: shaded paths, tall trees, picnic places and a quiet atmosphere a short distance from the town centre. It is open at all hours and all year, there is no entrance fee, and it can be reached on foot, by bicycle or by car, with a street address in the Žabica part of Gospić.

Gospić lies in a wide karst basin at the foot of the Velebit mountain, surrounded by the rivers Lika, Novčica and Jadova, and the climate is continental with cold winters and fresh summers. The town grew in the 18th century as an administrative and military centre of the Habsburg Military Frontier, a belt of territory settled and defended against the Ottoman Empire, and its straight streets and civic buildings reflect that era. The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the best-known church in the centre. The forest park gives residents a green space of their own, and it is a popular place for walks, jogging, cycling and picnics, particularly in warm weather when the shade of the trees is welcome.

For those who want a more active outing, the Likos Adrenaline Park offers high ropes and similar activities in the area, which makes the park popular with families and school groups. Walkers will find simple paths, benches and clearings suitable for children's games, and the forest is also a quiet spot for birdwatching and for observing the changing seasons. In autumn the leaves turn yellow and brown, in spring the ground is covered in wildflowers and in winter, snow can turn the park into a white landscape suitable for walking.

The forest is also a useful break for travellers. Gospić lies on the main road between Zagreb and Dalmatia, and it is close to some of the best-known sights in Croatia. Nikola Tesla's birthplace in the village of Smiljan, now a memorial centre, is only a few kilometres away, Plitvice Lakes National Park is about an hour's drive to the north, and the Velebit mountains, with their hiking trails, rise on the doorstep. The Museum of Broken Relationships is a Zagreb institution rather than a Gospić one, so do not plan a visit to it here.

Jasikovac suits locals, families and travellers who need a rest on a long drive. Bring a picnic, wear comfortable shoes and enjoy a quiet hour among the trees.