Sava Meadows

The Sava Meadows are the open, grassy core of Lonjsko Polje Nature Park, one of the largest and best-preserved river floodplains in Europe, which lies south-east of Zagreb along the Sava river. The word meadows hardly does the place justice. In spring and autumn, when the Sava and its tributary the Lonja rise, water spills across the plain and turns it into a shallow inland sea with old oaks and willows standing in the flood, while in summer the water retreats and leaves rich pastures that are grazed by horses, pigs and cattle. This rhythm of flooding has shaped both the wildlife and the way of life of the people who live here for centuries.

The meadows are internationally known for their birds. More than two hundred species have been recorded in the park, among them spoonbills, white storks, black storks, many kinds of herons, white-tailed eagles and numerous ducks, geese and waders, and the spring and autumn migrations are particularly rewarding. Fish and amphibians are abundant, and the park is an important spawning area for carp and other fish. The local village of Čigoć is the first in Europe to have been declared a stork village, and from late spring the roofs are crowded with big nests.

The traditional livestock breeds are another feature. Because the meadows are flooded, the animals are left to graze freely for much of the year, and breeds that are rare elsewhere survive here, including the Turopolje pig, the Posavina horse and the Slavonian-Syrmian Podolian cattle. Seeing them in the fields adds to the sense of a living cultural landscape. The villages along the edge of the floodplain, such as Krapje, Čigoć and Lonja, keep their timber houses, built on high foundations, and the Lonja area and Drenov Bok are listed in this guide as places to see.

Visitors can explore the meadows in several ways. Canoes can be rented in some villages to paddle along channels, and boat trips are offered from Drenov Bok and other points, giving a very different view of the wetlands. Cycling and walking routes lead along embankments and between the villages, and the flat terrain makes cycling easy. Fishing is permitted under the rules of the park, and guided programmes may be offered. The park's visitor information points can provide maps and guidance, and it is best to arrange boat trips and guided visits in advance.

Dress for the weather, bring insect repellent, sun protection, binoculars and plenty of water, and wear waterproof or sturdy shoes since paths can be wet. Spring and autumn are good for birds, and early summer for storks and flowers. Allow half a day or more. The meadows suit nature lovers, photographers and families.