Plitvice Lakes history in short
The history of Plitvice Lakes is short to tell. The area became a national park on 8 April 1949. It was listed by UNESCO in 1979. In 1991 the park was the scene of an early event of the war in Croatia. In the 1960s it served as a film location for two Winnetou films.
Most of this history is not visible on the trails, but a few places connect to it. If you only want to see the lakes, start with the Plitvice Lakes tickets page. This page is for the background.
Timeline of Plitvice Lakes
The dates that matter for a visitor.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 8 April 1949 | Plitvice Lakes become a national park |
| 1962 | "The Treasure of Silver Lake" is shot at the lakes |
| 1965 | "The Desperado Trail" is shot at the lakes |
| 26 October 1979 | UNESCO listing |
| 31 March 1991 | Police action "Plitvice" and the death of police officer Josip Jović |
| 1997 | The national park is expanded |
| 2000 | Major UNESCO boundary change |
| 2025 | Minor UNESCO boundary change |
Our pick: Plitvice and old Zadar
Our take: the park by day and a guided walk through Zadar's old town.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Plitvice Lakes tours and day trips
Guided visits and day trips to the lakes, with live prices and availability.
The national park since 1949
Plitvice Lakes National Park has existed since 8 April 1949. The park was expanded in 1997. That expansion is a separate event from the UNESCO boundary changes, so do not mix up 1997 with the UNESCO decision of 2000.
The protection explains the rules you meet today: no swimming, no leaving the marked paths, no drones, no feeding of animals. Protected status is why the rules exist, and it is why the park is run as a protected area with paths, boardwalks and a ticket system rather than open walking land. The Plitvice Lakes facts page lists the full set of rules and how the barriers form.
UNESCO World Heritage
Plitvice Lakes were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 26 October 1979. The listed property covers 29,581.71 ha and rests on criteria (vii), (viii) and (ix). It protects the lakes, the travertine barriers and the living system that builds them.
The boundary changed twice since then. The major change came in 2000, and a smaller one in 2025. The 2025 change was confirmed by a World Heritage Committee decision. Neither change alters the rules for visitors.
March 1991
A brief, factual note.
On 31 March 1991 the police action "Plitvice" took place at the lakes, and police officer Josip Jović died that day. The date is remembered in Croatia, and in 2026 the 35th anniversary was marked. This page does not describe the course of the war. It only records the date and the name.
It is a quiet fact among the practical ones on this page. For a visit today the date has no practical meaning. The park is open 365 days a year, with hours that change by season. See the opening hours for the current pattern.
Winnetou and the lakes
"Winnetou" is the umbrella name for the Karl May film adaptations. Two films shot at Plitvice Lakes are "The Treasure of Silver Lake" in 1962 and "The Desperado Trail" in 1965. Not every film of the series was made here.
The filming locations include Kaluđerovac, Galovac, the Galovački buk waterfall, Prštavac and Veliki slap. Kaluđerovac is the lake that stands in for the film's Silver Lake.
Veliki slap is part of the lower lakes visit, and the big waterfall page covers it. For the other places, follow the marked paths and boardwalks, as everywhere in the park.
What the history means for your visit
Three practical points.
Three dates to keep apart
Three years are easy to confuse: 1979 for the UNESCO listing, 1997 for the expansion of the national park and 2000 for the major UNESCO boundary change. Each one is a different event.
Film locations are ordinary stops
The lakes used in the films are lakes and falls like any other on the map. There is no separate film trail, so use the hiking programs to plan the route.
Hiking routes →A date with meaning
31 March is remembered in Croatia as the day of the 1991 police action and of Josip Jović. If you visit around that date, keep a respectful tone, as you would at any place of remembrance.
Continue your visit
From history to a plan for the day.
Plitvice Lakes history: frequently asked questions
When did Plitvice become a national park?
On 8 April 1949. The park was expanded in 1997.
When did UNESCO list Plitvice Lakes?
On 26 October 1979. The boundary changed in 2000 and again, in a smaller way, in 2025.
Were Winnetou films shot at Plitvice?
Yes. "The Treasure of Silver Lake" (1962) and "The Desperado Trail" (1965) were shot here. Kaluđerovac stands in for the Silver Lake. Not every Winnetou film was made at the lakes.
What happened at Plitvice in 1991?
On 31 March 1991 the police action "Plitvice" took place, and police officer Josip Jović died that day. The date is remembered each year.
Can I visit the Winnetou locations?
Veliki slap is part of the lower lakes visit. Plan your route with the hiking programs and walk only on the marked paths.
Is this website the official park site?
No. This is an independent guide. For access and operations at the park itself, the park administration is the contact.