Plivska Jezera

These two 2 ^km2 artificial lakes (Plivska Jezera) have a superb collection of small wooden mills on their banks. They were created in 1895 with the construction of a dam on the Pliva River 2 km northwest of Jajce. Bordered by cycle paths and, to the north, by the M5 national road to Šipovo, they are 4.3 km long and 320 m wide. Arriving from Jajce, you first come to Malo Plivsko Jezero (Little Pliva Lake), which is 1 km long and covers 24 ha. Then comes the Big Lake (Veliko Plivsko Jezero), 3.3 km long and covering 1.8 ^km2. It ends at the village of Jezero/Језеро ("lake"), in the Bosnian Serb Republic. The two lakes are separated by an island accessible on foot or by bike via footbridges. It's here, on the north shore, that nineteen wooden mills have been set up, looking like little huts and dating back to the Ottoman period. Originally scattered around the two lakes, they were concentrated at a place called Mlinčići ("mills"), on a gently sloping waterfall. Mounted on stilts and each positioned to take advantage of the current, these mills operate with different mechanisms and, in some cases, are still used by their owners to grind cereals or buckwheat. This enchanting setting is ideal for picnics, cycling and fishing. You can also rent kayaks at the small marina on Grand Lac, 600 m east of the mills, in front of Motel Plaža.