"Trails of Winnetou" is the name of a cultural- tourist event, which will be held from 16 to the 24 April in the areas of the national parks Paklenica, Krka and Plitvice Lakes, Velebit Nature Park and the Canyon of the River Zrmanja, where more than 40 years ago, according to the adventure novels of the German writer Karl May, films were shot about the Indian chief Winnetou. These beautiful locations are completely preserved even today, enabling many worshipers of Karl May to embark on an adventure and pass across the trails of Winnetou.
During the ‘Ttrails of Winnetou’ event visitors can visit places where Winnetou films were shot from 1962 to 1968 accompanied by an expert guide. Also organized are Winnetou film screenings, meetings with individual crew members and literary evenings. Visitors can enjoy horseback riding and archery, a ‘country and Western style’ entertainment program, and dinner in the open air with a campfire and country music, as well as the introduction of the participants to Croatian cultural heritage.
From a total of 10 films shot in Croatia and based on Karl May’s novels, half were filmed in the area of national parks Paklenica, Krka and Plitvice Lakes, Velebit Nature Park and River Zrmanja. During this time, members of the film crew stayed in the old motel ‘Alan’ in Starigrad, which makes the hotel of the same name a must for the lovers of Winnetou today. The hotel has been completely renovated and offers high quality services, and in one part of the hotel, visitors can see the exhibition of the original props used in Winnetou films.
The legendary Indian chief was played by Pierre Brice, who decided to travel to Paklenica Riviera in June 2007 and revisit the places where he starred in the role of his life in the 1960s.
Starigrad, which was built on the foundations of the ancient city of Argyruntum, is situated near the stunning canyon of Velika Paklenica and at the foot of the largest Croatian mountain Velebit which UNESCO included in the World Biosphere Reserves. Today, Starigrad is the seat of the Paklenica Riviera that offers crystal-clear sea, natural sandy beaches, mountain peaks, river rafting and preserved traces of past times as well as adventure tours, trekking, mountaineering, rafting, canoeing, bird watching, wellness, off-road driving, rich natural and cultural heritage, and plenty of fun.
Riviera Paklenica is located in the far northwestern part of the Zadar region and geographically belongs to northern Dalmatia. It stretches along some 20 miles of the Adriatic coast and is entirely located in a protected natural environment because Velebit, together with the coast has the status of a protected nature park. Canyons of Velika and Mala Paklenica, with surrounding forests have enjoyed an even greater protection status and were declared a national park in 1949.
Located nearby are five of the eight Croatian national parks (Paklenica, Kornati, Krka, Plitvice Lakes and Northern Velebit) and three nature parks (Velebit, Telaščica and Vransko Lake).
The Tourist Board of Zadar County
www.zadar.hr
The Tourist Board of Starigrad Borough
www.rivijera-paklenica.hr