Blue Lake Imotski: Unique football match to take place at bottom of lake again
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
IMOTSKI, 19 September 2020 – Blue Lake in Imotski in the Dalmatian Hinterland is one of Croatia’s most attractive natural attractions.
The weather elements helped dry up one of Imotski’s natural attractions at the end of August, and at the start of September, the last drop of water disappeared from its muddy puddle in the middle.
Last winter there was very little snow, especially in the surrounding mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina. And the lake gets its water through underground paths from the northern side of the Imotski Region, from neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina. A dry period over summer has left it in an unrecognisable state.
Blue Lake, photo taken September 2020 (Photo credit: revista.lebre/Instagram)
It is not the first time the lake has dried up and when it does happen a traditional football match is played on the bottom of the lake between Vilenjaci (Elves) and Vukodlaci (Werewolves).
The unique match was first played in 1943. Since then it has taken place only a handful of times.
The match will take place again this Sunday, 20 September at 3 p.m.
The Blue Lake lies in a deep sinkhole possibly formed by the collapse of an enormous underground cave. The total depth from the upper rim is around 220 meters, while water depth usually varied with seasons. In spring, when the snow from surrounding mountains melts, it can reach 90 m, and in 1914 it reached 114 m, overflowing the southern rim.
Footage from the match played in 2011 below.
