Skywalk in Biokovo Nature Park formally opened by officials

(Photo: Biokovo Nature Park)

Skywalk is open to the public from tomorrow, July 2

Makarska, July 1, 2020 – Skywalk – heavenly walk, a unique visitor attraction in Croatia, was officially opened today in Biokovo Nature Park. 

Skywalk is a horseshoe-shaped lookout, with a glass base for walking, which at the most convex point protrudes out 12 metres from the cliffs of Ravna Vlaška. 

From the Skywalk – heavenly walk, visitors get a view of Tučepi, Podgora and Makarska, the Dalmatian islands of Hvar, Brač, Vis and Korčula, as well as Pelješac. When the weather is particularly nice, after the famous Biokovo bura clears the horizon, the view reaches Cape Monte Gargano in Italy. 

The lookout is located at an altitude of 1228 meters above sea level, 13 kilometres up Biokovo road, next to the info – centre. As part of Skywalk’s landscaped environment, a geological pillar has been erected, a three-dimensional view of the cross-sections of the rocks that formed the Biokovo area from its inception to the present day with a geological table of time and a description of the age and type of rocks.

The opening ceremony of the Skywalk was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, Marko Pavić, Minister of Regional Development and European Union Funds, Vili Beroš, Minister of Health and other guests.

(Photo: Biokovo Nature Park)

The director of Biokovo Nature Park, Slavo Jakša, said: “Skywalk is a unique attraction which has significantly raised the attractiveness of the visitor and tourist offer in the Biokovo Nature Park, given that this is content that does not exist in this area. Just as Biokovo has always guarded Makarska and its Riviera, Biokovo Nature Park will continue to guard Biokovo and bring its secrets and beauties closer to the public.”

(Photo: Biokovo Nature Park)

The Minister of Regional Development and European Union Funds, Marko Pavić, said: “It is my pleasure to be with you today, just a day after Croatia handed over the presidency to Germany. In the European Union, we are known for tourism and natural beauty, and one of the symbols of investing European funds in Croatia will certainly become Skywalk Biokovo. Congratulations to Biokovo Nature Park on the investment, in the next financial perspective, large funds will be provided, a significant part of which will relate to nature protection and climate change. Congratulations to everyone who participated in this project.”

(Photo: Biokovo Nature Park)

The audience was also addressed by the Prime Minister Plenković, who greeted all present and also congratulated the Public Institution Biokovo Nature Park and associates who worked on the project. He emphasised that a big step forward had been made in the Biokovo Nature Park, both the step forward of the park’s visitor offer and the offer of the entire Makarska littoral and Zabiokovlje.

(Photo: Biokovo Nature Park)

“This modern and great and architecturally fascinating project is a new attraction that provides a unique opportunity and an incredible experience of walking in the sky,” he said.

The lookout point can be reached by the Biokovo road leading from the entrance reception of the Biokovo Nature Park, approximately 6 km east of Makarska. The planned stay of visitors at the lookout is five minutes, and the maximum number of people is 30, with the obligatory cleaning shoes before walking on the glass surface. It is strictly forbidden to jump on the glass, lean over the barrier, bring in sharp objects and throw objects from the platform.

Photo credit: Plamenko Cvitić for Park prirode Biokovo)

The value of the Skywalk is about 10 million kuna, and it is one of the activities within the project “New Adrion” – Promoting the sustainable use of the natural heritage of Biokovo, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the Operational Program Competitiveness and cohesion 2O14-2O2O. 

The total value of this project is approximately 35 million kuna, of which grants from the European Structural and Investment Funds amount to about 27 million kuna. The rest is financed by the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency and its own funds of users and partners – Makarska Development Agency MARA and the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service – HGSS. 

The project, which started in November 2016, consists of 12 project elements that will increase the educational capacity of visitors to the Biokovo Nature Park by developing new educational programs and facilities, increase the attractiveness of the natural heritage of the Park and increase the number of visitors by investing in infrastructure and facilities. The completion of all planned activities is expected in January 2021.