Hostel Gracac

Croatia's very own holy mountain is Velebit. It is an integral part of the national identity, a symbol of Croatia which distinguishes it in the world. Velebit has earned this place in the spiritual relief of Croatia owing to its geographic position, its peculiar features and the place it has in the hearts and minds of the people.
The top belt of Velebit has the characteristics of an alpine relief abounding in majestic karst sculptures and various rock formations (bare limestone peaks) locally known as kukovi and grede that interchange with forested karst valleys and depressions known as dulibe and alpine pasture grounds, all of which represent most diverse biological habitats.
Owing to its hydrogeological, geomorphologic and landscape features, and its flora and fauna, this particular karst area of Croatia is the place where you'll find the largest number of indigenous species.
The beech and fir forests of Velebit are home to a significant population of larger animals such as wolf, bear and lynx.
Specific natural circumstances created diverse habitats for a large number of Croatian and Velebit endemics and relicts of flora and fauna.
The endemic species of Velebit developed in the cracks of rocks and on screes, among the remains of the southernmost European peatbog community, and in the thousands of karst formations such as the caves, karst valleys, sink-holes, limestone cracks, pits, cliffs and gorges. They can also be found in the watercourses with unique living communities of calcium carbonate waterfalls of the rivers Zrmanja and Kupa. Numerous expeditions were made in this area and it is reasonable to believe that the karst underground, still not fully explored, hides more unknown endemic species.
Gracac is an important transit place, the intersection of roads Knin - Zadar and Gospic - Zagreb. Its surroundings offer excellent opportunities for hunting, mountaineering tours toward Velebit, the most popular access routes being Gracac - Cerovacke Spilje (1.5 hr) and Gracac - Prezid - Crnopac (2 hrs). The cave system Cerovacke Spilje is certainly worth seeing (see Cerovacke Spilje), as one of the most interesting karst phenomena of Velebit. Catering establishments (offering famous Lika lamb's meat) are mostly visited by people in transit.
In the vicinity of the Catholic church are traces of a mediaeval town Gradina it was the seat of the old Otucka parish. The town was first mentioned in 1302. In 1509 it was owned by Ivan Karlovic; in the period 1527-1687 under Turkish rule. The Baroque parish church of St. George from the 18th century was badly damaged in the Second World War. The church features a late Baroque epitaph of Count Knezevic (1781). On the cemetery near the Otuca is a 3-m high monolithic cross, on the tomb of Ivan Balenovic (16th c.).