Municipality of Udbina

Udbina lies on the Zagreb–Split main road. Below the settlement lies Krbavsko polje; on Udbina’s eastern edge are the remains of the Cathedral of St James, which dates back to the 13th century. Lička Plješevica Nature Park extends across the municipalities of Donji Lapac, Plitvička jezera, Udbina and Gračac. Within the Municipality of Udbina, it covers 220 km².

The remains of the Cathedral of St James provide a tangible point of reference for Udbina’s earlier history. Another landmark church is the Church of the Croatian Martyrs: it is the largest church in Udbina and a Croatian national shrine. The remains of the Church of St Nicholas the Bishop are incorporated into it. Above this church is Gradina, a tower and a defensive complex believed to date from the 15th century. The Catholic Church of St Mark is located below Udbina.

Historic structures outside the settlement are also among the municipality’s attractions. These include the ruins of Kaštel Krbava Castle, the remains of the old Croatian Romanesque church in Podudbina, and the remains of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Mutilić. If you are interested in churches and historic sites, you can consider these different places as themes for planning your trip, without combining them into a single tour.

Krbavsko polje lies below the settlement of Udbina. The ponors of the Krbavica River and Murtino jezero are also located there. In the northwest of Krbavsko polje, near the village of Šalamunić, is Laudonov Gaj, a 33-hectare park forest. It contains around 600 oak trees that are approximately 250 years old. Laudonov Gaj was declared a park forest in 1960.

Another landscape area is Bijeli Potoci–Kamensko. The 513-hectare section within the Municipality of Udbina is protected as a significant landscape; a further 700 hectares lie in the Municipality of Donji Lapac. The entire area is also protected as a Second World War memorial area. For nature enthusiasts, the designated protected areas of Sokolovača and Gola Plješevica are also significant: Sokolovača is designated as a proposed ornithological reserve, with gorges and nesting sites for golden eagles and peregrine falcons. Gola Plješevica is designated as a proposed ornithological reserve with capercaillie nesting sites. In each case, the proposed status is part of the area’s description.

Croatian Martyrs’ Day takes place every year on the second Saturday in September below Udbina. It commemorates martyrs, defenders, those who suffered, and victims. Special Masses that attract many visitors are held at the Church of the Croatian Martyrs on the second Saturday in September and the last Saturday in August. If you are considering visiting on these dates, take them into account when planning your trip.

Another event takes place on 19 August: on the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, a traditional gathering of the Serbian community is held in Mutilić. This event is associated with a different place and occasion from the commemoration and special Masses in Udbina.

For orientation within the municipality, you can also visit the pages for Bunić, Udbina and Frkašić. If you would like to compare other municipal destinations, the pages for Municipality of Donji Lapac, Municipality of Perušić, Municipality of Karlobag, Municipality of Lovinac and Municipality of Senj offer further options for comparison.

When does Croatian Martyrs’ Day take place?

It takes place every year on the second Saturday in September below Udbina.

When are the special Masses held at the Church of the Croatian Martyrs?

The special Masses are held on the second Saturday in September and the last Saturday in August.

Which well-known landscape areas are in the Municipality of Udbina?

Within the Municipality of Udbina, 220 km² of Lička Plješevica Nature Park lies. The municipality is also home to Laudonov Gaj park forest and a 513-hectare section of the protected Bijeli Potoci–Kamensko area.

For the broader travel overview: Lika-Senj.