The Municipality of Civljane can be understood particularly through the source of the Cetina and the buildings in the municipality. The Church of Sv. Spasa stands in the village of Cetina by the spring; there are also other springs, the Pločasti Bridge and a viewpoint for cyclists. When making your choice, you can consider whether sacred architecture, the springs landscape or a distinctive example of a river crossing should shape your stay.
The Cetina Spring and Its Surroundings
The Cetina rises near the village of Cetina in the Municipality of Civljane, at 385 metres above sea level. Its springs have been protected as a hydrological natural monument since 1972. Vukovića vrilo is the westernmost of the Cetina’s three major springs. These are several specific features: the elevation identifies the river’s source, the protected status applies to the springs, and Vukovića vrilo marks the western position within the group of three major springs. Together, these details give the landscape a clear focus on water and the spring area.
Churches and the Pločasti Bridge
The Church of Sv. Spasa was built in the 9th century. It is considered one of the best-preserved monuments of early medieval sacred architecture in Croatia. Its location in the village of Cetina by the spring connects a precisely named place with a long history of construction. Cetina is also home to the Orthodox Church of Hram Vaznesenja Gospodnjeg, built in 1940. The two churches offer different historical points of reference: early medieval sacred architecture on the one hand, and a 20th-century Orthodox church building on the other.
The Pločasti Bridge offers a different architectural feature. It crosses the Cetina in the Municipality of Civljane and consists of 33 almost perfectly regular stone slabs. The bridge is considered a unique example of a river crossing. The number and regular shape of the slabs are specific features that describe the bridge; its distinction also lies in the way the crossing over the river was built. For travellers interested in historic structures, the church architecture and bridge construction offer clearly distinct subjects.
On Foot and by Bicycle
The footpath to Veliko vrelo was built with steps. A description dated 12 February 2021 listed it as completed; check the current condition of the path before your visit. The cycling route Putevima vrela Cetine also has a named point of reference: the route described in 2021 passes the Vrelo Cetine cycling viewpoint and rest area. Check the markings and route conditions before setting out.
The Vrelo Cetine viewpoint and rest area opened on 12 February 2021 and has five parking spaces. There are also bicycle service stations there. Before travelling to the site, check the current availability of parking spaces as well as the facilities and condition of the service stations. This allows the cycling and walking information to be considered separately: they concern different routes, each with its own practical conditions.
Discover more destinations: Cetina, Municipality of Rogoznica, Municipality of Kistanje, Municipality of Promina, Municipality of Ružić, Kornati, Municipality of Primošten, Municipality of Tisno.
For the broader travel overview: Šibenik-Knin County.
