Shoreline, lake and protected areas

The southwestern boundary of the Municipality of Stankovci runs along the shore of Vransko Lake. The shoreline section at Vransko Lake belonging to the Municipality of Stankovci is 8.85 kilometres long. The part of Vransko Lake Nature Park within the municipality is protected under Croatia’s Nature Protection Act. The municipality also includes the Natura 2000 site HR2001361 “Ravni kotari”, which serves to protect species and habitats. This brings two distinct nature conservation areas into focus: the park area by the lake and the Ravni kotari protected area.

In the nearby nature park, a 40-kilometre panoramic trail circles the lake and is used by cyclists and walkers. At 8.85 kilometres, the shoreline section in the Municipality of Stankovci is considerably shorter than the nearby 40-kilometre panoramic trail around the lake. If you enjoy exploring the landscape on foot or by bike, you can include the panoramic trail in your plans as a separate, longer route option.

Roads and getting your bearings

The A1 motorway runs along the northern edge of the municipality. State road D27 connects Gračac, Zaton Obrovački and Benkovac with Stankovci and Šibenik. County road Ž 6067 connects Bulić with Stankovci. These road links give you concrete reference points when locating the Municipality of Stankovci on a map and planning your trip.

Fortifications and archaeological traces

The remains of Velim Castle lie on a hill in Velim. The rectangular fortification has remnants of two towers, one older and one built later. The castle was destroyed and burned down in 1684. In Stankovci is the prehistoric hillfort of Ogradak, which was generally used for observation or defence. During the Venetian–Ottoman Wars, a signal tower was built in Budak as part of a whole chain of fortifications. The castle, hillfort and signal tower thus represent different types of fortification and historical contexts.

In Velim, near the Širitovac and Velištak wells, there is a settlement dating from the early phase of the Neolithic. Archaeological traces in the municipality also extend to the remains of a Roman villa rustica. In Banjevci, the Church of St John (Sv. Ivana) is regarded as a medieval building of architectural and historical significance. The Church of St Peter (Sv. Petra) in Morpolača is associated with the 12th century. The cemetery church of St Mary (Sv. Marije) is also included in the municipality’s listed cultural monuments. Archaeological sites and churches thus offer different ways to explore the municipality’s history.

Folklore in Stankovci

“Milo Selo pod Gradinom” is a traditional folklore event in Stankovci. Numerous cultural and artistic associations from all over Croatia take part. The event complements the historic buildings and archaeological traces with a folkloric perspective on local cultural life, and brings the participation of associations from across the country into focus.

Discover more destinations: Stankovci, Banjevci, Bila Vlaka, Municipality of Sveti Filip i Jakov, Municipality of Polača, Municipality of Zadar, Municipality of Starigrad, Municipality of Gračac.

See the broader travel overview: Zadar County.