Triglav National Park (TNP) is the only national park in Slovenia. It was created in its current form in 1981 and is located in the northwestern part of the country, which is also the southeastern part of the Alps. Mount Triglav, the highest mountain in the Julian Alps, is nearly in the center of the park. From this mountain, valleys spread out in all directions, providing water to two major rivers: the Soča and the Sava. The Soča flows into the Adriatic Sea, and the Sava flows into the Black Sea.

History

The idea to protect the Triglav Lakes Valley area was first suggested by a scientist named Albin Belar in 1906 or 1908. However, the idea was not approved because the laws at that time did not allow restrictions on land used for farming or grazing. In 1920, a document called The Memorandum (Spomenica), which included Belar’s proposal, was sent to the Provincial Government for Slovenia. The plan was finally carried out in 1924. At that time, the Nature Protection Section of the Slovene Museum Society and the Slovene Mountaineering Society worked together to lease the Triglav Lakes Valley area, which covered about 14 square kilometers. This area was intended to become an Alpine Conservation Park, but permanent protection was not possible at that time. The name Triglavski narodni park was first used in 1926 by Fran Jesenko.

In 1961, after many years of effort, the protection was renewed (this time permanently) and slightly expanded to cover around 20 square kilometers. The area was officially named Triglav National Park, after Mount Triglav, a symbol of Slovenia and Slovene identity. However, not all goals of a true national park were achieved, so new ideas to expand and improve the protection were proposed over the next two decades.

In 1981, Triglav National Park was officially established in its modern form. The park’s layout was changed, and its area was expanded to 838 square kilometers. In 2010, the park was expanded to include the settlement of Kneške Ravne (Tolmin), as requested by the people living there. This made the total area of the park 880 square kilometers, which is 4% of Slovenia’s total land area.

Biodiversity

Researchers Chandra Prakash Kala and Petra Ratajc conducted organized studies of plants in Triglav National Park, focusing on species with cultural or traditional uses. These studies included examining different areas such as small habitats, various heights, directions, and types of land. The park is home to more than 59 plant species with ethnobotanical value. Of these, 37 species (which make up 62%) are classified as medicinal plants in four categories (H, Z, ZR, and ND) according to the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia. Certain important species, including Aconitum napellus, Cannabis sativa, and Taxus baccata, are protected and cannot be collected or used, as stated in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia. Triglav National Park also has more than 700 species of animals.

Hydrology

The waters in Triglav National Park are divided into two areas where water flows: the Sava River area and the Soča River area. Many waterfalls are found in the park, and most are in the valleys of the Soča River and its smaller rivers. The tallest waterfall is Boka Falls, which is 106 meters high. The Tolmin Gorges on the Tolminka River are also located within the national park.

The lakes in the park were all formed by glaciers. The largest lake is Lake Bohinj. Other lakes include the Triglav Lakes, which are in the Triglav Lakes Valley, Lake Krn, and Lower and Upper Lake Križ.