Motel Plitvice in Croatia, a time capsule back to 80s Yugoslavia

Two weeks ago, we had the chance to experience an exclusive guided tour of Plitvice tourist complex, organized by »Centar za kulturu Trešnjevka« from Croatia.

Learn more about this iconic Yugoslav era complex in our blog post and view the pictures we captured.

Since 1984, drivers speeding along the A3 highway near Zagreb have seen a unique sight. The Plitvice service station and motel, named after the renowned national park with waterfalls around 130 km to the south, present a captivating modernist design, including a distinctive sky-walk bridge.

This time capsule is a charming reminder of the way road trips used to be in Yugoslavia.

A vintage postcard image of the cross-over of Motel Plitvice in Lučko, Croatia (near Zagreb). Photo credit: Spomenik Database

Motel Plitvice is the work of architects Zdravko Bregovac and Ivan Piteš, who left a distinctive mark on urban and tourist architecture in Croatia in the second half of the 20th century. The complex was built from 1983 to 1984.

The main investors were Plitvice Lakes National Park and the INA oil company. Reports suggest that the production of this complex cost 62 billion Yugoslavian dinars. This figure is likely inflated due to the rapid inflation in Yugoslavia, which saw the exchange rate of 1 Dollar change from 125.35 Dinars at the end of 1983 to 203.32 DIN by the end of 1984.

Stone fountain in the Motel's atrium.

The Plitvice tourist complex is divided into various parts, including a motel, two cafés on each side of the motorway connected via cross-over, a restaurant Lička kuca, and a campsite.

 

The once famous and respected restaurant Lička kuca built in a traditional style influenced by the rural aesthetic of the Croatian Lika region, is now closed. 

Abandoned restaurant Lička kuca.

 

The pedestrian bridge (pasarela) was the pioneering of its kind in Croatia. Enclosed from all sides, it connects cafés on two sides of the highway, catering to the needs of tourists and visitors.

The famous motorway cross-over of Motel Plitvice.

The Plitvice Motel is scheduled for demolition shortly, so we highly suggest stopping at this iconic highway resting place before it's gone for good.

Owned largely by the Plitvice Lakes National Park Public Institution, the hotel is handled by Motel Plitvice d.o.o. Transforming the legendary resting place, the motel is set to be replaced with a gas station, shop and fast food restaurant. 

Such changes could result in displacement of some 20-40 personnel, many of whom have been with the hotel since its opening. The motel's management is currently pushing to save this iconic landmark from demolition.

 

Milk jug manufactured by Jugokeramika for Motel Plitvice.
 

Discover more images taken at the Plitvice Motel Tourist Complex: