Southeastern slopes of the peak ridge of Učka

This area is formed by moderately steep slopes between the two largest canyons in the wider area, those of Mošćenička Draga and Lovranska Draga. The slopes extend between 400 m above sea level in the lowest part and 1,100 m above sea level in the highest. The area was once dominated by spacious pastures, between which there were sinkholes filled with quality arable land. The sinkholes were often additionally levelled with dry stone terraces, and were used for growing hardy vegetable crops and grains. In order to protect them from grazing livestock, the sinkholes were surrounded with dry stone walls. The abandonment of the area resulted in it being overgrown with forests that today cover most of the land.

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Hardier vegetable crops and cereals, such as rye, barley, potatoes, and cabbage, were grown seasonally in the sinkholes located on the higher parts of Učka. Next to the sinkholes, located far from permanent settlements, shepherds’ dwellings known locally as dvori were built. These were dry stone structures that served as outbuildings or places of temporary residence during work in the mountains.

Comparison of an aerial photograph and a relief representation obtained by laser scanning