If you’re scouting for a unique destination, then the Croatian village of Rastoke should be at the top of your list.
This quaint village is built upon 23 waterfalls where the diminutive river Slunjcica merges with the much larger Korana River.
Travel influencer Sonal Paladini, known on Instagram as Drifter Planet, recently posted a video of her visit to the village, leaving her followers in awe of the distinctive landscape.
Reacting to her video, one admirer commented: “I just can’t believe there are people out there just casually born in places like this casually living someone else’s dream.”
“Spent the last weekend there, few people, lovely surroundings and great local shop. The bridge costs 5€ and it is so worth it. Done well and beautifully,” another follower shared.
A third chimed in: “So beautiful here! Just like a fairytale,” reports the Mirror.
Rastoke was once considered a ‘no man’s land’ due to border disputes between European leaders and the Ottoman Empire during the medieval period.
Eventually, the area surrounding Rastoke was seized by the Habsburgs and became a stronghold of the Military Frontier.
The fortress was subsequently destroyed in 1578 and the land was once again disputed, and then from 1809 until 1813 the town was under French control.
In the 17th century, the town gained recognition for its water-powered mechanical mills, and at its peak housed up to 22 of these mills. A number of these can still be seen today.
The captivating scenery of Rastoke has unsurprisingly given rise to numerous myths, many involving fairies believed to have inhabited the area.
The Croatian tourism website reveals that these fairies are thought to have dwelled in the town since “ancient times.”
On their website, they note: “These timid forest creatures have lived in the Rastoke area since ancient times, and are mostly active at night, as they usually avoid people.”
They continue: “According to folk tales, while the mills were grinding corn and wheat, and the millers were telling stories around the pale light of the oil lamp, the fairies would take their horses, which were resting for their return home.
“In the early morning hours, when the stars were ending their night swim and the first sunrays caressing the blades of grass and the crystal-clear water, these forest imps would return the animals to the stables with braided manes and all out of breath and sweaty from the night out on the green hills.”
“Although there are no more horses at Rastoke, the fairies are still here.
“Their favourite gathering spot is a waterfall by the name of Fairy’s Hair (Vilina kosa), whose silver water fits perfectly with the silver hair of the Rastoke fairies.”