Lake Palić
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Palić Lake is located in the north of Serbia not far from the city of Subotica.
It is about 8km long and about 1km wide. The average depth of the lake is about 2m.
The lake is rich in algae and because of their presence there is a green color. The lake was once salty and therefore it is believed that it is the rest of the Pannonian Sea. Mud from the lake was medical and at the end of the 19th century in the settlement Palic was a spa.
Unfortunately, after the Second World War, the waters of some industries were poured into the lake. In the 1970s, fish died in the lake and the water was completely contaminated. After that, the lake was dried, sludge was cleansed, and since then the wastewater was filtered. However, this was insufficient and heavy metals were still present in the water of the lake. Due to the economic crisis in Serbia in the last 20 years, companies that have polluted the lake have stopped working. In 1995, the Tisa-Palic channel was put into operation, and the quality of the water in the lake was improved. In 1984, a thermal pool was opened near the lake.
The lake was revived. Still, for a complete recovery, another detailed cleaning is needed. The Prussian carp makes over 90% of the total fish population in the lake. The estimate is that in the lake lives over 160 tons of this fish species. To improve ecosystems, it is necessary to halve this species.
In 1912, on the lake a large wooden facility "Women's Strand" was built in which women were bathing. The place where men's bathing was open was called "Men's Stand".
Guests can go with boats a good part of the lake and see many species of birds.
It is also possible to ride bicycles around the lake.
Numerous houses (villas) that were built by the end of the 19th century were turned into mini-hotels or apartments.
Also, several new hotels have been built and guests can easily find accommodation.
Not far from the lake there is a summer stage built of cut stone, water tower and a zoo.
All photos are mine,
Goran
Palic seems to be in its dark ages. In Austria-Hungary and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia it was a world class spa resort. Today you can travel there to stare at an untouchable lake. If you want a real touch of nature, fishing and even bathing it is better to go to Ludasko lake few kilometers to the east, just across the Belgrade-Budapest motorway.
Luckily for Palic is that you have that zoo, beautiful parks and Art Deco buildings, and delicious foods on ranches (salash). The whole place is OK but it requires some major investments to make it at par with similar resorts in nearby countries.