The abandoned summer residence of Yugoslavia's dictator Tito

Most people go to Plitvice Lakes National Park to see the waterfalls. But there is another hidden unique attraction that not many people know about. 

In the hills high above the lakes, but now located within the National Park itself is the abandoned summer residence of the former Yugoslavia's dictator Josip Broz Tito. It was very elaborate in its day, and in fact was the most expensive residence ever built in Yugoslavia at the time. 

Now, it's a crumbling ruin.

We love exploring these types of places. So we drove Max to within 2 kms of the place on a narrow road and found a place to park so we could walk the rest of the uphill climb. The road was actually in decent shape.

The road gets too narrow for Max, with some overhanging trees, and there's a bridge that's not in the best of shape, but otherwise a small car could drive all the way up there.

Ruth, at the entrance to Villa Izvor.

GPS 44.903018, 15.571763

Villa Izvor was built between 1948 and 1952 and was the place where politicians and the elite of Yugoslavia would have parties and host other world dignitaries. From what I have read, President Tito himself only stayed here five times. There was a big ballroom, and a billiard room, and even a bowling alley.

When Yugoslavia fell apart in the early 1990's, the place was looted and fell into a state of disrepair. It is now under the control of the National Park.

Coming from Canada, where we would never be allowed to do this, we think it's amazing that there are no signs or fencing and that we can just waltz right in. Obviously, at our own risk, which is exactly the way it should be.

There was nobody around but us. In fact, we didn't see anybody else on the drive in or out.

Heading in to explore.

The grand staircase entranceway.

It also amazes me that the graffiti criminals would go to the effort to actually bring cans of spray paint all the way up here. 

We are assuming this was the ballroom.

There are still curtains on some of the windows.

I found this undated photo online!

I think this was the end of the bowling lanes where the balls would hit up against this padded wall.

Ruth, in the ballroom.

You can't see it, but the floor in the ballroom is beautiful marble. I have no problem picturing in my mind what it might have looked like back in the day.

You have to be really careful exploring these types of places. The walls and ceilings are crumbling, and anywhere there is a wooden floor is not safe at all so you have to stay on sections where you know it was built on concrete, and even then you have to be careful.

Very neat stuff!

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