# Traditional Wells and Cisterns of Krk

> Water on a karst island like Krk is precious and geographically uneven — surface streams are rare, springs are concentrated at specific locations, and reliable water access required substantial infrastructure. Traditional Krk villages developed networks of wells (bunari) tapping shallow groundwater and cisterns (čatrnje, šternice, gusterne — various local terms) collecting and storing rainfall. Together these structures, often architecturally distinctive with carved wellheads and elaborate cistern systems, constitute one of the most functional and culturally important heritage layers on the island, even though they are less visually dramatic than the major monuments.

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Water on a karst island like Krk is precious and geographically uneven — surface streams are rare, springs are concentrated at specific locations, and reliable water access required substantial infrastructure. Traditional Krk villages developed networks of wells (bunari) tapping shallow groundwater and cisterns (čatrnje, šternice, gusterne — various local terms) collecting and storing rainfall. Together these structures, often architecturally distinctive with carved wellheads and elaborate cistern systems, constitute one of the most functional and culturally important heritage layers on the island, even though they are less visually dramatic than the major monuments.

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**Tags:** wells, cisterns, water-infrastructure, katrnja, traditional-water, karst-water

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- [Krkpedia](https://www.madeinkrk.com/en/krkpedia)

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