Pannonian Sea is the sea that was part of the oceans Tethys and Paratethys. Pannonian Sea disappeared a millions of years ago, but thanks to climate changes, there is a possibility that it will be return to his old place, in the Pannonian Basin. As a result of climate change, ground water and abundant precipitation from year to year more and more threatening this area, so people were forced to rescue their properties in the flood onslaughts, and find a solution for drinking water.

Maps of Pannonian Sea

Pannonian Sea was made by heaving mountain massif of the Alps, Dinaric and Carpathian Mountains, because of the lake that was there and filled with salt water. From this time found a lot of fossil fish, fossil bones whale with ears, bones siren (sea cows), giant sharks teeth… However, since on the Earth always something going on, the mountains are even more elevated and there was a break of connection, between the Pannonian and Mediterranean. Pannonian sea becomes sweeter, so that the living world in it, mainly changed. Some species are extinct, but some new ones were created: snails Limnaea extenso, Gyraulus praeponticus and Radix Croatica.

Fossils

Further tectonic movements divided the Pannonian Sea in two parts: The Pannonian and Pontik sea. They were connected through the sea strait – today Djerdap gorge. Pannonian sea gradually withdrew and disappeared, and Pontic sea survived and gradually turned into the Black Sea. The largest canyon in Europe, Djerdap gorge was formed by splitting Carpathian massif. This parallel event was the opening of the Bosporus Strait to the Black Sea.

Djerdap Gorge

The rest of the Pannonian sea water were kept in small lakes. Along the lake shore were walked relatives of prehistoric elephants – Deinotheriums, feeding on leaves of various trees. Tooth of ancient ancestor of elephant is witness of this. It belonged to the species Deinotherium giganteum.

Kika mammoth monument and mammoth tusks found in Kikinda

The climate was quite warm, and remains of Mediterranean plants indicate on that – laurel, fikus, cimetovac…, so with the time lakes dried up too. Some lakes are maintained today, but most lakes are covered with rivers and winds. Swamps, such as Carska swamp and Obedska swamp, also are heritage of the Pannonian Sea.

Lake Balaton, Lake Neusiedl, Lake Palic and Carska swamp

That land was settled by the first people who lived in caves. In this area can be followed the development of man and civilization. Then was formed the Danube Basin. Today’s contemporary network of the Danube river was formed in the Stone age, and with the rivers of the Danube Basin means the area of the former Pannonian Sea – from the Alps to the Carpathians.

Danube Basin

Critical period for human civilization is the termination of the Ice Age (about 11,000 to 10,000 BC), when the remains of sea and lakes leaked in the Black Sea. On the banks of the Danube in the Đerdap Gorge, soon form a culture Lepenski Weir (starting at about 8,000. BC).

Lepenski Weir

Today, there are many proofs that we are at the bottom of the Pannonian sea. Today, the Pannonian Basin is one big field. Land is extremely fertile, rich in oil and natural gas, thanks to sand, mud, and the fossils which are still present. Natural resources has so far the minimum used, so that nowadays a lot of investing in exploitation, especially oil and gas.

Barns and oil wells

However, there are areas that are real deserts – sandy terrain as a result of wind. In them appears the lack of water, and sand that was mobile – “live sand”, now is appeased by forestry and grassy vegetation.

Deliblato Sand

Today, the former islands of Pannonian sea like: Avala, Fruska Gora, Titel Hill, Vrsac Hill, Papuk, Psunj, Mescek, Villany… are mountains with beautiful view of the endless plains, which looks like green sea.

Avala, Vrsac Hill, Titel Hill and Fruska Gora

Hills: Papuk, Villany, Mescek and Psunj

Water emerges from the ground in almost every field. Plain rivers, wide and powerful, often floods plains.

Photos of floods

That exists today, this sea would splash several major European cities: Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Belgrade, Zagreb, Osijek, Pecs, Miskolc… However, due to the action of natural forces over the past several million years, much has changed since then.

Budapest

Bratislava

Vienna

Belgrade

Zagreb

Miskolc

Pecs

And while we’re waiting Pannonian sea to come back due to global warming, rivers are quite welcome. On rivers, life is very peaceful, with the sound of tambourines, taste of clam chowder and unforgettable sailing on Danube…

Beaches Strand and Lido