Dam on the Sava River in Medvode — Online Webcam

Medvode — a town between waters

The small Slovenian town of Medvode occupies a picturesque location at the confluence of two rivers — the Sava and the Sora. Its name translates from Slovenian as "between the waters", which accurately reflects the geographical peculiarity of the area. The town is situated just 12 kilometers northwest of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, making it part of the capital's metropolitan area. Here, urban development harmoniously coexists with the natural landscape — forested hills, river valleys, and mountain ranges on the horizon.

Medvode attracts visitors not only with its nature but also with its industrial heritage. The town's main landmark is the hydroelectric power station on the Sava River, which has been providing the region with electricity for several decades. The webcam with a view of the dam allows real-time observation of the operation of this hydraulic structure and the surrounding landscapes.

Hydroelectric Power Station on the Sava: History and Facts

The Medvode HPP is one of the key hydroelectric power stations on the Sava River. Its construction began in 1947, in the post-war period, when Yugoslavia was actively restoring and developing its energy infrastructure. The station belongs to the run-of-river type, using the natural flow of the river without creating a large reservoir.

The history of the Medvode HPP construction has dark pages. It is documented that the facility was built partially using forced labor of Catholic priests, who were held as political prisoners after World War II. This fact is part of the complex historical memory of the region.

Today, the Medvode HPP is operated by the company group Savske elektrarne Ljubljana (SEL), which manages a cascade of hydroelectric power stations on the Sava River. The station is part of the Middle Sava HPP cascade system and contributes to Slovenia's energy independence.

The Sava River: Slovenia's Main Waterway

The Sava is not just a river but a true artery of the Balkan Peninsula. Its total length is 945 kilometers, making it one of the longest rivers in the region. In Slovenia, the Sava is the most water-rich and longest river, flowing through the central part of the country.

The source of the Sava is located in the Julian Alps, near the town of Radovljica, where two mountain rivers converge — the 45 km long Sava Dolinka and the Sava Bohinjka. From here, the river carries its waters through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, flowing into the Danube in the Serbian capital of Belgrade. From the Croatian town of Sisak to its mouth, the Sava is navigable.

In the Medvode area, the Sava is characterized by a calm current, making it ideal for the location of a hydroelectric power station. Upstream, the river passes through narrower and more rapid sections, while below the dam, a flowing reservoir is formed, surrounded by forested slopes.

Nature and Landscapes Around Medvode

The landscapes around Medvode are typical of pre-Alpine Slovenia. Forested hills covered with mixed forests rise above the river valley. Beech, oak, and spruce predominate on the slopes, creating a picturesque green backdrop around the blue surface of the Sava and the reservoir.

The mountain ranges visible in the background from the webcam belong to the Julian Alps and Kamnik-Savinja Alps system. These mountains create a natural barrier that influences the local climate — a moderately continental climate with sufficient moisture and mild winters.

Along the riverbanks and roads, patches of natural vegetation have been preserved, alternating with agricultural land and residential development. In spring, the slopes are covered with bright wildflowers, and in autumn the forests turn golden and crimson.

Attractions in the Surrounding Area

In addition to the hydroelectric power station, Medvode and its surroundings offer several interesting sites for history and architecture enthusiasts. In the town itself and nearby, there are ancient castles and estates that testify to the rich history of the region.

Medvode Castle is a medieval fortress overlooking the river valley. The first mentions of the castle date back to the 12th–13th centuries, although its current appearance was acquired in later periods. The castle served as a strategic point for controlling trade routes along the Sava.

In the vicinity of the town, traces of Roman presence can also be found — in ancient times, a Roman road connecting Aquileia with Pannonia passed through these lands. Archaeological finds in the region include fragments of Roman settlements and road stones.

What You Can See on the Camera

The webcam overlooking Medvode broadcasts a panorama of the hydroelectric power station on the Sava River in real time. At the center of the composition is the HPP building with the dam, through which water is discharged into the lower pool. In the foreground runs a road with a characteristic arched bridge across the river.

Behind the dam stretches a calm reservoir lake surrounded by forested hills. In the background, mountain ranges create a picturesque backdrop. Along the riverbanks and roads are residential houses and buildings, and the dense vegetation emphasizes the natural wealth of the region.

The camera allows you to observe changes in the water level in the river, the operation of hydraulic units, and the intensity of traffic on the bridge. Depending on weather conditions, the landscape can change — from the sun glinting on the water to a misty haze in the morning hours.