Baška
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Baška is one of the most attractive destinations on
the Croatian Adriatic coast, mostly because of its 2km-long natural pebbly beach which has been
proclaimed one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Baška is
situated at the far south-east end of the island of Krk, which is
Croatia's biggest island and also its closest one to the mainland, 43 km from the Krk
Bridge. Being only a few hours distant from major European cities
makes it an interesting destination not only for summer vacations,
but also for weekend breaks and other holidays throughout the year.
Baška is like a masterpiece water-colour painting,
anchored in a bay against a green background, spilling its white
rocks along the shore, the colours merging with Baška's bright
facades, red roofs, old stone steps, wooden shutters and little
white boats caressing the shores.
The
town is an interesting architectural
unit, as it was built on a terrain which gradually rises
above sea level.
Baška's stunning
natural semi-circular beach overlooks the Velebit
mountain range and the islet Prvić.
The
Baška
valley is a gentle but deep
valley leading all the way to the sea, with several springs, a
little river, fertile
ground and lots of greenery, a true oasis in a rocky landscape.
The
highest peak on the island, Obzova (569
m), rises above the valley and offers spectacular views of
the sea, valley and mountains.
If
we add a rich cultural, historical and
architectural heritage to its natural diversity, then we can
conclude that this is a
destination which offers a full range of holiday
activities.
Draga
Baška
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This
small settlement lies between rocky plains in the picturesque
and fertile Baška valley.
It is 4
km from
Baška's beach and in the midst of the tourist season it offers its
guests peace and seclusion.
The 45th
parallel
passes through the village which places it exactly halfway between
the Equator and the North Pole, almost in the center of Europe. Because of this, in terms of
its geographical postion and temperatures, it is considered an ideal
location in the Northern Hemisphere.
For
hundreds of years, the inhabitants of this village have been engaged
in agriculture and livestock raising. In the past, there were 7
water-mills in the area, thanks to the little river Vela Rika.
Sheep-farming and the production of cheese developed, as well as
wool processing and the weaver's trade. Some old trades were
widespread at the time: the carpenter's, shoemaker's, tailor's, tin-smith's, mason's, builder's and similar.
Nowadays, besides agriculture and sheep-farming, the
inhabitants earn a living from tourism.
Jurandvor
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Jurandvor is a tiny settlement, a precious stone in
the mosaic of Baška's valley. It has much to offer for such a small
place: the old center
of the village, genuine
architecture, and the small church of St.Lucy from the early
Middle Ages. Contemporary houses found their place in the shade
of oleanders, laurel,
and rosemary bushes, at the foot of the picturesque rocky mountains.
Jurandvor is well-known for the Baška Tablet which is the most
important monument of Croatian national history and culture.
This
exceptional small place is 2 km
from Baška's lovely beach and it offers a quiet holiday to its guests.
Today, most of the inhabitants are somehow engaged in
tourism, either directly or indirectly, whereas in the past they
used to earn a living from farming and sheep-breeding.
Batomalj
A
number of settlements found their place in the green Baška valley at the foot of
the mountain slopes of Mali and Veliki Treskavac: Draga Bašćanska, Jurandvor,
and by the sea, Baška
itself. Batomalj is set
apart from this picturesque sequence.
Batomalj is like a miniature nest in a mountainous
surrounding. Its green and forested background alternates with the
white facades of its
houses. Take the winding road to the hilltop and discover the
wonderful views of the sea and
valley.
This
village is only 2 km from
Baška's beach and
visitors can enjoy the peace and quiet and the benefits of
its fresh air, go for a walk down to the seaside or along the hiking
trails and discover the beauty of the rocky landscape and shepherds' shelters.
In
the past the inhabitants made a living from agriculture and
cattle-raising, today
mostly from
tourism.
Climate
The main
features of the pleasant and mild Mediterranean climate are: warm springs, hot summers, mild autumns
and windy winters. Baška is
among the sunniest parts of Europe with more than 2 500 hours
of sunshine per year. The air temperature in summer is
24?C, whereas the sea temperature is 26?C.
Winds
- Bura blows from the mainland
to the sea and is a
cold, unpredictable wind. Even though it blows mainly in winter, it
can rise throughout the whole year. After bura, clear and sunny
weather can be expected. The waves created by bura are short with
foamy tops.
- Jugo blows from the sea to
the mainland. It is a humid wind accompanied by rain, producing
long, beautiful and silent waves. It's present mostly from autumn
till spring.
- Maestral is a pleasant
summer wind.
Water
Baška is proud of its clean and safe drinking
water which can be
drunk from the tap. It has its own water supply from underground
sources and deep wells.
The Flora and
Fauna
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There are 1 500 different plants and herbs growing
under the warm Mediterranean sun, 50 of which are the island's
endemic species. The countryside is covered with medicinal herbs,
making the Baška valley an exceptionally healthy environment where
longevity rules. Sage, wormwood, and thyme are only some of the
herbs which can be found here. Lovers of the animal world might spot
indigenous species on land and in the sea, in their natural
environment.
May we suggest visiting:
Omišalj
Omišalj, which is close to Rijeka Airport, is the
first town after crossing the Krk Bridge. It was built on a cliff,
85 m above the sea.
We recommend visiting the following cultural and
historical sights:
-the remains of an early Christian basilica from the
5th century and excavations of the Roman municipality Fulfinium in
the bay of Sepen and the Mirina locality ( 2km from Omišalj).
-the parish church of St.Mary's Assumption from 1213,
with a bell-tower and
loggia added in
the 16th cent.
- the gallery “Lapidarij“
Njivice
Today a popular tourist resort, Njivice was once a
small fishermen's village. It is located in the NW part of the
island, 10km from the Krk Bridge, in a sheltered bay called Beli Kamik.
We suggest visiting the Njivice gallery.
Malinska
Malinska is the center of the area called Dubašnica,
whose name is derived from the old Croatian word for oak, “dub“, as the area was known
for its rich forest vegetation. It is located in a wide bay, in the
north-west of the island, 15 km from the Krk Bridge.
We recommend visiting the following cultural and
historical monuments:
-
The
Franciscan monastery
and the church of St. Mary Magdalene from 1480, in Porat, 3 km from
Malinska. The monastery houses a museum collection with an authentic
olive-press and a
Glagolitic collection of stone fragments.
-
The
chapel of St. Nicholas and its gallery which was consecrated in 2000.
-
The
parish church of St. Appolinaire from 1857 in Bogovići, near
Malinska.
Vrbnik
Vrbnik was built on a 48-meter cliff above the sea,
offering a spectacular view of the mainland. This quaint old town, has
been sung about, described and depicted in many works of art and
brings back unforgettable memories to those who have visited it. It
is situated in the south-east of the island, 37 km from the bridge.
It is known as a wine-growing area where a fine white wine called Vrbnička Žlahtina is
produced, making it a popular excursion destination offering tasty
island dishes and good wines.
We
suggest visiting:
-
The parish church of St. Mary's Assumption from 1325 with the
Renaissance bell-tower from the 16th cent., which is also home to the Museum of Fine
Arts, housing works inspired by the town of Vrbnik.
-
The
chapel of St. John from the 15th cent.
-
The
Vitezić Library
Krk
Krk
is the administrative, political, economic and religious center of
the island. It is a bustling port in summer, situated on the west
coast of the island, 25 km from the Krk Bridge.
This
former Roman municipality and residence of the Frankopans, the
medieval princes of Krk, is surrounded by Roman walls and has a
network of narrow little streets which always lead to a certain
historic monument.
The
following sites are worth-visiting:
-
The
sacral complex consisting of the cathedral of St.Mary's Assumption
(built on the site of an early Christian basilica from the 5/6th c),
the bell-tower from the 18th c, the churches of St.Margaret and
St.Quirinus (11/12th c), the patron of the town. The church houses an impressive
collection of sacral art ,
-
Roman
remains can be found within the town walls, while the general layout
of the old town dates from medieval times (12th to 15th c),
-
Kamplin
square with the Frankopan castle and square tower from the 12th
century,
-
The
main town square, Vela Placa, with the Guard Tower (15th c) and Renaissance well,
-
The
canon's house with a Glagolitic inscription from the 11th c, in Petra
Franolića 11 street,
-
The
little church of St. Krševan
(5th or 6th c) near Milohnić, 12 km north-west of Krk,
-
Galleries:
Decumanus, Fortis, Dagmar,
Leut, Krčanka, Helena, Noina Arka, Biserka-Bodulka
-
Roman
mosaic exhibited in the cafe bar “Mate“.
Glavotok
Glavotok is located 17 km north-west of Krk, and just
across the island of
Cres. It is a protected reserve of forest vegetation (holm-oak),
which makes it a popular excursion spot.
A hamlet with a small port developed round the
Franciscan monastery from the 15th c and the church of the
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary from 1277.
Punat
Punat is situated in a sheltered bay, in the SW of the
island, 35 km from the Krk Bridge. It is the main center of nautical
tourism on the Adriatic, well-known for its marina and production of
olive oil.
We
suggest visiting:
-
The
church of St.Dunat from the 9th c,
-
The
parish church of the Holy Trinity from 1773 with a treasured Baroque
altar,
-
The
Toš gallery, which hosts
many exhibitions and has an old olive-press within the gallery,
-
The
nearby islet Košljun, with a Franciscan monastery, the church of St.
Mary's Annunciation from
1480, a valuable library, ethnographic collection, and
permanent exhibition of sacral art. One can also enjoy classical
music concerts on this little island, which is also a forest
reserve.
Dobrinj
This
picturesque little town from the Middle Ages is the only historical
settlement on the island of Krk which is not situated by the sea. It
is in the north-east, 21 km from the Krk Bridge. It was first
mentioned in a Glagolitic document, a deed of donation of the illustrious Dragoslav, from
January 1st, 1100.
As
you walk through the town park located amid old buildings, you'll
find yourself in a different time, forgetting all your worries.
Cultural and historic monuments:
-
The
early Romanesque church
from 1100, endowment of the illustrious Dragoslav, located in St.
Vid, 1 km east of Dobrinj.
-
The
parish church of St. Steven, mentioned in 1100 as the the main
church of the Dobrinj chapter.
-
Church
and gallery of St. Anthony (14th c), bell-tower (18th c).
-
The
collection of sacral art and the Infeld gallery, in the
immediate vicinity of St.Anthony's church / gallery.
-
Collection
of stone fragments of the island Krk, and a folk museum of the
Dobrinj area and of the island Krk.
-
Biserujka,
a cave rich in stalagmites,
stalactites and calcified pillars. It used to arouse
people's curiosity with
stories of a
hidden treasure. The cave is in Rudine, a hamlet not far from
Dobrinj.
Soline,
Klimno, Čižići
Soline, Klimno and Čižići are smaller
settlements,
situated in the
wide and spacious bay of Soline, near Dobrinj. There were saltworks
in the area in pre-Roman times, and today the Bay of Soline is
well-known for its curative muds beneficial to health,
especially the treatment of
rheumatism.