Sightseeing on the island Rab :
Kamenjak: With its peak at 408 m, Kamenjak is the highest and largest limestone massif that protects the island from the cold northern influences. From here you can enjoy spectacular views of the Velebit mountain range and of the nearby archipelago including the islands of Cres, Losinj, Silba, Olib, Krk and Pag. On a clear day, when the visibility is extremely good, you can see the mountain Ucka, which is the highest peak of Kvarner, Sis, which is the highest mountain peak of the island of Cres, as well as the islands of Uelian and Molat, which are almost 40 miles away to the south. The broadest and the best panoramas of the island of Rab can be enjoyed from the top of Kamenjak. The settlements of Barbat and Banjol are located at the foot of Kamenjak, along the coastline and the Channel of Barbat, towards the south. The southwest of the island has some spectacular geological features. Woodland covers the karst peninsula of Kalifront, while the flysch valleys of Supetarska Draga-Mundanije and Kampor, separated by a flysch reef, are situated in the centre of the island. A flysch area of the peninsula of Lopar, with its numerous sandy beaches, is located in the northwest of the island. The Bays of Supetar and Kampor are also worth a mention for their extraordinary beauty.
Forest Dundo: The peninsula of Kalifront is famous for its Holm oak, which can be found in the Dundo forest, one of the rare preserved forests in the Mediterranean. It is also the most important forest on the island of Rab. In 1949 the Dundo forest was declared a natural treasure and was placed under the protection of the Department for Natural Heritage Protection as a "special reserve forest - botanical reserve" (forest vegetation). Holm oak (Quercus ilex) is an evergreen oak which can reach a thousand years of age. Several impressive examples are preserved in the Dundo forest. Path of Premuzic 1: The path of Premuzic was built around 1930 by Ante Premuzic, an engineer holding a BSc in Forestry and a famous architect and constructor of forest roads, mountain-tourist paths and stream management. Path of Premuzic 2: The path of Premuzic in the area of SUPETARSKA DRAGA-LOPAR: The length of the path is 5,170 m. It begins in the settlement of Matkici near the village of Supetarska Draga, on the bridge above a dam which regulates stream waters of Vela draga. The sea altitude of the bridge is 12 m. The path slowly climbs along the left flow of the stream Vela draga. At the very beginning there are four large stream dams. Some sixty years ago alpine trees were planted around and in the stream. The path then exits to the plateau at the sea altitude of 120-130m. On the left side of the path there is a plateau with private properties and on the right side there is a rare Holm oak forest Suhanj. Here you can also see an impressive example of Holm oak tree. The path proceeds to the forest area Fruga. Before reaching the rocky carst area, on the left side of the path there is a ground eroded in the flood, which is a nice example of the climate factors' influence on the ground and the significance of the vegetation for the protection of such ground.
There is also a "Roman path", a part of the pathway which indicates the construction methods of the Roman Empire. The path reaches the rocky carst area and here you can enjoy wonderful views from the peninsula of Lopar, the islands of St. Gregory and Krk. Mountain Velebit can be seen in the background. Due to bora impacts the vegetation in this area is quite scarce. The path lowers towards the bridge-dam of the stream area Jamina, next to the fence of the campsite San Marino in Lopar. Marked on the map with numbers 1, 2 The influence of erosion on the flysch ground and its vegetation is best seen on the examples of unusual forms of ground in the area of the path of Premuzic. Some of the forms which resemble towers and pyramids reach the height of 5 m. More information on sportfacility. Fruga : The geopark Fruga is more centrally located on the island. Very nice to rent a quad or go mountain biking, take enough water with you because you are quickly a few hours away. With the car not well accessible, so you best park the car at the St. Petrus church, the oldest church of the island. Through an ancient holm oak forest with whimsical fairy-like trees you come to an open field with lots of stones, sheep, some trees. There is a large valley that undergoes a lot of rain (when it rains), sometimes there is a small pond and sometimes a large pond full of frogs. Wonderful! There is an old dam and you will find everywhere the numbered plates with explanations and the trails with small signs indicate which direction you should go and how far is still, oeffff !!! And there is a large erosion area, exactly the grand Canyon in the miniature. Here they sometimes do motocross. sometimes you can drive in with the quad, depending on whether the rain has swept the ground in winter. The high mountains in the distance are the mainland of Croatia. There is a path to Lopar that can only be walked on foot. And there is a path where you come with the quad at the rear of the campsite, just ask the key and you can then return to the campsite. It is always quiet on Fruga except on 1 May, a national holiday, when everyone comes to barbecue, make music etc. Sveti Damjan: To this day on the Kamenjak slopes of the hill of Sveti Damjan in Barbat, you can see imposing ruins that have inspired the imagination of local inhabitants and inquisitive explorers for centuries. The central building within the complex, with its single nave and wide semicircular apse on the eastern side, was undoubtedly a church. The original form of the church can be reconstructed only in the ground plan as the north and south walls have been partially demolished and the facade has been completely destroyed. Until now experts and researchers have taken conflicting stands regarding the dating of the ruins of this historic complex and have cited them as Early-Medieval, Pre-Romanesque or even High-Medieval, Romanesque or Gothic. Only lately has it been recognized that these remnants are parts of one in a series of Early Byzantine fortresses dating from the first half of the 6th century. At this time, the Emperor Justinian the Great, his army commanded by Belize, re-conquered this part of the Adriatic coast and built a series of magnificent fortification systems to secure the borders of the Byzantine Empire. This fortification was one of the largest, and was a centre of defense, control and shelter.
Sv. Eufemije: The Monastery of St. Euphemia can be found at the end of the bay bearing the same name, in the area of Kampor. The complex includes two churches. The older, smaller Church of St. Euphemia dates from the 13th century, but it has almost entirely lost its original appearance. The Church of St. Bernardine is small Gothic basilica, but 17th and 18th century reconstructions substituted semicircular Baroque windows for the Gothic ones. The church contains a number of valuable paintings as well as a noteworthy crucifix and candelabra. A large well, several inscriptions on the walls and a beautiful sarcophagus can be admired in the cloister.
The alternative camping Zidine:
Are you tired of full camps dotted with countless caravans, clumsy tourist tents and rudely parked cars? And now something completely different when you see Ivan Olip oasis, located on the north of the island. The camp is easily reached by boat or on foot. Ive does not allow access from any motorized tools, and anyone who went to one of the sandy wilderness Lopar of Rab, enriched with scented conifers, will soon realize why. In such a calming space from which a wide view to the blue Adriatic goes, every car acts as a small ecological bomb. To the depth of the camp visitors are being guided by small paths decorated with handmade ceramic vases from which creeper with large red flowers climb the pine. Under your is a feet gently rustling carpet of sand and pine needles, and smell fragrant charm combination that would open the nostrils of the man with the worst cold. In the middle of such an environment settled Ive his little camp - about fifteen wooden bungalows and thirty tents, camp "Zidine". The Association of the Crossbowmen: The Association of the Crossbowmen of the Island of Rab was founded on 15 February 1995. The Association brings the medieval history and culture of the area to life, chiefly with the restored Knight Games, first held on October 28th the same year. Since then, as many as 143 tournaments of knights have been held on the island of Rab, as well as in many other Croatian towns and across Europe. The association includes 156 members divided into groups such as crossbowmen, trumpeters, buglers, flag bearers, dancers, music players, gunners and squires. The games take place in the town of Rab and in some twin towns such as San Marino and Königsbrunn on Victory Day (May 9), Statehood Day (June 25), St Christopher’s Day (July 27) and the Feast of the Assumption (August 15). The crossbowmen and trumpeters of Rab wear authentic costumes, designed by costume designer Dijana Boureek of the Croatian National Theatre of Zagreb, based on historical research by Dr Jelka Radauš Ribarić. The crossbows are made by the crossbowmen themselves with assistance of crossbowmen of San Marino (balestrieri). They weigh from 18 to 25 kg. The target (cocoon-like) should be hit from a distance of 36.5 m by an arrow weighing 0.15 kg. The flags symbolize the fraternities of Rab, i.e. the counties and town of Rab, whereas the leading flag is the flag of the Republic of Croatia. The trumpets were designed in Italian workshops by special request, while the cannons were made in Croatian workshops. Rapska Fjera:Three days of Middle Ages: Unique in Croatia, the medieval summer fair called the Rabska Fjera was first held on 21st July 1364. It was revived in 2002 as a town holiday. Its greatest role is in safeguarding and developing local and traditional values. There are artisans and craftsmen on the island of Rab who make a living from crafts that have existed and provided a living for people since the Middle Ages. There are also clubs and societies that voluntarily keep traditional crafts alive, cultivate traditional values, make home-made products and help preserve a way of life. These artisans are the main participants in the revived Rabska Fjera, which is held in a shortened form over three days: 25th July (St James’ Day), 26th July (St Anne's Day) and 27th of July (St Christopher's Day), between 9 p.m. and half past midnight. "The Rabska Fjera"… is, on the contrary, a dignified celebration, just as it was when it was inaugurated, six-and-a-half centuries ago. And it is not some vain, glitzy parade, but a true expression of the desire to penetrate, even if only by intuition, into the dimness of centuries gone by, where the shadows of our ancestors can still be recognized; to perceive our roots, to confirm and affirm our identity; despite being interconnected and liberated/entangled by the sophisticated technologies of today, to remind ourselves of the beauty of work carried out by hand, the skill of fingers, calluses instead of gloves, of the essential connection with nature, with the land and with the sea; of the spiritual and material creative legacy of our forefathers, their individual, lone creativity, which this time of teamwork, production lines and machine manufacturing has somewhat forgotten."
Attractions around the island of Rab :
Island Goli Otok : The naked island did not get its name from its bare, vegetation-free surface as many people believe. In fact it is so-called simply because the island was a secret destination for nudists in years gone by. Goli is located in Croatia's touristic center between the beloved holiday-islands Krk and Rab, and directly next to Grgur, a former prison-island for woman. In the former Yugoslavia, Goli-Otok was a prison-island for male political criminals. The island was abandoned in 1989 and since then it is accessible for all visitors. Goli was TOP SECRET! As my questions continued to go unanswered, I found myself becoming really nosy about Goli-Otok. Island Sveti Grgur : Only a mile to the north west of Goli is Sveti Grgur. Its past was not much jollier than Goli’s - it was a women’s prison. On Grgur there is only a single bay that can be recommended for mooring. Isn’t it rather strange that on an island as small as this the name of the island and its only bay should be the same? Grgur Bay on Grgur Island. Or actually, St Grgur Bay on the equally pious island.
Zavratnica: Zavratnica is probably one of the most beautiful coves of the Croatian Adriatic. It is only 15 minutes’ walk along the coast from Jablanac. The cove is 900 m long and between 50 and 150 m wide within a 100-meters high canyon. Because of its beauty, Zavratnica has been designated a "protected landscape". When you enter the bay you have to adjust its speed. It is a bay that meanders nine hundred meters inland with very clear water. On the left, one has sunk a ferry in the war years. This is about 5 meters deep and is of course beautiful for diving or snorkeling. At the end of the bay, an underwater source with fresh water opens with ice cold water from the mountains. This water mixes with the warmer salt seawater and that gives a special mixture. There is a trail which is open to hikers only. • Children up to age of 7: free entry
Island "Krk": On the island of Krk there are three streams and two lakes. On the highest mountain top, Obzovi (570 m), visitors may forget that they are actually on an island. Here some very special phenomena can be found. The flora in Krk includes around 1400 species of land plants, almost half of the total in Croatia. One plant unique to Krk is the “Barbašova lazarkinja”, one of the world's rarities, which grows only in the Baška lagoon. Amongst its fauna, too, we can count rare species. The bird population, for example, ranges from eagles/vultures to the oriental steppe "vrški tić". To all this complex abundance of natural characteristics we should add a Mediterranean climate – hot summers and mild winters, a cold continental wind that blows from the north-east (the bura), the humid jugo, and a pleasant summer wind (the maestral) that blows from the west. You can get to the island of Krk however you wish: from the land – over the Krk bridge; from the sea – by boats into the ports or small marinas, and by ferry to the Valbiska harbour; from the air – by plane to Rijeka's airport which is located close to Omišalj. The island of Krk is just 30 kilometers away from the city of Rijeka – which is the traffic, business, commercial, university and cultural centre of Kvarner. No matter which road you choose, when you arrive on the island of Krk, you will certainly find that the golden island has been blessed with the uniqueness of variety – and is a connection between present and past, modernity and the antiquated, legend and reality.
Island Košljun :
The church presently on the island was built by the Franciscans in 1480, but the earliest known settlement on Košljun was a Roman villa rustica belonging to a landowner of the Roman settlement on Krk. A written record from 1186 implies the existence of a Benedictine abbey built on the foundations of the villa. The Benedictines remained on the island until the 15th century. After the death of the abbot Dominick, the title of Abbot of Košljun was passed to a Venetian priest. The abbey was abandoned in 1447. Soon after, a pair of Franciscan monks complained to the Pope that the monastery was sitting empty. At their request, the Benedictine monastery was abolished and the island of Košljun given to the Franciscans by the Frankopans, a family of Croatian nobles. The Franciscan monastery remains there today. Island "Cres": The island of Cres in Croatia is the northern island within the Cres-Lošinj Archipelago. Having an area of 405 km2, it is the largest island in Croatia together with Krk and its length of 66 km makes it the second longest one, after Hvar. The highest peaks on the island, Gorice (648 m) and Sis (638m), provide a magnificent view of Kvarner and the neighbouring islands. While climbing to the peaks or just strolling down numerous promenades on the island, you can inhale the aromas of over 1300 island plant species, some of which are endemic. You can also visit the ornithological reserve. As it happens, the island of Cres is one of the last habitats to a rare bird species – the griffon vulture. Vrana Lake in the centre of the island is the only source of drinking water for Cres and Lošinj and other islands of the archipelago, their residents and tourists. The lake is also an unusual natural phenomenon – the water level is above the level of the surrounding sea and its bottom is below the level of the sea bottom, at 74 meters. The island of Cres is separated from the island of Lošinj by an 11 m wide channel and connected with it by a bridge in Osor. Bottle-nosed dolphins live in the waters around Lošinj and you can come across them while visiting one of the nearby islands or sailing in your boat. This is why the area around the island of Lošinj has been pronounced a dolphin reserve. In addition to Krk and the nearby island of Prvić, Cres is the last habitat for griffon vultures in Croatia. The village of Beli features an eco-research center for nature protection called ‘Caput insulae’. The center engages in protection of this much endangered bird that is facing extinction. Thanks to the efforts and activities of the Center, they managed to have the griffon vulture habitats on the island of Cres pronounced ornithological reserves. There are two such reserves, both on the east side of the island of Cres. Griffon vultures are gentle partners – after selecting their partner, they remain with it for the rest of their lives. They live in colonies of 2, 3 or 5 couples, so up to a hundred or more nest, eat and rest together. During the mating season, couples spend almost all their time together in marital flights. Marital flights on the island of Cres begin in October when you can see these birds flying one above the other or one next to the other. The Lakes from " Plitvice" : UNESCO's Register of World Natural Heritage. Plitvice is a group of sixteen small lakes - Proscansko, Labudanovac, Ciganovac, Galovac, Kozjak... – connected by numerous large and smaller waterfalls. Plitvice waterfalls are created by deposition of travertine – a kind of limestone that created this unique and attractive wonder of nature. Plitvice National Park, the area surrounding the lakes, consists of dense forests of beech, fir and spruce, watered by various springs of the Korana River. Plitvice National Park also includes several caves and flower meadows. Brown bear are among the animal species that find their home here.
Distances from the lakes to the surrounding cities:
Opening hours of the Nature Park
|