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| Islands
of Mljet and Lastovo |
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Some thirty kilometres
from the ancient town of Dubrovnik and eighteen kilometres from
Korcula, a thick forest of Alpine fir and oak descend down to sea
level. It is in this setting that natures providence has placed
the beautiful island of Mljet. The special charm of Mljet lies its
two salt water lakes, and the island in the lake upon which are
built a Benedictine monastery and Church of St. Mary from the 12th
Century. Other features include the imposing remains of an ancient
palace and an old Christian Basilica in the port of Polace. The
National Park of Mljet was established in 1960 primarly because
of its wonderfully dense forests of Mediterranean pines, Mediterranean
oak and evergreen underbush. Later, it was stated that Mljets lake
was its most beautiful feature. The lake was colonised by a peculiar,
live ecology through a shallow water-link to the Adriatic on the
southern part of the island. The biblical story of the rescue of
Saint Paul after a shipwreck and of his miraculous self-healing
after being bitten by a snake, has a contemporary significance.
The mongoose was introduced to Mljet which completely got rid of
all the snakes on the island. Now it can be said that Mljet is an
island of primordial wilderness which can be enjoyed - without fear
of any danger!
The island of Lastovo with its 500 years old constitution, is one
of the oldest settlements with its own judicial system. It is famed
for its carnival in which the entire population of the island enthusiastically
take part and provides an opportunity for visitors to admire the
lovely male and female traditional folk costumes. The island was
closed to foreigners for 50 years, and will be an unusual discovery
for visitors to this part of the Adriatic. Lastovo, with its 46
small islands and their shoals is an eldorado for followers of big
game fishing for yellowtail and tuna. But with all these attractions,
it is not an exclusive or expensive enterprise, as local fisherman
have been catching these big trophies for their own food for as
long as can be remembered.
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| Island
of Mljet |
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The
biggest island of the South-Dalmatian archipelague, is situated
14 sea-miles south-east of the town of Korcula. There are 1237 inhabitants
living on the island. On the north-west end of the island are the
Lakes of Mljet: the Great and the Small Lake. These two lakes are
connected by a shallow channel, and the Great Lake is connected
with the open sea through the channel Soline. In the middle of the
Great Lake is the small island of St. Mary and on it the former
Benedictine monastery. These beautiful lakes are one of the reasons
that Mljet was declared a National park in 1960. The unusual unity
of the interesting relief, rich Flora and Fauna, and cultural monuments,
make this National park one of the most attended in Croatia. The
biggest settlement on the island and the municipal centre is the
village Babino Polje. The major harbours are Sobra and Polace. According
to reconstruction of the voyages of Ulysses, the island of Mljet
is the island Ogigija on which the nymph Calypso enchanted the Greek
hero Ulysses. The life on the island was dynamically already in
Illyric times.The Illyrics were attacked by Octavian in the year
35 before Christ because of their piracy on the Adriatic. In late
autumn in the year 59, a terrible tempest threw the ship “Castor
and Pollux” on the island of Mljet, and on it was the disciple
Paul driving to the trial to Rome. The travellers spent the winter
there, and continued then to Rome. At those times the island was
known under the name Melita. In the 8th century the Croats settled
on the island. Mljet was under the rulership of the Zhumlje governor
Desa in the year 1151, who gave it to the Benedictines from the
abbey Pulsano on Monte Gorgano in Apuglia. The Benedictines built
on the small island in the Great Lake their monastery, and from
the year 1333 it was under the government of the Republic of Dubrovnik.
The fear of danger from the sea was the reason that the first settlements
developed in the interior of the island, so that the settlements
on the coast developed in this century.
Sightseeing Nacional Park of the ISLAND of MLJET
It is possible to reach Mljet from Korcula by the harbour Pomena
where the hotel “Odisej” (Ulysses) is located, as well
as villas, leasing houses and numerous restaurants where fresh fish
and lobsters are served. A pedestrian road leads from Pomena through
the National park to the Small Lake, and you can reach walking by
the coast of the lake the bridge - the spot where the shallow channel
connects the two lakes. On the coast is the pier for the boats that
take the tourists to the small island with the monastery. The island
is small (2 ha), and the monastery was built by the year 1151, its
walls were fortified to defend enemy and pirate attacks; it was
abandoned from 1869 and in 1964 it was turned into the small hotel
“Melita”. The church of “St. Mary” is a remarkable
Roman building, and its art pieces and inventry are since the II
World War in Dubrovnik. Around the Great and the Small lake lead
walking tracks, and it is possible to rent bicycles and boats on
the coast.
The waters around Mljet are excellent fishing terrains.
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| Mljet
Island - National Park - full day tour |
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The island of
Mljet is one of the loveliest and most densely wooded islands in
the Adriatic. A part of the island has been declared a National
Park, whose main attractions are two salt-water lakes - Veliko Jezero
i Malo Jezero (Great Lake and Small Lake). Join a boat cruise on
the Great lake for a view of the islet with a 12th century Benedictine
monastery. Enjoy a stroll through lush pine woods or swim in the
lovely salt-water lakes.
Guide and
entrance fees to the National Park included
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| Excursions
from Island of Korcula |
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| Island
of Lastovo |
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Lastovo belongs
to the south Dalmatian group of islands; it occupies surface of
53 sq.km, and the highest peak is Hum with 417 m. 1228 inhabitants
live on Lastovo in two bigger settlements: Lastovo and Ubli. Lastovo
is a wonderful island of Mediterranean vegetation, and with wineyards
and olive groves, which for the background of a delightful landscape.
The coast is very well indented and the whole Lastovo group of islands
and islets number 34. There are villas and flats for hire, and a
small hotel Solitudo. Lastovo was in the possession of the Dubrovnik
Republic in the Middle Ages. After the Second World War and until
1990, it was, for most of the time closed military base, and it
is only now accessible to visitors from abroad. The main village
of Lastovo is especially interesting - for its urbanization and
for its preserved ancient customs - especially for the performance
of place and processions on Shrove Tuesday.
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| Lastovo
Island - full day tour |
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Lastovo is an
offshore island south of Korcula. Its dense vegetation, the azure
sea with countless islets and reefs, as well as varied flora and
fauna, make this island really unique. We walk from Sv. Mihajlo
(St. Michaels) port through the scenic landscape to Lastovo, Islands
largest settlement. Tour the town before we resume our arriving
to the Zaklopatica cove for lunch and swimming. Return sail in the
afternoon hours.
Guide and
lunch included. Sportswear recommanded
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| Excursions
from Island of Korcula |
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