Lighthouses on Adriatic built in times of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy
Zakarija's Island of Light
Lighthause Sestrice

When the sun sets the sensors turn on the light. Light shows lost sailors the way. It was 1876 when Maria Theresa built lighthouse Sestrice. First they used petroleum and after years electriciy. Today the lighthouse runs automaticlly and is controlled from Split.
Lighthouse Sestrice is a special place. Lighthouse is on a small island surrounded with beautiful Kornati islands on one side and open sea on the other. There are three lighthouses on Adriatic sea with thermometer shelter. Sestrice is one of them. Lighthouse-keeper must from 4 am till 10 pm every three hours send the weather forecast to the meteorological center in Split. Lighthouse-keeper is a heart and soul of every lighthouse. Zakarija has been a lighthouse-keeper for 26 years. Lighthouses are his life. He worked on almost every one of them on Adriatic sea and he is living with his family in abandoned lighthouse. There are two lighthouse-keepers working on the lighthouse Sestrice. They work in 15 days shifts that can last a lot longer if the weather is bad. Zakarija once stayed for 48 days.

Lighthouse Family Kvinta

4 Countries, 3 Generations and 1 Stone Light
In the middle of the southern side of the island of Lastovo, at the entrance to the bay of Skrivena Luka (Hidden Port) lies the lighthouse Struga. The lighthouse was build under Austro-Hungarian Monarchy in 1839. It is located on the island of Lastovo 55 NM from Dubrovnik. Lastovo is a scarcely inhabited island. Due to its distance from mainland, it seems as though it emerges from the blue sea and sky.The lighthouse lies at the height of 70 m, at the very edge of a steep cliff.
Three generations of the Kvinta family have been living on the islands as lighthouse-keepers. They have been working for four different states: Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, Italy, Yugoslavia and now Croatia. In the past, their only preoccupation was to take care of the lighthouse, while nowadays the lighthouse runs automatically and it is controlled from the base in Split.
There are many stories and legends about Struga. Unbelievable, yet a true story is about a giant lobster. The giant lobster weighted just under eighteen kilograms and was caught in a fishing net at the end of the 19th century just near the lighthouse. The fishermen sent it to the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph, who thanked them by sending back a large trunk of coffee and sugar.

Lighthouse Plocica
Stone Light Submarine
Plocica lighthouse was built in 1887 under Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. It is placed on the island of the same name between the islands of Korcula and Hvar, and the Peljesac peninsula. The island was named after its interesting shape. Flat and low, it resembles a slate protruding out of the sea. The waters surrounding Plocica are among the most attractive free diving areas in the Adriatic sea due to the magnificent underwater landscapes.
Lighthouse would not be the same without the host Ante Petkovic, who used to visit Plocica and help the lighthouse-keeper as a child. After the lighthouse was automated lighthouse-keeper was no longer needed, nevertheless Ante is still attached to Plocica and he takes care of the lighthouse like it was his own.
Plocice has its special story. In the end of the 19th century fishermen threw first fishing net into the sea. It was made of cotton and it was a gift from Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph. Fishermen threw it for the first time catching more fish than they needed and did`t know what to do with the rest. After long consultations they decided to continue fishing in the old fashioned way and never threw a fishing net into the sea again.

Palagruza

The Island of Diomedes

Recent archeological discoveries on Palagruza prove that the island fascinated the Greek hero Diomedes, survivor of the Trojan War and one of the most famous Greek warriors along with Odysseus. After the Trojan War, Diomedes made his way to the Adriatic where he fought the Ilyrians. It is believed that Diomedes' final resting place is on the island. Legend has it that, after Ilyrians killed Diomedes' warriors, Zeus transformed their souls into birds. Ever since, they have been guarding the Trojan hero's grave. The legend of Diomedes is the answer to the question of how these fragments made their way to this small, open-sea island with no source of drinking water.
The waters of Palagruza are the richest fishing waters in the Adriatic Sea. The tradition of organizing all day regattas from Komiza, a small fishing settlement on the nearby island of Vis, was kept till the twentieth century. Falkuse, authentic fishermen's boats built in the same way for centuries on the island of Vis, were used in these regattas. In the past, during the lobster and pilchard season, it was possible to see up to 500 fishermen's boats around Palagruza.
Palagruza lighthouse was built in 1875 under Austro-Hungarian Monarchy on the island of the same name, placed in the middle of the Adriatic sea, between the Italian and Croatian coasts, 68 NM south of Split and 26 NM south of the island of Lastovo. This history laden island of exceptional beauty is Croatia's furthest island. The island itself is 1400 m long, 300 m wide and 90 m high, and is covered in Mediterranean vegetation. The lighthouse on Palagruza is the largest lighthouse on the Adriatic. The bottom part of the lighthouse was built with stone from Palagruza. As it was a very hard stone the rest of the lighthouse was built with a lighter type of stone brought from the island of Brac.
Every day is the same on the lighthouse. Day starts with early fishing. Lighthouse-keeper must from 5 am till 10 pm every three hours send the weather forecast to the meteorological center in Split. There are only three lighthouses on the Adriatic sea with thermometer shelter. Palagruza is one of them and it is the most important meteorological station on the Adriatic. Two lighthouse-keepers Voje Sajn and Vedran Riss working on the lighthouse Palagruza. They work in 30 days shifts that can last a lot longer if the weather is bad. Marija Zuvela and lighthouse-keeper Nikola Zuvela stayed on the island just because kapre. They pick up them and sell it to Italy. Palagruza is their island.


Susac
The End of the World

The island of Susac, off of navigation routes, is 23 NM south of the island of Hvar and 13 NM west of the island of Lastovo. It is surrounded by endless open sea that makes you feel completely secluded from the rest of the world. This sensation is even stronger than on the island of Palagruza from which you can sometimes catch a glimpse of the Italian coast. When viewed from a distance, it seems as though Susac consists of two islands.
Susac lighthouse was built in 1878 under Austro-Hungarian Monarchy on the highest point of the extremely steep southern side of the island, where there are numerous cliffs jetting out of the deep crystal clear sea. After the bora wind dies down, you can see up to a depth of 30 m into the water. The lighthouse building lies at a height of 100 m and offers views of the endless open sea.
When the lighthouse was built its only purpose was to safelly guide boats and ships on the Adriatic. Lighthouse was automated in 1998 when Stone Lights Project was launched in order to initiate the renovation and automation of 48 lighthouses of Adriatic Sea. Nowdays lighthouse-keepers must take care about lighthouse building. They start early in the morning when they go fishing.They also paint, clean, change the bulb and report to the office in Split what is happening on their island of light.
The only inhabitants on Susac are the lighthouse keepers and sometimes a shepherd Goran with his flock of sheep who comes to the island due to the specific grazing land. Many valuable archeological artifacts have been found on the island, while further research will reveal more about its history.

Savudrija
In the Secret Garden

Savudrija, built in 1818, is the oldest Adriatic lighthouse and the most north-western lighthouse in Istria and all of Croatia. It is situated on a cape bearing the same name, 30 m from the sea, in the middle of a tourist zone.
Each lighthouse in the Adriatic has its own story or legend. This lighthouse is said to be hiding Count Metternich's secret love. The famous Austrian politician allegedly ordered that the first lighthouse be built in Savudrija, the reason for such a decision being a beautiful Croatian lady originating from the area whom the count had met at a ball in Vienna. Unfortunately, the lady did not live to receive the count's love messages sent out in the flashes of the newly-built lighthouse: she died on the very day the lighthouse tower was completed.

Stončica
Lighthose gallery

The lighthouse Stončica is placed on the north cape of the island of Vis and was built in the year of 1865. A lot of ancient maritime battles were fought in vicinity. The most important one took place just one year after it was built. Infamous admiral Tegetthoff with its brilliant strategy defeated Italian fleet and in his own way celebrated the first birthday of the lighthouse.
The last war in Croatia was the reason that the lighthouse-keeper Ico found his peace on the island. In addition to his regular job as the lighthouse-keeper he is also the local artist. Instead of fishing in the sea he makes wooden sculptures. He only carves fish and uses just wood washed ashore by the sea.


Porer lighthouse
Porer lighthouse was built in 1833 on the islet of the same name, southwest of Istria's southernmost cape of Kamenjak (where there are 530 specious of flora, of which 20 are orchids, besides one endemic orchid, there are two more endemic plants and several other plants that are endangered on the cape).The islet of Porer is an 80 m cliff, 2.5 km from the mainland and the place of Premantura.
How did the builders succeed in building the lighthouse on Porer in spite of the turbulent sea surrounding the islet? There are many ancient artifacts hidden in the sandy seabed that surrounds Porer. Numerous boats that sank due to tempests can be found in the shallow waters in the vicinity of Krsin, Fenoliga and Veliki Balkun (on the islet of Fenoliga dinosaur tracks can be found).
The islet is so small that it takes just over a minute to walk around it, nevertheless, the walk is magnificent due to sunsets on Porer that are considered to be the most beautiful on the Adriatic.


Lighthouse Veli Rat

The pearl of lighthouse turism

The lighthouse Veli Rat was built in 1849 on the southwestern cape of the island of Dugi otok, 35 km west of the city of Zadar. According to legend the thick lighthouse walls contain 100.000 of egg-whites to make them more resistant to wind and sea, protect you from the blazing sun in the summer months.
Whatever the lighthouse surrounded by pine trees, beautiful bays and pebble beaches is considered one of the most beautiful on the Adriatic and with one four-bed, one three-bed apartment and an old church under a century-old pine tree in the large paved yard, that might one day become a place for a romantic wedding, is adapted for turism.
Waters surrounding the lighthouse are relatively shallow and great for underwater fishing. The best underwater fishing area is about 2 miles east of the lighthouse, where there are steep The Lagnici cliffs surround the shallow waters on the western side where you will find a shipwreck.
The lighthouse has always had a lighthouse keeper and there has always been a waiting list, since many lighthouse keepers have been dreaming of spending at least some time in this unique lighthouse. At the moment, the lighthouse keeper Zvone, his wife and daughter Ivana live in the lighthouse.


Lighthouse Susak
Polynesia on the Adriatic

The island, unique in the whole of the Mediterranean, still keeps its secret well hidden. Who, when and how scattered a few million cubic meters of sand on a stone slab not larger than 4 square kilometers? Science has a number of explanations for this geo-morphological phenomenon, but cannot seem to decide which one is correct.
Susak is an open-sea island. It is really small by any standards: 3 km in length and about 1.5 km in width. It once belonged to the group of smaller Apsyrtos islands which the ancient world linked to the tragedy of Jason, Medea and Apsyrtos, who, according to legend, was killed at Osor. Due to its remoteness, the inhabitants of the island have completely preserved their authentic life style. During the fifties, scientists of various profile, from geologists, philologists, physicians to historians visited and carried out research on the island. One of them is the origin of the Susak national costume. Mediterranean influence is apparent, but the costume is so Susak-like that no other compares with it.
There are no roads or automobiles on the island, not only because the island is small but also because a road on the sandy soil would cause erosion. The best known sand beach on the island is Bok Bay, once a famous Austro-Hungarian sea-spa for allergic children and now famous for its therapeutic healing of women with fertility problems. Another famous thing from that period is the lighthouse. Built in 1881 lies on the top of the island 100 m high.


Lighthouse Sv. Ivan

Curse of the doge

Sv. Ivan lighthouse, built in 1853, is located on the most distant islet of the small archipelago in front of Rovinj. Legend has it that a Venetian doge was navigating in the direction of Rovinj in unfavorable weather conditions. His crew spotted the dangerous cliffs of Sv. Ivan on time and changed their navigation route. The doge vowed to Sv. Ivan (St. John) to light him a candle as high as a cathedral tower if he made it safe and sound to Rovinj. After having arrived safely to Rovinj, the doge forgot about his vow. Since he was in a hurry back to Venice he did not even light a little candle on Sv. Ivan. He remembered that he had not kept his promise several months later when he found himself in the middle of a tempest in the same area. His ship was thrown into the cliffs of Sv. Ivan and the whole crew along with the doge disappeared in the stormy sea.


LIGHTHOUSE BABAC
THREE WISHES

In lighthouses there is an eternal battle between nature and technology and the technology wins every time. Lonly and deserted lighthouses are becoming important turistical points of the Adriatic sea. With turists they are slowly loosing their unattractive looks. They are eternal although they are always changeing.
Bobo is a lighthousekeeper that shuts down lighthouses. First there was Lovište on the island of Pelješac than Prestenice on the island of Cres and finaly Pločica near Korčula. Now he is waiting to shut down Babac. He is saying that he lives in "the swiming zone" because the lighthouse is so near Pašman. Shallow see between Pašman and Babac is a proof that they were once connected. And they are supposed to be reunited again with a bridge from Zadar to the island of Pašman. With that bridge the lovely island of Pašman is about to become Santa Barbara of Croatia. It is going to be a luxury resort and a rich suburbs of the city of Zadar. But Bobo doesnt mind he is probably already looking for a wilder and more remote place to work in.


LIGHTHOUSE BLITVENICA
SING SING

South of the island Žirje three nautical miles towards a shoal a line of five small islands were situated. On one of them in 1872 the lighthouse Blitvenica also called Sing Sing was built. It was nick named after an infamous american prison because of its inaccessibility and strong current around it. Its light is situated 38 meters above sea level and is well seen in radius of 24 miles. By its looks and history it is nothing special but its submarine world is marvellous. Before the lighthouse was built on the island it was called Lucijeta. It is surrounded with deep sea and abundance of fish. Therefore it is an interesting destination for divers from all over the world.
The lighthouse is standing there alone but not lonely. Every two month it gets two visitors, lighthousekeeper Dragan Kursar and his dog Mala. They stay on the island for the whole month and take care of it. Their favorite hobby is fishing and there is not a lot of things than could keep them away from waiting for the big fish.

 

LIGHTHOUSE MURVICA
REDLIGHT DISTRICT

A lighthose is more than just a light on a horizon; it is much more than a tower in the middle of the sea and a ray of light in the dark, it is a silent timewatcher. For seamen each is unique. For centuries with its light flashes it has been leeding them towards safety.
A lighthouse may also be caled Pharos after the name of the greek island where the first lighthouse was ever built. Alexandrinian lighthouse the great ancestor of all modern lighthouses is the only one of the seven wonders of the world that did not offer only elegance but it was of a practical use for sailors returning to the port. It was for centuries an image of greek power and glory and is considered one of the greatest technical creations of the old times.
Lighthouses on the Adriatic sea are not as great and powerfull as the Alexandrinian was especialy not Murvica, one of the smallest ones built on the Croatian coast. But because of its minimalism they are different, much more attractive and romantic.
Lighthouse Murvica was built in the year of 1896 and it is one of the last ones in the Austro-hungerian collection.

text Andrej Crcek