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.
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