Islands

Worth visiting

EKO CENTAR “CAPUT INSULAE”, ISLAND CRES

In the ecological centre “Caput Insulae” (www.supovi.hr) situated in the locality Beli, care is being devoted to the protection of griffon vultures, and other bird species are scientifically monitored in the reserves "Kruna" and "Podokladi", as well as in the entire surrounding area. Griffon vultures are one of the four species of vultures still living in Europe. The griffon vultures nest on steep cliffs above the sea, sometimes only some 10 meters above the sea surface, where they can be easily observed, but are also more exposed to various dangers at the same time. Scientists from the ecological center mark the young birds, to be able to identify them later on. The eco-centre has a special role in rescuing young vultures that fall into the sea, or are found ill and wounded. Therefore behind the Centre's headquarters a healing resort for griffon vultures has been established, where injured vultures recover before being released again. The Eco Centre as a specially tended area in the northern part of the island of Cres, is a destination for numerous visitors, nature lovers and birds. In order to get to know the varied heritage of Tramuntana (northern part of the island of Cres) better, the first educational eco-path was established as early as in 1995. A 12 km long educational path "Staza Tramuntana I", (3-4 hours of slow walk), with ten main stations (eco-centre, exhibition, small church, Ilyric castle, oak and chestnut forests) and ten intermediate stations marking the most valuable natural and cultural-historic localities of the area crossed by the path.
A great number of local and international volunteers participate in programme implementation, through ecological camps and summer nature protection schools. All interested are included in the projects, whereby they contribute considerably to the achievement of the association's mission, i.e. to the safeguarding of the natural and cultural-historic heritage of the island of Cres, Tramuntana and the locality of Beli. At the same time, while volunteering, they acquire precious experiences and new knowledge about the wealth and the values of these areas. 

 
«RAB FAIR» («RABSKA FJERA»)

The manifestation was organized for the first time in 2002, as a three-day long Medieval festival. It is held in the old town nucleus, several hundred participants take part – local population and the Monte Giardino group from the Republic of San Marino (60 persons). It is a presentation of medieval craftsmen and trades: Rab crossbowmen, town guards, coopers, shoe-makers, goldsmiths, stone-masons, basket weavers, dress-makers; washers “in the old way”, fishermen (nets repairing and live-coal candles), ship repairers (kalafati), bakers, wood-engravers, silk-painters, artists, blacksmiths, coin minters, lace-makers; with the participation of Glagolitic shops, ethnic households spinning and processing wool, as well as a rural household demonstrating flour processing under the grindstone, bread preparation and baking under the baking lid; cooking on the open fire or grill; then porcelain welders, all accompanied by medieval music melodies, rich dishes cooked from ancient recipes, with the whole town adorned in ancient style. www.fjera.hr

VRBNIK

An unique, small, old town, described, sung about and painted in the works of numerous artists, developed on the site of prehistoric settlements on a steep cliff 50 m above the sea. The Vrbnik rich and tumultuous past is reflected in the numerous cultural, historic monuments, which are an inexhaustible source of inspiration to many artists. Vrbnik is also a historical, glagolitic town – the Glatolitza is the oldest Slavic script developed by the middle of the 9th century, it was particularly developed in the Kvarner area, and not only were church manuscripts written in Glagolitza, but also texts from social daily life and legal documents.
Today Vrbnik is an unavoidable excursion destination attracting with its specific gastronomic and wine specialities. On Vrbnik field, with some 100 ha of vineyards a local type of grape is cultivated, that is brought to our tables under the name "Vrbnička žlahtina". Besides wine production, several wineries and the numerous taverns («konobas»), offer to the guests exceptional opportunities to taste the famous pršut (smoked ham) and excellent Krk sheep cheese, to enjoy local songs and all earthly delights the Žlahtina can offer.
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