Page 77 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

ISTRIA AND THE K V ARNER AREA  75
Osor
h Lošinj (Lussino) J
UNIJE
Nerezine
The island of Lošinj has a mild climate and
sub-tropical vegetation with maritime pines, Sv. Jakov
palms, oleanders and citrus trees. The main • Unije
town, Mali Lošinj, was founded in the Čunsi
12th century, when 12 Croat families landed LOŠINJ
here. The most famous beach is at Čikat bay,
southwest of Mali Lošinj. It is 30 km (19 miles) Mali Lošinj
long and a popular place for water sports.
Veli Lošinj
SUSAK
Environs Susak
The island of Susak is
renowned for its unusual 0 kilometres 6
geology: a 10-m (33-ft) layer 0 miles 6 Ilovik
of sand covering a calcareous ILOVIK
platform. Vines grow well on Key
this soil and all the islanders Minor road
have vineyards; their wealth is
measured by the number of Path
vines they own. The vines,
grown on terraces and VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Interior of the church of St Anthony Abbot, protected by cane windbreaks,
Veli Lošinj are further sheltered by dry- Practical Information
stone walls which are typical Map B3. * 8,500.
Mali Lošinj of the islands and the coastline n Mali Lošinj: Priko 42, (051)
This pretty town, which, like Cres, of the upper Adriatic. The 231 547/051) 231 884; For Unije,
belonged to Venice for many picturesque, brightly coloured Susak and Ilovik, contact the
centuries, has many buildings women’s costumes are famous. Tourist Office at Mali Lošinj.
from the 18th and 19th centuries, They are made by the islanders ∑ visitlosinj.hr
when maritime activity was at during the winter months and Transport
its height. The oldest part of shown off at festivals. 4 Mali Lošinj, (051) 231 765.
the town lies around the 18th- The island of Ilovik, south
century Church of St Mary. of Lošinj, covers an area of
The Museum of Apoxyomenos nearly 6 sq km (2.3 sq miles) (mosaics, coins and other
houses the famous bronze statue and is home to about 170 objects) have been discovered
of Apoxyomenos, a Greek work people, most of whom live on Susak and Ilovik.
that dates back to the 2nd or in the village of Ilovik on the Unije is the largest of the
1st century BC. The fascinating northeast coast. Vines, olives, lesser islands. It is hilly with little
story of the statue’s discovery fruit and flowers grow well in vegetation and a steep rocky
and restora tion is told through this mild climate. Nearby is the coast on the eastern side, but
interactive exhibits. uninhabited island of Sv. Petar, there is a more accessible coast
where there are the ruins of on the western side. The village
Veli Lošinj a Venetian fortress and is built around the Church of
Quieter than Mali Lošinj, this is a a Benedictine Abbey with St Andrew. The islanders make
lovely town with villas hidden a church and monastery. their living from market
among the vegetation. The Prehistoric and Roman finds gardening or fishing.
church of St Anthony Abbot
(Sv. Antun Pustinjak) was built in
the 18th century on the site of
a smaller 15th-century church.
It has a rich store of paintings,
with examples by Bartolomeo
Vivarini (1430–90), Bernardo
Strozzi (1581–1644) and
Francesco Hayez (1791–1882).
The Baroque style is much in
evidence on the seven altars.
There is a splendid view of the
town and the coastline from
the 16th-century tower of the
Uskoks (see p83). Overlooking the fishing harbour of Mali Lošinj
For keys to symbols see back flap

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