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Island Dugi otok

 

With an area of 114,44km2, Dugi Otok is the largest island of a cluster near Zadar. Rocky fields, such as Velo Jezero, Arnjevo field, Stivanje field, Sridnje field, and Glavocevo field..., are located within its mountain ranges. Dugi Otok's only source of water is found in underground springs and rivers. It's western coastline is high and steep and slopes down along a string of inlets some of which stand out with their remarkable beauty such as Soliscica (Soline), Pantera (Veli Rat) and Telascica (near Sali) as well as a number of islets: Golac, Brscak, Magarcic, Luski, Lagnici, Utra, Katina and others. On the north-western part of the island there is the sandy beach of Saharun. Towns and villages are mainly found either alongside fields or by the sea, on the north-eastern side of the island. The largest towns on Dugi Otok are Sali followed by Zaglav, Zman, Luka, Savar, Brbinj, Dragove, Bozava, Soline, Veli Rat, Polje, and Verunic.
Sali, the island's largest town, is located at the most southern point of Dugi Otok. Like on many islands, the first villages were built a bit farther from the sea. Sali, today, is split into the old part called Selo and the new part called Porat. Even though the town is called Sali, its inhabitants call it Sale. Just like Komizans on Vis, the people of Sali, have been forever known as fishermen due to the surrounding sea rich in fish as well its closeness to the Kornati islands. Sali is the entranceway to the Nature Park of Telascica and the National Park Kornati. Another of Croatia's protected landscapes is the nearby Saljsko field which is a cultivated area with an olive grove covering a surface area of 240 hectares. In addition to Sali's century old fishing tradition, tourism has become a newfound tradition. Along with quality accommodations such as apartments, rooms and Bed & Breakfasts, visitors can enjoy its many restaurants and taverns, its clear blue sea as well as take part in many water sports such as organised excursions in scuba diving. One special event is the Saljsko Turisticko Ljeto (Summer in Sali) where the townspeople, in their own special way, do their best to enchant hundreds of visitors by creating an exhibition featuring the town's traditions and customs.
The Nature Park Telascica is located in a deep cove at the south-eastern part of Dugi Otok. The park is 8.2km long and between 160-1800m wide. It is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful and largest inlets on the Croatian coastline and was declared a nature park in the year 1980. From the western part of Telascica there is a path that leads to the town of Sali. Alongside the Telascica inlet, just 300m from the sea, is the saltwater lake Mir which is the only one of its kind in Croatia. Sea-water circulates through cracks in the sheets of limestone which make up the lake’s floor. Lake Mir heats up during the summer months and swimming is recommended to those who suffer from rheumatism. Not far from the lake, on the southern side of Telascica, rise massive cliffs which topple down into the sea. They extend over 11km in length and reach 166m in height looking over the beautiful sea.
Zaglav is a town which has a ferry terminal and it is 3km away from the town of Sali. It is this port which maintains ties to Zadar. Since Zaglav has a ferry terminal, it is the first destination that guests make contact with on the island. Clear blue sea, wonderful homemade traditional cuisine and a peaceful atmosphere make Zaglav a wonderful place to enjoy a quiet holiday.
Zman is a small town with a harbour located in the Zmancica inlet. Due to the nearby fertile fields, guests can enjoy a variety of home-grown foods as well as a quiet holiday with there families. Near the town of Zman there are the lakes of Velo and Malo which, from spring to fall, flood the many surrounding fields and vineyards. The people of Zman had one of the oldest oil-making cooperatives in Dalmatia (since the year 1905).
High above the town of Luka lays the island's highest peak called Vela Straza (337m high). Nearby are three caves, the most beautiful being Kozja which is 30m long.
Savar is a town located in the middle of Dugi Otok at a height of 62m above sea-level. Yet, the newer part of town is in Porta where the harbour is located. The inlet in front of Savar is closed off by what was once an island which is now joined to the mainland by way of a causeway.
Brbinj is a small town surrounded by pine trees, olive groves and vineyards. In the location of Utra, traces of salt-works and a salt storehouse were found. The salt manufacturing industry here reached its peak in the year 1370 when there were 51 salt-works all together.
Dragove is a town located farthest away from the sea. It is located on a hilltop alongside a field and its nearest inlet is Bukasinj which is 400m away.
Surrounded by pine trees and olive groves, on the north-eastern part of Dugi Otok, is the town of Bozava. Nestled in a quiet cove, Bozava is a perfect place for a holiday. It is the most developed tourist spot on the island including hotel complexes and a number of catering establishments such as restaurants, taverns and cafe bars. Bozava is also a well known diving centre with its own diving school.
Soline is one of the island’s oldest towns located on the north-western side of Dugi Otok and it received its name due to the many salt-works which once existed here. The town of Soline is located in a deep cove and is a suitable place for swimming and scuba diving. Just south of the town is the sandy beach and inlet of Saharun, surrounded by bushes.
Veli Rat and Verunic are two small towns located on the north-western end of Dugi Otok, within the Cuna inlet, where a narrow canal connects them to the Pantera inlet. Veli Rat lies on one side of the inlet while Verunic lies on the other. Its Pine forests, sandy beaches and clear blue sea are a major attraction to all nature lovers. This entire region is rich in fish and is a great location for nautical tourism. Not far from the towns is the lighthouse of Veli Rat, built in the year 1848. This inlet is the doorway to the open-sea of Dalmatia and can be seen from 18 miles away offshore.
In one of the oldest preserved documents regarding fishing in the Croatian Dalmatian region, drawn up in the year 995, Dugi Otok and its fishing industry within the Telascica inlet is mentioned. In the year 1524 the island's inhabitants fished for sardines and other blue fish using a torch to assist them. One main thing that meant a lot to the people of Dugi Otok was the decision of its Venetian authority, in the year 1684, to send out two battalions, under the command of the brothers Nikola and Petar Corponese, into the waters surrounding Dugi Otok to protect the fishermen from pirate attacks.

 
 
 

Bozava

Located on the northwest side of Dugi otok, Božava is in a bay surrounded by pine trees. It was first mentioned in 1327 under the name Bosane, while the remains of fortified villages near the place date from Illyrian times. ...

 

Sali

Island Dugi otok - Hotels, holiday rentals, tourist resorts, luxury villas with pool