Island of Pag - Croatia. Island of Pag. Desert history island pag croatia

Croatia, Pag, Croatia

General information

The island of Pag was first mentioned in chronicles in the 10th century. This is very beautiful place near Zadar, where are located picturesque beaches Croatia.

To get to the island of Pag from Zagreb or Split, you must first take a bus to Zadar. The ticket costs about 100-200 kuna (from Split/Zagreb). There is a ferry from Zadar to the island that costs about 20 kuna per person. The ticket costs about 40 kuna. To get to Zagreb from Split, you need to take the intercity bus. The fare is about 100 kuna.

Beaches of Novalja

The town of Novalja is located in the northeastern part of the island of Pag. There are several large beaches in its vicinity, including popular resort Zrche, for being active nightlife called "Croatian Ibiza".

The beaches of Navalya are mostly equipped with everything you need: sun loungers and umbrellas (50 kuna on average), showers, changing cabins, cafes and restaurants.

An amazing combination is born on Zrce beach. During the day, family tourists with children swim here, since the entrance to the sea on the small-pebble coast is gentle and children can splash in the water. At night, Zrce turns into one big party, where young people who love club party gather.

Parties go on until the early morning. One of the most popular clubs- Aquarius. In addition to music and drive, it offers delicious fresh seafood dishes.

Just 2 km from Zrce is Gajac Beach. Its shore is strewn with small pebbles. From here you can enjoy a picturesque view of the sea and rocky coastline.

The Rucica beach is also famous for its natural beauty. resort village Metajna, where you can watch some of the most beautiful sunsets on the island of Pag. There is a small bay here, not far from which you can have lunch at a beach cafe. It is considered an ideal place for romantic evenings.

One of the best beaches on the island of Pag is Caska. The shore consists of small pebbles and sand, and the sea here is warm and calm. The entrance to the sea is gentle, which makes it convenient for children. There are many cafes and restaurants on the beach with excellent Croatian cuisine.

Sveti Duh Beach is one of the most beautiful resorts Paga. Here the small pebble shore meets the sandy bottom, which creates an excellent combination for comfortable swimming.

Straško stretches along the coast of Pag for almost 2 km. Being the most picturesque small pebble beach of the island, it is also the center water activities- kayaking, jet skiing, etc.

Other beaches on the island of Pag

The picturesque Kukurina beach is located in a cozy harbor and is covered with clean golden sand. Thanks to the soft entry into the water and the well-warmed sea, it is considered one of the best Pag beaches for families with small children.

Povljana in the south of the island is also ideal for family vacation. Tall poplars grow here, in the shade of which you can hide from the sun.

Awarded Blue flag Trincel beach is impressive for its cleanliness not only natural beauty, but also a well-thought-out infrastructure. This beach is on the island of Pag, located near the village of Stara Novalja. Kids can play on the playground, and adults who come without children can enjoy kayaking or beach volleyball.

The island of Pag is reminiscent of Italian films from the 1950s. Ideal place for filming black and white films in the style of Antonioni - a long, sparsely populated rocky island in brown tones, with endless desert landscapes stretching beyond the horizon. The Adriatic Sea near the steel-colored island. When a storm gathers in the sky, Pag turns into the most dramatic place in all of Croatia. Pag are karst rocks reminiscent of a lunar landscape, two mountain range, rare bushes and about a dozen villages and villages.

Strictly speaking, Pug is no longer isolated island— it is connected to the mainland by a bridge. However, culturally and industrially it is a completely independent and separate entity. The islanders cultivate the poor soil and make homemade white wine, Shutsu. The hardy local sheep are fed medicinal salted herbs, which gives their milk an extraordinary taste. Page cheese is made from this milk. The skillful page lace is famous far beyond the country's borders. Placed in a frame, it decorates many houses in Croatia.

But Pag is not only about ancient traditions and high culture. The northern port of Novalja is one of the most carefree and lively resorts in Croatia. The neighboring Zrce beach is known to all true connoisseurs of club holidays.

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At first the island of Pag was inhabited by Illyrians. In the 1st century BC e. the Romans took possession of it. They built fortresses and aqueducts. The Slavs settled in the vicinity of Novalja in the 7th century. and began to build churches and basilicas. In the 11th century salt production began to develop. As a result, salt became the cause of conflict between the merchants of Pag, Zadar and Rab. In 1409, Venice bought the island, along with Zadar and the rest of Dalmatia. Subsequent generations saw not only Venetians on their land, but also Austrians, French, Austrians again, and during the Second World War, German and Italian occupiers.

City of Pag

The old town of Pag is located on a narrow strip of land between sun-drenched hills; to the east of it lies a blue bay, and to the west are shimmering salt marshes. The neat streets and rugged stone buildings create a captivating atmosphere. Simple everyday life passes right before your eyes - here women weave lace, sitting on stools outside the house. The square, lined with beautiful white marble, serves as a place for townspeople to socialize. There are pebble beaches near the city.

The construction of the city began thanks to the flourishing of salt production at the beginning of the 15th century, since the neighboring Stari Grad could no longer accommodate the ever-growing population. The Venetian rulers invited the best builder of his time, Juraj Dalmatian. The foundation stone of Pag was laid in 1443. In accordance with the latest trends of the century in the field of urban design, the main and secondary streets were laid at right angles and led to the four city gates. In the center of Pag there is a square on which stands cathedral, the prince's palace and the unfinished bishop's palace. In 1499 Dalmatian began working on the city walls, but only the northern part with the remains of the castle remained.

Attractions

Lace Museum

This wonderful museum now occupies the superbly restored building of the princely palace, built according to the design of Juraj Dalmatinets.

Exhibitions focus on the history of lace making on Pag and its significance for the settlement. They are lovingly illustrated with photographs and descriptions.

Church of St. Maria

Gothic Church of St. Maria, which was built by the same Juraj Dalmatian, is in perfect harmony with the modest buildings surrounding it. The lunette above the portal is decorated with images of the Virgin Mary and the women of Pag in medieval blouses and headdresses, as well as two rows of unfinished figures of saints. The interior was completed in the 16th century, and in the 18th century. a baroque ceiling ornament was added to it.

Salt Museum

The new museum is located across the bridge, among the remains of what was once ancient Stari Grad (very little remains), occupying the building of a former salt barn. Exhibitions accompanied by photographs tell the history of salt mining on the island of Pag.

Festivals and events

The Page Carnival takes place on the last day of July, providing tourists with an excellent chance to see a traditional kolo (energetic Slavic round dance) and appreciate the elaborate traditional page costume. Main square dancers and musicians fill the area, and theater actors perform the folk play Paska robinja (The Slave of Pag).

Where to stay

Most of the hotels are scattered along the bay west of the town of Pag. They are closed between October and March.

Travel agencies will help you find private accommodation. Women waiting for visitors at the bus station offer sobe (rooms). Many rooms and apartments are located in houses across the bridge.

The newly renovated hotel is located in a beautiful location by the beach, just steps from the old town. The rooms are elegant and stylish. Excellent wellness center.

The campsite is located by a magnificent bay with a pebble beach, approximately halfway between Pag and Novalja, near the port of Šimuni. All buses traveling around the island stop here. Caravans (from €30) are well thought out. In the off-season and low season, prices are very low.

Modern rooms next to bus stop. On the ground floor there is a konoba. All rooms are spacious, with wooden floors, beautifully yet simply furnished, with a wardrobe and a bathroom.

A new four-star hotel with spacious and well-equipped rooms - all with a refrigerator, modern furniture and a large bathroom; Top floor rooms offer stunning views of the island and bay. But the pool is small, unfortunately.

Where to eat

Once you have already reached the island of Pag, it would not be very polite not to try the Pag cheese.

A good and very popular restaurant with a small front terrace overlooking the wet salt marshes, and another one covered in shade. The signature dish is page lamb. You can choose fresh fish cooked in wine and herbs.

An attractive traditional konoba just outside the city walls is famous for its well-cooked seafood (lobster, bivalves, octopus). Tables are arranged in a pretty courtyard.

A wonderful restaurant with an inexpensive menu, friendly service and solid fish and meat dishes. Plus an excellent view of the surrounding area.

People who cook for themselves can buy fruit, vegetables and local cheese at the daily market. You will find more complex semi-finished products in the Konzum supermarket.

Where to drink and have fun

Pag is a sleepy town with a barely noticeable club scene. However, in the summer it becomes much busier.

The new club just over the bridge is the only dance floor in town. The program is varied; you can hear R&B, house and hits from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Outside there is a terrace for smokers.

Page souvenirs are the most special in all of Croatia. It would be a shame to leave the island without buying page lace. Prices are quite low, and the lace trade helps keep the tradition alive. A small circle or star about 10cm in diameter costs about 125KN, but takes a good 24 hours to work on. If you walk along the streets of King Tomislav or King Dmitry Zvonimir, you can buy weaving directly from lacemakers, almost all of them have fixed prices.

Page cheese is not easy to find, although you can probably buy it at the morning market. If you're unlucky, look for homemade signs with the inscription Paski Sir, which are placed near houses somewhere on a remote road. They ask for about 130KN per kilogram.

Beach clubs

Despite the atmosphere of general peace that reigns on the island, every summer Pag is rocked by unbridled parties.

About half east of Novalja, where you'll find three large clubs and a scattering of smaller bars. Zrce attracts mainstream DJs - don't expect much underground. The clubs are located right on the beach (this is how Zrce differs from Ibiza, with which it is often compared).

The most sophisticated is the Kalypso club at the northern end of the beach, with beautiful design, countless bars and palm trees, one with the bay itself. During the day you can relax on the wonderful sofas and mattresses, and after dark, relax with deep house music played by DJs for older people. The incredibly bright Aquarius (www.aquarius.hr) is a huge space with stylish alcoves and an unglazed area. In 2010, stars such as Roger Sanchez and Benny Benassi performed here. The attractive Papaya Club (www.papaya.com.hr) is built on terraces, one of which houses the main dance floor. A motley crowd gathers here. The music can be anything, however, for regular life-loving visitors, super trance DJs played here, including Tiesto and Paul van Dyk. All clubs open at the end of June and close by mid-September. Entrance fees vary depending on the program - at the beginning of the season, admission to parties is usually free, but by mid-August a ticket can already cost €35.

Zrce Beach itself is a crescent of pebbles, stretching along a sheltered bay for 1 km in length. There are no trees here at all, so rent a sun umbrella. The water is excellent, although you will have to endure the noise of jet skis (they are limited to certain areas). From Zrce there is a nice view of the scorched eastern Pag, behind which the mainland mountains rise. Parking costs 5KN per hour.

This travel agency organizes excursions around the island and trips to national parks, including Paklenica. Reservation of rooms and rooms. Post office (Antuna Simica; opening hours: 8.00-20.00 Mon-Fri, until 14.00 Sat)

Modern office, decent color map of the city, on which even local beaches are marked.

Novalja

In the middle of the kingdom quiet resorts Novalja defies - with enthusiasm - the local trend, offering the most vibrant club scene you can find in Croatia. The cultural program is limited to incendiary evening parties at nearby beach Zrche; There are no historical sights in the city. Although it must be said that city ​​embankment- a very beautiful place for walking, and there are wonderful beaches nearby.

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Among the hundreds of islands in Croatia, Pag may not be immediately noticed. Its large, elongated shape on the map almost merges with the mainland. The very graceful Pazhsky Bridge is thrown across a narrow strait to the island. So, being in Dalmatia, getting to Pag is not difficult. We only traveled around Croatia for three days. Torn by lack of time and an urgent desire to see as much as possible, we did not miss the opportunity to visit this island - our first, but, I hope, not the last in Croatia.

Page Bridge // lavagra.livejournal.com

The first thing that strikes a visitor to Pag is its almost Martian desert landscapes. The area here is often devoid of any vegetation. Instead, yellow-brown rocks are scattered in chaotic abundance. This whole picture looks very advantageous against the backdrop of the Velebit Mountains on the Croatian mainland opposite the island.

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The first thing that interested us here was the ruins ancient fortress during the Venetian ownership of the island. These picturesque ruins are located at the very tip of a sharp promontory that juts out towards the narrow strait between Pag and the mainland.

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From here you can enjoy magnificent panoramas of the Page Bridge. This small fortress was a guard outpost of the Venetian possessions, now reminiscent of the island's turbulent history. Pag has always been on the border - either between the Venetians and the Turks, or between the Italians and Austrians, or between the Croats and Serbs.

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Now local residents they try to lure tourists to the island with their famous Page sheep cheese, special Page lace or an original variety of white wine. I must admit, I didn’t really notice where on this deserted island vineyards grow and fat flocks of sheep graze.

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Few people now try to remember the dark pages of the past. During this short trip I never found out where on the island during the Second World War the Ustasha death camp was located, where thousands of Serbs, Jews and Gypsies were tortured. The Ustasha was the name given to the nationalist organization of Croats with extreme fascist views, which managed to seize power in these parts during the Second World War.

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Croats are trying to forget that war, where their people took an active part as ardent supporters of Hitler's Germany. For their blood enemies of the Serbs, even then, a special type of knives was even invented - serboseks, so that the cruel executioners could kill as quickly as possible and get tired as little as possible. It seems to me that the last conflict between the Croats and Serbs after the collapse of Yugoslavia owes its cruelty precisely to that bloody and inhumane regime of the Ustasha Croats.

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By the way, during this last war in the Balkans, the island of Pag played an important connecting role between the units of the Croatian liberation army torn by the blockade. Now, universal peace reigns on Pag.

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In the main city of the island - the eponymous Pag - everything is conducive to leisurely walks under the bright sun. This cute town looks especially good from the side of the neighboring hill. It stretches along both sides of a narrow bay, gradually turning into a salt lake, where salt mining has long flourished.

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The city of Pag was designed and built more than four centuries ago and has preserved the medieval street layout, and most importantly, the spirit of that time. We saw a city of sleepy calm in the off-season with clean streets and beautiful, bright churches.

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Near the city we visited an ancient convent Benedictine Saint Margaret. Even the ruins of several buildings seemed very well-kept there. This extraordinary for southern country We never ceased to be amazed at the cleanliness during our entire short trip to Croatia.

Useful information for tourists about the island of Pag in Croatia - geographical location, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

The island of Pag belongs to Croatia and is located in the Adriatic Sea. Pag is the fifth largest and sixth most populated island in Croatia. Its area is 284.56 sq. km. The width of the island varies in different places from two to ten kilometers, the length of Pag is approximately 60 kilometers. The island stretches from southeast to northwest. There are two cities on it: Novalja (in the north of the island) and Pag (in the central part). Pag is connected to the mainland by a bridge in the southwest of the island and ferry crossing Prizna-Zhiglen in the north.

The population of the island is engaged in agriculture and fishing. Most of the residents are employed in the tourism business. Unlike the rest of the Dalmatian islands, grapes are not grown on Pag, but sheep are raised. Salt mining and lace weaving are also practiced on the island.

The name Pag was first mentioned in the 10th century. In 976, the island was recaptured from Byzantium by the Croatian king Stepan Drzislav. Since 1244, the Croatian-Hungarian king Béla IV proclaimed Pag a free kingdom. From 1403 until the end of the 18th century, the island belonged to the Venetians. In 1815, the island of Pag, like the entire Dalmatian coast, was annexed to Austria. The Italian occupation lasted on Pag from 1918 to 1921. At the end of the First World War, the island went to Yugoslavia. From June to August 1941, almost 16 thousand prisoners passed through the Ustasha death camp, located on Pag. When Yugoslavia disintegrated, Pag became one of the islands of independent Croatia.

The city of Pag is an example of medieval town planning. It is worth seeing the Princely Palace, as well as the unfinished Episcopal Palace, built based on the drawings of Juraj Dalmatinac. The Benedictine Church of St Margaret and the city's cathedral, built in the early 16th century, are also popular tourist places.

Novalje, once called the Croatian Ibiza, has beaches and noisy discos.

On the coast of the island of Pag near Novalja there is the most popular Zrce beach. It has everything you need for relaxation. Zrce is also equipped with special devices for people with disabilities.

Sveti Duh – pebble beach of Novalja. The shore is covered with pebbles, the bottom of the sea is fine sand. The shallow depth makes the beach safe for small children. There are also football and badminton courts. Nudists can relax on a fenced-off part of the beach without bothering anyone.

East of Novalja there is another popular sandy beach called Caska. However, the entrance to the water is covered with pebbles. South of Novalja there is a one and a half kilometer pebble beach called Strasko with a sandy bottom.

The sea at Kukurina Beach, located in the harbor, warms up well. The beach has golden sand and a soft entry into the water. In the south of the island of Pag there is Povljana beach, surrounded by poplars.

The capital of the island is the city of the same name, Pag. The island is connected to the mainland by a 340-meter bridge, thanks to which this place combines all the delights of an island holiday, but at the same time, guests do not feel cut off from civilization. Up to one of the most beautiful cities The Adriatic coast of Zadar is only 45 km, and within 2 hours you can reach 4 national reserves(Plitvice lakes, Krka, Kornati and Paklenica).

Island of Pag often called Croatian Ibiza, because A 30-minute drive from the town of Pag is the famous town of Novalja, where from late June to early September there are many discos, cocktail bars and other youth entertainment.

Pag got its name from the Greek word “pege”, which means “natural spring”. There are three on the island freshwater lake. Two of them - Velikoe and Maloe - are located near the village of Pavlyana, but it is difficult to notice them, because they are quite small. But the Great Lake is of particular importance for ornithologists: some rare bird species stop here for the last time before migrating south.

Here on the island the Croatian dream comes true. The daily routine may seem boring and monotonous to some: during the day - “meditation” on the beach, in the evening - a walk along the coast tasting various drinks in numerous cafes, but many people dream of just such a vacation for a whole year.

There are many factors in favor of a holiday on Pag, the main ones being the special climate, because... The island is separated from the mainland by mountains that trap cold air, and the amazingly clean and warm Adriatic Sea. The island's beaches are located in long bays, so the water warms up faster and there are never waves here.

Tourists are lured to the island by other attractions. There is a place here called the Pag Triangle: the earth, scorched red, is divided into straight lines. The origin of the phenomenon has not been precisely established.

Not far from the town of Pag is St. George's Peak, a quadrangle-shaped mountain. According to historians, there was a fortress here in the Neolithic era. For lovers of sunken cities, the town of Tsaska will be a real find. Now it’s just a few houses and ruins, but what a ruin! Archaeologists claim that during the heyday of the Roman Empire there was a large flourishing city here. This is evidenced by a sewage system that was longer than in ancient Rome, and the richest villa in the city belonged to the family of the Roman senator Calpurnias.

The oldest legend of the island is also connected with Tsaska. Once upon a time, the residents of the city were so kind and decent that God protected them in every possible way. The favor of the Almighty grew, but the townspeople became increasingly rich, and money greatly spoiled their characters, they turned into evil and cruel. God decided to punish these people. He sent one of his angels in the form of a man to find and save the kindest resident of Tsaskie. On the very day when God brought down fire, strong winds and an earthquake on the city, an angel carried a young girl to the other end of the island. Later she married a shepherd.

Perhaps since then, the island began to produce sheep cheese, known throughout the country. Pag sheep eat salty grass from the pastures (salt is brought to the island by the boron wind), and therefore the hard cheese produced here is highly valued for its special taste. Another local delicacy is “baskotini” - sticks of crispy biscuit, but the main souvenir of the island of Pag is delicate lace.

There is even a lace knitting school on the island, an internationally recognized association, and each product comes with a certificate. In any souvenir shop you can buy a thin openwork napkin and listen to tips on storing it (wrap it in white paper and do not wrinkle it).