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Krk`s landsape is an intriguing contrast of natural beauties - from
dense forests, rough barren rocky hills and valleys, to picturesque bays and sandy
beaches. With a maximum altitude in excess of 560m above sea level (Mount Obzova),
Krk has one of the highest elevations of all the Adriatic islands.
The island with its 410 km2 was always considered the largest in the Adriatic - recent
surveys show Cres having a mere 5 km2 land mass less. The annual average temperature
is above 15°C, approx. 7°C in February and 24°C in July, with some
2500 hours of sunshine. Just like on the entire Kvarner, there are three predominant
winds: the cool northerly Bura, humid Yugo and warm westerly Maestral.
One can reach the island by plane, by sea with boat, by ferries (Senj-Baska), Cres
(Valbiska -Merag) and Rab (Lopar- Baska), or of course the most popular way, with
a vehicle over the bridge. However, one ought to remember that occasionally, when
the winds are very strong, the bridge gets closed off - luckily, never for much longer
than a day or two. |
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Let us take a quick trip around the island, starting with Krk`s
bridge . . .
| With the last traces of isolation removed and the consequent flourishing
of tourism and industry, it is not surprising that this beautiful spot is referred
to as the Golden Island. |
| It would be difficult not to notice it - visible from the entire
Kvarner, Ucka and Gorski Kotar. Impossible to remember what life used to be like
without it ... |
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| Tito's bridge, at the time an unique engineering solution to Krk's
increasing demand for road access, was officially opened in 1980. Constructed in
two reinforced concrete arches the bridge has a length of 1430 m, incorporating twenty
pipelines carrying water and oil. The longer span links the mainland with the miniature
islet of St Marko, an almost inaccessible, barren, rocky outcrop without water, sparse
vegetation and steep cliffs, whilst the shorter one completes the access to Krk. |
| From the bridge, the first town on the island one encounters is Omisalj.
The old town is built on a small hill upon the foundations of an ancient castle.
The last of Krk's lords, Ivan Frankopan, was seized here in 1480. There is a romanesque
church from the 12th century, decorated with a J. della Fiore painting from the 15th.
Nearby there are the remains of an early christian basilica and the 5th-6th century
town of Fulfinum. |
The neighbouring town of Njivice was built later, in a more
modern fashion, nestling in a valley between gardens, olive plantations and lush
vegetation. Although a modern tourist resort, Njivice has retained the charm of a
quiet, mellow village. There is an autocamp Njivice and within a small area there
are a number of agreeable restaurants, an excellent one being Restaurant Rivica.
Few kilometers further along the main road there is Malinska, one of the most popular holiday
destinations on Krk for the last hundred years. |
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| Within an extensive bay in the extreme south east of island Krk there
is the small town of Baska, the oldest and best known tourist centre on the island. It has one of
the longest (1800 m) and nicest pebble beaches in this part of the Adriatic. Apart
from tourism, Baska is also known for the Bascanska Ploca, a significant historic
stone slab. |
| On the north-eastern side of the island, the charming small town of
Vrbnik
hugs the top of a 50m high rock. |
| On the eastern side of Krk the bay of Klimno and the small tourist
resort of Silo are also worth visiting, particularly for their tranquility
and clear waters. The central part of the island, with the small town of Dobrinj,
does not lag far behind in it's charm. |
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If one wanders off into the small villages amongst Krk's barren rocks,
one is likely to find numerous examples of local architecture and lifestyle. Mosuns,
animal pens, Komarde, shepherds' shelters; sounds of Sopila, the ancient
musical instrument which is not missing from any festival together with the traditional
costumes and dances. |
| To help you understand the ways of life you need to taste some of
Krk's local specialities as well. |
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