Biševo

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Satelite image of Vis (bigger) and Biševo (smaller)

Biševo (Italian: Busi ) is an island in Croatian part of Adriatic Sea. It is situated in middle-Dalmatian archipelago, 5 kilometers southwest of Island of Vis. It's area is 5.8 km²^[1], and it has population of 19 (as of 2001).^[2] It is composed of limestone^[3]; the highest point is Straženica, 239m high.^[3] In the center of the island there is a fertile field, northern part of the island is covered with pine forests and the rest of the island is covered with maquis shrubland or bare rocks. The coastal sea belt is rich fishing area.^[4] Main industries are viticulture and fishing.

A Benedictine monastery was founded on Biševo in 1050 by Ivan Grlić (Italian: Giovanni Gherlich ) from Split, but was deserted 2 centuries later because of the danger of pirates. The church of Saint Silvester is preserved near the ruins of the monastery.^[1]^[5]

On steep shoares there are many caves, most famous being Blue Cave, which is accessible since 1884, and approach is possible only by boat.^[4] It is 18 meters long, 6 meters deep and 6 meters high.^[3] The entrance to the cave is only 1.5 meters high and 2.5 meters wide.^[6] Around 10 to 13 o'clock sunbeams that penetrate through the submarine opening in the Blue Cave, reflect from the white bottom floor and colour the cave in blue and objects in the water in silver.^[4]