Ilovik
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The islands of Ilovik and Sveti Petar are located in Croatia south of the island Losinj, separated by the strait, Ilovacka vrata.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
The only village located on the island of Ilovik is also called Ilovik. The circumference of the island is 15.4 km (9.5 miles), and it occupies an area of 5.8 km² (1,433 acres). The coast is accessible from all sides with many secluded bays. The largest bay with a sandy beach is Paržine, located on the south-eastern part of the island. Paržine is connected to the village by a road, as is the beach Parknu, which includes a World War II bunker. Beaches easier to access from the village include Harbac, Sotopini, and Sidro. Also at Sotopini is a small soccer field in which the youths of the island engage in intense games. The youths of the island swim mostly on a small dock in front of the church. The island also has a bocce court.
Ilovik and Sveti Petar are separated by a canal which is 2.5 km (1.6 miles) long and 300 m (975 feet) wide. The location of the canal offers a natural barrier from most winds, except partially from the jugo (south wind). The convenient location of this harbor makes it a favorite rest stop between the northern and southern parts of the Adriatic. In only a few hours, you can reach Istra, Krk, Rab, Pag, Kornati and other mid-Dalmatian destinations.
In the town you will find a well-stocked store, post office, currency exchange office and several restaurants.
By ship, Ilovik is connected daily with Mali Losinj and several times a week with [[Image:]]Rijeka. In the summer months, numerous tour boats from Veli and [[Mali Losinj] make daily stops in Ilovik.
[edit] Vegetation
The island is covered with Mediterranean vegetation, throughout the town you will find many types of flowers, oleanders in various colors, palm trees, as well as two century-old eucalyptus trees. It is because of the abundance of flora that this island has been nicknamed "The Island of Flowers".
[edit] History
Due to its geographic location, the harbor between Ilovik and Sveti Petar has been used as a safe anchorage since the ancient times. This also brought the first inhabitants to these islands.
The oldest traces of civilization are from the Ilirian tribe Liburni. Visitors can also see evidence of the ancient roman civilization. The remains of Roman buildings, mosaics, coins, a burial sarcophagus as well as an underwater archeological site have been located in this area.
The walls enclosing the present-day cemetery date back to the 11th century. They were part of the Benedictine monastery. The location of the cemetery on a different island offers the opportunity to the island inhabitants to take one last boat ride even after their passing.
The castle, remains of which are seen on Sveti Petar, was built in 1600 by the Venetians. Their representative, Filippo Pasqualigo, erected it to defend the area from pirates (uskoks). The first Croats arrived on Ilovik at the end of the 18th century from Veli Losinj. This marks the beginning of the modern- day Ilovik.
The oldest recorded name of this island, Neumae Insulae, is from AD 1071. In the 13th century it is mentioned as Sanctus Petrus de Nimbis and later San Pietro dei Nembi. The Croatian inhabitants named the smaller island Sveti Petar, the larger Tovarnjak (Asinello in Italian), and finally Ilovik.
[edit] Population
Approximately 100 people live year round on the island of Ilovik.Oddly enough three times that live in the United States. Their main occupations are fishing, sheep herding, agriculture and tourism. An interesting fact is that three times more people from Ilovik live in the USA than on the island. The main family names are, Simičić, Raguzin, Belanić, Mezić, Baričević, and Budinić.
People from Ilovik who live in the United States live in the New York City - Long Island/Astoria area. Many others live in New Jersey and Washington.
Sveti Petar, known to fellow San Pierini as Priko is an island that is filled with olive trees. The town's cemetery is located at the old Benedicine Monastery. On one side of Sveti Petar, there is a rock formation called Golubinka, which includes a large jump and a cave. Also, there is a seminary where young men start their priesthood as a Franciscan father. There are a lot of youths. They work, learn about Jesus and sometimes attend Mass in the beautiful church of Sts. Peter and Paul (Sv. Petar i Sv. Pavao)
