Koločep
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The island of Koločep (Italian: Calamotta ) is one of the three inhabited Elaphiti Islands situated near the city of Dubrovnik. Kolocep is the southernmost inhabited island in Croatia.
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[edit] Location and access
The island of Kolocep lies at a distance of 1 km from the closest point on the mainland and about the same distance from the peninsula of Lapad, further east towards the city of Dubrovnik itself. The port of Dubrovnik, ( “Gruz” ) is situated at the base of a bay on the other side of Lapad, requiring a 5 km journey by boat to the island. The island can be reached by regular ferry service “Jadrolinija” – the “Postira” and “Premuda” services connect the Elafiti Islands several times throughout the day. It is a 20 minute boat ride from one port to the other (Dubrovnik–Kolocep) by ferry, or 10 minutes by water-taxi.
[edit] Population and transportation
There are two settlements on the island called Gornje Celo (Italian: Calamotta Levante ) and Donje Celo (Italian: Calamotta Ponente ) with about 150 inhabitants. Both are situated in their respective coves with a winding 3 km walkway in between. Kolocep is car free but many paths and walkways crisscross the island.
[edit] Climate and vegetation
Kolocep has more than 250 sunny days a year. Its climate is of a moderate Mediterranean type, and due to the isle's indented coastline and small area, the predominant climatic features throughout the island are influenced by the Adriatic. The sea moderates the air temperature considerably keeping the average monthly daytime highs above 10 °C in the winter time and below 27 °C in the summer.
Clear waters surrounding the island range from deep blue to turquoise aqua. The coastline has with a number of hidden coves: the Blue Cave can be accessed swimming from one such cove on the south side of the island. An area off shore where lobsters abound is another one of Kolocep's features.
The islands flora includes stands of tall pine and olive groves.
[edit] History
In the times of the Dubrovnik Republic, Kolocep was an important shipbuilding site. Two members of Christopher Columbus’ crew on the Santa Maria were sailors from Kolocep. Archaeological remnants of ancient European conquerors have been found on the island: from the ancient times of Greece and Rome to the Napoleonic times. This small island of only 2.3 km² has seven pre-Romanesque churches dating back to the times of Croatian kings, from the 9th to the 11th century.
[edit] Hotels and restaurants
Villas Kolocep has 151 rooms in 8 villas. The villas are surrounded by tall trees and connected with stone-covered paths.
The Restaurant "Kalamota" is located at the end of the bay. The restaurant can be accessed from the sea for yachters.
