"Golden Island Krk"

You’ve probably heard the expression: Croatia is a land of a thousand islands. During our trip to the Croatian island of Krk, we will learn why it is called the “golden island” and why it is no longer considered the largest island of Croatia.

In order to get to the island, you need to cross the famous Krcchi Bridge, which at the time of its construction in 1980 was a miracle of science and technology and was the longest bridge across the sea strait.

So, we are on an island, and the first city on our way is the capital of the golden island of the same name, the city of Krk. Here we begin a conversation about the former owners of the island, representatives of one of the most famous princely families of Croatia, the Princes of Francopan. In honor of this princely family, cafes and restaurants, streets, schools and even a cake are named here! "Francopan" according to the recipe of the late 17th century!

Next, our way lies in the neighboring town of Punat, from where we will sail by boat to the island of Koshlyun. Small as a button island Koschliun, which is located in the current Franciscan monastery, is located in the center of the Punta Bay of Kvarner Island Krk. "An island inside an island." Just 15 minutes from the coast of Krka and we are already on the island. Taking a step from ship to shore, as tourists say, we get into a real fairy tale!

Most of the island of Koshlyun is covered with forest, which has 400! plant species! The shady alleys of the forest park lead us to the walls of the monastery built in the 15th century, where monks still live. Once in the monastery there was a gymnasium for boys. In 1929, after the closing of the gymnasium on the island of Krk, there was a rumor that the monks decided to organize a museum in the vacated rooms of the gymnasium. The locals carried into it the contents of their basements and attics, and over time the monks managed to create a wonderful museum collection associated with the history of the island of Krk. Now in the monastery there is an archaeological exposition, part of which is raised from the bottom of the sea near the island, an exhibition of church utensils, an ethnographic exposition dedicated to the culture, life and history of the island of Krk, as well as a biological exposition dedicated to the flora and fauna of the island of Koshlyun.

Despite the fact that the monastery is active, it is visited by up to 100,000 tourists a year.

There are also beautiful olive groves in Punta. Traditionally, our Association of Quarner Guides helps in collecting olives in one of the farms in October. The so-called "Timbuilding", combine pleasant with useful. We collect up to 300 kilograms per day. It's fun and friendly. Olives before our eyes begin to be processed, turning into aromatic olive oil!

We continue our journey to the island of Krk.

The next point of our route is the town of Vrbnik, the ancestral nest of the Frankopan princes, which houses the only surviving palace that once belonged to this princely family. The streets of the town resemble the scenery for a feature film about the Middle Ages.

It is said that every country has the so-called narrowest street in the world. There is such a street in the town of Vrbnik. Its width in the narrowest place is 40 cm. Can we walk through it?

And what intoxicating aromas hover here in the autumn, during the harvest of grapes, which the locals immediately let into the production of wine – the famous “Vrbniche Zhlakhtina”. We will have the opportunity to taste this magical wine in one of the cones of Vrbnik, and “in addition” to the wine, according to tradition, proshut, cheese, olives and olive oil are served.