The island of Krk is the largest island in Croatia, located in the northern Adriatic Sea, in the Kvarner Bay, just 30 km from the city of Rijeka. This island is a known and recognized tourist destination because of its mild Mediterranean climate, favourable geographical position and a wealth of diverse natural and cultural beauty, and from ancient days has been called ” the golden island”.
Because of its rich cultural heritage, Krk is even called the cradle of Croatian culture; in the early 20th century, it was also called the sixth continent. No matter how you decide to travel to the island of Krk, by car across the bridge, by boat or ferry (ferry Valbiska and Baska) or plane (Rijeka airport near Omisalj), rest assured that you will very quickly discover that this beautiful island is characterized by a unique diversity – a perfect blend of present and past shrouded in natural beauties that are simply breathtaking.
Villages and settlements on Krk are well connected between each other. Getting around the island is simple, especially during the summer months because the number of bus departures increases significantly.
The cuisine of the island has a variety of homemade Mediterranean dishes prepared according to traditional local recipes. daily fresh fish, which, in combination with local olive oil, fresh vegetables and homemade wine provides a unique gastronomic experience, and with olive oil and vinegar, in the preparation of island dishes predominate various aromatic spices and additives that can be found on the island, such as bay leaf, rosemary, garlic, onion, parsley, tomatoes, fresh olives …
Krk is an island with a rich historical heritage. There are many interesting sites to discover and explore in one of Croatia’s most unique islands.
The village of Jurandvor, just north of Baška, is where the Church of St Lucy is situated. St Lucy is more than a village church, it is the site of an important cultural discovery in Croatia, the 11th-century Baška Tablet. Baška Tablet is the oldest Croatian monument written in Glagolitic alphabet that contains the earliest mention of “Croatia” and “Croatian” in the Croatian language. The tablet is situated in the Academy of Science and Art in Zagreb, but there is a replica of it inside the church.
Glagolitic alphabet is an early Slavic script and in order to promote it, there is the Baška Glagolitic alphabet trail of 34 sculptures representing letters of the alphabet starting at the heights of Baška and going down to Stara Riva.
The Cathedral and the Church of St. Quirinus are typical landmarks of Krk town. Cathedral is a basilica of Romanesque design and the Church was a place of worship for early Christians later converted into a church.
Kamplin Square is bordered by the Cathedral on one side and Frankopan Castle on the other. The castle was built by the Croatian noble family Frankopan and the tower of it was used as a courthouse.
The Vitezić family library located in Vrbnik since 1898 contains important Glagolitic missals, books and breviaries. One of the most valuable books is Kohler’s atlas whose second copy is kept in Cambridge.
The island of Krk can pride itself with a rich gastronomy heritage. There are lots of recognisable dishes from the island of Krk, such as Meat dish with vegetable side dish, Lamb goulash, Presnac (sweet dish) but the most famous and iconic dish of all are „Šurlice.“
Looking almost Runic in its peculiarity, Glagolitic is an early Slavic script devised by the same ecclesiastical scholars, the brothers Cyril and Methodius responsible for the Cyrillic alphabet. It took root on Krk in the early Middle Ages and it’s here, in Baška, that the oldest document can be found that refers to ‘Croatia’ in the local vernacular.
City of Krk, with its two thousand years old walls (the third largest walls in Croatia), Frankopan castle from 13th century, old City Hall from 16th century and Krk Cathedral whose tower dominates the city.