Palagruza Island, Croatia
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Palagruza lighthouse was built in 1875 on the island of the same name, placed
in the middle of the Adriatic sea, between the Italian and Croatian coasts, 68
NM south of Split and 26 NM south of the island of Lastovo. This history laden
island of exceptional beauty is Croatia's furthest island. The island itself is
1400 m long, 300 m wide and 90 m high, and is covered in Mediterranean
vegetation.
Because the lighthouse is built in the middle of the island at the
height of 90 metres, we do not recommend holidays on Palagruza for the
elderly or for those with health problems. There are two four-bed
apartments in the spacious lighthouse building.
There is an archeological site on the island Palagruza Velika. Numerous finds
bear witness to the fact that Palagruza was the island of the Greek hero
Diomedes. The island is a nature reserve with numerous endemic species of flora
and fauna.
At extra charge, tours of the main island and its cliffs, as well as tours of
islets and other cliffs in the Palagruza archipelago, can be arranged with the
lighthouse keeper. Furthermore, guests can join fishermen in the early morning
when nets are pulled out of the sea - a unique experience.
The surrounding waters are the Adriatic's richest fishing area. Individual
diving is prohibited.
Beaches There are two well-kept trails on Palagruza. One of
them leads to Stara Vlaka, a pebble bay on the northern side of the island,
while the other trail leads to the southern side of Velika Palagruza to Veli Zal
so-called "Juzno zlato", one of the most beautiful beaches on the Adriatic.
These pebble beaches are ideal for small children due to shallow waters and fine
pebbles.
Transfer Transfer to the lighthouse is organized from the
port in the town of Korcula on the island of Korcula. Return transfer in a
fifteen metre speedboat with cabin, which is charged 350 Euro extra per
apartment, takes approximately two hours. The boat leaves the marina in the town
of Korcula at 7 am. We recommend an anti-nausea pill to those who tend to get
seasick.
How to get to Korcula: For those arriving by car, we
recommend the ferry line Split - Vela Luka (island of Korcula) that arrives in
Vela Luka in late afternoon, after which you head by car on the island's main
road for the town of Korcula on the other side of the island. For those not
travelling by car, we recommend the catamaran line Split - Vela Luka and then by
bus to the town of Korcula. If you are arriving from Dubrovnik, we recommend the
bus line from Dubrovnik to Orebic on the island of Peljesac that will get you to
the island of Korcula by ferry.
Since Palagruza is placed in the open sea, access to the island can be
difficult due to waves. It is important to follow the scheduled transfer time.
Please make sure to purchase groceries on time. The transfer to the island is
very interesting because the speedboat passes through Lastovo channel and by
numerous cliffs and islets near the island of Susac where it occasionally makes
a stop-over to deliver provisions to the lighthouse keeper before reaching
Palagruza.
Please check the ferry line schedule for the island of Korcula at
www.jadrolinija.hr. If you are planning on arriving a day earlier to Korcula and
need accommodation, feel free to contact us.
Provisions Due to Palagruza's distance from the mainland and
other islands, provisions cannot be supplied. Before the transfer, we suggest
that all provisions be purchased in grocery stores in Korcula. Preparation of
meals, including fish that the lighthouse keeper catches himself or buys from
other fishermen, can be arranged.
Interesting to know According to church records, Pope
Alexander III was on Palagruza on Ash Wednesday, March 9th, 1177. While
traveling with his fleet of ten galleys, he was impressed with the archipelago's
beauty and decided to make a stop. He was served dinner on a small plateau on
the island of Palagruza Mala, that has ever since been called "Papina njiva"
(Pope's Field). After its stay on Palagruza, the fleet headed for the island of
Vis, then towards Zadar and finally Venice.
Price: From €162 EUR per week
Size: 104 Acres
Location: 68 miles south of Split, Croatia
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