|
KORNATSKI OTOCI (Kornati Islands), the
largest and densest archipelago in the Adriatic Sea; consists of 147
islands, islets and reefs comprising an area of 69 sq km, scattered at
an area of 234 sq km. They stretch in the length of about 35 km and the
width of 13 km, between the island of Dugi Otok in the north-west and
the island of Zirje in the south-east, as well as between the islands of
Pasman, Vrgada and Murter in the north and the north-east. They were
named after Kornat, the biggest island (32.62 sq km). Pliny called them
Cratea.
On the south-western side, toward the
open sea, the coasts are extremely steep (cliffs or crowns); the highest
cliffs are those on Klobucar (80 m), Mana (65 m), Rasip Veli (64 m) and
elsewhere. Due to limestone formation there are no sources or water
streams on the Kornati Islands. In some karst depressions, whose bottoms
are covered by red soils, water retains almost throughout the year.
Brackish water may be found in karst cavities at some 40 locations.
Rainwater is collected in cisterns. Winters are mild; an average air
temperature in January is 7.3 °C and in July 23.9 °C. Maximum air
temperatures do not exceed 33 °C and minimum air temperature does not
fall below -7 °C. There are 106 clear days, 134 moderate cloudy and 125
cloudy days in a year. Air humidity reaches 65 %. There are also 115
rainy days in a year. Snow occurs very rarely.
Red soil fields, mild slopes and coves
provide good opportunities for the cultivation of olives, figs, vines
and citrus fruit. The Kornati area is one of the richest fishing grounds
in the Adriatic, especially rich in benthos species.
In 1980 the islands were set aside as a
national park; the present area of Kornati National Park is 234 sq km.
The Park is managed by a special management body with the seat in Murter.
From the 14th century the island of Kornat had several names: Insula
Sancte Marie, Stomorin Otok, Tarac, Toreta (Tureta). In the 17th century
the archipelago got the name Coronati. The Kornati Islands were
populated as early as the Neolithic. In recent times there are no
permanent habitations; the last of them was mentioned in the 18th
century under the name Toreta. The Kornati Islands had long been owned
by Zadar. In the 16th century they were -under the Venetians, who
subleased them to the families from Zadar.
- The oldest archaeological finds on the
island of Kornat are the remains of Illyrian settlements (Strazisce,
Toreta) and stone grave-mounds. The remains from Roman times have been
found on the hill Toreta; at the foot of the hill, on the southern side
are the remains of an early Christian church with a semicircular apse. A
smaller church, preserved until the present, was later constructed in
it; the lower threshold of the church is a Roman votive inscription. On
the very hill is a large quadrangular tower, built at the beginning of
the Middle Ages. The remains of a mediaeval tower may also be seen on
the islet of Panitula, and on the island of Jadra there is a church from
the 16th century. The Kornati are a true promised land for boaters and
yachting enthusiasts. Numerous coves provide safe shelter to boaters and
fishermen.
The Kornati Islands have a number of
small coves, "wild" harbours, where boaters may take shelter
and dock. However, there is also a modern, well equipped marina -
Piskera ACI Marina, located on the island of the same name (see Piskera),
with 120 berths. On the island of Zut, outside the boundaries of Kornati
National Park, is Zut ACI Marina, also with 120 berths. |
satellite image
Lavsa
preko mane
Lupeška
national park
|
in 
