Cres
Filozići
Geography
Location	Adriatic sea
Coordinates	Coordinates: 44°57′N, 14°24′E
Area	405.78 km²
Highest point	Gorice 648 m
Administration
Croatia
County	Primorje-Gorski
Largest city	Cres (2,959)
Demographics
Population	3,184 (as of 2001)

Cres (pronounced "Tsres" in Croatian, Italian Cherso, German: Kersch; Latin Crepsa) is an Adriatic island in Croatia. It is one of the northern islands in the Kvarner Gulf and can be reached via ferry from the island Krk or from the Istrian peninsula (line Brestova-Porozina).

With an area of 405.78 km², Cres is, together with Krk which is the same size (but thought to be the largest for years), the largest Croatian island. The island has a population of 3,184 (2001).

Cres and the neighbouring island of Lošinj once used to be one island, but were divided by a channel and connected with a bridge at the town of Osor (Italian Ossaro). Cres's only fresh water source is the Lake Vrana.

History

Cres has been inhabited since Paleolithic time period and was later ruled by the Roman Empire. After the fall of the Roman Empire the island was taken over and ruled became a part of the Byzantine Empire, and remained this way for centuries. In th 7th Century the Croats invaded the island, and the other islands around it, and took the islands over, however the Croats returned the islands in the eary 800's (believed to be somewhere around 812).

Around 822 Croatia became an independent state, while on the island Croat-Roman tensions grew. Then, around 866 the inhabitants saw the first conflicts between the Croats and Venetians. The Venetians eventually set up their rule of the islands in the 10th and 11th centuries.

However the Croats regain the islands and the islands goes through a changing of rulers for Centuries, being ruled by Croats, Hungarians, and for 400 years the Venetians rake control of the islands. However Napoleans victory over the Venetians created Austrian rule on the island, which quickly changed hands again to French Rule.

After the fall of Napolean, Austria once again takes control of the island for 100 years, during this time we see the rising economy on the island with olive trees, sage, and other plants becoming key to the success of the island. At the end of World War I with the Treaty of Rapallo signed in 1920, the island was once again handed over to Italian Rule, until 1947, when the Islands, along with Istrian Peninsula, were returned to Croatia.

The island has gone through an agricultural down slope due to the vast amounts of residents leaving due to communism. This has caused a majority of plants to become over grown and just recently people have been returning and the citizens have seen the island industries grown both agriculturally and from tourism.

Towns of Cres

There are many towns on the Island that are all connected by a single road that runs down the middle of the island, on one side is the ferry from the main land (around the city of Pula) and on the other side is the bridge to Mali Lošinj, which was once connected, but are now separated by a water way, when coming on to the island from the side of Pula you will first encounter Porozina, a list of the Towns and Descriptions are right below:

• Porozina (Italian Faresina) - A small town which simply has the ferry terminal and some small shops.
• Beli (Italian Caisole) - This small town at the end of a long and very narrow road is home to a very famous bird, the endangered Griffon Vulture.
• Cres (Italian Cherso) - See below.
• Orlec (Italian Aquilonia) - Another small town at the end of a narrow road, also home to the endangered Griffons.
• Valun (Italian Vallon) - This town can be seen on your way to Lubenice (see below) it costs money to park, no cars are allowed in the town.
• Lubenice (Italian Lubenizze) - An ancient mountain village with a great view of the sea and neighboring islands. A restaurant and bar operate during the warmer months. Weekly musical concerts take place during the peak tourist season.

Stivan Beach

• Belej (Italian Bellei)
• Stivan (Italian San Giovanni) - On a side street this small town of 16 people is a beautiful town with a very private beach, old houses and a great church and is on the way to many other towns.
• Miholaščica (Italian San Michele) - A small town that with a small church with its same name (St. Michael), this town has seen some growth in tourism since the arrival of the Zaglav community nearby.
• Martinščica (Italian San Martino) - The home of a very large vacation complex Slatina, along with beautiful beaches and of course, some very nice cafes.
• Osor (Italian Ossero) - A town on the "border" between two islands. Founded by the Romans who also dug the channel thus dividing what was then known as the Osor island into Cres and Lošinj (Italian Lussino). Then a major port and commercial centre started to fade with coming of larger ships that could not pass the narrow channel or dock in the shallow port.
• Pernat - The western most village on Cape Pernat. A quaint and rustic village with considerable charm. It forms a perfect gateway to numerous walking trails and secluded beaches. An ideal location to get away from it all.
• Podol - Between Lubenice and Valun. A tiny hamlet that resembles a large farmhouse. Its key feature is the Mulberry tree located in the middle of the road. Blink and you may miss it.
• Punta Kriza (Italian Punta Croce) - The southern most part of Cres. FKK resort is located here.
• Vidovici - A short distance uphill from Martinščica. A village with an extraordinary view of the Istrian Peninsula and numerous islands including Zeča, Lošinj and Unije forming part of the archipelago. A restaurant operates in the evenings during the warmer months.

The Town of Cres

For a full article please see Cres (Town)

The town of Cres is more like a city and is a great one at that, its centre filled with shops where tourists can buy Cres' specialties, home made olive oil and wine. The town is not made for cars, it is a walking city, and can be related to many Italian cities due to its narrow streets. Cres also has a marina nearby, which has recently been awarded the blue flag status, with many boats in it. A picture of the town's port can be seen below.

Cres Port

Construction and Improvements

A massive work effort is taking place on the main road, it is being widened and is being brought further away from the cliffs, the road is also cutting out dangerous turns and other threats to those driving. It is also keeping trucks and cars away from Lake Vrana, to keep it clean. As of July 2007, the work is about 30-40% complete. The work, being done by construction company GP KRK is not only allowing a safer driving network, but is also allowing larger amounts of tourism and allowing traffic to move faster around the island, while still protecting the public.

Lake Vrana

Cres has its very own fresh water lake, which is very highly guarded and illegal to swim or fish in. It supplies water to neighboring Lošinj as well. It is one of the deepest fresh water lakes in Eastern Europe, going down 76 meters at its deepest point (>50 m below sea-level).^[1]

Myth of Lake Vrana

Lake Vrana myth or legend states that there is a castle under the lake. The rich sister that lived in the castle would not give her poor sister money or food. As a result she was punished by her castle being flooded during a severe thunderstorm which caused Lake Vrana to be created. The story goes on and tells that on some windy days if one listens very carefully even today, the tower bells can still be heard ringing.

External links

• City of Cres
• Cres Tourist Board
• Island Cres Info
• Whats going on in Cres
• Unstress on Cres - Croatia's Ideal Holiday Destination
• Italian community of Cherso
• Island Cres - your perfect holiday in Croatia

References

• Geographical and meteorological data, Statistical yearbook 2006., DZS

² "Cres and Losij: Strolling through the islands and islets" Nadir Mavrovic, Nerezine 1997. Televrina d.o.o. Nerezine

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