Relaxing enjoyment

Veli Lošinj the first time mentioned in A.D. 1398 as Velo Selo (big village). One of the first question the tourist asks the host, upon arrival to Veli Lošinj, is just this: „ Why Veli Lošinj (big Lošinj) is called so, since it is smaller then Mali Lošinj (litlle Lošinj) ? The answer is simple: Veli Lošinj was the first settlement on the Island, and of course it was bigger than Mali Lošinj, which was later settled, and due its better geographical/geological position developed faster, becoming bigger and more important. If you select Veli Lošinj as base of your vacation, be aware that the same choice did long ago, (1886) make the Austrian Archduke Karl Stephan Von Hapsburg, and build his family mansion (In the quarter Podjavori), where at this time reside the main building of Lošinj’s Cure home. We are very proud on our historical heritage. There are several buildings testifying that great but vanished time. The Venetian defensive tower from XV century, stays to witness about the resistance to pirates and Uskoks raids from islanders. Today it stays as part of Lošinj’s museum gallery-exposition, where you will be able to learn about our ancestor’s ability for shipbuilding, as well as navigational’s skills.

Our vanished seafarers, sailed across all seas and oceans of the globe, thru storms and calm sea, and upon (sometime after several years) used to return to home’s port, from every ports of the world; they brought so many plant species from exotic’s lands, which you can find still today, on many places in Lošinj, in gardens and parks, especially in the park-wood Podjavori, with more then 200 botanical species. Since 2016, the island of Losinj is richer for an interesting museum that is built for a single exhibit – Apoxiomen! Museum “Apoxiomen” is constructed to present an ancient bronze statue of the prime importance, which is found in the sea near Veli Losinj (found in 1996 and taken out of the sea in 1999)., is awaiting you at level entrance, to the tower’s museum exposition. Do you know how was found the Apoxyomenos ? It was a Belgian diver-amateur, who diving not to far from Veli Lošinj, near islets Orjule, found it.

Walking downhill the main street to the stone paved square, in the amphitheatrical shaped harbor, rounded by densely, tall build houses, by sharp pastel colors painted, you will come in front of the Parish St.Antony the abbot church, dated 1774 A.D., build over the foundations of another (previous) church from the XV century. For sure, we suggest you to visit this richly furnished-baroque church, either if you are not a religious person. You will find out why we are proud of our town and our ancestors. A big faith, but also a big  wealth was necessary to a so small town, as it is Veli Lošinj, to build and equip such a church ! If you have time enough to stay into this church, ad admire the topic master works from Italian great painters, as: Vivarini, Strozzi, Quaren, Hayez, Del Cossa, Polenza, ect… And if you hear the majestic organ’s (callido’s) sounds, you will feel an elevating spiritual sense, which will remain unforgettable in your memory. The way along the sea, on the opposite side of the harbor, and church, leads to the hotel’s complex „Punta“ (hotel, apartments, external and internal swimming pool, wellness, tennis courts). Strolling by various villas, we can sense the glorious days they had in the XIX century. By the St. Anthony the abbot church, we can proceed the pathway along the seaside till the fishermen’s harbor of Rovenska, with its small or bigger stone houses, and its long stone wave breaker (length about 300m), which dominates the bay. The founding stone of this wave breaker („diga“) was in 1856 laid dow by the Austrian prince, Maximilian von Hapsburg (yunger brother of the Austrian emperor Franz Jozef I ). At the time he was the commander of the Austrian imperial navy, but later in 1864, he took the crown as Emperor of Mexico, but in 1867 he was defeated by the Mexican insurgent’s , led by Benito Juarez, and executed on june 1867 in Queretaro („Hill of the bells“). And this Rovenska wave breaker still withstands the stormy waves, its stones are hot under the summer heat, it remains as humble memorial to the tragical end of Maximilian Hapsburg.

Unfortunately, this wave breaker doesn’t protect enough the port of Rovenska. To whom it may concern (sailors or skippers) we are warning that it is not recommended to morning and it don’t protect at stormy sea (N and NE directions).Beside that there are some places of shallow water, and shallow reefs. We hope that some day we will be able to build another branch of the wave breaker, for better protection of Rovenska and complete the work initiated by Maximilian.

Before you come to this wave breaker there is a pebble’s beach, and if you will stay longer on the same, you will enjoy wanderful sight of magnificent sunsets on sea. Therefore we suggest you a photo-set to be at your hand. Sure, it will in your use during you whole vacation. Take it in your strolling in the seaside pathway till the bays of Javorna and Kriška, you may wish to make as lot of photo-shots. We would like to suggest you at least tens of bays, cove, ports, beaches or small settlements to see. But at this time, let it remain as small secrets to be discovered by yourselves.