Island of Pag: lace, sheep and Croatian Ibiza. Island of Pag Croatia Pag Croatia

In the territory . The island covers an area of about 285 square kilometers, it is the fifth largest island in Croatia in size, population 8400 people, The largest city has the name Novalja and is located in the north; in the center of the island there is a city of the same name, Pag, three times smaller.

Tourists get to the southern part of the island through a road bridge. WITH administrative point From the viewpoint, Pag is divided into the Lika-Senj County and the southern Zadar County. The island of Pag is not a wine-producing island at all, this is one of its main differences from other Croatian islands; the basis of agriculture is sheep breeding. The second difference is the presence of nightclubs and various discos, which put the entire island in the rank of Croatian Ibiza.

How to get to the island of Pag

You can get here by ferry Prizna-Žiglen; the port is located on the northern side of the island; in the southwest there is a road bridge connecting the island with the mainland.

Fun and relaxation on the island of Pag

All entertainment is concentrated on Zrce beach near the town of Novalja. Here you will find water parks, aquahouses, live concerts with DJs from Europe. At the Papaya club you can watch concerts from the jacuzzi, and the Aquarius club is also noteworthy. Other activities include diving, yachting, windsurfing, and trekking.

On the island of Pag 2/3 of total number salt in Croatia, the island is notable for its lace

Attractions

Pag city

Medieval settlement with the Princely and unfinished Episcopal palaces, the Benedictine Church of St. Margaret and the 16th century cathedral on the shore of a vast bay in the central part of the island. You can get to the city by highway, which connects Pag with Novalja, and on the other side with a bridge to the continent. The beaches in the city of Pag are magnificent, there is a gentle entrance to the sea and a beautiful embankment for leisurely walks.

Novalja city

The city is located in the north of the island of Pag, you can come here by bus along the highway and on the Prizna-Žiglen ferry crossing. Night discos are concentrated on Zrće beach, this is one of the best places for youth recreation in Croatia.

Zrce Beach, Zrce beach

You can get to the beach around the clock by bus, which runs literally every five minutes and at night every 15 minutes, travel during the day is 1 euro in the evening and a half euros. On the beach you will find a lot of different cafes and discos from large to small, the main clubs are Papaya, Aquarius and Noa.

The clubs begin their work at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when the music turns on and everyone starts dancing in the pools, the parties end in the morning. Prices for soft drinks are moderate compared to Ibiza, you will often have to spend money on entrance tickets if famous DJs from Europe come here, the big disadvantage is 5 kuna for using the toilet, which leads to consequences for the environment and pristine clean sea. Tourists who arrive here at the height of holiday season you need to take care of hotels in advance, Novalja and Zrce Beach are the most popular places throughout Croatia.

As for the beach, it is pebbly and surprisingly clean, despite being so busy with young people. Tourists from different countries world, here you can meet Americans, Canadians, Australians and, of course, residents European countries, mainly English Germans, Scandinavians and local Croats.

Other popular beaches on Pag are Simuni Beach with crystal clear waters, trees and shade and Spiaggia di Rucica in Metajna near the town of Novalja.

Hotels on Pag

There are villas and hotels ranging from three to four stars. Prices during peak season from 100 to 15 euros on average for a standard Double Room. Hotels close to Zrce Beach can be crowded with tourists during peak season; it is recommended to book in advance.

Among the hundreds of islands of Hovatia, Pag may not be immediately noticed. Its large, elongated shape on the map almost merges with mainland. The very graceful Pazhsky Bridge is thrown across a narrow strait to the island. So, being in Dalmatia, getting to Pag is not difficult. We only traveled around Croatia for three days. Torn by lack of time and an urgent desire to see as much as possible, we did not miss the opportunity to visit this island - our first, but, I hope, not the last in Croatia.

The first thing that strikes a visitor to Pag is its almost Martian desert landscapes. The area here is often devoid of any vegetation. Instead, yellow-brown rocks are scattered in chaotic abundance. This whole picture looks very advantageous against the backdrop of the Velibit Mountains on the Croatian mainland opposite the island.

The first thing that interested us here was the ruins of an ancient fortress from the time the island was owned by the Venitians. These picturesque ruins are located at the very tip of a sharp promontory that juts out towards the narrow strait between Pag and the mainland.

From here you can enjoy magnificent panoramas of the Page Bridge. This small fortress was a guard outpost of the Venetian possessions, now reminiscent of the island's turbulent history. Pag has always been on the border - either between the Venetians and the Turks, or between the Italians and Austrians, or between the Croats and Serbs.

Now local residents they try to lure tourists to the island with their famous Page sheep cheese, special Page lace or an original variety of white wine. I must admit, I didn’t really notice where on this deserted island vineyards grow and fat flocks of sheep graze.

Few people now try to remember the dark pages of the island’s past. During this short trip I never found out where on the island during the Second World War the Ustasha death camp was located, where thousands of Serbs, Jews and Gypsies were tortured. The Ustasha was the name given to the nationalist organization of Croats with extreme fascist views, which managed to seize power in these parts during the Second World War.

Croats are trying to forget that war, where their people took an active part, as ardent supporters of Hitler's Germany. For their, even then blood enemies, the Serbs, a special type of knives was even invented - serboseks, so that the cruel executioners could kill as quickly as possible and get tired as little as possible. It seems to me that the last conflict between the Croats and Serbs after the collapse of Yugoslavia owes its cruelty precisely to that bloody and inhumane regime of the Ustasha Croats.

By the way, during this last war in the Balkans, the island of Pag played an important connecting role between the units of the Croatian liberation army torn by the blockade. Now, universal peace reigns in Pag.

In the main city of the island, the eponymous Pag, everything is conducive to leisurely walks under the bright sun. This cute town looks especially good from the side of the neighboring hill. It stretches along both sides of a narrow bay, gradually turning into a salt lake, where salt mining has long flourished.

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The city of Pag was designed and built more than four centuries ago and has preserved the medieval street layout, and most importantly, the spirit of that time. We saw a city of sleepy calm in the off-season with clean streets and beautiful, bright churches.

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Near the city we visited an ancient convent Benedictine Saint Margaret. Even the ruins of several buildings seemed very well maintained there. This extraordinary for southern country We never ceased to be amazed at the cleanliness during our entire short trip to Croatia.

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Fun-seekers ride on Pag during the height of the tourist city to another town on the island - Novalje. We also visited there and were surprised at its desertion. After all, during the season the city announces itself as almost a Croatian “Ibiza”.

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It was in Novalje that the story of finding a wad of money happened to us, which I already talked about in one of the earlier posts about Croatia.

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Without further ado, it is worth saying that Pag is amazing place, ready to please lovers of desert landscapes, solitude and relaxation away from civilization. Those who are not indifferent to this can find their Croatian paradise here...

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The island of Pag is reminiscent of Italian films from the 1950s. Ideal place for filming black and white films in the style of Antonioni - a long, sparsely populated rocky island in brown tones, with endless desert landscapes stretching beyond the horizon. The Adriatic Sea near the steel-colored island. When a storm gathers in the sky, Pag turns into the most dramatic place in all of Croatia. Pag are karst rocks reminiscent of a lunar landscape, two mountain range, rare bushes and about a dozen villages and villages.

Strictly speaking, Pag is no longer an isolated island - it is connected to the mainland by a bridge. However, culturally and industrially it is a completely independent and separate entity. The islanders cultivate the poor soil and make homemade white wine, Shutsu. The hardy local sheep are fed medicinal salted herbs, which gives their milk an extraordinary taste. Page cheese is made from this milk. The skillful page lace is famous far beyond the country's borders. Placed in a frame, it decorates many houses in Croatia.

But Pag is not only about ancient traditions and high culture. Northern Port Novalja is one of the most carefree and lively resorts in Croatia. The neighboring Zrce beach is known to all true connoisseurs of club holidays.

Come to Croatia! Find profitable ones

At first the island of Pag was inhabited by Illyrians. In the 1st century BC e. the Romans took possession of it. They built fortresses and aqueducts. The Slavs settled in the vicinity of Novalja in the 7th century. and began to build churches and basilicas. In the 11th century salt production began to develop. As a result, salt became the cause of conflict between the merchants of Pag, Zadar and Rab. In 1409, Venice bought the island, along with Zadar and the rest of Dalmatia. Subsequent generations saw not only Venetians on their land, but also Austrians, French, Austrians again, and during the Second World War, German and Italian occupiers.

City of Pag

The old town of Pag is located on a narrow strip of land between sun-drenched hills; to the east of it lies blue bay, and in the west - iridescent salt marshes. The neat streets and rugged stone buildings create a captivating atmosphere. Simple everyday life passes right before your eyes - here women weave lace, sitting on stools near the house. The square, lined with beautiful white marble, serves as a place for townspeople to socialize. There are pebble beaches near the city.

The construction of the city began thanks to the flourishing of salt production at the beginning of the 15th century, since the neighboring Stari Grad could no longer accommodate the ever-growing population. The Venetian rulers invited the best builder of his time, Juraj Dalmatian. The foundation stone of Pag was laid in 1443. In accordance with the latest trends of the century in the field of urban design, the main and secondary streets were laid at right angles and led to the four city gates. In the center of Pag there is a square on which stands Cathedral, the prince's palace and the unfinished bishop's palace. In 1499 Dalmatian began working on the city walls, but only the northern part with the remains of the castle remained.

Attractions

Lace Museum

This wonderful museum now occupies a superbly restored building. princely palace, built according to the design of Juraj Dalmatian.

Exhibitions focus on the history of lace making on Pag and its significance for the settlement. They are lovingly illustrated with photographs and descriptions.

Church of St. Maria

Gothic Church of St. Maria, which was built by the same Juraj Dalmatian, is in perfect harmony with the modest buildings surrounding it. The lunette above the portal is decorated with images of the Virgin Mary and the women of Pag in medieval blouses and headdresses, as well as two rows of unfinished figures of saints. The interior was completed in the 16th century, and in the 18th century. a baroque ceiling ornament was added to it.

Salt Museum

The new museum is located across the bridge, among the remains of what was once ancient Stari Grad (very little remains), occupying the building of a former salt barn. Exhibitions accompanied by photographs tell the history of salt mining on the island of Pag.

Festivals and events

The Page Carnival takes place on the last day of July, providing tourists with an excellent chance to see a traditional kolo (energetic Slavic round dance) and appreciate the elaborate traditional page costume. Main square dancers and musicians fill the area, and theater actors perform the folk play Paska robinja (The Slave of Pag).

Where to stay

Most of the hotels are scattered along the bay west of the town of Pag. They are closed between October and March.

Travel agencies will help you find private accommodation. Women waiting for visitors at the bus station offer sobe (rooms). Many rooms and apartments are located in houses across the bridge.

The newly renovated hotel is located in a beautiful location by the beach, just steps from the old town. The rooms are elegant and stylish. Excellent wellness center.

The campsite is located by a magnificent bay with a pebble beach, approximately halfway between Pag and Novalja, near the port of Šimuni. All buses traveling around the island stop here. Caravans (from €30) are well thought out. In the off-season and low season, prices are very low.

Modern rooms next to the bus stop. On the ground floor there is a konoba. All rooms are spacious, with wooden floors, beautifully yet simply furnished, with a wardrobe and a bathroom.

A new four-star hotel with spacious and well-equipped rooms - all with a refrigerator, modern furniture and a large bathroom; Top floor rooms offer stunning views of the island and bay. But the pool is small, unfortunately.

Where to eat

Once you have already reached the island of Pag, it would not be very polite not to try the Pag cheese.

A good and very popular restaurant with a small front terrace overlooking the wet salt marshes, and another one covered in shade. The signature dish is page lamb. You can choose fresh fish cooked in wine and herbs.

An attractive traditional konoba just outside the city walls is famous for its well-cooked seafood (lobster, bivalves, octopus). Tables are arranged in a pretty courtyard.

A wonderful restaurant with an inexpensive menu, friendly service and solid fish and meat dishes. Plus an excellent view of the surrounding area.

People who cook for themselves can buy fruit, vegetables and local cheese at the daily market. You will find more complex semi-finished products in the Konzum supermarket.

Where to drink and have fun

Pag is a sleepy town with a barely noticeable club scene. However, in the summer it becomes much busier.

The new club just over the bridge is the only dance floor in town. The program is varied; you can hear R&B, house and hits from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Outside there is a terrace for smokers.

Page souvenirs are the most special in all of Croatia. It would be a shame to leave the island without buying page lace. Prices are quite low, and the lace trade helps keep the tradition alive. A small circle or star about 10cm in diameter costs about 125KN, but takes a good 24 hours to work on. If you walk along the streets of King Tomislav or King Dmitry Zvonimir, you can buy weaving directly from lacemakers, almost all of them have fixed prices.

Page cheese is not easy to find, although you can probably buy it at the morning market. If you're unlucky, look for homemade signs with the inscription Paski Sir, which are placed near houses somewhere on a remote road. They ask for about 130KN per kilogram.

Beach clubs

Despite the atmosphere of general peace that reigns on the island, every summer Pag is rocked by unbridled parties.

About half east of Novalja, where you'll find three large clubs and a scattering of smaller bars. Zrce attracts mainstream DJs - don't expect much underground. The clubs are located right on the beach (this is how Zrce differs from Ibiza, with which it is often compared).

The most sophisticated is the Kalypso club at the northern end of the beach, with beautiful design, countless bars and palm trees, one with the bay itself. During the day you can relax on the wonderful sofas and mattresses, and after dark, relax with deep house music played by DJs for older people. The incredibly bright Aquarius (www.aquarius.hr) is a huge space with stylish alcoves and an unglazed area. In 2010, stars such as Roger Sanchez and Benny Benassi performed here. The attractive Papaya Club (www.papaya.com.hr) is built on terraces, one of which houses the main dance floor. A motley crowd gathers here. The music can be anything, however, for regular life-loving visitors, trance super DJs played here, including Tiesto and Paul van Dyk. All clubs open at the end of June and close by mid-September. Entrance fees vary depending on the program - at the beginning of the season, admission to parties is usually free, but by mid-August a ticket can already cost €35.

Zrce Beach itself is a crescent of pebbles, stretching along a sheltered bay for 1 km in length. There are no trees here at all, so rent a sun umbrella. The water is excellent, although you will have to endure the noise of jet skis (they are limited to certain areas). From Zrce there is a nice view of the scorched eastern Pag, behind which the mainland mountains rise. Parking costs 5KN per hour.

This tourist agency organizes excursions around the island and trips to National parks, including Paklenica. Reservation of rooms and rooms. Post office (Antuna Simica; opening hours: 8.00-20.00 Mon-Fri, until 14.00 Sat)

Modern office, decent color map of the city, on which even local beaches are marked.

Novalja

In the midst of a realm of tranquil resorts, Novalja defies - with enthusiasm - the local trend, offering the most vibrant club scene you can find in Croatia. The cultural program is limited to fiery evening parties on the nearby Zrce beach; There are no historical sights in the city. Although it must be said that the city embankment is very a nice place for walks, and there are wonderful beaches nearby.

The capital of the island is the city of the same name, Pag. The island is connected to the mainland by a 340-meter bridge, thanks to which this place combines all the delights of an island holiday, but at the same time, guests do not feel cut off from civilization. Up to one of the most beautiful cities The Adriatic coast of Zadar is only 45 km, and within 2 hours you can reach 4 national reserves(Plitvice lakes, Krka, Kornati and Paklenica).

Island of Pag often called Croatian Ibiza, because A 30-minute drive from the town of Pag is the famous town of Novalja, where from late June to early September there are many discos, cocktail bars and other youth entertainment.

Pag got its name from the Greek word “pege”, which means “natural spring”. There are three on the island freshwater lake. Two of them - Velikoye and Maloye - are located near the village of Pavlyana, but they are difficult to notice, because they are quite small. But the Great Lake is of particular importance for ornithologists: some rare species birds stop here for the last time before migrating south.

Here on the island the Croatian dream comes true. The daily routine may seem boring and monotonous to some: during the day - “meditation” on the beach, in the evening - a walk along the coast tasting various drinks in numerous cafes, but many whole year They dream of just such a vacation.

There are many factors in favor of a holiday on Pag, the main ones being the special climate, because... The island is separated from the mainland by mountains that trap cold air, and the amazingly clean and warm Adriatic Sea. The island's beaches are located in long bays, so the water warms up faster and there are never waves here.

Tourists are lured to the island by other attractions. There is a place here called the Pag Triangle: the earth, scorched red, is divided into straight lines. The origin of the phenomenon has not been precisely established.

Not far from the town of Pag is St. George's Peak, a quadrangle-shaped mountain. According to historians, there was a fortress here in the Neolithic era. For lovers of sunken cities, the town of Tsaska will be a real find. Now these are just a few houses and ruins, but what a ruin! Archaeologists claim that during the heyday of the Roman Empire there was a large flourishing city here. This is evidenced by a sewage system that was longer than in ancient Rome, and the richest villa in the city belonged to the family of the Roman senator Calpurnias.

The oldest legend of the island is also connected with Tsaska. Once upon a time, the residents of the city were so kind and decent that God protected them in every possible way. The favor of the Almighty grew, but the townspeople became increasingly rich, and money greatly spoiled their characters, they turned into evil and cruel. God decided to punish these people. He sent one of his angels in the form of a man to find and save the kindest resident of Tsaska. On the very day when God brought down fire, strong winds and an earthquake on the city, an angel carried a young girl to the other end of the island. Later she married a shepherd.

Perhaps since then, the island began to produce sheep cheese, known throughout the country. Pag sheep eat salty grass from the pastures (salt is brought to the island by the boron wind), and therefore the hard cheese produced here is highly valued for its special taste. Another local delicacy is “baskotini” - sticks of crispy biscuit, but the main souvenir of the island of Pag is delicate lace.

There is even a lace knitting school on the island, an internationally recognized association, and each product comes with a certificate. In any souvenir shop you can buy a thin openwork napkin and listen to tips on storing it (wrap it in white paper and do not wrinkle it).

The Croatian island of Pag, stretching 60 km along the Adriatic coast, is famous for its Pag cheese and lace. Holidays on Pag are especially popular among the residents of Croatia themselves, as well as among European youth.

The largest settlements on the island are Pag, Novalja, Stara Novalja, Lun and Caska. The island is connected to the mainland on the south side by a bridge through which you can get to Zadar and Rijeka, and on the north side by a ferry crossing. Nearest international Airport is located in the city of Zadar.

Sights of Pag

Attractions that can be seen in the city of Pag include: the Collegiate Church, built in the 16th century, the Church of St. Margaret, the Church of St. George from the 16th century, the Duke's Palace. In the ancient town of Novalja, guests can visit the city museum with its ethnographic collection, archaeological exhibits and works of art by Croatian artists.

Festivals and entertainment

For many years, a traditional holiday has been the Winter Carnival in the city of Pag. Preceding the spring fast, this holiday is marked by three days of festivities on central square and a carnival procession.

The main goal of the Summer Carnival, which takes place at the end of July, is to diversify tourist life and entertain vacationers with interesting events and delicious treats.

The arts festival, which has been held in the city of Pag since 1999, has already become a tradition. The program of this cultural festival includes music concerts, theatrical performances, exhibitions and documentary films.

The island of Pag is considered the Croatian Ibiza. In the town of Novalja, on the Zrce beach, there are three clubs: Aquarius, Kalypso and Papaya, where young people from different countries have fun 24 hours a day. Every year, visitors to discos are treated to a varied program, including live performances by world-famous pop and rock performers. Hideout Festival is one of the events taking place in the month of July at the Papaya and Aquarius clubs. Famous DJs and bands invited to this three-day celebration of music and dance will not let numerous guests get bored.

Pag Restaurants

A holiday on the island of Pag is a great opportunity to try local delicacies and wines. When visiting various cafes and restaurants in Pag, you will definitely be offered the famous Pag cheese, made from sheep's milk and olive oil.

The Beledvir tavern in the town of Kolan, between the cities of Pag and Novalja, attracts tourists with home-cooked dishes, among which guests especially highlighted risotto and grilled seafood. The best restaurant in Novalje, many holidaymakers have recognized Konoba Ankora, noting the delicious food and pleasant service. In the city of Pag, we can recommend the Na Tale establishment; among the dishes prepared there, visitors noted fish treats.

Weather on the island of Pag for the season

Beaches of Pag

Zrce is considered the most popular beach on the island of Pag. Stretching along the coast near Novalja, this pebble beach is surrounded by forest. You can get there by bus, which runs regularly from Novalja. This vacation spot is equipped with everything necessary, including facilities for people with disabilities.

Another beach in Novalja is Sv. Duh is covered in pebbles with large shallows and a seabed lined with fine sand, making it a suitable place for families with small children. Nearby there is a court for playing football or badminton. Part of the territory is fenced off specifically for nudists.

A little east of Novalja is the popular Caska beach. It is mostly covered with sand, only the approach to the water is lined with pebbles. The seabed is characterized by a sharp transition to depth. You can get to this vacation spot by car, which you can leave in the parking lot.

South of Novalja is the pebble beach Strasko, about 1.5 km long, with convenient access to the water and a pleasant sandy bottom. Thick Pine forest, allowing you to hide from the sun, and the presence of various activities for children make it suitable for a family holiday.