The idyllic and uninhabited island of Sveti Andrija, usually just referred to locally as Svetac, may just be the best kept secret in the Adriatic Sea. This island was inhabited by just one family, the Zanti family, until, sadly, an elderly woman of the family who was the last to be living on the island full-time died in the year 2000. Now no one lives on Svetac year round, and the land is undisturbed except for visits by the occasional tourist. It is still owned by the Zanti family and is the largest private island in the Adriatic, though the family now live on Vis or elsewhere for most of the year.
Pictures courtesy - google.co.uk
On Svetac you may see the black lizards, which are found all over the island. There have also been numerous archaeological finds here – notably some Byzantine relics, and the stronghold of the Illyrian 'pirate' queen Teuta, who was banished here after losing her lands to the Romans. Teuta's fortress or castle ruins can be seen atop a rocky outcrop on the island. You may also notice some old graffiti on the walls of houses and other buildings – one graffito reads, 'Death to fascism, freedom to the people'. Svetac, with its strong sense of history, is a fascinating place to visit but also in some ways a melancholy one. There is a sense that something precious is on the verge of slipping away. So if you want to see the Svetac largely forged through the hardships of the Zanti family, go now, before it all changes beyond recognition.
Pictures courtesy - google.co.uk
Svetac can be visited independently from the town of Komisa on the island of Vis, which is the furthest west of all the inhabited Croatian Islands. There are no scheduled ferries, however, so all travel to the island is independent, either by private or charter yacht or by asking about in town for a fisherman who may be willing to make the trip. The island is a natural haven, a breeding ground for a small number of rare Eleanora's falcons, of which there are thought to be only around 80 surviving breeding pairs. The falcons spend April-September on the island before migrating south to Madagascar. This wild and isolated island is in open water and has no natural protected harbour, which leads to respect for the family who managed to survive and thrive here for around 260 years. Be warned – this is not a place to moor if you are inexperienced – better to come with someone who knows these treacherous waters
If you do manage to make the trip to the remote island of Svetac you may well see some people who come here to maintain the vineyards and make simple repairs. These are elderly people and it is sad to think what will happen when these people cannot come any more. The wine of Svetac is said to be exemplary, though who knows for how much longer it will be produced.
Pictures courtesy - google.co.uk
I want to hear from you, so let’s get connected friends!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelezecouk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/travelezecouk
Instagram: http://instagram.com/travelezecouk
Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/traveleze/
Website: http://www.traveleze.co.uk
Google Plus https://plus.google.com/b/115099366139121419469/+TravelezeCoUktraveleze
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelezecouk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/travelezecouk
Instagram: http://instagram.com/travelezecouk
Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/traveleze/
Website: http://www.traveleze.co.uk
Google Plus https://plus.google.com/b/115099366139121419469/+TravelezeCoUktraveleze