Interesting facts about Island of Pag
Olive Groves of Lun
North part of the Pag Island is known for its olive groves and olive oil, which make it a unique place in Croatia and in the world. Olive oil from this region has long been known as high-quality oil, which is even mentioned by Roman gourmand Marcus Gavius Apicius in the I century, who is considered to be the writer of the first cookbook. Its quality is confirmed by many awards and recognitions received by local olive producers. The area in the north-east of Dudići settlement has been a protected botanical reserve with an area of 23,6 ha since 1963.
This olive grove is especially valuable because of the old age of certain olive trees. Each olive tree is unique. They grow into bare rock and are shaped by the wind, which created the most amazing forms and a true works of art. In the area of 400 hectares there are 80 000 olive trees, out of which 1 500 trees of Oblica variety are especially interesting, since they have been grafted with evergreen variety Olea oleaster, which is a very rare variety, similar to the wild variety Mediterana.
The most important olive grove has 60 ha and is located in the south-west part of Lun Peninsula, just by the Lun town. This olive grove is a rarity, not only for Pag Island and Croatia, but for the entire Mediterranean, since it is a unique grove in the world with a large number of thousand-year-old trees in one place, something that can even be found in some famous olive groves in Greece and Israel. Studying of tree samples showed that Lun olives are one of the oldest olive varieties in the world. The oldest olive tree in Lun is around 1600 years old or even 2000 years according to the latest studies, and there are several hundreds of trees estimated to be old around 1000 years. While walking down the trails, you’ll enjoy the landscape surrounded by the clear sea and olives from Roman times.
Ancient aqueduct - Talijanova Buža
The
first thing that usually comes to mind when you think of Novalja are
the beautiful beaches, Mediterranean climate, rocky terrain and Zrće Beach, known also as “Croatian Ibiza”. However, you probably
didn’t know that Novalja can be proud of nothing less than an
ancient aqueduct! Yes, you read correctly. Popularly known as
“Talijanova Buža”, which literally means “Italian hole”,
this aqueduct was built in the I century, when Pag Island was under
the rule of mighty Roman Empire, which explains the name. Thanks to
the favourable location which was a safe haven to sailors in case of
storm, first a port was built. Later, a Roman settlement, named
Navalia, developed around the port, and, besides the aqueduct, there
is still much evidence of its existence that can be found in many
archaeological sites in the very centre of the modern city. Roman
aqueducts were built at locations with an abundance of drinking
water. Since the isle of Pag has many such springs (although it may
not seem likely because of the rocky surface), but also because of
its important location, the Romans decided to build one in Novalja.
Although many think of aqueducts as aboveground structures, that is
not true, because most of the Roman aqueducts were built underground.
As for the Novalja aqueduct, it is entirely underground. The
preserved part, which is 1.2 km long, was used to deliver water from
Novaljsko polje to Navalia and supply the local population.
There is one more aqueduct nearby which used to connect the ancient town of Cissu (present day Caska) with Kolanjsko polje. It is 8km long but is in much worse condition than “Talijanova Buža”, since it was aboveground.
Did you know?
10 Interesting facts about Croatia
1. THE SEA ORGAN - Soft sounds and warm tones that penetrate the Zadar
waterfront originated from the organ “played” by the sea. These
are the first sea organ in the world.
2. TIE - This unavoidable detail and fashion accessory to every suit was part of the Croatian Army's uniform in the 17th century. It is considered that the tie is the only Croatian symbol that is universally known and recognizable.
3. DALMATIAN - This dog with white coat, characterized by black spots and freckles, has been named after the Croatian province of Dalmatia, which is believed to be the original habitat of this breed.
4. THE NEANDERTHAL - Hušnjakovo hill in Krapina is the largest site of “Homo neanderthalensis” - population of the early man from the Middle Paleolithic Age. The findings there of paleologists and anthropologists are significant for the understanding of prehistory. Find out more about it in the Krapina Neanderthal Museum - one of the most modern museums of evolution.
5. NIKOLA TESLA - One of the greatest inventors and eccentric genius was born in Smiljan, a village near Gospić in Croatia. He left behind inventions like alternating current and wireless power transfer.
6. ISLANDS - Croatia is blessed with 1246 islands, islets and seaside bays and has more than 6000 km of coastline.
7. THEATER - At the beginning of the 17th century in the town of Hvar, the first public theater in Europe was built. With the contribution of Duke Petar Semitecola, it was a place for cultural and public events available to everyone, regardless of their social background.
8. DUBROVNIK - It is one of the first medieval towns in Europe that had a developed sewage system. Known English poet Lord Byron called the old town of Dubrovnik the “Perl of the Adriatic”, and during its history, the Renaissance was the center of education and culture.
9. TORPEDO - Torpedo as a means of destroying ships, a form we know today, is an invention of the Austro Hungarian navy officer, Croat Ivan Vukić (Giovanni Luppis). The projectile was created in Rijeka, in cooperation with the director of the Rijeka Technical Institute, the British industrialist Robert Whitehead.
10. PENKALA - Slavoljub Penkala was a Croatian founder of Polish origin. He spent most of his life in Zagreb where he patented around 80 inventions among which are the most famous automatic mechanical pencil and fountain pen with solid ink.