The Zadar archipelago is by far known as one of the most coastlines and thus the most beautiful in the country. Intact sea area that covers numerous islands, islets, beaches, hidden coves of incredible colors have been attracting sailors and nature lovers worldwide for years. In fact, a visit to this private paradise awakens all the senses and offers much-needed peace, rest for body and soul.
One of the unavoidable islands of the Zadar sea waters that really needs to be visited again and again was marked as Insula Magna or Insula Maior in medieval maps. Today we call it Dugi otok (Long Island). Although literally every place on this beautiful island is special in itself and deserves a separate article, several of these have become more prominent in recent years, perhaps thanks to the social networks that have made them widely known.
They are Sakarun Beach, Veli rat Lighthouse and Telašćica Nature park with its Lake Mir.
Thanks to its exceptional beauty, wealth and significance, the mentioned cove surrounded by 13 islands and islets consists of six islets right within the cove and was proclaimed Nature Park in 1980. It abounds in exceptional plants and animals, geological and geomorphological phenomena, valuable se bed communities and an interesting archeological heritage.
The area of the Telašćica Nature Park is an area rich in opposites: quiet and peaceful beaches and a laid coast on one side, and wild steep cliffs on the other, Aleppo pine and holm oak forests on one side, and bare rocky areas on the other, cultivated fields covered with vineyards and olive groves opposed to an area of degraded forms of vegetation that cover dry habitats.
This unique cove is the most secure, most beautiful and biggest port on the Adriatic Sea adorned by mighty cliffs, the so-called “stene“, that rise up to 161 meters above sea level and descend up to 90 m into the depths. Finally, there is Lake Mir with medicinal features. . Grpašćaka, Grbašćaka or Grebašćaka, is the name of the highest and most impressive of all the Adriatic cliffs. And trust us, standing on it is almost like standing on the edge of the world. A view and a feeling to remember.
The most picturesque among the islands is the island of Katina, with the famous restaurant Mare in its cove, and the most unusual is certainly Taljurić, which looks like a plate, and is only three meters high, completely under the sea during storms, with no vegetation and looks like a flat surface.
In the surroundings of these islands, as well as in the entire Telaščica nature Park, you can see beautiful cultivated meadows and hills on which there is a rich Mediterranean vegetation with about 500 plant species and equally rich fauna. The underwater world of the park has over 300 plant and 300 animal species. To experience this magical sea world, a mask and snorkel are sufficient, or you can join one of the diving clubs that have been organizing visits to five locations in the park area for years.
Many fishermen come to fish in this area, and, of course, only when permitted. The importance of fishing in the park area is also shown by the famous Grant on the first mention of fishing in Croatia from the 10th century by which the nobles of Zadar ceded the right to catch in Telašćica to the monastery of St. Krševan (Chrysostome), and that it has been the most important economic branch. Proof of which is villa rustica in the sea strait Mala Proversa dating from the 1st century.
Precisely due to all these attractions, which we have so far managed to list, Telaščica Nature Park is one of the most visited nature parks in the country. It is visited annually by over 100 thousand visitors. It is commendable that all the income from visitors, generated by the Public Institution of the Park, is used exclusively for its protection, maintenance and promotion.