Discover Zbičina

Zbičina lies in historic Gerbin in the west of Cres. The village’s character combines distinctive rural architecture with chapels, old routes, and a gravel cycling route. For orientation, it is helpful to consider these connections separately: the old roads led toward several settlements, while the cycling route starts at Cres marina and runs via Valun to the higher-lying villages. This offers different ways to explore the destination through its history, architecture, and cycling.

Old Routes and Cycling Connection

Zbičina lies at a crossroads of old roads leading toward Lubenice, Pernat, Podol, and Valun. These four destinations provide a specific framework for understanding the area’s historical geography. They show which settlements Zbičina was connected to by the old routes.

The historic roads and the gravel route answer different questions about orientation: the old routes place the village within a network of historical connections, while the cycling route describes a specific route from Cres marina via Valun. Zbičina is therefore both a crossroads of older roads and one of the destinations on the cycling route.

Architecture and Chapels

The houses in Zbičina have a strikingly vertical form, setting them apart from typical residential buildings in neighboring settlements. In comparisons between villages, one specific feature of the local houses stands out: their tall, upward-reaching appearance. This gives anyone interested in rural architecture a clear point to look for when exploring the village.

The two chapels also offer different ways to explore the area’s history. Majka Božja od Zdravlja stands at the entrance to Zbičina and was built in 1912. Kapela sv. Mihovila is classified as a protected immovable individual cultural asset; the related heritage listing is dated March 12, 2024. The chapel at the village entrance can be understood through its year of construction, while Kapela sv. Mihovila can be understood through its protected classification. Together, they make religious cultural heritage tangible in two different ways.

Valley, Hills, and Views

The landscape can also be described through specific sightlines. Below Zbičina lies the deep Dolci valley; above it is the steep, wooded hill of Komunada. Looking north and east, you can see toward Valun Bay, Veli verh, and Perska. The surrounding area also has panoramic viewpoints with views of Lake Vrana.

Access to Lake Vrana is strictly prohibited because it is the only source of drinking water for both islands. The view of the lake and access to it must therefore be clearly distinguished.

Cycling via Valun

The gravel route is a highlight for cycling travelers. It starts at Cres marina and initially follows the Cres water pipeline. Via Valun and the higher-lying villages, the route reaches Pernat, Podol, Zbičina, and Lubenice. This makes Zbičina part of a connection linking the marina starting point with several places in the hill country.

The route from Cres marina to Valun is approximately 15 kilometers long. This distance refers to the route as far as Valun, not the entire connection to Zbičina. This gives you a specific reference point for planning your trip; the villages mentioned also show which other destinations lie along the route.

Discover more destinations: Merag, Grmov, Valun, Lubenice, Martinšćica, Cres, Miholascica, Loznati.

Go to the main travel overview: Cres.