Vele Srakane: Island Nature and History

Vele Srakane combines a distinctive geological character with archaeological traces. Nature and history offer two concrete perspectives on the destination; the car-free situation on Vele and Male Srakane is also relevant when planning your trip.

Getting there and the car-free situation

There are no cars on Vele and Male Srakane. A boat landing at Gornja Trata from Mali Lošinj is listed. Check the current connections before your trip and take the car-free situation into account when planning. This allows you to combine your choice of destination with the practicalities of getting there.

Geology and nature

The loess deposits on Vele Srakane, Male Srakane, Susak and Unije differ from the limestone and dolomite that predominate on the other Kvarner islands. There is almost no forest on the loess soils of these four islands. The distinctive geological substrate is associated with flora and fauna that are not found on the other Kvarner islands. Geology, forest cover, flora and fauna are thus connected in a way that links Vele Srakane with three other islands.

Vele Srakane is home to the grassland community Agrostetum maritimae. Outside the Srakane Islands, this community is largely unknown. Its scientific name provides a specific botanical and ecological reference point for the grassland and complements the island’s distinctive geological character.

Archaeological and historical traces

A prehistoric hillfort stood on Vela Straža. The old fortress on Vela Straža is a surviving remnant of a fortification that once served to defend against pirates. A prehistoric landmark and a fortification with a former defensive purpose thus offer distinct historical perspectives.

Another archaeological reference can be found at the Skrivanić house: a Roman-era tombstone is built into one corner of the house. Unlike a freestanding monument, this tombstone is incorporated into a named building. Together with the hillfort and the remains of the fortress, it offers a glimpse of the different forms of historical evidence on Vele Srakane.

Culture across the wider destination of Mali Lošinj

Across the wider destination of Mali Lošinj, museums and collections enrich the region’s cultural offerings. The Museum of Apoxyomenos is dedicated to a single artefact and opened in May 2016 in the Kvarner Palace in the centre of Mali Lošinj. The Fritzi Palace displays two of Mali Lošinj’s most important art collections: the Piperata collection of old masters and Andro Vid Mihičić’s collection of Croatian masters. The latter comprises around 360 works of art.

The Osor Archaeological Collection is also located within the wider destination of Mali Lošinj. It is housed in a Renaissance building constructed in the first half of the 15th century. The building was protected as a cultural monument in 1964.

In Veli Lošinj, within the wider destination of Mali Lošinj, the freestanding round tower complex Kula was built in the 15th century. Kula’s permanent exhibition presents the history of Veli Lošinj, its immediate surroundings and the southern part of the island of Lošinj, from prehistoric times to the present day. Maritime and tourism traditions are a particular focus.

Discover more destinations: Osor, Belej, Susak, Sveti Jakov, Veli Losinj, Ćunski, Ilovik, Nerezine

Back to the wider travel overview: Mali Lošinj.