Discover Caska: Archaeology, Bay and Coast

In Caska, archaeological traces and the coastal landscape are among the defining themes. The archaeological zone is designated as protected cultural heritage and an archaeological site. Other features include the ruins of the Church of St. George, the Tunera, Caska Bay and a small wetland. Those planning a stay in Caska will find a variety of ways to explore its history and landscape.

Archaeological traces in Caska

The ruins of the Church of St. George are registered as cultural heritage under reference number Z-4702. The present-day church probably dates from the 14th century. These two details provide a historical context for the church site without presenting the dating as certain. Caska is also associated with archaeological sites that reflect the area’s long history, as well as the estate of the Roman family Calpurnii Pisones.

Caska Bay is also part of this archaeological context: underwater archaeologists discovered an ancient harbour there that belonged to a villa owned by a Roman senator. This brings the history beneath the water into view alongside the visible historic sites. The water in the bay is shallow, boat traffic is light and currents are weak. These conditions are used to train students of underwater archaeology.

Church, fortress and Tunera

The Fortress of St. George offers another point of interest in Caska’s history. It can be seen from the road leading to Caska. The climb to the fortress is possible, but steep, so proceed with caution. When planning, this terrain feature matters more than a general assessment of the route: take the actual steepness into account when deciding whether to make the climb.

The Tunera also connects a distinctive structure with regional history. It is a cylindrical tower with a small observation point at a height of approximately 15 metres. It is also considered a monument to Pag’s fishing tradition. The Tunera’s structure and cultural significance go hand in hand: the tower is not only a landmark but also a reminder of fishing as part of Pag’s history.

Bay, beach and Blato

At Caska Beach, the entry into the sea is mostly sandy. However, the seabed drops off very steeply and becomes deep. Keep both features in mind when getting a sense of the beach: the sandy entry does not describe the seabed’s slope. The beach also has food and drink options and some recreational facilities.

Blato, at the end of Caska Bay, offers a different kind of landscape. It is a small Mediterranean wetland, adding a distinctive natural area to the coastal setting. The beach, bay and wetland are thus distinct features: the beach is characterised by its entry into the sea and steeply sloping seabed, while Blato is described as a small wetland.

Discover more at the Novalja Town Museum

The Novalja Town Museum houses a wooden anchor and a model of a sewn boat from the underwater area of Caska. Both objects provide another connection to the bay’s archaeological history, but they can be found at the museum in Novalja, not in Caska itself. The exhibition may change, so check what is currently on display before visiting. Together with the harbour and underwater archaeology training, they offer insight into different aspects of history beneath the water’s surface.

Discover more destinations: Lun, Potocnica, Stara Novalja, Kustići, Novalja.

Go to the main travel overview: Općina Novalja.