Susak

The island of Susak (Italian: Sansego ) is a Croatian island in the Adriatic. It is located southwest of the island of Lošinj and south of Istria, and is part of the Kvarner bay.

Geography

Susak is a gently hilly island, the area is 3.7 km ². The expansion of the island is a maximum of 3 km x 1.5 km. The highest point of the island is 96 m high Garba, on which a lighthouse. The island consists of a limestone base overlain by sandy clay and is mainly covered with reeds, and blackberry vines overgrown. The island thus acts ( even in summer) very green and stands out by this flora significantly in appearance from the neighboring islands (eg Unije and Ilovik ) from. Southeast of the only settlement on the island is a shallow sandy bay ( Bok ).

Settlement history and culture

The only settlement on the island is the same place Susak with about 200 inhabitants and is situated in a bay on the northeastern side of the island. The place is in the districts Gornje Selo (Upper Village ) and Donje Selo (sub village ) divided. The inhabitants of the island live primarily on tourism, viticulture and fishing. Other agriculture has a minor role, primarily for their own use as sheep farming, cultivation of olives and figs. Importantly, the island is for anthropologists. Due to the remoteness of the island an old Croatian dialect has been preserved in the population. The shape of the heels of the islanders is considered of particular cultural value, since this is the only costume in Europe, where the skirt ends above the knee.

During the communist era, many residents Susaks emigrated to the United States.

Attractions

In the church dedicated to St. Nicholas ( in Gornje Selo ) from the 11th century is a large crucifix, called the "Great God ", from the 12th century. According to legend, the wooden crucifix was first washed up on the island, after which it was brought into the church. Since this can not be out done, since the cross through that door, through which it was brought, no longer fit through at once, though nothing has been changed on the door.

The lighthouse is located at the summit Garba. At this point, there was already in prehistoric times a fortress, later as a lookout. He is one of the largest and most important lighthouses in the area.

Off the coast of the island are two ancient shipwrecks, which can be visited during dives. A ship transporting processed stone pillars and building material, while the other tiles shipped.

Close to the port is the former fish processing factory. 1939 this was built by a company from Venice. 150 workers had processed there several tons of fish every day. In 1964, the factory was closed in 1982 the building demolished. However, the former administrative building is still preserved. Today is a small supermarket on the site of the factory.

Traffic

Except for a few tractors, the island is car-free. Upper and lower village are connected by three concrete stairs, tractors can achieve a longer, more even, but not asphalted Oberdorf.

From Rijeka runs daily except Thursdays a passenger catamaran, the battleship " Premandura " runs daily from Mali Lošinj.

The catamaran from Rijeka pulls into the port of Susak