Veli Losinj Attractions

Despite the name (Veli means "big" and Mali means "small"), Veli Losinj is actually smaller and quieter than Mali Losinj. A maze of pastel houses densely surrounds the small harbor. The Croatian town of Veli Losinj is located forty minutes walk from the center of Mali Losinj.

The road goes uphill along Brade Vidulica Street to a crossroads, then downhill to Baldarka Bay, and then along a picturesque coastal trail that curves along several rocky bays and finally comes to Hotel Punta, right behind which is Veli Losinj. The road from Mali Losinj to Veli Losinj is also very scenic. It runs along the pine forest, under which there are azure bays and rocky beaches.

When you arrive to town, do not miss the opportunity to visit the Church of Svetog Antuna. To the left of the entrance is a Baroque icon by Bartolomeo Vivarini, created in 1475, "Madonna and Saints" (tempera, wood). The work was painted at the request of the Venetian Senate. Every year in honor of the naval victory at Lepanto, a religious procession was held around Venice with this icon. Shortly after the fall of the Venetian Republic, the icon was purchased by a Losinj family.

On the opposite side of the harbour is the Losinj is located Marine Educational Centre (Kastel 24; daily from June to September 9:00-12:00 and 17:00-22:00; in April, May and October 9:00-14:00; from November to March 10:00-12:00; free entry). There is a small but very interesting and informative exhibition dedicated to the fauna of the Adriatic.

The most attention is dedicated to a group of about 120 bottlenose dolphins, which often swim off the coast of Losinj and the island of Cres. A thirty-minute documentary film is shown. There are also informative computer monitors. In the children's play corner, kids will be taught to imitate the grunting of the sea turtle. You can support local ecological initiatives, for example you can take care of one of the dolphins for 20 euros per year.

Just outside the harbor, a narrow alley leads to a crenellated Venetian tower, built in 1455 for the protection of the city from Ucraco pirates. Now there is a small museum in it (from Easter to mid-September daily 10:00-12:00 and 19:00-21:00; from mid-October to mid-November 10:00-12:00). The exhibit tells the history of the island. Various maritime trinkets are on display, as well as images of ancient ships.