Kornati National Park

The Kornati National Park is the most indented archipelago in the Mediterranean.
In the waters between Zadar and Šibenik, there are 150 islands, islets and rocks that protrude the sea like turtle shells. The largest of the Kornati islands is the island of Kornat, where the Byzantine fortress of Tureta from the 6th century is located, which once served for military purposes. At the foot of the hill is the Church of St. Mary, which was most likely built at the same time as the fort. The Kornati islands are known for their "crowns", i.e. steeply cut vertical cliffs facing the open sea. The crowns formed as a result of cracks and ruptures in the earth's crust due to the movement of two tectonic plates. The strength of the sea, salt and waves further adorned the Kornati crowns. The highest "crown" is located on the island of Klobučar, 82 m above sea level, and the longest on the island of Mana with a length of 1350 m. Island Mana is also interesting for the remains of a film set that was built for the movie "As the Sea Rages" in 1959.

Until the end of the 19th century, the Kornati islands were covered mostly with pastures, which is no surprise since the main activity of the surrounding population was livestock. Rocky pastures were regularly burned to provide food for the livestock. Dry stone walls on the Kornati islands perseveringly bear witness to the hardworking Kurnatari who managed to create pieces of fertile land from the barren rocky terrain. The sparse vegetation, along with the hard labor of the Kurnatari, endowed this area with plantations of delicious olives and sweet figs. Today, the Kornati islands are a favorite destination for divers, scientists, boaters and all nature lovers. Picturesque bays, rocks, capes and underwater reefs of the Kornati archipelago and its rich flora and fauna leave all visitors of this magical national park breathless. Those experienced in diving can explore several interesting diving destinations under the expert guidance of local divers, such as Opat-Tanka Prisliga, Samograd, Mala and Vela Panitula, Kasela and Mana. Discover all the beauties of the archipelago’s underwater world with its caves, reefs and cliffs, and witness a bustling marine life, walls of red coral, colorful fish, starfish and shells.

For those who feel safer on land, there are two educational trails: Trtuša and Vela Panitula. By walking along the Trtuša trail, you will discover stories about the origin of the Kornati island and their geological peculiarity. The Panitula trail will provide you with information on the geographical, meteorological and biological features of the islands, as well as on the life of the Kurnatari, the owners of the Kornati islands. Along the island of Lavsa, there are the submerged remains of a salt work from the 14th century that protrude from the sea at low tide. The most beautiful view of the Murter Sea is from the top of hill Opat in the southeastern part of the island Kornat, as well as from Litnji vrh on Vela Smokvica. The island of Piškera offers a panoramic view of the entire park. Numerous tourist agencies from nearby Murter, Dugi Otok, Šibenik, Biograd na Moru and Zadar offer day trips to the Kornati islands under expert guidance. Do not hesitate to embark on an adventure on sea by visiting the Kornati islands, feel its miraculous power and experience the peace and solitude of paradise islands that the mighty nature has scattered like pearls across the Adriatic.