Basic facts about Losinj

Losinj is an island in the Kvarner region and the seventh largest island in the Adriatic. Losinj Island consists of 14 villages: Belej, Cunski, Ilovik, Male Srakane, Mali Losinj, Nerezine, Osor, Punta Kriza, Susak, St. Jakov, Unije, Ustrine, Vela Srakane and Veli Losinj. Mali Losinj has moderately rainy climate with the warmest months of July, which has a mean temperature of 24.5 º C and the coldest February and 7.7 º C. Medium daily temperatures over 20 º C can be expected from the beginning of June until the end of September. Temperature from mid-June until late September are more than 20 º C, and in that time more comfortable for swimming.

History of Losinj

Cres-Losinj archipelago in antique time was called with common name Apsyrtides. The name is related to the legend of the mythical hero Apsyrtu. Islands Cres and Losinj in their ancient past makes the whole, but the needs for trade and Jantar road, separated islands by an artificial canal dug by Osor.

The oldest settlements on the islands (Lubenice, Osor, Beli) remembers long history of 4000 years, and Osor was the seat of the diocese in IX. century. Virtually uninhabited until the mid-13th century until the 19th century, Losinj developed into one of the leading regional maritime power, and the city of Mali Losinj, behind Trieste, the second most important port on the Adriatic. Residents from Losinj were appreciated for their skills of sailing, as well as the best sailors in the Mediterranean.

Town Mali Losinj had in the 19th century six shipyards. Thanks to them, Mali Losinj became the European shipbuilding and shipping force - the number of sailing ships built for long voyages rose for a time in Austria-Hungary shipbuilding to second place. Losinj shipping had in the second half of the 19th century, almost 150 sailing ships, which is more than the entire neighboring Istria. Sailing reached the peak of the 1855th and 1870th, when the sailboats sail Losinj 1400 captains and sailors.

The beginnings of tourism date back in 1885. year when the original form of tourism on the island appeared health tourism. 21st january 1885th year registered the first tourists of the island. The first hotel in Mali Losinj was called Vindobona, and was built in 1887th thanks to the exceptional characteristics of the climate of Losinj in 1892. declared a health resort, by a decree of the Ministry of Health of Austria-Hungary monarchy. Losinj has become one of the favorite destination for some rest of Austro - Hungary aristocracy, which is had on island built numerous villas and summer homes that adorn it today. Summer tourism began to develop more in Losinj after 1905th g. when the baths were built, hotels and guesthouses in Cikat.