Zlarin

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Zlarin is a small Croatian island off the Dalmatian coast, near the city of Šibenik. It covers 8.19 square kilometers and has about 18.7 kilometers of coastline. The highest point is Klepac, at 174 meters. On clear days you can see Mount Velebit and Jabuka island from there. The island is green with olive trees, fig and cypress, and its inland is largely forested. Cars are not allowed on Zlarin, keeping it quiet and clean. It lies a little over 2 kilometers from the mainland and is connected by a ferry to Šibenik and Vodice, about eight trips a day.

Population changes a lot with the seasons. In winter about 284 people live here, but from March to October the population grows to around 1,500 as people from Šibenik come to the island. In 2021 the permanent population was 293.

History goes back to the Stone Age. In the Bronze Age, nomads and Illyrians built hillforts. The Romans introduced olives and grapevines, which helped the population grow through fishing and salt production. The first written mention of Zlarin is from 1245. A church called Our Lady of Rašelj was built in 1448. In the 15th and 16th centuries more people settled here to escape Ottoman invasions. In the 17th and 18th centuries the economy grew from wine, olives, fishing, maritime trade, and coral harvesting—the island’s famous product. In the 19th century Zlarin became a small town with a telegraph, post office and a busy port. The 20th century brought emigration to the Americas. Zlarin also endured bombings during World War II.

Culture and traditions: Zlarin is known for its red coral. In summer there’s a traditional sailors’ ceremony at night for those going to the sea to find corals, with Dalmatian songs and people in local costumes. Women wear colorful folk outfits with gold jewelry; men and women wear distinctive clothes.

Events: The Zlarin Yacht Club organizes three boat regattas each year: Zlarinska regata krstaša, Latinski idrun na kureja, and the New Year Zlarinska regata krstaša. The Latinski regatna is for handmade wooden boats with Latin sails. In 2021, the population was 293.