Croatia Forum

[Inge]

Hi, I read about Caput Insulae Institute that look after griffons on the Island of Cres. As I understand, the centre is in the town of Beli?
So, here are my questions:
1. Can I really see griffons up closely?
2. Can anyone tell me more about the Beli itself' Is there a place to stay for the holidays?

[Adry]

OK, first a short report on Beli!
First of all, it is not a town, but a village, situated at the highest point of the island, at 650 meters.
The town is more than 400 years old, and the Romans named it Caput Insulae (as the institute bears the name nowadays) meaning “the head of the island”. The Croatian name Beli stems from the time of Bela IV. who sought refuge here from the conquering Tartar hordes.
In Beli you can see the remains of the Roman period, Middle Age fortifications, churches, old Roman bridge over the canyon and a stone head of king Abel, the Glagolitic enscription on the tombstones... Beli is excellent chpice if you want to spend your holidays peacefully.
To answer the rest of your question -you can stay with the locals here, I believe they would be more than glad to rent you a romm in their house. Also, near the beach there is a camping place.
And, now, the griffons... You can actually see them from the close vicinity as they are in cages. I remember when I was visiting it, they told us to be quiet and not to disturb the birds.
anyway, it is a really interesting experience to go and observe those huge, majestic birds...

[Inge]

thank you adry on your answer.
i have one more question: is there some presentation by staff on the griffon culture i can listen to?

[Kristian]

did you know that you can also adopt a griffon?

[Lori]

did you know that you can also adopt a griffon?

oh, my god, who would want to adopt that huge huge huge bird????????

[Kristian]

did you know that you can also adopt a griffon?

oh, my god, who would want to adopt that huge huge huge bird????????

women
they would all want to adopt a dolphin but a bird -god forbid

[JelenaK]

did you know that you can also adopt a griffon?

oh, my god, who would want to adopt that huge huge huge bird????????

women
they would all want to adopt a dolphin but a bird -god forbid

men and their i-am-larger-than-god attitude
come on, you cannot even compare dolphins and griffons, dolphins are playable and enjoyable and sweet...
and try playing with a griffon

anyway, how much does it cost to become a proud parent of a griffon?

[Jackie]

well, can we agree this way: women adopting a dolphins, men big "bad" griffons...
that way we are all doing something good

[Kristian]

here you go proud future parents to be: 50 EUR a year.
reasonable enough, it seems to me

[Adry]

thank you adry on your answer.
i have one more question: is there some presentation by staff on the griffon culture i can listen to?

since nobody here seems to be bothered with this question, but are discussing parenting love , i guess i´ll be the one to answer you:
Yes, Inge, there is also a possibility of listening to a presentation, but also a possibility of having educational tour that costs 60 euro per person a day.

[JelenaK]

60 EUROs for an educationa tour is too much, even if it lasts all day, which i sincerely doubt