Croatia Forum

[Istria]

Island of Losinj

120 years of tourist tradition

The year 2005 will be the year of celebration of 120 years of tourism for the northern Adriatic Island of Lošinj. Many activities on the island will take place as part of this anniversary and guests and business partners of this island, which for the most part owes its tourist success to its mild climate and of course the exceptionally beautiful landscape, will delight in various forms of entertainment, cultural and other manifestations. Namely, on the 21 January 1885 Dr. Conrad Clar with his son who was recuperating from a serious illness arrived on Mali Lošinj and after their stay in the small town of Mali Lošinj the little boy fully recovered. The news of his recovery quickly spread and soon Mali and Veli Lošinj were proclaimed climatic health resorts which meant the turning of a new tourist page in the islands development. Of the many manifestations which will mark this anniversary let us mention the presentation of the walking paths “Trails of the monarchy” in April. These paths pass through the historical part of the cove Cikat, by numerous villas of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy and mountain path which leads to the summit Osoršcica, a path which 118 years ago the heir to the Austro-Hungarian thrown, crown prince Rudolf Habsburg climbed. Also during this anniversary year will be erected monuments marking important details and people from the rich and long tourist history of Lošinj – like the fist hotel in Mali Lošinj Vindobona which was opened in 1887, the building of the Croatian reading-room, the house of the Lošinj major where the Emperor Franz Joseph I Habsburg stayed… All this year’s cultural-entertainment events in various localities will also be dedicated to the anniversary. The main celebrations will take place as part of Lošinj Day on the 24 August. At the end of September a symposium will be held on the theme of the history of Lošinj tourism, organised by the Tourist board of the City of Lošinj and the Croatian-Austrian Society from Rijeka, which will gather together renowned scientists and people from public life.

Text by Croatia.hr