Island of Prvić, Faust`s island
The island of Prvić is situated in the Šibenik archipelago, just in front of the St. Anthony Channel, near Šibenik and Vodice. The nearest mainland is only 900 meters away. Its area is only 2.41 square kilometers, while the length of the coast is 10.6 km. The highest peak, Vitković, is 79 m high. The boat trip to Prvić from Šibenik, a panoramic view of the city, passing through St. Anthony’s Channel, the view of Zlarin, Lupac and other islands that appear on the horizon, is just the beginning of an extraordinary experience of Prvić, an island without cars. The same Jadrolinija boat line goes from Vodice as well, so it is possible to access the island from another, equally attractive side. Peace and quiet, untouched nature and clear sea make Prvić distinguish from coastal places on mainland. Prvić is a small island that can be seen in one day by foot, enjoying the scent of the sea, a characteristic Dalmatian
landscape in which pine forests alternate with cultivated fields, chapels on rocks, hidden beaches. The view on uninhabited blue-green islands descends all the way to Kornati islands, while the mountains Velebit and Dinara, as well as the island of Vis are visible from few places on the island. The locals and visitors of Prvić can enjoy along the pedestrian-cycling trail by the sea, but also crossing the hills, the pathways along vineyards, olive groves and orchards, making it an ideal destination for hiking and trekking. A swimmer and sunbather can choose between sandy-pebble beaches of Šepurine and the cliffs on the less crowded places along the seafront.
There are two different views on the origins of the island’s name: first that the island was named after the old Croatian pagan god of spring, Prvić or Prvina, and secondly because it is the first to mainland. Prvić is inhabited since classical period, evidenced by archaeological remains from several locations in Prvić Luka. Continuity of population at the island is evident and can be seen from old Croatian jewelry found from 9/10 century in graves, stored in the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb, and a records about Benedictine monastery in the 10th century in an unknown location. Already in the Middle Ages Prvić, next to Zlarin, was the exclusive resort of the Šibenik aristocracy and wealthy citizens, as well as their place to escape the plague. This was
preceded by the Šibenik noble families Tavelić, Divnić, Šižgorić and Draganić-Vrančić, and only the last of them preserved a renaissance summer residence in the area of today’s Šepurina – the same one in which a good part of his childhood spent Faust Vrančić. In the mentioned properties, there were, apart from the summer houses and the commercial building, also the people who worked on the nobility’s property. Over time, when people from hinterland ran from Turks, the settlement Luka developed around the monastery and the church of St. Mary of Grace in the 15th century, while the another village of Šepurine was created later in the 16th century.
In the past, the local population was most engaged with the cultivation of Mediterranean cultures and cattle-breeding, trade, maritime affairs and, of course, fishing, and less well-known, with sponge and coral collecting, whereby Krapanj and Zlarin later took over the main role. In the 19th century, people from Prvić owned more fishing and merchant ships than all the places from Murter to Primošten together. People from Prvić are owners of many overseas property, especially on the uninhabited islands of the archipelago, but also the greater part of the Srima peninsula, where they have left a significant footprint with their contribution to the drystone heritage. Today Prvić tries to cultivate sustainable family, nautical, cultural and ecological tourism. Apart from
the hotel Maestral, it is possible to stay in private accommodation. In traditional dishes, fresh fish and seafood, as well as meat specialties, you can enjoy right next to the sea, on the terraces of four restaurants and two taverns. On the island there are also two pizzerias and several cafe bars. In both settlements there is a shop, green market and post office. In Prvić Šepurine, islanders attend the first four grades of elementary school and then later travel to the mainland. According to the latest census of 2011, Prvić Luka had 164 and Prvić Šepurine 239 inhabitants. The main island road connects Prvić Luka and Prvić Šepurine. It takes only ten minutes of pleasant walk along the island’s landscape.
Regarding the cultural monuments, in Prvić Luka there are church and monastery of St. Mary of Grace from the 15th century. The monastery has been for centuries the bigest foothold of the Slavic church service in the Šibenik area. Faust Vrančić, was buried in this church by his last will, and his body was taken by boat from Venice. On the way to Šepurine, there is church of Nativity of the Virgin Mary, situated between the new playground and the water well which was the main water supply for people from Prvić until the arrival of the public water system on the island in 1978. There are two churches in Šepurine: St. Jelena (also known as St. Roko) in the center of the settlement, from 17th century and the church of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, from the end of the 19th century, next to the Renaissance mansion of the Draganić-Vrančić family. Interesting artillery items from World War I and II are located on the three highest elevations of the island.
Memorial center
"Faust Vrančić"
Ulica I 1a
22233 Prvić Luka
island of Prvić
All rights reserved Memorijalni
centar Faust Vrančić 2019.
NEWSLETTER
Sign up for our newsletter
and stay in progress with our
latest events.
SIGN UP
FOLLOW US
CONTACT
- +385 (0)91 524 0739
- +385 (0)22 448-128
- ravnateljica@mc-faustvrancic.com
