The cliff edge
378 metres above the sea, with the bay directly below.
Michael Newman — CC BY 3.0 · Stefan.lefnaer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Stefan.lefnaer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Stefan.lefnaer — CC BY-SA 4.0
A stone village on the edge of a **378-metre cliff** directly above the sea on the western coast of Cres, inhabited today by only **a handful of people**. The site has been fortified since the Bronze Age, and the present village is medieval: narrow lanes, dry-stone houses, a church and remains of walls — all on the cliff edge. It was built here for reasons both defensive and practical: the height protected against pirates, the wind dried the crops, and the grazing lay around the village. Emigration then emptied it through the twentieth century, leaving a **near-abandoned village with its buildings standing** — which makes visiting it unlike the island villages that went tourist. From the village edge the view opens over **Sveti Ivan** bay and its white pebble beach directly below. Note: **the descent to the beach on foot is very steep** — about an hour down on a rough rocky path, and longer back up. Do not underestimate it. Note: **cars are banned inside the village**, and the road to it is narrow and winding. Note: open-air **music evenings** are held here in summer.
378 metres above the sea, with the bay directly below.
Buildings standing with almost no residents — not restored for tourism.
White pebble in a bay no road reaches.
Island of Cres — about 45 km north of Mali Lošinj
Yes, and it is entirely different from Lošinj despite being joined to it by land. **Cres is larger, less populated and far emptier**: long roads between small villages, oak forest, sheep pasture and few services. Its highlights: **Cres town** with a handsome Venetian harbour, **Lubenice** on its cliff, and **Beli** in the north with its **griffon vulture** rescue centre — Cres holds one of the most important populations of that bird in the Mediterranean, nesting on the eastern cliffs. And **Lake Vrana**, the freshwater lake that supplies both islands. ⚠ **You need a car** — the distances are long and buses very few. ⚠ And the distances mislead: Mali Lošinj to Beli is about **80 km** and over two hours on a mountain road.
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