Brijuni National Park

Brijuni National Park is one of eight national parks of the Republic of Croatia. It consists of fourteen islands and islets with a total area of 3,395.00 hectares. The surface of all islands is 743.30 hectares, while the sea part of the total area is 2,651.70 hectares. Veliki Brijun is the largest island of the national park, followed by Mali Brijun and other islands: Vanga, Kozada, Sv. Jerolim, Gaz, Okrugljak… The national park itself is located along the western coast of Istria, near the town of Fažana.

In addition to the indented coastline, numerous flora and fauna, the park is known for its rich history. The earliest finds in this area are about 130 million years old, ie dating back to the dinosaur era. Footprints of dinosaurs were discovered on Veliki Brijun, Vanga, Galija and Vrsar. Neolithic pots and bowls are the first evidence of the lives of people in the islands. Since then, numerous cultural and historical remains have been found, the most famous being the Roman villa in Verige Bay, as the most magnificent countryside complex, then the Byzantine castrum as the most layered Brijuni complex and the Basilica of St. Mary from the 6th century. A place that should not be missed when visiting Brijuni is certainly Safari Park on Veliki Brijun. A walk in the park is a special experience when ostriches, zebras, llamas, camels and the favourite animal of Safari Park - the elephant Lanka - walk freely there. The park is also known for its 1600 year old olive tree. Even today it yields the fruits from which oil is produced. As many as 169 species of native plants and exotic species are found in Brijuni's Mediterranean gardens on specially designed plots. Indigenous feathered game like Zagorje turkeys and peacocks can be found by visitors in Pheasantry. It is also the winter residence of cockatoo Koki, a famous Brijuni resident who found himself there as a gift to Joseph Broz Tito's granddaughter, Aleksandra, for her birthday.