CROATIA - DALMATIA - ISLAND PAŠMAN - BANJ (County of Zadar)

PAŠMAN, one of the islands in the Zadar archipelago, is situated between Zadar and Biograd N/M. It is divided from mainland by the picturesque Pašman channel with a dozen of small islands spread all over it like pearls. This part of the sea is the cleanest on the Adriatic coast thanks to the stream that changes its direction every six hours. People say for the island of PAŠMAN that it is worth coming and getting some rest here. There is so much peace and silence here that you feel as if you were in primordial times, far away from modern, nervous civilizations. Pašman has preserved its peace even in these modern times. It seems as if time has a completely different flow here - it is an oasis of peace. PAŠMAN has taken the lead position between the numerous islands of Zadar when speaking about number of preserved medieval works of art and monuments. THE BENEDICTINE MONASTERY OF SS. KUZMA AND DAMJAN in Čokovac by Tkon - besides being the famous for its clerical activities, it is even more famous as an oasis of folk literacy. It was the centre of the Glagolitic writing, an early Croatian dialect and writing. The monastery was build in the Romanesque style in the 12th century and radicaly reconstructed in the Gothic style during the 14th and middle of 15th century. THE FRANCISCAN MONASTERY OF ST. DUJE in Kraj - a very important cultural monument, built in 1390 in the Gothic style to be reconstructed in the Renaissance style in the middle of the 16th century. The most important literary in this region are: "THE BREVIARY OF PAŠMAN" from the 14th century and "THE CODE OF TKON" from 16th century - two most valuable Glagolitic manuscripts. Each place on the island has its own, originally built church (parish) and this fact makes these places special in their own way. The elements and characteristics of the island of Pašman are as follows: NATURALLY-ATTRACTIVE FACTORS - Pašman has an exceptional geographical position (the so called "tourist ring"). A bridge connects it with the island of Ugljan, which is also a tourist region. The following national parks are in its very neighbourhood: KORNATI ISLANDS, STARIGRAD-PAKLENICA, a mountain region near Zadar, and there are two bigger towns ZADAR and BIOGRAD N/M, too. The very position of the island of Pašman causes enthusiasm, ensures peace and refinement wherever you go. Each spot, each cove has its hidden charms. GEO-TRAFFIC FACTORS - relative nearness and good conections to the mainland by ferryboat lines: Zadar - Preko (island of Ugljan, the ferryboat takes 25 minutes) and Biograd N/M - Tkon (island of Pašman, the ferryboat takes 15 minutes). CLOSE CONNECTIONS AND NEARNESS of all 8 inhabited places on the island: - Tkon - Kraj - Pašman - Mrljane - Neviđane - Dobropoljana - Banj - Ždrelac. DISTINCTIVE CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGE - Benedictine monastery of SS. Kuzma and Damjan and the Franciscan monastery of St. Duje.

BANJ - "OASIS OF PEACE"

BANJ was mentioned for the first time in 1265 under the name BAGNI (from the Latin word "BALNEAE" with the meaning spa or lot of water). In the very place are situated the church SS. Kuzma and Damjan from 14th and 15th century and the today's church from 17th century, blessed in the 19th century. There is also the chapel if The Lady of the Seven Sorrows. The Chapel of the Lady of Loret, situated on the hill Bokolj (170 m above sea-level), was build at the beginning of the 20th century and festively blessed in 1937. From that year all people go on pilgrimage to the hill Bokolj on 10th May every year (it is a 25 minute walk). From Bokolj you can see the beautiful panorama of the whole Zadar and Biograd region, numerous islands and the National park Kornati. There are two apartments in a private house, by the main road, about 200 m from the sea. Each apartment consist of a room (double room), a bathroom, a kitchen, a living room with an additional bed (from two children) and a TV. The apartments are placed in a new house build in 1999. A parking lot is ensured for your cars and you can use the grill, too.

The price of the apartment is as follows: - MAY, JUNE, SEPTEMBER and OCTOBER - 30 € - JULY and AUGUST - 35 € Come and visit us! Many pleasant surprises are waiting on you and only one of them will be a one-day trip by boat. We than you in advance and wish you a pleasant stay.

Members of the family KRALJEV MELHIOR