St. John

Rovinj's archipelago is one of the lushest and the most beautiful ones in the north Adriatic Sea. It has 19 islands, islets and rocks, some of which will be mentioned here (see map). The certainly most well-known islands are Red Island and St. Catherine Island, which are at the same time the biggest islands and the only ones that are «populated», which of course relates to the summer season, when they are visited by thousands of foreign and domestic guests. The simplest way to reach those islands is by a liner, whereas the remaining islands can be seen through private arrangements, that is to say, through a private or a rented craft, since smaller and bigger crafts can be rented in various places in Rovinj.

	Jedrilcom na Sturag

When talking about the islands of Rovinj, the island of St. John, or, as it is called by local poeple, San Giovanni, must certainly be mentioned. The island itself was populated since ancient times, and today remains of the tower and the Benedictine church of St. John still exist, but unfortunately in disrepair, since the island was abandoned after Napoleon's arrival to this area, probably somewhere around 1806.

It is assumed that the Benedictines rarely left the island, since they also had a water tank. San Giovanni is the most popular resort of many guests and local people, because of its nature and cristal clear water. Every year a group of nature loving hunters and citizens cleans the island from various garbage that is brought by the stream and from litter left by unconscientious guests.

Very closeby St. John island, Rovinj's only island lighthouse, St. John at sea, is located. The lights from the island have been helping seafarers to determine their position for 150 years, and in the past few years it is also possible to spend the summer holiday there, of course, in a Robinson Crusoe style. Rovinj's archipelago has some additional interesting islands, such as Samer, or the donkey island, where rumour has it that the people of Rovinj used to bring their old and ill donkeys and let them live the rest of their time left in peace and quiet.

St. John at sea

There, you will also find Banjole Island, the so-called seven-hair island (because of its rare plant covering), which is interesting because of its cave that is in its most part undersea. Most of the islands are covered by wildly growing plants of which some are wooded, mainly with conifers. Many islands are also natural bird habitats, mostly habitated by seagulls. The beaches on the islands are mostly rocky, in some places the rocks are very rough so that you have to be very cautious.

Text: Slobodan Hercigonja