We leave Rab port at 9.30 a.m. Sailing through Barbat Channel and then through Pag Channel, we reach the town of Pag on the island of Pag at noon. Around 2.00 p.m., lunch is served on board for those guests who have paid for this service. We set sail from Pag at 3.00 p.m. and continue to one of the island’s beautiful coves for a swim. After half an hour, we sail towards Zavratnica Bay and then to the port of Rab where we arrive around 7.00 p.m. Throughout the entire trip, our crew will provide you with a commentary on all sights in five languages.
Lunch: fish or meat, salad, bread
Price of excursion: 45 EUR
Price of lunch: 15 EUR
Sights to see
The Barbat Channel separates Rab Island from the neighbouring, uninhabited islet Dolin. The remains of a small, early-Christian church and a fortress are found on the hill of St. Damian overlooking the village of Barbat. While sailing, you can also see the Parish Church of St. Stephen, built in 1850 on the foundations of an 11th century Benedictine monastery. A stone sarcophagus from the 5th century is in the church’s courtyard.
To the north, the Pag Channel borders with the Velebit mountain range, the foot of which is lined with small towns and lovely coves. The ferry port Prizno is located here, and the largest town is Karlobag. To the south, the channel borders on the rocky and inaccessible northern side of the island of Pag with a ferry landing at Žigljen. To our right, we pass Cape Christopher and enter the wide, shallow Pag Bay. The rocky landscape ends in lovely sandy beaches. As we pass the cape, to our left we have a wonderful vista of the old town of Pag. Seven wind-power installations can be seen on the hill at the Ravna site. The environment here is completely different from the barren rocks that we’ve left behind us.
Three bridges cross the deep bay, and we will dock at the first one, in the centre of the town. The basins of Croatia’s largest salt factory are located at the end of the bay, which is out of our sight. To the right of the bridge, you can see the old stone warehouses used for storing salt.
Rich in history, the Town of Pag abounds in cultural monuments. The town’s old centre is a protected cultural monument. The town was founded in May 1443, and the first cornerstone was placed for the construction of the Collegiate Church of Mary’s Assumption. Initially, the church was intended as a cathedral, but it never took on this role. The ducal palace, built during the 15th century, is located in the Square of Peter Krešimir IV, across from the church. The dukes ruled from this palace, and the sessions of the Patrician Council and the Town Council were held here. In the southwestern part of the old town, you can see the Skrivanat (15th century), the only remaining tower of ten that were once part of the walls surrounding the town. The Church of St. George and the Church of St. Francis are also important, as well as the monastery of St. Margaret. About one kilometre from the town centre, you will find the archaeological site, the Old Town, with the Church of St. Mary, and the remains of an acropolis from Ancient times. The island is also famous for its Pag lace and delicious sheep-milk cheese, both of which make an excellent souvenir, which you won’t want to leave the island without. The sandy beaches, located not more than 200 – 300 metres from the town centre, are ideal for sunbathing and swimming.
Zavratnica is a picturesque cove. As it is only 25 metres wide at its entrance and penetrates deep into the mainland, it has often been called a fjord. Being part of the Velebit Nature Park, the cove is a protected area. We turn around in the cove over a sunken WWII lighter (barge), giving you a view of it while telling you its interesting story. The cove is also known for the fact that a Winnetou movie “The Treasure of Silver Lake” was shot here.
