Island Ilovik

The islands of Ilovik and Sveti Petar are located in Croatia south of the island Lošinj, separated by the strait, Ilovačka vrata.

The only village located on the island of Ilovik is also called Ilovik. The circumference of the the island is 15.4 km, and it occupies an area of 5.8 km2. The coast is accessible from all sides with many secluded bays. The largest bay with a sandy beach is Parzine, located on the south-eastern part of the island.

Ilovik and Sveti Petar are separated by a canal which is 2.5 km long and 300 m wide. The location of the canal offers a natural barrier from most winds, except partially from "jugo" (south wind). The convenient location of this harbor makes it a favorite rest stop between the northern and southern parts of the Adriatic. In only a few hours, you can reach Istra, Krk, Rab, Pag, Kornati and other mid-dalmatian destinations.

In the town you will find a well-stocked store, post office, currency exchange office and several restaurants.

By ship, Ilovik is connected daily with Mali Lošinj and several times a week with Novalja, Rab and Rijeka. In the summer months, numerous tour boats from Veli and Mali Lošinj make daily stops in Ilovik.

The island is covered with mediterranean vegetation, throughout the town you will find many types of flowers, oleanders in various colors, palm trees, as well as two century-old eucalyptus trees. It is because of the abundance of flora that this island has been nicknamed "The Island of Flowers".

Due to its geographic location, the harbor between Ilovik and Sveti Petar has been used as a safe anchorage since the ancient times. This also brought the first inhabitants to these islands.

The oldest traces of civilization are from the Ilirian tribe "Liburni". Visitors can also see evidence of the ancient roman civilization. The remains of roman buildings, mosaics, coins, a burial sarcophagus as well as an underwater archeological site have been located in this area.

The walls enclosing the present-day cemetery date back to the 11th century. They were part of the Benedictine monastery. The location of the cemetery on a different island offers the opportunity to the island inhabitants to take one last boat ride even after their passing.

The castle, remains of which are seen on Sveti Petar, was built in 1600 by the Venetians. Their representative, Filippo Pasqualigo, erected it to defend the area from the pirates (uskoks). The first Croats arrived on Ilovik at the end of the 18th century from Veli Lošinj. This marks the beginning of the modern day Ilovik.

The oldest recorded name of this island, Neumae Insulae, is from 1071 AD. In the 13th century it is mentioned as Sanctus Petrus de Nimbis and later San Pietro dei Nembi. The croatian inhabitants named the smaller island Sveti Petar, the larger Tovarnjak (Asinello in italian), and finally Ilovik.

Approximately 100 people live year round on the island of Ilovik. Their main occupations are fishing, sheep herding, agriculture and tourism. An interesting fact is that three times more people from Ilovik live in the USA than on the island.

Sveti Petar, known to fellow San Pierini as Priko. It is an island that is filled with olive trees.

Position of island Ilovik