Island Olib

Olib is an island in northern Dalmatia, located northwest of Zadar, southwest of Pag, southeast of Lošinj and just east of Silba.

First inhabited by settlers from the Roman Empire, Olib is first mentioned in documents from the 10th century as Aloep Island.

The Olib coast Croatian inhabitants arrived in the mid to late fifteenth century, from Vrlika in the Cetinska Krajina, fleeing the Ottoman invasions. Due to these immigrants, the Chakavian dialect of the Croatian language is spoken on Olib.

The island has many historic buildings and ruins. Among these are the Parish Church Assumption of Mary with its collection of antiquities including Glagolitic codices in the treasury of the parish rectory (dating back from 17th century); the Tower of "Kula" which was built for protection from pirates; and the ruins of St.Paul's Church and Monastery, abandoned in the 13th century.

Exports of Olib include wine, olive oil, and cheese.

Olib is connected to the mainland by ferry to Zadar via the islands of Silba and Premuda. The journey takes approximately two hours.

Position of island Olib