The mystery of the Mljet island
Untouched nature, beautiful olive groves, vineyards, forests and mystery surrounding it – welcome to the Mljet island, one of the most beautiful pearls of the Mediterranean. The Mljet island was mentioned for the fist time in ancient Greek documents in 4th century BC. Numerous Greek sailors stayed on its shores. The evidence of this are many Greek amphoras and old shipwrecks.
Since 1960 the northwestern part of the Mljet island is protected as national park, which makes the Mljet island the oldest sea national park on the Mediterranean. Beautiful nature, magical lakes, islets, crystal clear water, sandy beaches, 2500 sunlight a year are powerful reasons why the Mljet island should be your next holiday destination.
There are various legends connected with the Mljet island. According to one, Greek hero Odysseus survived the shipwreck. He swam for nine days and finally reached the shore of the Ogygia island (for which is believed to be today’s Mljet island). A cave on the Ogygia island served as his shelter. But the Ogygia island was a home of beautiful nymph Calypso. Calypso felt in love with Odysseus and kept him there as her lover for long seven years. According to the legend, they had a twins, two sons: Nausithous and Nausinous. Calypso was forced by Zeus to release Odysseus and he returned to Greece to his wife Penelope. Even today you can find Odysseus cave at the Mljet island.
According to another legend, in 61th the apostle Paul survived a shipwreck in Adria on his way from Jerusalem to Rome. He and his people found a shelter on the island full of snakes. Today is known that this was southeastern part of the Mljet island, although some people believed he found a shelter on Malta (but Malta never had snakes). Apostle Paul spend there three months and then continue his journey to Rome. Afterward locals had built a church in his honor.
Photo by: HTZ
