The Lastovo Islands – the youngest nature park in Croatia
Declared in 2006, the Lastovo islands are the youngest nature park in Croatia. The Lastovo islands archipelago consist of 44 islands, islets, reefs and rocks. The two biggest islands are the island of Lastovo and he island of Susac. The total area of the nature park is 53 sq km of land and 143 sq km of sea. The nature park has rich flora and fauna. Many plant and animal species are protected at European level.
The uniqueness of the Lastovo islands is also in their rich cultural and historical heritage. Many stone churches, picturesque chimneys known as “fumari” and traditional Lastovo Carnival are only some among them. 21 churches (out of 38) are registered as protected cultural goods. The oldest church was built in 6th century, while the oldest preserved church, church of St Luke, dates back to the 11th century.
For Lastovo chimneys is believed that they were built to demonstrate the status and wealth of the house owner. The chimneys are unique, none of them is the same and they look like minarets.
Lucica is the oldest preserved baroque fisherman's village in this part of Dalmatia. From the beginning of 17th century people started to build stone fisherman's houses there. They used them as storm shelters, storages of fishing equipment, fish salting places and boat parking.
Photo by: HTZ
