Vis and Komiža
Allow us to bring to life our jewel – the island of Vis – through a brief history.
The island of Vis is located in the heart of the Adriatic Sea, approximately 30 nautical miles from the first major city, Split. Covering only 100 km², its rich and tumultuous history (marked by frequent battles at sea and on land, and a strategic location that led to a tourism ban until 1989) has left an indelible mark. Today, the island of Vis is renowned for its astonishingly preserved nature and a multitude of still undiscovered secrets. With its remote position, it represents a true isolated oasis away from the hustle and bustle of modern civilization, and its warm, mild climate makes it attractive all year round.
There are two guardian towns of the island of Vis – Vis and Komiža – along with numerous villages and hamlets that cherish the tradition of rural life, such as Podšpilje, Podhumlje, Marine zemlje, Plisko polje, Žena glava, among others. The horizon of Vis is adorned with several small islets and rocks, such as Budikovac, Ravnik, St. Andrew’s, Brusnik, and Palagruža. The most significant is the island of Biševo, famous for its distinctive natural phenomenon, the Blue Cave, and the Bear Cave, named after its faithful inhabitant, the Mediterranean bear.
The town of Komiža is nestled at the foot of the island’s highest peak, the hill Hum. It is a typical Dalmatian town with narrow streets, houses clustered around the harbor, and numerous small beaches. Komiža has always taken pride in its fishing heritage, as evidenced today by the Fishing Museum – unique in Croatia – housed in the old Venetian tower “Komuna” along the waterfront. The museum exhibits traditional fishing tools as well as a replica of the Gajeta “Falkuša,” an indigenous Croatian boat recognized by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage program.
For Komiža, December 6th marks the feast of our heavenly protector, St. Nicholas – patron saint of travelers, seafarers, fishermen, and children, and also the town’s celebration day. This is a very special occasion for every resident of Komiža, marked by the ceremonial lighting of a sacrifice ship in front of St. Nicholas Church – a tradition that has been lovingly maintained for several centuries.
Our Komiža is also famous for its fish specialties, especially the local flatbread with salted sardines and indigenous wines such as Vugava and Malo Plavac.
But we won’t reveal everything. Visit us and experience the charm of our little piece of paradise on Earth.