Cres
861101
222836818
2008-07-01T10:33:10Z
79.16.180.210
{{Infobox Islands
| name = Cherso/Cres
| image name = Filozici-Cres.jpg
| image caption = Filozići
| image size =
| locator map = Croatia - Cres.PNG
| native name =
| native name link = Croatian
| nickname =
| location = [[Adriatic sea]]
| coordinates = {{coor title dm|44|57|N|14|24|E|}}
| archipelago =
| area = 405.78 km²
| highest mount = Gorice
| elevation = 648 m
| country = Croatia
| country admin divisions title = [[Counties of Croatia|County]]
| country admin divisions = [[Primorje-Gorski Kotar County|Primorje-Gorski kotar]]
| country capital city =
| country largest city = [[Cres (town)|Cres]]
| country largest city population = 2,959
| country leader title =
| country leader name =
| population = 3,184
| population as of = 2001
| density = 7.9
| ethnic groups =
| additional info =
}}
'''Cres''' (pronounced "Tsres" in [[Croatian language|Croatian]], {{lang-it|Cherso}}, {{lang-de|Kersch}}, {{lang-la|Crepsa}}, [[Greek language|Greek]]: ''Chèrsos'', ''Χερσος'') is an [[Adriatic]] island in [[Croatia]]. It is one of the northern islands in the [[Kvarner Gulf]] and can be reached via ferry from the island [[Krk]] or from the [[Istria]]n peninsula (line [[Brestova]]-[[Porozina]]).
With an area of 405.78 km², Cres is, together with [[Krk]] which is the same size (but thought to be the largest for years), the largest Croatian island. The island has a population of 3,184 (2001).
Cres and the neighbouring island of [[Lošinj]] once used to be one island, but were divided by a channel and connected with a bridge at the town of [[Osor]]. Cres's only fresh water source is the [[Lake Vrana]].
==History==
<!-- This history section has been changed from a book however the ideas and the actual historical aspect were researched by the author of the book, in which you can see in the Reference Section, under subscript 2 -->
Cherso/Cres has been inhabited since Paleolithic time period and was later ruled by the Roman Empire. After the fall of the Roman Empire the island was taken over and became a part of the Byzantine Empire, and remained this way for centuries. In th 7th Century the Croats invaded the island, and the other islands around it, and took the islands over, however the Croats returned the islands in the eary 800's (believed to be somewhere around 812).
Around 822 Croatia became an independent state, while on the island Croat-Roman tensions grew. Then, around 866 the inhabitants saw the first conflicts between the Croats and Venetians. The Venetians eventually set up their rule of the islands in the 10th and 11th centuries.
However the Croats regain the islands and the islands goes through a changing of rulers for Centuries, being ruled by Croats, Hungarians, and for 400 years the Venetians rake control of the islands. However, Napoleon's victory over the Venetians created Austrian rule on the island, which quickly changed hands again to French Rule.
After the fall of Napoleon, Austria once again takes control of the island for 100 years, during this time we see the rising economy on the island with olive trees, sage, and other plants becoming key to the success of the island. At the end of World War I, with the [[Treaty of Rapallo]] signed in 1920, the island was once again handed over to Italian Rule. This lasted until 1947 when the Islands, along with Istrian Peninsula, were assigned to Croatia.
The island has gone through an agricultural down slope, as certain amount of residents left. This has caused a majority of plants to become over grown and just recently people have been returning and the citizens have seen the island industries grow, both agriculturally, and from tourism.
==Towns of Cres==
There are many towns on the Island that are all connected by a single road that runs down the middle of the island, on one side is the ferry from the main land (around the city of [[Pula]]) and on the other side is the bridge to [[Lošinj]], which was once connected, but are now separated by a water way, when coming on to the island from the side of Pula you will first encounter Porozina, a list of the Towns and Descriptions are right below:
* [[Porozina]] ({{lang-it|Faresina}}) - A small town which simply has the ferry terminal and some small shops.
* [[Beli (Croatia)|Beli]] ({{lang-it|Caisole}}) - This small town at the end of a long and very narrow road is home to a very famous bird, the endangered [[Griffon Vulture]].
* Cres - See below.
* Orlec - Another small town at the end of a narrow road, also home to the endangered Griffons.
* [[Valun]] - This town can be seen on your way to Lubenice (see below) it costs money to park, no cars are allowed in the town.
* [[Lubenice]] - An ancient mountain village with a great view of the sea and neighboring islands. A restaurant and bar operate during the warmer months. Weekly musical concerts take place during the peak tourist season.
[[Image:StivanBeach.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Stivan Beach]]
* [[Belej]]
* Stivan - On a side street this small town of 16 people is a beautiful town with a very private beach, old houses and a great church and is on the way to many other towns.
* Miholašćica - A small town that with a small church with its same name (St. Michael), this town has seen some growth in tourism since the arrival of the Zaglav community nearby.
* Martinšćica - The home of a very large vacation complex Slatina, along with beautiful beaches and of course, some very nice cafes.
* [[Osor]] - A town on the "border" between two islands. Founded by the Romans who also dug the channel thus dividing what was then known as the Osor island into Cres and Lošinj. Then a major port and commercial centre started to fade with coming of larger ships that could not pass the narrow channel or dock in the shallow port.
* [[Pernat]] - The western most village on Cape Pernat. A quaint and rustic village with considerable charm. It forms a perfect gateway to numerous walking trails and secluded beaches. An ideal location to get away from it all.
* Podol - Between Lubenice and Valun. A tiny hamlet that resembles a large farmhouse. Its key feature is the mulberry tree located in the middle of the road. Blink and you may miss it.
* [[Punta Kriza]] - The southern most part of Cres. FKK resort is located here.
* [[Vidovici]] - A short distance uphill from Martinšćica. A village with an extraordinary view of the Istrian Peninsula and numerous islands including Zeča, Lošinj and Unije forming part of the archipelago. A restaurant operates in the evenings during the warmer months.
==The Town of Cres==
For a full article please see [[Cres (Town)]]
The town of Cres is more like a city and is a great one at that, its centre filled with shops where tourists can buy Cres' specialties, home made olive oil and wine. The town is not made for cars, it is a walking city, and can be related to many Italian cities due to its narrow streets. Cres also has a marina nearby, which has recently been awarded the blue flag status, with many boats in it. A picture of the town's port can be seen below.
[[Image:CresShipPort.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Cres Port]]
==Construction and Improvements==
A massive work effort is taking place on the main road, it is being widened and is being brought further away from the cliffs, the road is also cutting out dangerous turns and other threats to those driving. It is also keeping trucks and cars away from Lake Vrana, to keep it clean. As of July 2007, the work is about 30-40% complete. The work, being done by construction company GP Krk is not only allowing a safer driving network, but is also allowing larger amounts of tourism and allowing traffic to move faster around the island, while still protecting the public.
==Lake Vrana==
Cres has its very own fresh water lake, which is very highly guarded and illegal to swim or fish in. It supplies water to neighboring [[Lošinj]] as well. It is one of the deepest fresh water lakes in Eastern Europe, going down 76 meters at its deepest point (>50 m below sea-level).<ref>Roland Schmidt, Jens Müller, Ruth Drescher-Schneider, Robert Krisai, Krystyna Szeroczyńska, Ante Barić; Changes in lake level and trophy at Lake Vrana, a large karstic lake on the Island of Cres (Croatia), with respect to palaeoclimate and anthropogenic impacts during the last approx. 16,000 years, ''J. Limnol.'', 59(2), '''2000''', 113-130. </ref>
===Myth of Lake Vrana===
Lake Vrana myth or legend states that there is a castle under the lake. The rich sister that lived in the castle would not give her poor sister money or food. As a result she was punished by her castle being flooded during a severe thunderstorm which caused Lake Vrana to be created. The story goes on and tells that on some windy days if one listens very carefully even today, the tower bells can still be heard ringing.
==External links==
{{commons|Category:Island of Cherso/Cres}}
* [http://www.cres.hr/ City of Cherso/Cres]
* [http://www.tzg-cres.hr/ Cres Tourist Board]
* [http://www.island-cres.info/ Island Cres Info]
* [http://www.cresbynight.com/ What's going on in Cres]
* [http://www.cresisland.com/ Unstress on Cres - Croatia's Ideal Holiday Destination]
* [http://www.comunitachersina.com/ Italian community of Cherso]
* [http://www.islandcres.com/ Island Cherso/Cres - your perfect holiday in Croatia]
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
* [http://www.dzs.hr/Hrv_Eng/ljetopis/2006/01-Binder.pdf Geographical and meteorological data, Statistical yearbook 2006., DZS]
* "Cres and Losinj: Strolling through the islands and islets" Nadir Mavrovic, Nerezine 1997. Televrina d.o.o. Nerezine
{{refend}}
{{Inhabited Islands of Croatia}}
[[Category:Islands of Croatia]]
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