The island of Mljet in Croatia

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Presentation

General information

Mljet is the southernmost island of the Croatian archipelago and largest of the islands of the area of Dubrovnik. Long and narrow, it consists of a mountainous peak (of 300 with more than 500 m of altitude), dominating of deep bays to the steep banks. In the extreme south of the country, she faces the peninsula of Pelješac (to 8 km). The island of Mljet is also most wooded of the Croatian islands and even of the Adriatic with a very indented littoral; the forest recovers approximately 70% of its surface. This splendid natural framework, its flora and its preserved fauna, its thick timbered cover, the beauty of its landscapes and its inheritance were worth to him to be classified, in 1960, Croatian National park for its Western part, that is to say 31 km², a third of the surface of the island. Mljet, so remained very wild and little built.

Etymology
Mljet (to pronounce “mliète”) is named in Italian Méléda and Latin Melita. The Latin name Melita comes from the Greek “melite nesos”, which means the “honey island”.

Situation

Mljetski kanal. Click to enlarge the image.

The island of Mljet is located between the island of Korčula and the town of Dubrovnik. It is separated from the peninsula of Pelješac by the channel of Mljet (Mljetski kanal).µ

Visits

National park of Mljet
This splendid park covers one the Western third of the island. The two salted lakes, Malo jezero and Veliko jezero, are also part of curiosities of the park, just as the monastery Benedictine of the Romance time, insulated on its small island. One sees them very well since the top of Montokuc. It reigns a great silence in the park. Paying entry: 90 kunas. The ticket includes the passage in boat for the Saint Mary small island. The park starts to approximately 17 km of Sobra where the ferry of Dubrovnik arrives.

History, literature, arts, traditions, legends, religions, myths, symbols…

History

Mljet was for the first time mentioned by Homère: according to descriptions of the Greek epopee of the Odyssey, many historians think indeed that the island of Mljet is the island of Ogygia, the splendid island where the winds of Poséidon pushed Ulysses which the Calypso nymph kept during seven years, making him forget Ithaque.

Another legend tells that into 61 after J. - C., holy Paul made shipwreck in the vicinity of Mljet. Although the historians did not prove it, the inhabitants use many times his name in their expressions and their prayers.

The Romans settled in the island, called Melita, and built a large palace with Polače, then Illyriens populated the interior of the island.

Mljet was then offered to monks Benedictines of the area of Apulia in Italy, before returning under the authority of Dubrovnik at the 14th century.

Formerly, the island of Mljet was infested poisonous snakes. Imported mongeese of India in 1910 disencumbered some, but the small mammals proliferate in their turn and now, one says, fear the snakes!

Practical information

General information

To arrive on foot
In season, from June 1st to September 30th, company G&V Line ensures a fast connection by catamaran which allows the return ticket in the course of the day since the new port of Dubrovnik, Gruž (crossed in 1:30; tariff: 100 kunas return ticket). Except season, it is necessary to spend the night on the island.

Website: www.gv-line.hr or http://www.korculainfo.com/ferries/catamaran-dubrovnik-mljet-korcula-lastovo.htm
To arrive by car
Car-ferries connect all the Dubrovnik year to Sobra (1 to 2 crossings per day except season and up to 4 per day in summer; 2:00 duration) (approximately 70 kunas return ticket). While coming from Dubrovnik, one can also go by vehicle to the peninsula of Pelješac and take the ferry: Jadrolinija opened a line between Prapratno (peninsula of Pelješac, to 4 km of Ston) and Sobra. It functions all the year (1 to 2 or 3 crossings per day; 1:30 duration). in season, the company Sem Marina ensures a connection definitely less expensive by a small vat between Trstenik (peninsula of Pelješac) and Polače (Pomena) (2 to 3 crossings per day; 1:45 duration). If one arrives by the car-ferry of Sobra one finds the bus local (25 kunas) which ensures on each arrival the connection with the villages. The port is to approximately 2 km of the village of Sobra itself.
The coastal line coming from Rijeka, via Split, Hvar and Korčula, made stopover with Mljet 2 to 3 times per week in summer.
Displacement on the island
The local buses ensure the service road of Sobra, Babino Polje, Polače and Pomena on arrival of the boats. But the oriental party of the island, towards Okuklje and Saplunara, is not served.

Visiting times
Walk on foot and cycling make it possible best to discover the National park of the island of Mljet, even if some parts of the Park are accessible in the car.

Hotels
Odisej hotel
The only hotel located inside the National park of Mljet. Website: www.hotelodisej.hr