Krapanj
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Geography | |
---|---|
Location | Adriatic Sea |
Coordinates | 43°40′20″N 15°54′50″E / 43.67222°N 15.91389°E |
Area | 0.36 km2 (0.14 sq mi) |
Highest elevation | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) |
Administration | |
Croatia | |
County | Šibenik-Knin |
City | Šibenik |
Largest settlement | Krapanj (pop. 170) |
Demographics | |
Population | 170 (2011) |
Pop. density | 658/km2 (1704/sq mi) |
Krapanj is an island in the Adriatic Sea, located south of Šibenik, Croatia.
Krapanj is one of the smallest inhabited islands of the Adriatic Sea covering 0.36 km2. It is also the most densely inhabited island and has the lowest elevation (1.5 m above sea level). Krapanj is 300 m offshore at its closest point from the mainland village of Brodarica.
Geography
The average elevation is about 2 metres (6 feet 7 inches) and the highest point is 7 metres (23 feet)
Geology
Krapanj is composed of Mesozoic limestone and dolomite.
Climate
The island of Krapanj is situated in the central part of the Croatian littoral and is characterised by a warm, dry Mediterranean climate. According to data from the nearest weather station, in Šibenik, for the period from 1986 to 1996 the average annual temperature was 15.5 °C (60 °F) and the average annual precipitation 711.7 mm (28.02 in).[1]
History
Many of the
Krapanj came under the possession of the
Since the work of the Franciscan friars was closely connected to the inhabitants of the island, in 1652, the monastery was given a parish and the friars began offering spiritual and other assistance to parishes on the mainland. The remains of the old church walls, in part, can be seen by the front door of the cloister. The church was expanded in 1937, and the wall bearing the consecration date (May 15, 1523) joins the new church building with the cloister.
Krapanj was the most densely populated of all Croatian Islands given a lucrative economy. But from the middle to late 20th century, many inhabitants fled communism and poverty by emigrating to Australia, Canada and the United States. Adding to the trend of depopulation, the population decreased from 1,767 in 1981 to only 170 in 2011.
Art and culture
The island of Krapanj's culture and traditions reflect the Dalmatian way of life. Hard work, good food and a healthy lifestyle embodies the seaside rock houses and tiny side-streets. Krapanj takes pride in its origins of deep sea diving and generally personifies a seafaring culture.
Krapanj's tourist industry is vastly underdeveloped, with the main factor being the prohibition of vehicles on the island. As a result, the island has kept many of the old-world traditions that add a unique charm.
The art of producing
Krapanj holds a host of cultural antiquities in the monastery including "The Last Supper" by the 16th-century Italian artist Francesco da Santa Croce and a Renaissance painting titled "The Black Madonna On The Throne".
The biggest event on the island's calendar is the annual Krapljanska Fešta. The day-long festival is held on 2 August and celebrates Gospe od Anđela ("Our Lady of the Angels"). Thousands of people gather on the island for the cultural feast of good food, good wine and centuries of culture. The locals annually proclaim "a night the island almost sank".
Cuisine
Krapanj's island culture has spread throughout the region as many inhabitants now live in mainland Brodarica. Traditionally fish, clams and octopus are either grilled over dried vine leaves or cooked in a wood-fired oven. The signature dishes of the region are Squid Ink Risotto, Octopus Potato Salad and Grilled Fish.
Economy
Deep sea diving
Krapanj has a rich history in
By the middle of the 20th century the industry peaked with the inception of breathing apparatus and motorised boats.[3] Crews would generally dive 6 times a day, over 20 days taking turns one at a time at depths of over 40 metres (131 feet). It was a dangerous occupation as just the weight of the suit was 100 kg (220 lb) and the constant danger of decompression sickness discouraged generations to come.
The small industry still persists, with sponges from Krapanj sold throughout Europe with a primary market in Greece and Italy. The cosmetic market has in recent years opened the market for Krapanj sponges on an international scale.
The tradition of diving has in latter days given rise to
The Krapanj monastery museum permanently exhibits a show on sea sponge diving.
Tanfara family private museum Spuga2 is place where you can see and get information about sponge diving from first hand today on Krapanj. They are inside industry for more than 120 years.
Tourism
Krapanj is not on the tourist map. Since the end of the Croatian War of Independence, the island has begun a slow rebuild. Many of its old terraces have either been restored or are in the process of rebuild under strict heritage by-laws. This has started a steady stream of tourists to the island which now supports a certain level of tourism infrastructure.
Many other Adriatic Islands have constructed bridges to allow tourist access by car. Krapanj has made the decision not to connect to the mainland as this would destroy the island's heritage.
Demographics
The island has only one settlement; Krapanj, which, apart from the island itself, consists of islets of Mumonja, Oblik, Krbela mala, Krbela vela and the Oštrica peninsula, located to the south. Krapanj is administratively located in the City of Šibenik and is one of its local committees.[4]
According to the
Gallery
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Krapanj women rowing a Gajeta
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Krapanj's ferry at sunset
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The old school
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Terraced architecture
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Summer on Krapanj
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Capella from The Holy Cross Monastery
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Krapanj's boat dock
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Boats moored in Brodarica
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Sunset in Krapanj
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Procession of boats for the Krapljanska Fešta
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A view of Krapanj from Brodarica
See also
References
- ISSN 1330-0520. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
- ^ "The untold stories of sponge hunters of Croatia's Krapanj Island". croatiaweek.com. Croatia Week. 25 August 2023.
- ^ "Continued illegal fishing will kill off the sponges". Novi Tjednik. Šibenik. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
- ^ "Districts and local committees". šibenik.hr. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- ^ "POPULATION, BY AGE AND SEX, BY SETTLEMENTS, 2011 CENSUS, City of Šibenik". 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
External links
Media related to krapanj at Wikimedia Commons
- Official Tourism Bureau of Krapanj
- Krapanj.com Info on Krapanj
- Krapanj Gallery A Krapanj photo gallery