HRVATSKA	CROATIA
županija: Primorsko-goranska

map →

Archeological finds in the caves on the steep western coasts of the islands of Lošinj (in Italian: Lussino) and Cres (Cherso) show that the islands were already inhabited in the early Stone Age. More than 50 settlements of the Bronze and Iron Ages document the dense population during that time. The Romans founded a fortified settlement at the small sea canal which separates the two islands. This town remained the cultural and administrative centre of both islands for a long time. During the Middle Ages the islands were alternately ruled by Croates and Venetians. When Lošinj became part of the Austrian Monarchy in 1815, a period of economical prosperity began. New shipyards were built to make ships for the Austrian fleet. Emperor Franz Joseph I visited Lošinj in 1875 on the occasion of the launching of the 'Imperatrice Elisabetta' (Empress Elisabeth). However, the old sailing-ships were soon replaced by steam boats and many shipyards of Lošinj soon had to close. From about 1880, tourism became the most important economical factor for the island. The villages of Veli Lošinj (Lussingrande) and especially Mali Lošinj (Lussinpiccolo) developed into health resorts due to the extraordinarily mild climate. After World War I, Lošinj became part of Italy according to the Treaty of Rapallo in 1920. After 1945 the island became part of Yugoslavia. Today, Lošinj is famous as a centre for water sports.