Mediterrana

Vis Island
VIS is the furthest inhabited island in Central Dalmatia with an area of 90.26 km² and a population of 3,617. The Island has a turbulent and rich history. Its cultural treasure, part of the permanent exhibition of the Archeological Museum in Split, bears witness to this.  It has typical Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers and mild and wet winters. The average temperature in January is 9°C and 26°C in July. 

Vis was inhabited by the time of the Neolithic period. In the 4th century B.C., the tyrant of Siracuse, Dionisius the Older, founded the colony Issa on the island. Later, it became an independent city-state, and even minted its own money and founded its own colonies elsewhere. In the first century B.C., the island was held by the Liburnians. In 925, became a part of Medieval Croatian state.

Vis was mentioned in the De Administrando Imperio of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitos from around 950 as Ies, an island inhabited by the Neretvians. In the Middle Ages it often changed rulers, and then for a long time it was under Venice, which founded the main settlement, named Velo Selo.

During Venetian and Austrian domination, the island's name was Lissa. Later the larger settlements developed also on the coast (Komiza and Luka of St. Juraj, the- present town of Vis). The sea to the north of the island was the stage of two battles: on 13 March 1811, a small Royal Navy fleet, under the command of Captain William Hoste, defeated a larger Franco-Venetian fleet and on 20 July 1866, the Austrian fleet, under Admiral Tegetthoff, attacked the Italian fleet, under Admiral Persano.

During World War II, Vis was at one point the main hideout of Josip Broz Tito, the leader of the Yugoslav resistance movement. After the war, the Yugoslav People's Army used the island as one of its main naval bases.

  

Vis is also known for its natural beauties, having the most unspoiled nature. The area has sandy and pebble beaches (Parja, Rogacic, Mala Svitnja and Vela Svitnja), crystal clear sea, as well as vineyards in the inland and on the way to Komiza. Grapes for the production of autochthonous wines such as Viska vugava, Plavac and white wines are grown in these vineyards.

The economy is based on agriculture, wine growing and production, fishing and tourism. Vis offers excellent accommodation in hotels and apartments. It is ideal for a quiet holiday, but it also the right destination for sports and recreation lovers, who can participate in basketball, tennis and diving since the surrounding clear waters are rich in fish.  Summer events and traditional music events in July and August are part of the cultural and entertainment offer.  The island is connected to the mainland by ferry lines to Split.