Island Ilovik

Until recently the islands of Ilovik and Sv. Petar were mentioned under a common name, first as Neumae Insulae (in Greek neuma - "sign") and since the 13th century as Sanctus Petrus de Nimbis or in the later Venetian version San Pietro dei Nembi. The original Croatian name of the larger island was Tovarnjak (hence the Italian name Asinello) but later it became known as Ilovik (after the type of soil), while the smaller island has been and is still named Sv. Petar. The islands are located opposite one another and close a long (2.5 km) and narrow (up to 300 m) channel, a perfectly natural anchorage which from time immemorial until today served as a shelter for ships during storms.

The most southern of the inhabited islands of Lošinj's archipelago has a fishing village bearing the same name where 170 islanders live today. The first Croatian settlers arrived here from Veli Lošinj at the end of the 18th century and since then ILOVIK the fishing village has grown and developed.The villagers of Ilovik are engaged in wine growing and market gardening facilitated by the large number of wells which supply this land with water; they also work in fishing, sheepfarming and tourism.The location of Ilovik is ideal, situated in a small bay and protected from the north by the uninhabited islet of St. Peter where the local cemetary is located. The coast is easily accessible from all sides with numerous safe gentle coves. The largest cove with a sandy beach is Paržine on the south eastern side of the island.

There is a well-protected channel, 2.5 km long and 300 m wide between the two islands which serves as a harbour for the local fishermen as well as for the numerous boaters who come here to enjoy primeval nature. Its maritime zone is protected naturally from all winds, apart to some extent from the south wind (scirocco), and can provide a safe haven for yachts and smaller boats.The island of Ilovik is covered with evergreen Mediterranean vegetation, holly-oak predominating and in some places there are small forests of Aleppo pine.
Ilovik is called the Island of Flowers as oleander, palms, roses and other flowers grow around every house. High eucalyptus trees are a distinctive feature of this island.Thanks to its well-located maritime position, from the earliest times Ilovik channel has been used for mooring so on the islands we can see vestiges from many different historical eras. The oldest traces of settlements date from the Illyrian tribe Liburna. The islands are rich in Roman artefacts. Here we come across the remains of walls, numismatic coins, sarkofagus and nearby is an underwater archeological site.The walls surrounding the present-day cemetary date from the 11th century. It was then that a Benedictine abbey was built and probably prior to that there was a Byzantium fort.There are shops, a post office, bakery, patisserie and several catering establishments on the island. A daily shipping line connects the island with Mali Lošinj and a fast hydrofoil service with Rijeka. During summer, excursion boats leave for Ilovik from Mali and Veli Lošinj.