North of Pula lie Brioni (Italian for "Brioni"), a small archipelago of fourteen islets that once served as Tito's personal residence. Then this area was declared a national park and opened to tourists in 1983. Visitors are still allowed on only two islands: Veli Brioni and Mali Brioni, and under strict control. You can visit the archipelago as part of a tourist group - a tourist train runs to the island of Veli Brioni - or in one of the expensive hotels on Veli Brioni. In the latter case, you can freely walk around part of the island on your own, without a guide.

Most visitors arrive in the archipelago through the small fishing town of Fažana, which is 8 kilometers northwest of Pula. From the city you can get there by bus number 18. Office national park Brioni is located on the main port square of Fazana (July and August daily 8:00-22:00, June and September daily 8:00-20:00; from October to April Monday-Saturday 8:00-15:00).

The office sells tickets for day trips around the largest island and organizes pickups for travelers to hotels. The Fažana Tourist Office (Riva 2; from June to August daily 8:00-22:00; from May to September Monday-Friday 8:00-15:00) provides information, maps and booklets, and the Stefani Trade agency (Zupni trg 3; from mid-June to mid-September daily 8:30-11:00) rents private rooms and apartments on the mainland. In Fazana, the Tito festival is held.

This comic event is timed to coincide with May 25, that is, the official birthday of the leader. The festival includes folk music concerts, performances by brass bands and processions of local residents dressed as pioneers. Tito in Istria is honored not so much for his participation in the creation of the Yugoslav state, but for the fact that he brought the peninsula out of power.

How to get to the Brijuni Islands

From May to mid-October, about eight excursions from Fazana run daily. In the remaining months, with the exception of January, there is one per day. Tour guides do not work in January. The walk takes 4 hours. Prices depend on the season: in July and August - 180 kunas, in June and September - 170 kunas, in April, May and October - 150 kunas, and in February, March, November and December - 100 kunas. Tickets are sold at the Brijuni National Park office on the Fazana waterfront. If you are staying in Istria, in a hotel for tourist groups, then you will pay about 250 kunas for a trip to Brioni.

This amount includes the cost of excursion services, transportation costs, and sometimes the price of lunch. They also conduct boat trips to Brioni (a ticket costs about 200-250 kunas), however, as part of such a trip, the route for visiting the national park is shortened. If you want to stay on the islands, you should keep in mind that prices are in local hotels deliberately inflated to maintain an aura of "exclusivity". Neptun-Istra is a standard three-star hotel. Rooms with TV, minibar and bathtub. Hotel Karmen is slightly better, but in general offers almost the same.

If you really want luxury then rent one of the stylish old villas. They can be booked through the national park office in Fazana. The villas are located on the coast, in secluded places on the south side of Veli Brioni. Primorka (1200/8800 kuna per day) is designed for eight people, Dubravka (600/4400 kuna per day) for four, and Lovorka (600/4400 kuna per day) for five. The most aristocratic of these villas is Lovorka. In the period between the two wars, the Duke of Spoleto liked to relax and play polo here.

If you are staying on the island, it is convenient to move around the area by renting a golf cart (500 kn/5 hours) or a bicycle (100 kn per day) at the sports center next to the Neptun-Istra hotel. To the north of the hotels is a 22-hole golf course. It is created on ecological principles to minimize watering and pesticide treatment. The grass is eaten by deer, so the lawn almost never needs to be mowed. You can pay for the use of the site and rent equipment at the sports center. The island has cafe-restaurants Neptun-Istra and Karmen.

Island of Veli Brioni in Croatia

A tourist boat from Fazana crosses the Brioni Bay in fifteen minutes and arrives at the Kupelweiser hotel complex on east coast Veli Brioni. From there, a miniature train with a guide heads north to the safari park, which is located on the northern tip of the island. In this park, Tito settled exotic animals, which were presented to him as a gift by the leaders of other countries. Elephants Sonny and Lanka, donated by Indira Gandhi in 1975, are still happy to pose for photographers. You can also see zebras, antelopes and local long-horned cows (boskarin) brought from the hinterland.

The train then continues along the west coast of the island to the White Villa and other official residences, including Villa Jadranka, whose guests were Queen Elizabeth II and Gina Lollobrigida. The train stops at the southwest corner of the island so passengers can view the ruins of a Byzantine fortress. Its gloomy gray walls contrast sharply with the surrounding green paradise it was built to protect. The train then returns to the hotel complex, passing the remains of a 1st century Roman villa in Veriga Bay.

At the end of the tour, before returning to the mainland, tourists can visit a few more local ones located near hotel complex. The most important of them is the 15th-century Gothic church, restored by Kupelweiser before the First World War and inaugurated by Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Nearby, in the exhibition hall, there is an exposition "Tito na Brijunima" ("Tito na Brijunima"; in July and August daily 8:00-20:00; in June and September daily 8:00-19:00; in May and October daily 8:00-18:00; for tourists who arrived on an excursion on a boat, admission is free).

On the ground floor there are stuffed animals presented to the Yugoslav leader by high-ranking foreign guests. Animals were turned into stuffed animals after death. Particularly touching are the four seven-week-old giraffes who died of salmonellosis shortly after their arrival from Africa. On the second floor there is a wonderful exhibition of photographic documents that reveal the personality of Tito from various angles. One photo shows the Yugoslav leader talking to the fishermen of Fažana, and the next one shows him exchanging jokes with his guest artists: Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

Richard Burton played the role of Tito in the epic war film Sutjeska (1970). Pay attention to the funny photo where Tito rides Ho Chi Minh in a motor boat. For some reason, both leaders put on their vulgar panama hats, and the expression on the face of the Vietnamese leader shows that he likes what is happening much less than the marshal himself. Opposite the exhibition building on the lawn is an aviary that serves as a "summer apartment" for one of Tito's favorite pets, the white parrot Koki. Koki still likes to repeat the banal phrases that his master taught him. It is strange to think that the voice of the Yugoslav leader still lives in the beak of a feathered pet.

In contact with

Population The Brijuni archipelago in Croatia is staffed by the park and the hotel.

When to go: In May - September.

How to get there: By ferry from Fazana, a town on the Istrian coast, to Velika Briona. You can get to Fazana by plane from Venice, Trieste or Pula. There are sea/bus connections from Venice to Fazana, and buses from Trieste and Pula. Fazana is only 8 km from Pula.
Things to do: Hailstone Hill - prehistoric settlement. Verigskaya Gavan is a Roman palace, an outstanding example of Roman architecture. Church of St. Germain of the 15th century with frescoes. Dobrik Bay is a Byzantine settlement with a 5th-century basilica and a 6th-century church. Mali Brion - 19th century fortification. Travel around the island of Veliki Brion tourist train.
Important: Tito hosted eminent guests on the islands, such as Elizabeth Taylor and Fidel Castro.

Brioni Archipelago was once a place of exile, then it turned into an aristocratic resort, and during the time of Broz Tito became a national park. These are tiny islands with beautiful green forests inhabited by wild animals, picturesque meadows, Omsk ruins, and around - the blue of the Adriatic Sea.
Brioni is an archipelago of 2 islands and 12 islets with an area of ​​only 42 sq. km lies 3 km west of the Istrian peninsula. These Croatian islands are composed of white limestone with amazingly fertile soil and red clay. The shores of the islands are indented, and the surrounding waters are a protected area, rich in sponges and crustaceans, as well as all kinds of fish and even turtles and dolphins.

Veliki Brion And Mali Brion have been inhabited since prehistoric times, monuments from Roman and Byzantine times have been preserved here. For centuries, the islanders suffered from pirate raids and wars, but it was the malaria epidemic that almost completely survived the population. In 1893, the Austrian industrialist Paul Kupelweiser purchased the islands with the aim of turning them into a holiday destination for European nobility. He drained the fetid swamps that were inhabited by mosquitoes, introduced exotic tropical plants and thinned out the thickets of Velika Brion, turning the territory into a park area. After World War II, Marshal Tito expropriated the islands. He built a safari park here and made it clear to the arriving guests that he expected gifts from them - animals for his collection. So zebras, camels, elephants, ostriches and deer appeared here, which still roam freely around the islands.

Curious history, amazing surroundings and exotic wildlife - this is the most unusual and romantic place of the Horzat coast, not to be missed.

national park Brijuni in Croatia is a place that is usually recommended for visiting with children. This archipelago, consisting of 14 islands, opened to tourists in 1983. Access for vacationers is only on the two most big islands maritime constellation Brioni - Mali-Bryun and Veli-Bryun. But here, guests always have something to entertain themselves and their little companions.

The essence of this fascinating excursion is as follows: tourists with children arrive on the island, sit in a small train that takes them to the most interesting places in the reserve. So, you will visit a safari park, where you will introduce your young travelers to various animals (antelopes, horses, donkeys, llamas, goats, zebras, elephants), stop by an ancient Roman villa to view interesting exhibits in the local archaeological museum. In addition, tourists are allowed to swim in Brioni Park - the islands of the archipelago have clear seas and clean beaches.

Walking around the Brijuni Islands is an incomparable pleasure: incredible beauty landscapes, exotic fauna in the local zoo, lush flora, cultural and historical monuments that will be of interest to admirers of antiquity - all this makes up the wealth of the Croatian national park.

The lush vegetation is a peculiar highlight of the Brijuni Islands. An incredible symbiosis has been achieved on Veli Brijun natural beauty and miracles created by human hands. People here had to work hard - cut down a large number of wild bushes, drain swamps, plant empty lands with beautiful plants. Thanks to their talent and diligence, the Brijuni reserve today appears before the guests in all its splendor.

It is important to note that the park is only a few kilometers away from Pula, so we recommend an excursion to the reserve, first of all, to those who have a rest in Istria. However, a trip from distant regions is also not a problem - any hotel on Veli Brijun is ready to shelter guests of the island for any number of days.

By the way, Veli Brijun is famous not only for its beautiful nature, but also for the fact that it once became a haven for a great man. The Yugoslav leader himself - Joseph Broz Tito - had a residence here. Almost half of Tito's life was spent on Veli Briun. It was here that his numerous guests brought animals from all over the world, so after a few decades, tourists have the opportunity to visit unique museum stuffed. Giraffes, lions, monkeys, tigers, hares and many other representatives of the fauna are presented to the attention of the museum guests. Coming here, you can also visit two photo exhibitions held in the same building. One of the expositions is dedicated to the life of Tito on the island and his guests. Among them are many well-known political figures of the second half of the 20th century.

Don't forget to walk around the ruins of the ancient Roman city dating back to the second century BC. You will be able to introduce your children to a large number of curious artifacts, among which sealed containers for collecting rainwater are especially interesting.

The island's quarry is another very interesting place archipelago. While extracting the stone, the ancient people carved a large corridor with high walls in the ground. Walking along it promises to be unusual and memorable. I would like to point out that all architectural structures in the park are built from the same stone mined in the quarry. The only exception is the White Villa, which today is the current residence of the President of Yugoslavia.

And it is considered one of the most important and most significant sights of the country.

Beautiful, like a legend, edge

A well-known legend is connected with the origin of this magical corner of the world. Once upon a time, God set out to create a semblance of Paradise on Earth so that every mortal could see unearthly beauty in reality and know happiness from its contemplation. This is how Istria was born : like a garden of Eden, covered with magnificent forests and endless meadows, surrounded on all sides by deep blue sea ​​waters. But the evil devil decided to destroy the Creator's work. He tore open the canvas bag in which the angel carried the stones unused in the creation of the earthly Paradise. At the same moment, thousands of rocks scattered over the land of Istria, turning it from a heavenly abode into a land of contrasts : refined and rough at the same time ; fertile, but in places deserted and barren ; sunny, but sometimes cloudy and rainy. Then the saddened angels decided to collect the particles of Paradise that had been preserved among the rocks scattered over the lands of Istria and hide them from evil eyes among the waves of the sea. So appeared Brijuni archipelago- one of the few truly heavenly places on Earth.

Geographical position of Brioni

In fact, the islands are a continuation of the western part of the peninsula, the so-called "Red Istria". Scholars suggest that around 10,000 years ago the islands were an integral part of Istria. Their coastline strongly indented and is 46.8 km. The largest rocky islands Veli Brijun(25.9 km²) and Mali Brijun(8.3 km²). except them Brijuni archipelago has 12 more islands with beautiful, romantic names: C-Mark , Gaz, Okrugljak, Supin, Supinić, Galija, Grunj, Vanga (Krasnica), Pusti (Madona), Vrsar, C-Jerome and Kozada (Krasnica).

The archipelago lies on limestone deposits interspersed with layers of red earth and porous brownish stone. Basically, the rocks on the island are white, reminiscent of marble in their structure and abound in clay and flint. The stone is very hard, and therefore the ancient Romans highly valued it as an excellent building material and widely used it in the construction of cities on the Adriatic. All buildings on Brioni, except for the White Villa, are built from this local wonderful white material.

Climate in the Brijuni Islands

The climate of the islands practically does not differ from the rest of the western coast of Istria with its temperate Mediterranean type. The abundance of sun and warm days, as well as high humidity contributes to the growth of rich vegetation. average temperature+6.3°C in winter, +12.2°C in spring, +22.2°C in summer and +14.8°C in autumn. The sea temperature in summer is +22 to +25°C.

This guarantees an extremely pleasant stay on the islands. all year round but it's especially nice here in the summer. Not without reason during the Roman Empire Brijuni archipelago was famous resort and visited by the Roman nobility. The attractiveness of the islands is also evidenced by the fact that the German king William II I have stayed here six times! A Yugoslav leader Marshal Josip Broz Tito founded a summer residence here and spent half of every year of his life in this magical corner.

Flora of the Brijuni Archipelago

The lush and varied vegetation is very important feature which makes Brijuni archipelago even more valuable compared to other areas with a similar climate. On the island of Veli Brijun (Veli Brijun) an extraordinary unity of natural and man-made beauty was achieved. The nature of the islands was not originally flawless. It took a lot of work to turn the archipelago into a beautiful landscape park with vast meadows. : drain the swamps and clear the forests of Mediterranean shrubs.

As a result of the painstaking work of many people, a unique landscape has been created on the Croatian Adriatic coast. Here, along with shady majestic relict oak forests and tall, light, saturated with the aroma of pine needles pine forest about 650 species can be found subtropical plants, including hollies, ash, laurel, palm tree, bamboo, eucalyptus, strawberry tree, turpentine tree, sequoia, rosemary and other exotic trees. If you happen to visit here on an excursion, then you will definitely be shown an interesting specimen - long-lived olive tree. For 1600 long years, one generation of people replaced another, and the olive tree kept rustling with its crown, indifferent to life and death, proud, majestic and beautiful!

Interestingly, on the islands, some varieties of plants that are on the verge of extinction in Istria and continental Croatia grow widely and luxuriantly: sea ​​poppy, wild cucumber, some varieties of herbs.

Fauna of the Brijuni Islands

From time immemorial Brijuni were inhabited. Generations of people who inhabited them for a thousand years could not but influence animal world islands, regularly importing many different animals into these blessed lands. For some species, such a habitat at first turned out to be not entirely favorable, but gradually they took root due to the almost ideal conditions of the local microclimate. So, in 1893, they brought to the archipelago European hare, deer and mouflon. Today, their descendants walk through forests and parks. Big Brijun.

In the north of the island there is a fenced area of ​​9 acres, where a Safari Park. It is inhabited by wild animals: Indian elephants, South American camels, zebras, antelopes, sacred cows, donkeys. This living creature is a "legacy" Josip Broz Tito, who very often received live exotic souvenirs as a gift, brought from different parts of the world by his many friends and eminent guests. Now a special train for tourists, from the windows of which you can look at the inhabitants safari park. Those specimens that were not lucky enough to acclimatize ended up in the museum and are presented in the form of stuffed animals. Among them were lions, giraffes, monkeys, tigers and many other exotic animals.

Rich enough here and world of birds. You can observe them without interference on the largest lake islands, which is overgrown with reeds and has become an excellent nesting site tirkushek, ducks, quails. Here you can meet such rare bird species as great egret, black stork, bittern.

Underwater world in the waters of Brijuni

coastal undersea world no less diverse than the animal world on land. The waters that wash Brijuni Islands, represent a huge marine park plants and organisms typical of the northern Adriatic. The bottom abounds with blooming seaweed, sponges, mollusks, sea shoots, crustaceans and a variety of fish. The most numerous representatives of the ichthyofauna are sea ​​bass, gray mullet, conger eels, catfish, black umber. From time to time you can meet here sea ​​turtles and dolphins. In the waters surrounding Brijuni archipelago, there are also species listed in Red Book. Off the coast Brijuni some species of inhabitants of the underwater world were discovered that had not previously been found anywhere in the Adriatic, as well as some species unknown to scientists, such as soft coral Alcyonium brionense And sponges Ircinia variabilis fistulata.

History and attractions of the Brijuni archipelago

Brijuni interesting both in natural and historical terms. Yes, on the island Veli Brijun the ruins of a Roman city of the second century BC have been preserved. Walking among the ruins of once beautiful villas, you can meet rainwater collection tanks, whose tightness has not been broken to this day, as well as many other interesting buildings: an old abandoned quarry with an artificial corridor and very high walls, Roman prison, Temple of Venus, Byzantine castrum, Basilica of St. Mary of the 5th-6th centuries, Church of St. Herman XV century.

Since 177 Brijuni Islands were in the power of the Romans, then passed to Byzantium and the Franks, and from 1331 were at the disposal of Venice. IN late XIX centuries, they were acquired by the owner of an Austrian metallurgical enterprise Paul Kupelweiser. At first, he thought of using the acquired territories as a place for family vacation, arranging there something like a summer cottage. But later his plans changed. Inspired by the romance of these magical places, Kupelweiser left the business associated with the plant, and devoted himself entirely to the islands. First of all, he decided to rid the area of ​​malarial mosquitoes. To this end, he invited the Nobel laureate bacteriologist to the islands Robert Koch. He did an excellent job of spilling oil in the swamps, which led to the death of dangerous carriers of the infection.

There were built three hotels — Brioni, Karmen And Neptune, as well as a 2 km long water pipe was laid along the bottom of the sea, through which water from the continent was delivered to the islands. indoor pool with heated sea water, sports grounds, walking and cycling paths with a length of 80 km, golf courses, hippodrome. Kupelweiser he was not mistaken in investing his capital in this enterprise, it really turned out to be very profitable. Soon, through his efforts Brijuni became one of the most fashionable and visited European elite resorts. This prosperity continued for quite a long time, but due to the constant rise in prices, the popularity holidays in Brioni began to gradually decline and the islands ceased to bring profit to their owner. In 1930, son and heir Kupelvisera committed suicide, realizing that it was going to ruin.

After the end of World War II, he established his residence here. Josip Broz Tito. By his order, subtropical vegetation was planted on the islands and a White Villa, where the marshal received high-ranking guests. It was here that Tito, Nasser and Nehru signed Brijun Declaration. Later, this document formed the basis for the creation of the non-aligned movement. During this period, the famous Safari Park and a museum of stuffed animals. After the death of Tito, the islands gradually lost their role as a government seat and again turned into beautiful place recreation for everyone who wants to have a good time.

Cost of excursions to Brioni National Park

Excursion programs VELIKI BRIJUN (prices are in kunas)	months 7, 8	months 6, 9	months 4, 5, 10	months 1, 2, 3, 11, 12
Individual tourists adults Children (4 - 14 years old)	210,00 105,00	200,00 100,00	170,00 85,00	125,00 65,00
Groups (min. 25 people) adults Children (4 - 14 years old)	170,00 85,00	160,00 80,00	150,00 75,00	100,00 50,00
15% discount for Brijuni hotel guests
Individual guide (price per 1 hour tour)	210,00	200,00	170,00	125,00

Active holidays in Brioni

Brijuni are still famous elite resort, which is comparable to the fashionable French Cote d'Azur. The staff makes every effort to make your stay on the island as interesting and enjoyable as possible. Tourists are offered 4 hotels and a few villas. Here you can take long walks along the coast, swim in one of the cleanest places on the Adriatic, breathe in the aromas of lush Mediterranean vegetation. In these places, every vacationer can find a pleasant activity for themselves during the holidays in accordance with their interests.

Exciting excursions await the guests of the island, during which they will be able to see the footprints of dinosaurs, learn about the life of coastal birds, get acquainted with the rich the underwater world of Brijuni, see the ruins of ancient temples and thermal baths, see Roman villa in Bay of Verige, Castrum(I-II century BC), Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary(VI century).

Those who love our smaller brothers not in words, but in deeds, have the opportunity to take an active part in their life on the territory of the reserve:

• Friends of birds will be able to become members of a team that determines and controls the number of birds on the island, studies them in natural conditions.
• Four-legged lovers will be given the opportunity to observe wild animals up close, while feeding them, which is absolutely safe and usually does not cause unnecessary excitement to either the animals or those who care for them.
• Avid photographers will get a rare chance to make close-up unique pictures for memory of the moments spent in communication with animals in the bosom of the wild.
• Horse lovers with the help of professional grooms will be able to take part in the morning care of these beautiful and noble animals (cleaning, feeding), and at the same time learn more about their needs, preferences and habits.
• Activists for cleanliness and environmental protection can join the ECO team and share its daily care for the wonderful park and its inhabitants.

Those who strive for self-improvement and health promotion will be introduced to ancient Indian medicine Ayurveda which includes massage, aromatherapy using natural oils, cleansing the body, yoga, meditation. All of these techniques contribute to the general strengthening of the body, as well as stimulate the movement of blood and lymph, regulate the supply of nutrients to tissues, warm and relax muscles, regulate energy, and soothe the body and spirit.

lovers active rest have the opportunity to play golf, tennis And polo, get busy archery or diving, rent a bike, electric car, boat or yacht. It all depends on interests, preferences and financial capabilities.

Whatever you do during holidays in Brioni, the extraordinary beauty of nature and the wonderful microclimate of the islands will leave unforgettable impression for life.

Brioni - a group of islands in front of west coast Istria. The islands are separated from the mainland by the Fazana Strait and are located 6 km from Pula. 14 of them have the status of a national park. Actually big island there are several hotels and individual villas. The former residence of President Tito is also located there, where crowned persons and heads of state, including our Nikita Khrushchev, used to come here.

Rest there will be quite expensive: the resort is intended more for the elite than for mere mortals.

The best way to get around Brioni is by bike or by a special golf car.

Search for flights to Pula (nearest airport to Brioni)

Weather in Brioni

Due to favorable geographic location and low landscape, the climate on the islands is moderate and quite humid. The vegetation is rich in Mediterranean oaks, laurels, pines, olives and rosemary.

The average air temperature in winter is +6.3 °C, in spring +12.2 °C, in summer +22.2 °C and in autumn +14.8 °C. The sea temperature in summer is from +22 to +25 °C. It turns out that almost all year round the islands have comfortable weather, although the water does not warm up here to the state of "fresh milk", but this is typical for the islands. The humidity here is quite high, which is also typical for the island climate.

Brioni Maps

Infrastructure

There are several restaurants on the island sports complex, center aquatic species sports, diving, fishing, boat and yacht rental, several tennis courts, tennis school, golf course (9 holes), riding school, bicycle and electric car rental.

Entertainment and attractions

The islands are not only beautiful, they are widely known in scientific world: archaeological finds made here, without exaggeration to say, are priceless. Due to the mild climate, the vegetation on the islands is lush and varied. In addition to 600 species of native plants, 30 imported species grow well here. Here you can see groves of relic oak, and strawberry tree, and sequoias, and eucalyptus trees. In 1984, the Brijuni Archipelago was declared a Croatian National Park.

The archipelago was already a famous resort in the days of the Roman Empire, and the ruins of the buildings of that time have survived to this day on the islands. Walking among them, it is quite possible to imagine those beautiful villas that once stood here and life in them.

Brioni and Tito

The archipelago is also known as the place of residence of the former Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito. Today, the residence houses the Broz Tito Museum. And since the Yugoslav leader had a very interesting hobby - he loved to watch exotic animals - Tito left a wonderful safari park where you can see zebras, giraffes and other exotic animals. To do this, you need to join one of the groups that go on an open tourist train to sightseeing tour across the park from the museum building.

Once upon a time, crowned persons and heads of state came to this island, played golf and tennis, ate delicacies, swam in the purest water of the Adriatic Sea.

• Where to stay: nudists, as well as connoisseurs of peace, tranquility and the authentic atmosphere of the Middle Ages - in Vrsar; romantics - in Rovinj; party-goers - in Pula. Poreč, due to the fact that it stretches picturesquely along the coast, it is equally well suited for lovers of evening festivities (sit closer to the center) and fans of solitude (your destiny is the south of the resort). Active and sporty tourists will like Medulin, families - in Rabac, Lovran or Novigrad. It is convenient to combine holidays in Croatia with a trip to other countries in