Veli Lošinj

Veli Lošinj ( _it. Lussingrande), is a village on the Lošinj island in Primorje-Gorski Kotar county in western Croatia.

Veli Lošinj is a touristic place with mild climate. It lies 5 km from Mali Lošinj. It was important port and fishing center till the late 19. century. Today it is known as touristic and aromatherapy center.

Population

Veli Lošinj counts 917 inhabitants.

History

Antique Times

* It was mostly unsettled, under rule of city Osor who then counted 20 000 inhabitants. One time, it was bishopric because there was plague on Osor. A year later, it was canceled and adjoined with bishopric on Krk.

Middle Ages

* The first mentioning of the town dates back in 1398 by the name "Velo selo". The oldest city core has been built between 13th and 14th century around Romanesque church of Sv. Nikola from 14th century. First settlements was built in line with agricultural land, not city streets. In 15th century the defensive tower was built, erected to defend harbor and settlement, but also to protect people from pirate attacks.

* In 17th century town is continuing to develop circularly around bay of Veli Lošinj. This is urban Baroque town with center square near sea and two main streets of which one leads to Velo Selo, and the other one to settlement called Rovenska, where is developing a fishing town with stone houses.

* City church of Sv. Antun Opat Pustinjak was built in place of first smaller church in 15th century. In 17th century the old church was demolished and they started to build a new one, larger basilica which in 1774. was reconstructed from foundations to build the third one, today's Baroque church. In church there is the richest gallery of Italian painters on Kvarner islands: B. Vivarini, B. Strozzi, L. Quareno, F. Hayezo, L. del Cosso, F. Polenzo.

* Not far from harbor in Veli Lošinj there is St. Marija church (also known as church "Gospe od anđela") built in 1510. Later, the church was rearranged to Baroque style. It contains artwork collection of Venetian painters: "Sv. Franjo and Sv. Hildebrand" by F. Fontebass, eight paintings by G. A. Pelegrini, and few paintings from 16th to 18th century. One of them is work of Tiziano.

New ages

* When "Malo Selo" - Mali Lošinj started to developing, Veli Lošinj stopped. There was shipyard in Veli Lošinj which produced sailboats but in the time it was active, sailboats went out of use. In Mali Lošinj began construction of new shipyard which produced boats with engine. After World War 1, Veli Lošinj didn't have energy to begin new economical projects.

Geographical placement

* Placed on the southern part of island Lošinj, 3 km ( 1,8 mi ) eastern from center of Mali Lošinj, administrative center of the island.Mali Lošinj and Veli Lošinj are forming non-braked line of houses along the coast. Veli Lošinj is facing sea to north. It is in the foot of the mountain Kalvarija.