Silba

Infobox Islands
name = Silba


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native name =
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location = Adriatic sea
coordinates = coord|44|22|N|14|42|E|display=title
archipelago =
area = 15 km²
highest mount = Varh
elevation = 80 m
country = Croatia
country admin divisions title = County
country admin divisions = Zadar
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population = 265
population as of = 2001
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Silba (Italian: "Selve") is an island in Croatia, northern Dalmatia, south-east of Lošinj, between the islands of Premuda and Olib.

Silba is located at coord|44|22|N|14|42|E|. It has an area 15 km² in the shape of number 8, with the village of Silba located at the narrowest point in the middle. It takes only around 10 minutes to walk the 600m from the north-eastern harbour of Mul to the south-western harbour of Žalić (Zhaleech).

Zadar is Silba's mainland administrative center; it is part of the Zadar county.

Officially Silba's population is 265 (2001) but it varies seasonally; from a few hundred, mainly pensioners, in the winter, to several thousand during summer months. Many have jobs and properties on the mainland. There is also an influx of tourists during the summer months as tourism is now the main economic activity on the island.

Silba has a mediterranian climate with 257 hours a year of sunshine. Most summer days are hot, bright and clear with light westerly Maestral wind cooling the island in the afternoons.

Geography

The island has numerous small beaches and coves. The main public beach Sotorišće (Sotoreeshche), located close to the harbour of Mul, has very clear shallow waters with sandy bottom.

On Žalić, there are a number of pebbly beaches and a pier. Ships carrying passenger and commercial traffic dock here.

There are a number of coves outside the village that can be reached by footpaths. On the southern side of the island, at walking distancies of about 30-45 minutes, are:

* Vele Stene (Large Rocks), the only point on the island where the shores are steep.
* Port Sv. Ante, favoured with yachtsmen because it is protected from major winds.You can also view a small chapel on the side of the bay.
* Dobre Vode, a beach with shallow sandy bottom.
* Nozdre, a big cove with characteristic flat rock formations cut out by the sea.

On the north side of the village is the highest point on Silba, Varh (80m). The northern shore is less accessible than the southern due to rocky shores, however, there is a path leading north out of the village to the small port of Papranica.

Further on along the path, about an hours walk from the main village, is a cove Pernastica which is considered as the best coves on the island. It faces westwards towards the sunset and has a long shallow sandy bottom.

Silba's most popular landmark is Toreta, a sleek tower with a spiral staircase from which there is a wonderful view of the surrounding islands. It is in the centre of the village right on Veli Put - Silba's High Street.

The whole island is a pedestrian zone, no traffic is allowed with the exception of vehicles supplying the local businesses.

The village has several cafés, four restaurants, a number of shops, post office and a local GP. From any point in the village it takes only around 10 min or less to walk to the nearest beach.

History

The old name for this island is "Selbo".

The island Silba is mentioned in historical records in the 9th century. In 827, it belonged to the Zadar county. In 1073, in the last year of Petar Krešimir's reign, probably at the request of his sister Cika, the first nun of st. Maria in Zadar, the county donated the island to the monastery St. Maria, at the ceremony of sacrament of their church (some say this happened in 1027.). Later, the island fell into the hands of the Venetian authorities, which sold it to captain Fani Soppe for 12,350 ducats.

It is not known how it later came into the ownership of Venetian family "Morosini". Silba was held by family "Morosini" until the first quarter of 19th century. As it was too far to govern and receive tax on yield in nature they agreed with inhabitants of Silba in 1770 to receive each year 2000 Venetian lira in rent. Silbans called this rent "četvrtina" (quarter), as it amounted to quarter of the land's yields, which is what serfs elsewhere also gave to their masters.

In 1838, for 28,500 Austrian lira, family Morosini sold the island to Marko Ragusin from Veli Lošinj, who returned wealthy from USA.

As Silbans paid rent to previous owner in currency, they assumed they will do the same to the new landowner, but since he lived in Lošinj, near to Silba, he refused and demanded a quarter of land's yield in crop. A lawsuit ensued which lasted for 13 years when Ragusin finally decided to sell the island to these same inhabitants who bought it, each paying proportionally to the size of their plot, in total 5,025 bavarian thalers.

On 19th March 1852 ownership of the island by inhabitants was registered. It became the island's main holiday, day of St. Joseph.

In the 18th century Silba had a fleet 38 sailing boats with three masts called "Manzere" of 220 Mt and 60 sailing boats two masts called "Kastrere" of 63 Mt. The fleet was destroyed by the French at the beginning of the 19th century.

The economic benefits to the island from sailing boats led to general well being on the island. Old local saying says: "Silba zlatom siva, i u njoj se raj uživa", translated into English: "Silba shines with gold, on it heavenly enjoyment".

In the olden days there was a custom of "village king" elections. The king would get elected on St. Stephen's Day (26th December) and his rule would last until Three Kings (6th January). During his twelve day rule, he would preside, with crown on his head, surrounded by twelve councillors, over village gatherings and dealt justice. His task was to name the village head, head and members of village guards; close the previous years budget and plan the next years. He would give verdict on complaints and disputes that have accumulated during the year. This custom died out in the first quarter of the 19th century. The king's crown still exists in the treasury of the parish church.

ources

* Jurić, Ljubimir. "Silba" (1910) (reprint 1991: Društvo za zaštitu prirode Silba)

External links

* [http://www.silba.net/ Silba Tourist Office - official site ]
* [http://www.silba.org/ Silba Online]
* [http://silba.aventin.hr/ Silba - information & photos]