Murter

Murter

Murter in 1995
Geography
Location	Adriatic sea
Coordinates	43°48′N 15°36′E / 43.8°N 15.6°E / 43.8; 15.6Coordinates: 43°48′N 15°36′E / 43.8°N 15.6°E / 43.8; 15.6
Archipelago	Šibenik
Area	18.7 km2 (7.22 sq mi)
Highest elevation	125 m (410 ft)
Highest point	Raduč
Country
Croatia
County	Šibenik-Knin
Largest city	Murter (pop. 2,010)
Demographics
Population	5,192
Density	277.65 /km2 (719.11 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups	97.59% Croats

Murter (pronounced [mǔrtɛːr]; Italian: Morter or Mortero) is name of the island in the Croatian part of the Adriatic sea, located in central Dalmatia at 43°48′N 15°37′E / 43.80°N 15.62°E / 43.80; 15.62, as well as that of a small village on the north-western part of the island.

The small town of Betina is located on the northwestern side of the island, while Jezera and Tisno are located on the southeastern coast. The island's current population is about 5,192 inhabitants, whilst that of the village is 2,010. Absolute majority are Croats with 97.59%.

Geography

The island is in the northwest part of the Šibenik archipelago, separated from the mainland by a 20 meter wide sea canal at Tisno which is spanned by a 37 meter draw-bridge. The island covers an area of about 18.7 km², and the highest point is the peak of Raduč at 125 meters above sea level.

Village Murter spreads towards the Hramina Cove, where a marina has been built, and to the Slanica cove, which features the most beautiful beach of the Sibenik Riviera, as well as the camp Slanica and hotel "Colentum". Hramina cove is protected from all winds and makes for a safe shelter for yachts.

The old part of the Murter, called "Selo" (the Village), is located near the hill Raduc and closer to the island's interior. Due to Murter residents' growing concentration on the sea, the newer part of Murter was built on the coast of a large bay called Hramina. Position of Murter

The southwestern coastline is predominantly steep slopes divided by many sandy coves. The island has lots of rocky beaches, as well as several sandy ones.

History

The island has been populated for nearly two millennia. An Illyric-Roman settlement known as Colentum has been found near Betina. In 1293, documents show that Murter was called "Villa Magna' meaning big village. During the 13th century there were two documented settlements on the island -- Jezera and Veliko selo, Srimač (now Murter) -- and the island itself was mentioned in the year 1318 as Insula Mortari. Betina and Tisno were most likely built around the beginning of the 15th century, during the time of Ottoman attacks in the area. The population of the island increased as refugees fled from the Turks.

Heritage

• Many Christian texts written in Glagolitic/Slavonic instead of the traditional Latin style have been found and are preserved here and in the Vatican.

• St.Michael's church, St.Rock's chapel, and the church of Our Lady of Gradina are the oldest churches on the island.

• The population of Murter traditionally deal with agriculture and fishing and are well known for these skills, as well as being producers of excellent olive oil.

• Beaches, quality accommodation and various services make Murter an ideal tourist destination, and has been one of the most visited destinations in this region for years.

• What is mostly unknown is that the island had a military base built in World War Two on top of the hill, with tunnels bored deep inside it. Some locals believe the place is haunted.

See also

• Šibenik
• Prvić
• Adriatic Boat Show
• Zlarin
• Žirje
• Dalmatia
• Croatia