Located in Dalmatia, not far from Šibenik, Baljenac may only be 500 metres long, but it’s packed with wonders to explore. One of the island’s most striking features is its grooves, which are made up of a total of 23 kilometres of stone fences. Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Stone fences? That sounds like a snooze-fest.” But trust me, these fences are no ordinary fences.

The stones used to build these fences were dug out of the ground to cultivate the land. They were used to mark the boundaries of the plots and protect the crops from the wind. But here’s where things get really interesting. The builders of these fences used no binders. That’s right, no cement, no glue, no nothing. They simply stacked the stones so that they fit together and remained stable. It’s a feat of engineering that’s truly mind-boggling.

As you explore the island, you can’t help but marvel at the ingenuity of the people who built these fences. They’re a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of the human spirit. And the best part? They’re still standing after all these years. So, if you’re a history buff or just love a good engineering marvel, Baljenac is the place for you.

Scientists Believe that “Fingerprint Island” Was Once a Vineyard. But why?

The Mediterranean island of Spinalonga was once used to isolate lepers from the mainland. Similarly, fingerprint island may have been built for a similar purpose. However, as researcher and host, Sarah Parcak, investigates the island, it becomes clear that there is much more to this seemingly barren patch of land than meets the eye.

The island’s layout is asymmetrical and features tiny, labyrinthine compounds, which are thought to have been built to keep people in. However, as Parcak delves deeper, it becomes clear that these compounds were not dwellings but rather temporary structures with shade.

Parcak notes that the wall of the compound does not contain any mortar, and the dry stone has not been locked into place, indicating that it was not used for structural purposes. Instead, the primary purpose of the walls was to clear the ground of debris, making it ready for agriculture.

As Parcak continues her investigation, she discovers that the island is full of long strips of agricultural fields, with dry stone walls that were used to clear the ground of debris. These walls were not weight-bearing, but they were used to support the soil, making it ready for growing crops.

One of the key factors required for agriculture is water, and the satellite image of the island shows no evidence of streams or lakes. However, Parcak’s search for clues eventually leads her to a well, which she believes was the reason why farmers settled on the island.

With a source of fresh water, the next step is to determine what the farmers were growing on this remote island. As Parcak investigates further, she finds an old grapevine, which dates back hundreds of years. The labyrinth seen from space was, in fact, a vineyard.

It is an interesting choice to put a vineyard on such a remote and bizarre island, but the soil’s composition and the availability of fresh water made it perfect for growing grapes. Parcak’s investigation provides valuable insights into how ancient communities lived and worked, and how they used the resources available to them.

While the initial assumption may have been that fingerprint island was once a leper colony, Parcak’s research indicates that it was, in fact, an ancient vineyard. The island’s labyrinthine layout was not meant to isolate people but rather to support the growth of crops. Through Parcak’s investigation, we gain a glimpse into the ingenuity of ancient farmers and their ability to work with the resources available to them.

Nin – the smallest cathedral of the world

The Romanesque and Gothic Holy Cross church was built in the 9the century. It has a deliberately assymetric shape, because it was adjusted to follow the rotation of the Sun. It was used as a calendar and a sundial, and in the age of Croatian principality it was a royal chapel.

Stari Grad Plain

This plain is the most fertile area on Hvar-island, where there were very vibrant agricultural acitvity as early as the 4th centruy BC. The lands were diveded up by the Greek settlers, hundreds of them still can be seen today, surrounded with the original stone walls. The little stone-built shelters which also made by the Greeks, contribute the unique landscape too. Since in the whole Mediterran region this type of zoning remained the most intact here, Stari Grad Plain was declared by the UNESCO as a cultural heritage in 2008.

Ljubotic – tombs

Long time ago people who lived here had a special burial tradition. In the 17-20th century while they carried the bodies from the mountain down to the cemeteries, they came a long way and only once they supposed to have a rest. Then they put the body on the ground and placed a large stone to his head and feet. Later they laid stone slabs between them and various symbols carved on the rock. The mirila, the grave clearly shows that this is the tomb of a children or and adult, because the stones fitted for the size of the body. During the centuries every family had their own place where they stopped with their dead relatives, so the graves what remind family members, cluster in one place. As long as they carried the bodies to the cemetery, these stones always remind people to their loved ones.
These rocks can be found along many paths, but they are concentreted in the surrounding of Ljubotic. This funerary cult shows us the traditions and creativity of a bygone age.

Brod – fort

The fort of Slavonski-Bord was built in 1715-1780. This was built up here because Brod, the royal and imperial frontier town was an important hub and here was the crossing of Sava River to Bosnia. As for its size, this is the largest Baroque fortress in Croatia and one of the largest in Europe. The reconstruction of the fort has started in 1995 and since then it’s a popular tourist attraction.

Kaniza-Lepoglava – mystic altar of energy

To date there is nothing about the origin or the date of the altar which is found next to the forest. A legend said that at the place of the stone on Ivancica hill earlier a church stood but because of evil people angels moved it from here, left only the altar to remind. This is a 130 cm high stone without any sign or relief and one of its side is cascade. Many researchers have analysed the stone includes scientist who also made researches in Stonehenge, but no one has an explanation about it. So the altar is still the biggest myths of Ivancica hill. It’s sure that the stone was pulled up here from 400 m and placed it on the East-West line with geometric precision, so the altar is full of energy.