Mljet

Mljet – the first large island we come upon while sailing the from the southeast in Croatian waters. In historical times, the entire island was inhabited by the Illyrians. The Greeks, on their way to Lumbarda (island of Korčula) and other Adriatic settlements arrived there stayed due to the water and bad weather. The island was also inhabited by the Romans, who left behind archaeological remnants, the most significant of which is the palace in Polače harbor, as well as the names of the island heights, hills and reefs, unquestionable proof of their residence on the island.

Mljet is Croatia’s greenest island with lush Mediterranean vegetation, clear and clean sea, a gentle, sandy shoreline and a wealth of underwater sea life. This island is well known for its southern sorts of white and red wine, which receive a special flavour and aroma from the sun and the specific Mljet soil. The island is also well known for its goat’s cheese and honey which, in the past, was served in emperor’s courts, and mostly for the warmness with which the islanders greet visitors to their island.

The Island of Mljet has a daily ferry connection with Dubrovnik and in the summer, with the Islands of Korčula and Lastovo. The ferry which connects Prapratno and Sobra is in function throughout the year. During the height of the season, the island is connected with Dubrovnik, Korčula, Hvar, Split and Rijeka by ferries.

During the summer months, numerous tourism and excursion boats arrive to the area of the Mljet National Park (at the harbours of Place and Pomena) from Dubrovnik, Korčula, Makarska and the Pelješac peninsula.

History – Mljet

The island has various names in documents from the past: de Melita, de Meleta, da Mlete, de la Melida, da Melta, da Malta, di Meleda, Melitensis, Melitae – all equally beautiful and melodious, as is the island itself.

The word Melita – Melite in Greek has the same meaning as the Latin word for honey – mell, mellis. The meaning of the name of the island comes from the word for honey, as in the past, its woods were inhabited by many swarms of bees. Those who first come to this island instantly fall in love with it, and always gladly return.

The island’s past recalls many things and people: Odyssey and his nymph Calypso, the apostle Paul, the poet Opiana, the Roman Emperor Augustus, the German military leader Odoacer with his “comes domesticorum” Pierius, the ancient Illyrians, the Croatian-Slavic inhabitation of the island and their battles with the Roman army, the Dubrovnik nobles who ruled over the island, as did the Abbots of St. Mary and later, the Venetian knights, the fall of the Dubrovnik Republic, the arrival of Napoleon’s army and the English war ships, the hundred years of Austrian rule, the first Italian occupation of the island, the rule of the anti-people’s regime under the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the second occupation and the annexation of the island by Mussolini’s Italy from 1941 to 1943, the anti-fascist movement and the liberation of the island in 1944, and the half-century of Communist rule.

Since 1990, Mljet, together with the remaining Croatian islands has been an indivisible part of the free and independent Republic of Croatia, which was the centuries long dream for many generations of the people of Mljet.