ALLURING ISLAND ON THE MEDITERRANEAN – VIS
Find out why so many visitors call this island ‘Magnificent’.
VIS ISLAND
Name comes from the Italian ‘Lissa’ and old-greek origin ‘lσσα, Issa’
Vis was strategically significant in the Adriatic and many naval battles have been fought over it. The Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Slavs, Venetians, Austrians, French and British have all controlled Vis at different times. After the Second World War Vis became a military base to which access was strictly controlled. It was only in the summer of 1998 that the island was opened to foreign visitors.
This protection from tourist development left the island unspoiled and the local population has been able to carry on their traditional livelihoods – fishing and farming. For centuries Vis has also been famous also for its wine and its fish dishes.
Island has 2 towns, Vis, located southeast, and Komiža, located westerly.
FEW TIPS & DO NOT MISS:
Worth visiting between 9 and 11 o’clock, is the nearby island of Biševo, famous for its Blue Grotto (known locally as Modra Špilja), a sea cave discovered in 1886 that is approachable only by boat.
Opol is an outstandingly good light red wine, Viško Crno is a strong heavy red and Vugava a rather rich white wine. Do not forget to enjoy fish dishes like viška or Komiška pogača and fish on grill.
Do not miss Komiža – located at the western end of Vis island, often said to be the capital of Dalmatian fishing. The tradition of sail powered wooden fishing boats – Falkuša – goes back over 300 years.
It is best not to anchor in Komiža because of its small size and the commercial traffic (fishing and tour boats taking sightseers to the Blue Cave on Biševo). Most sailors tie up at the breakwater, which is fitted with mooring lines to make it easier to secure your yacht.
Do not miss in Vis: Archaeological museum, located in the former fortress of Our Lady’s Battery, built by the Austrians at the beginning of 19th century and Fort George, built in 1813 by the British Royal Navy. Or the Vis Military Tour organized by ALTERNATURA.
