Vis, Mediterranean island in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia
Vis is an island in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia, that stretches across ninety square kilometers and lies surrounded by the Adriatic. Mount Hum rises to 587 meters (1926 feet) and offers views over pine forests and citrus plantations that cover terraced slopes.
Greek settlers founded the colony of Issa in 390 BCE and shaped it into an important trading base in the Adriatic. The Romans formally incorporated the territory into their empire in 47 BCE after maintaining earlier diplomatic ties.
The settlements preserve stone architecture passed down through centuries, with narrow lanes in old quarters like Kut. Local cellars open their doors for tastings of Vugava and Plavac Mali, two grape varieties grown here for generations.
Ferries depart daily from Split and take roughly two hours for the crossing, depending on weather and wave conditions. Once on land, local maps help with orientation, and walking trails are mostly well marked.
The military controlled this territory until 1989 and left behind a network of tunnels and bunkers that can now be visited. Some of these installations served as submarine pens and today stand as reminders of a hidden past.
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