Veli Iž, Settlement in Zadar County, Croatia.
Veli Iž is a small settlement on the northern shore of Luka Bay, stretching along the coast between the islands of Ugljan and Dugi Otok. Stone houses line the waterfront and overlook the Adriatic Sea, with a local marina offering around 45 berths for boats.
The place grew from an ancient fishing community where residents sustained themselves through maritime work across generations. This connection to the sea shaped how the settlement developed and what it became.
The settlement celebrates local traditions through a festival on July 29th where residents dress in traditional costumes and perform regional dances. These events show how the community keeps its heritage alive through everyday practice.
Regular ferry services connect the settlement to the city of Zadar, providing access without needing a car. The small marina with its berths is helpful for visitors arriving by boat or planning water-based exploration.
The settlement is home to the last pottery workshop on the Dalmatian coast where traditional Iški Lopizi ceramics are still made by hand. An old oil mill operates at the same location, revealing how earlier generations produced their everyday goods.
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