Jablanac, Coastal settlement in Lika-Senj County, Croatia
Jablanac is a coastal settlement situated between the coves of Stara Vlaka and Smokovača, featuring stone houses along narrow lanes that open toward a natural harbor. The village spreads along the shoreline with modest buildings that follow the rocky terrain.
The settlement was originally called Ablana and became a free royal town in the 13th century. Turkish raids during the 1300s marked a turning point in its fortunes and left scars on the community.
The Church of St. Nicholas reflects the religious devotion of medieval coastal communities in this region. Walking through it, you can see how faith shaped local life and building practices over centuries.
You can reach the settlement via the Adriatic Coastal Road, with ferry services to Rab Island departing from Stinica just north of here. The best time to visit is during warmer months when the sea is calmer and the weather more pleasant.
The Miroslav Hirtz mountain hut perches on a seaside cliff and connects to the beach through a stone stairway carved into the rock. This unusual structure shows how locals found creative ways to live between land and sea in this rugged environment.
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