Sveta Katarina, Islet and coastline near Rovinj, Croatia
Sveta Katarina, also known as Saint Catherine Island, is a small wooded islet just off the coast of Rovinj in Croatia. Its eastern shore faces the town and has sheltered coves with rocky platforms, while the western side is open and wild with tall cliff formations.
In the 19th century, the island was bought by Archduke Karl Stephen, then later by Count Ignaz Milewski, who had a summer house built there. Milewski also brought in soil to cover the bare rock and created a planted park, which shaped the island's green character that remains today.
The rocks on the western side of the island, known as the Golden, Silver, and Bronze cliffs, are a gathering spot for cliff jumpers. Visitors climb the rocks and leap into the water below, a practice that has become part of the island's identity over the years.
Boats leave regularly from Delfin pier near Rovinj's Old Town, and the crossing takes only a few minutes. The eastern side has facilities including showers and chair rentals, but the paths are rocky throughout, so sturdy footwear makes the walk more comfortable.
The green park covering the island exists only because Count Milewski had soil brought in from elsewhere in the 19th century, as the ground was originally bare rock. Without that effort, the island would look much more barren than it does today.
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