Brodarica

The holiday village of Brodarica is located about 5 kilometres south of Šibenik and, together with the island of Krapanj lying off it, has grown into a fine holiday region. Most of the beaches here are of gravel and stone, but the occasional bathing platform is also to be found.

The small, enchanting village of Krapanj is located on the smallest and most densely settled island in the Mediterranean. It lies about 300 metres off the mainland and the town of Brodarica and, with a small total area of 360 sq m, offers an idyllic place for a holiday. A ferry connects the island with the mainland, calling almost hourly on weekdays and four times at the weekend.
The picturesque core of the island village formed around the monastery of the Holy Cross and the church from the year 1523. Here small lanes and typically Dalmatian stone houses dominate the village scene. In the church itself, special works of art from the state collection can be viewed, among them valuable pieces such as "The Last Supper" and "The Black Madonna". A small museum is located in the monastery itself.

The island is particularly known for its traditional sponge craft and sponge fishing. Originally the inhabitants of Krapanj appear to have learnt this art of special sea harvesting from the Greek monk Antun from Crete. Sponge hunting is a science in itself and was already a demanding business in early times. As early as the end of the 19th century, an eight-man crew equipped with divers, oarsmen and helpers was needed for the sponge hunt. Only around 1920 did people begin to process the sponges and sell them cleaned. The demanding hunting and cleaning procedure is also the reason for the relatively high price of about 50 euros a kilo.