Welcome to Krk
The islanders’ traditional way of life is connected to the sea (fishing, navigation, ship building) and agriculture and livestock farming, especially sheep breeding, and this, along with other more modern activities, remained on the island until today.
The island of Krk's life in the past and in the present can be followed through the symbolic number seven. It was inhabited by the Croatian people in the 7th century, the seventh Frankopan prince was the last prince of Krk, it successfully survived pirate attacks seven times.
Today the island has seven administrative units: The island of Krk and the municipalities: Omišalj, Malinska, Punat, Baška, Vrbnik and Dobrinj.
There are seven different Chakavian dialects of the Croatian language. There are seven different types of customs, dances and popular costumes.
The folk instrument, the sopile is an ancient wind instrument which even today is an integral part of all island festivities, often connected to ecclesiastical holidays and patron saint's of specific villages.
The richness of the island's folklore is represented at the summer Festival of Krk folklore every year and at the Festival of Krk's sopile players.
The tradition also includes carollers during the Carnival period.
In the island of Krk's turbulent past, all foreigners coming to the island noticed its advantages and its wealth which they tried to use to the best of their advantage. Regarding the island's wealth and its single parts, it is best told by the epithets the island is known by. The Romans called the city of Krk “the most brilliant city of Krk inhabitants” and Venetian commissioners called it the "happy and golden island”. Legend has it that lamb from the island of Krk was served during Nero's famous banquets in Rome.
Together with home-made olive oil and wine vinegar, herbs and spices found on the island dominate in the preparation of island delicacies such as laurel, rosemary, garlic, shallots, salt, parsley, tomatoes, olives, carrots... The life expectancy on the island of Krk is usually above the national average. The legend regarding the area's being gifted with a natural wealth, a mild climate and a mild Mediterranean Diet has become reality for the island's numerous centenarians. The secret of long life also lies in the “elixir of youth, health and beauty” which is present in large quantities on the island of Krk and this is confirmed by the islanders when they talk about the olive oil as an obligatory ingredient to both local and national food specialities.
