Brijuni is a group of islands and a national park (since October 27, 1983) in front of the western coast of Istria. Separated from the mainland by the Fazana Strait, it is located some 6 km from Pula. The island group comprises of 14 islands and islets covering an area of 36 square kilometers. The length of the coastline of all the islands is 46.8 km. The most indented islands are Veliki Brijun (25.9km) and Mali Brijun (8.3km). The shores are mostly low and rocky but easily accessible due to the horizontal stratification of the rocks, and in some bays pebbles and sand can be found.
The National Park of Brijuni includes the following islands: Veliki Brijun, Mali Brijun, St. Mark, Gaz, Okrugljak, Supin, Supinić, Galija, Grunj, Vanga (Krasnica), Pusti (Madona), Vrsar, St. Jerome and Kozada. (Krasnica), Pusti (Madona), Vrsar, Sv.Jerolim i Kozada. Geologically and geo-morphologically Brijuni are the continuation of western Istria, the so-called "Red Istria". Since the depth of the channel of Fažana is just 12 meters, Brijuni were until some 10,000 years ago an integral part of Istria.
Climatically Brijuni are part of the northern Mediterranean type of climate and have all the qualities of the western Istrian coast with a relatively high value of dampness in the air (76%). The average yearly temperature is 13.9C, the precipitation average is 817mm, while the level of insolation is 2350 hours per year.
The natural biological diversity was enriched by men’s traditional husbandry. Veliki Brijun, as the largest island of the archipelago, which was cultivated into a harmonious landscape of meadows and parks, has along with the rich remnants of architectural heritage also the preserved vegetation types typical for the western Istrian climate. It is important to underline that the sea forms 80% of the protected area of the National Park and has almost all the elements of the marine eco-system of the Adriatic.
On the northern edge of Veli Brijun, in an enclosed area stretching over 9 hectares, lies the safari park that was formed in 1978. The park is the habitat of many exotic plant eaters: Indian elephants Sony and Lanka, llamas - South American camels which according to the Indian legend were domesticated in the very beginnings of human existence, zebras, nilgais and kob antelopes, Somalian sheep, Indian holy cows. There is an ethnic park within the Safari park presenting a typical Istrian homestead with its autochthonous animal species. Istrian ox (Boškarin), Istrian sheep (Istrian "Pramenka"), donkeys and goats. It is intended both as a habitat and presentation of domestic animals of Istria. There you can also see structures suitable for such farm animals, such as the Istrian open "tetoja" (covered area with feeder for farm animals).
In the deep southern cove of Veli Brijun behind Cape Gromače lies the bird reserve Saline. It stretches over an area of 7 hectares, characteristic for its swampy plants and three small lakes.
The archipelago of Brijuni is an extraordinary blend of natural, historical and cultural heritage. The mild climate and the favourable geographical conditions, deep retracted bays and easily defendable elevated fortifications, have secured a continuum in the human activity on the island from a pre-historic age until the present day. On a relatively small archipelago, of an area of around 7km2, have been registered some hundred sites and buildings of archaeological and cultural-historical value and which comprise the period from the first Neolithic settlements, the dugouts in the bay of Soline, until the creation of an elite summer and health resort at the beginning of the last century and the presidential residency visited by statesmen from one third of the world’s countries in its 25 years of existence (1954-1979).
For more information, check the official Brijuni website
