Valamar Blog

Mare Hadriaticum is the ancient Latin name for the Adriatic Sea, and it probably originates from the name of the former harbour in the Etruscan colony Adria (Hadria). Today, the Adriatic Sea covers the area between the Balkan and Apennine Peninsula. The furthest southern point is Prevlaka, while the furthest western point is Savudrija and there are 783 kilometres between them.

The Croatian coastline consists of 1246 islands, small islands and cliffs; it is 4058 kilometres long and considered to be one of the most indented coastlines in Europe. The indentedness of the Adriatic coastline is perfect for the abundant flora and fauna and there are, therefore, six to seven thousands of plant and animal species inhabiting the Adriatic Sea.

The Croatian Adriatic coastline has the cleanest sea in Europe. Around 340 sea fish species live in it, some thirty of them are smaller or larger kinds of sharks, and there are also around twenty kinds of spotted rays. Around 240 shells and 800 kinds of snails live here as well. The largest Adriatic shell is the pen shell which can grow and reach the size of one metre in diameter. Around 220 bottlenose dolphins, the only sea mammals living in the Adriatic Sea, live in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea.

The west coast of Istria is rich with blue fish, among which the best known are sardines. The fishermen use their nets to catch them when they form a shoal, in September when the weather is nice and stabile. In December, the fishermen catch the soles, a sea delicacy many like to see on their table during the Christmas holidays. Scallops, shells of an attractive appearance and of an even better taste when prepared with homemade olive oil…

And the list goes on. There is nothing left to do but invite you to come to the Adriatic Sea, dive into its azure and let it move you… Embrace it and be happy.