You must be
wondering who was Petar Zoranić? He was born in Zadar in 1508 and wrote the
dedication to his novel “Mountains” in the royal town of Nin. He dedicated his
masterpiece to the canon of Nin, Matej Matijević. Although very little is known
about his life, except that he was a descendant of the old noble family Tetačić
of Nin, that moved to Zadar in the end of 15th century due to
malaria and Turkish invasions, this court scribe left an important trace on the
culture and history of both Nin and Croatia. His intention at that time was to
incite the love for the homeland - Nin and Zadar archipelago - among his compatriots.
These days, you should let “Mountains” lead you in a positive direction and in
discover of natural, cultural and historical heritage of the Nin area. In
“Mountains” Petar Zoranić had a role of a traveller-narrator. You should also
become travellers who observe the world around you with the eyes wide open and
who transfer their impressions to others, so they would also encounter the
beauty of Nin and its surrounding.
Journey in
imagination, but also in a real life
Start your journey
in Nin as Zoranić did, then go toward the foot of Velebit mountain and
Starigrad Paklenica, continue with Lika, Dinara and Šibenik before coming back
again in the old royal town. You can make that journey only in your
imagination, walking through Nin, discovering its cultural and historical
monuments, listening to guides or museum workers, or you can actually take your
car or another vehicle to get to mentioned parts of Croatia in order to find
out what Zoranić left in legacy to future generations. And while he went on his
imaginary journey with the wholehearted help of the fairy Hrvatica, you should
discover everything that Nin offers. And it offers a lot – from culture and
history to richness of plant and animal world.
Visit vast sand
beaches with healing mud, salt work where you can see the traditional way of
salt harvest or the sanctuary of Our Lady of Zečevo, whose feast is celebrated
on first Monday before the Feast of the Ascension.
If you really wish
to visit places described by Zoranić in”Mountains”, than you should visit
Starigrad and National Park of Paklenica. You will notice that the life of
Starigrad inhabitants is inseparable from Velebit, the mountain which gives
them strength and power. As in other places in Croatia, agitated history also
left traces in Starigrad, where you can find remains from Antiquity, but also
the tower of Večka, which dates from a period of Turkish invasions.
Romance with a
dose of adventure
After the visit to
Starigrad, you must visit the National Park of Paklenica and its canyons. Over
there you will find second largest black pine reserve in Europe, as well as
numerous endemic plant species. Your journey would be incomplete without a stop
in the Northern Velebit National Park and Velebit Nature Park, just like
Zoranić did. Take the road over Velebit towards the southern Lika region, where
Zoranić stopped for three days with shepherds. When you see it, go to Dinara
and climb to its highest peak. Those who seek for adrenaline and adventure can
try free climbing, mountain biking or another form of adventure tourism. If you
suffer from unrequited love, like the poet did, adventures on Dinara mountain
might help you cure your love pain. When you have enough, move toward Skradin
and Krka river, visit Krešimir town of Šibenik and come back to Nin. We are
sure that the black-winged stilt, a bird which is one of symbols of Nin, will
follow you on your journey, just like the fairy Tinker Bell followed the boy
who wouldn’t grow up – Peter Pan.
Foto: Marija Dejanović
