Brijuni National Park

Brijuni National Park is located in Croatia, consists of 14 islands and reefs located in the Adriatic Sea, about 2 km from the western coast of the Istrian peninsula. The park was founded on October 27, 1983, but received its current borders in 1999. At the moment, the park area is 34 ^km2. The largest islands in the archipelago are Bolshoy (5.7 ^km2) and Maly Briun (1.7 ^km2).

The islands have a large layer of red earth, as well as a temperate climate and high humidity, which allows subtropical plants to grow on the island. This greatly distinguishes Brijuni from the rest of the islands of the Adriatic Sea. There are a large number of pines and oaks, there is also laurel, rosemary, olives, cedar, eucalyptus, oleander. The local forests are considered one of the most attractive in Croatia. The sea in Briuns is clean, as evidenced by sea urchins, as they cannot live in dirty water.

The Briuns began to settle a long time ago, as early as 3000 BC during the Early Bronze Age. The island was changing hands. At various times, it was possessed by the Celts, Byzantines, Ostrogoths, Illyrians, and, of course, the Romans. Each of the peoples has preserved a part of their culture on the island.

In the 19th century, the archipelago was bought by steel magnate Paul Kupelweiser for 100,000 Austrian marks, who wanted to turn the island into a prestigious resort. To do this, all the swamps on the island were drained and Robert Koch, an unknown scientist at that time, who remained on the island for the rest of his life, was recruited to kill mosquitoes. Hotels were built on the island, beaches were equipped, a magnificent park, golf and tennis courses, as well as a racetrack and a wine cellar were built.