Mljet National Park — Attraction in Općina Mljet

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Mljet" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (June 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Mljet Zalazak.jpg Sunset over the Mljet lakes Croatia - Mljet.PNG Geography Location Adriatic Sea Coordinates 42°44′N 17°31′ECoordinates: 42°44′N 17°31′E Archipelago Adriatic islands Area 98.01 km2 (37.84 sq mi) Length 37 km (23 mi) Width 3.2 km (1.99 mi) Coastline 135.185 km (84.0001 mi) Highest elevation 514 m (1,686 ft) Highest point Veliki grad Administration Croatia County Dubrovnik-Neretva Largest settlement Babino Polje (pop. 270) Demographics Population 1,088 (2011) Pop. density 11.34 /km2 (29.37 /sq mi) Ethnic groups 98% Croats 2% others Mljet (pronounced mʎɛ̂t]; Latin: Melita, Italian: Meleda) is the southernmost and easternmost of the larger Adriatic islands of the Dalmatia region of Croatia. The National Park includes the western part of the island, Veliko jezero, Malo jezero, Soline Bay and a sea belt 500 m wide from the most prominent cape of Mljet covering an area of 54 km2.[1] The central parts of the park are Veliko jezero with the Isle of St. Mary, Malo jezero and the villages of Goveđari, Polače and Pomena. Mljet was discovered by ancient Greco-Roman geographers, who wrote the first records and descriptions. The island was first described by Scylax of Caryanda in the 6th century BC; others prefer the text, Periplus of Pseudo-Scylax. In both texts, it is named Melite and supported by Apollonius of Rhodes.[4 Agathemerus and Pliny the Elder call the island Melita.5]

Agesilaus of Anaxarba in Cilicia, the father of Oppian, was banished to Mljet by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus (AD 145–211)[6.

Monastery of Saint Mary Mljet is mentioned around 950 by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitos in his Of Ruling an Empire as one of the islands held by the Narentines. The island was often a controversy of ownership between them and Zachlumia until the stronger unifications of the Serbian realm in the 12th century. Ancient Greeks called the island "Melita" or "honey" which over the centuries evolved to become the Slavic name, Mljet (pronounced [mʎɛt]).

Mljet has been regarded as the "Melita" on which Saint Paul was shipwrecked (Acts of the Apostles 27:39–28:11), this view being first expounded in the 10th century, by Eastern Roman Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus. Saint Paul's shipwreck is generally placed on the Mediterranean island of Malta. Mljet and Malta had the same name in the Greek and Roman sources; the mention of a viper in Acts 28:3–5 was thought to be in favour of Mljet (there are snakes on both Mljet and Malta but only the former is home to a venomous snake). A harbour named after the Saint exists on both islands.

The Benedictines from Pulsano in Apulia became the feudal lords of the island in 1151, having come from Monte Gargano in Italy. They came ashore in the Sutmiholjska cove and in 1187–1198 the Serbian Prince Desa of the House of Vojislavljević built and donated to them the Church and Monastery of Saint Mary on the islet in the Big Lake (Veliko Jezero) towards the north-west end of the island. Pope Innocent III issued a document consecrating the...

Some places are beautiful, but aren’t anything special, really. There aren’t enough viewing spots where you could experience the landscape the same way it’s photographed and promoted from the drone. The nice viewing spot is definitely the Mt. Montakuc, but again, it doesn’t justify the high fee for entering the park. In general, it reminds me of some common German lakes, that in most cases, are accessible for free. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice location, but absolutely shouldn’t cost 25 EUR for the entry ticket. The beaches aren’t really beaches, but somewhat “organized” access points to the lakes (perhaps it’s better at the coast of the island, but it’s the lakes that are the central point of this park, they say). Even renting a kayak costs another 30 EUR for only 1.5h! This is ridiculous, and it just feels like another location in Croatia that wants to suck money out of the tourist for something basic. Italy, Greece, even the German Alps, or the polish Tatry Mountains, offer way more and better, than this. And they cost less, or for an equivalent of what you spend here (also the food, the accommodation, etc.), you really get more. So, if you’re used to traveling, visiting Mljet will definitely be a disappointment that fits this: it’s basic. Fun fact: even one of the workers of the National Park, when asked if there’s any particular spot to see, replied “no, it’s all the same, just trees...

The park is really beautiful with trails and roads throughout for visitors. There are bikes available for rent and a land train from the ticket stand around the lake. Kayaks are also available to rent for around €20 per person. The ferries are included in the ticket price and are great to cut about the lake and visit the lovely monastery. On Sveta Marija there are limited things to do (especially on Sundays when the majority of the monastery is closed) and there are two restaurants. One for more sit down dining and another that is more like a cafe. Prices are what you expect for places that have captive audiences.

The only problem is actually getting to Mljet in the first place. There are surprisingly few ferries from Dubrovnik to any of the Mljet ports so don't expect an hourly service it is more like 2 a day. Information on those ferry services are as clear as mud and id recommend just downloading the TP Line app and buying tickets there instead of trying all the different links and advice on Google.

Finally, because of the beautiful surroundings the park is busy. Don't be surprised if a travel group of 20 Australians bust by on bikes or French school kids skip the line at the ferry. Relax and go with the flow of nature and...