Discovering the island’s rich cultural heritage on the way to wooded Šotovento
Start off an inspiring pilgrimage walk across the Golden Island from its centre – the town of Krk. The first section features a 23-kilometre-long walk through its surrounding villages, from Vrh through the Šotovento area, Skrbčići and Pinezići all the way to the village of Brzac.
Take a stroll along the stone alleys at the very heart of the old town and discover the island’s valuable cultural and historical heritage. The town is dominated by the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the dual Church of St Quirinus and St Margaret, adorned by an impressive bell tower. Inside the town walls, surrounding Krk for more than two thousand years, you will find many buildings of historical and religious relevance. One such building is the Frankopan Castle on Kamplin Square, the Krk residence of the noble family of historical relevance, built from the 12th to the 15th century. The old town alleys pass by the Krk Island Maritime Heritage Interpretation Centre and lead all the way to the Upper Town Gate that guards two valuable complexes, the Franciscan Monastery and the Benedictine Convent, along with Our Lady of Good Health – the town’s first Romanesque church. One of Krk’s most beautiful streets running alongside the walls of the Benedictine Convent descends towards Vela placa, the town’s main square surrounded by numerous landmarks, mostly from the Antiquity period.
The walking route continues by the town’s waterfront and its western part in the direction of Šotovento, the island’s westernmost area. Head towards Vrh through numerous olive groves. Passing by the Kimpi field, the route will take you to the Salatić Castle, the remains of a 15th-century country house, now covered in ivy. The next point is Vrh, a village dominated by the Parish Church of St Michael the Archangel, before proceeding to the neighbouring Skrbčići and Pinezići. Passing through Šotovento, a fertile wooded part of the island, you will be drawn to the remains of the Kambun settlement. The first day’s tour ends with a visit to Vela Jana Cove and the village of Brzac.