October 24, 2022 - Earlier this year, the Baška association Sinjali organised workshops and the restoration of a mrgar (stone drywall) on Ljubimer. They did it with the support of the Baška Municipality Tourist Board, the Baška Municipality, and the professional technical assistance of the 4 Grada Dragodid association. After the successful workshops held in spring, the efforts will continue this November.

If you are a fan of nature, cultural heritage and helping out - the Baška Municipality Tourist Board invite you to register for the stone drywall construction workshop that will be held on November 5 and 6, 2022 in Baška. Learn the principles of traditional stone drywall construction techniques, and enjoy the view of the sea and islands, far from the city noise and busy everyday life. The workshop is free for all participants and includes tools, protective gloves, a hot meal and expert guidance from a mentor from the association 4 Grada Dragodid.

The workshop aims to restore part of the neglected mrgar, but also to encourage their further restoration and evaluation in terms of tourism, while the educational part of the programme is aimed at informing and educating the local population and visitors about the values ​​of natural and cultural heritage and the possibilities of sustainable development that such a valuable infrastructure brings. Sign up here!

Schedule:

Saturday, November 5

08:30 - 09:00 - gathering at Zarok and distribution of tools, protective equipment and water 
09:00 - departure to Ljubimer
10:00 - the start of work
15:00 - completion of works and return to Baška
16:30 - arrival in Baška
17:00 - joint dinner at Heritage Hotel Forza for all volunteers and organisers
19:30 - lectures in Zvonimir Gallery, Baška

Sunday, November 6
09:00 - departure from Zarok to Ljubimer
10.00 - 14.00 - workshop
15:30 - arrival in Baška and return of tools
16:00 - lunch at Heritage Hotel Forza and distribution of certificates of appreciation

Lectures:

1. All our mrgars - lecturer Branka Polonijo, Sinjali Association

PP presentation with photos of all mrgars, locations, functions, conservation, presentation, protection and tourism valorisation

2. Drywall construction and renovation techniques - lecturer Filip Šrajer, 4 Grada Dragodid Association 

Photographs and drawings will present the most common forms of stone drywall constructions, the basic principles and the most common mistakes in stone drywall construction and the reconstruction of destroyed parts of drywalls.

With their unique structure, which resembles a stone flower, mrgars are a recognisable decoration of the pastures (komunade) of Baška, Jurandvor and Batomalja, or at least they should be, which is the purpose of these reconstruction workshops. The speciality of these stone laces is that you can only find them on the southern part of the island of Krk. There are ten of them, five on each plateau and another five on the neighbouring island of Prvić. This way of breeding sheep was used in Wales in Great Britain, and there are two further mrgars on the uninhabited island of Dolin (near the island of Rab) and one in Switzerland!

This Krk rhapsody in stone was once created by the shepherds of Baška, Batomalj and Jurandvor, not as an artistic intervention in the landscape but as a functional object in the service of collecting and sorting sheep in the collective type of sheep farming. The mrgars consist of a common central space of the hall and, like the petals of a flower, arranged mrgarići (smaller drywalls) that the shepherds individually own.

Due to the changes in sheep farming in recent decades, the mrgars have lost their primary purpose and have been left to the test of time. However, they are part of the cultural heritage of the island of Krk and, as such, should survive for all future generations, and this is precisely the wish of the organisers of this action.

They invite all interested locals, visitors and fans of Baška to participate in a two-day workshop on stone drywall construction, an important part of the heritage of the Baška region. All help is welcome! 

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated Lifestyle section.

October 10, 2022 - This October has been a dream in Croatia. The temperatures are still reaching the high twenties and might inspire you to spend time outdoors, doing all the activities. If you're looking for something unique, fun, and challenging this weekend, we have just the right thing. Head to the island of Krk, visit the Baška Outdoor Festival, and pick your favourite category. There's something for everyone.

So far, the seven successfully held editions have confirmed that Baška is the perfect destination for an event whose ambition, from the very beginning, was to become one of the leading outdoor events in Croatia. Baška Outdoor Festival is an event where professionals and enthusiasts of various outdoor sports and activities gather to enjoy the experience of one of the most exciting events on the island of Krk, which brings together all of Baška's outdoor forces and resources.

This most popular out-of-season event attracts many visitors to Baška, so the weekend in mid-October (October 14 - October 16, 2022) is already traditionally reserved for the autumn charms of Baška and numerous outdoor activities, accompanied by a great gathering of outdoor athletes and recreationists from all over Croatia, but also beyond its borders. All lovers of an active and sporty lifestyle will find an activity for themselves in the rich three-day program of this year's edition of the festival, organised by the Baška Municipality Tourist Board in partnership with Valamar and numerous organisers of sports events.

Baška Outdoor Festival brings five attractive outdoor sports programs - trail running, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, and zipline- all with special accommodation benefits and numerous accompanying facilities that are richer than ever this year!

The program begins on Friday, October 14, with the Zip & Fly adventure, organised in cooperation with Zipline Edison. During Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (with prior notice), all adventurers will be able, at a promotional price for the duration of BOF, to try driving an all-terrain vehicle, walk in nature and descend on cables longer than two kilometres! The ride of a lifetime, with a total duration of approximately two hours, with a view of Baška, the sea and the island of Prvić, and the beautiful rugged landscape, is a unique experience you don't want to miss!

On Saturday, October 15, all visitors to the Baška Outdoor Festival will be invited to numerous challenges, the biggest of which may be which activity to choose! In the competitive part for cyclists, Adria Bike is organising the 6th edition of the now legendary Krk'n'Roll MTB Marathon (e-bike and Mtb), with three carefully prepared tracks of different lengths, 70, 46 and 27 km, intended for women and men. Trail lovers are also in for a treat, the 12^th edition of the first Croatian trail race Krk'n'Trail (Krk Island Trail), a competition organised by the Trekking League in three length/difficulty categories: 7, 14, and 24 kilometers. Both amateurs and those looking for more significant sporting challenges will be able to enjoy the race. It should be mentioned that the race route includes still undiscovered trails of the southern part of the island of Krk, which pass through some of the most beautiful bays in the vicinity of Baška!

In the last few years, there has been a significant increase in interest in sport climbing, with Baška boasting as many as four equipped climbing areas, which will equally satisfy those who are new to climbing and those for whom conquering peaks is a lifestyle. Due to the great interest in natural rock climbing in the vicinity of Baška, climbing has been organised at two locations - at the Portafortuna climbing site on Saturday, October 15, and at the Belove stene climbing area on Sunday, October 16. The aptly named Touch the Sky programme is suitable for beginners (from the age of 12), and all lovers of heights will be taught climbing by the expert team of Anima Adventures.

On Sunday, October 16, for those who prefer hiking, the Rocky Hill Hike Tour has been organised along a route of 12 km, Baška/Heritage hotel Forza – Batomalj – Bratinac – Gabri – Stanikovica – Vraca – Zarok – Baška, accompanied by an expert Promotiv Travel Outdoor guide. The excursion will allow all mountaineers to get to know Baška and its surroundings. Considering the incredible views and untouched nature that awaits you around every corner, we recommend that you carry a camera!

In addition to the sports part of the program, the weekend schedule of the Baška Outdoor Festival also includes interesting lectures, free workshops, and a rich programme for children!

On the very first day of the Festival, on Friday 14 October, do not miss the interesting travel lecture "Everest Then and Now", during which the legendary Stipe Božić and Mario Celinić will tell about their most extraordinary life adventures and share their experience of climbing the highest peak in the world 42 years apart: in 1979 and 2021! Mario Celinić will show in detail the way to the final goal - the top of Mount Everest, where he decided to go with the mentorship and help of the experienced alpinist Stipe Božić, who conquered that peak twice and stood on the highest peaks of all seven continents.

What kind of programme would it be without an excellent musical background? DJ performances in Bistro Funtana will complete the favorite Baška Outdoor Festival, and the indispensable Infinity Band will ensure a happy and dancing atmosphere in the after-race zone of Baška Outdoor Festival, Porto Club Baška. The highlight of the party awaits us on Saturday, October 15, at the Cubismo Group concert, which will bring an avalanche of the excellent energy of Afro-Cuban rhythm.

The concerts are free for all participants and visitors, so join these fantastic performances and enjoy the excellent music!

The youngest participants of the festival will be able to enjoy various free activities in the Outdoor Corner for Children (October 15 and 16), located on the green areas of the Zvonimir Sunny Hotel by Valamar. Slackline, climbing on an artificial rock, and a mountain bike school will introduce even the youngest participants to the world of adventure.

Find the detailed festival programme here.

The festival's partner, Valamar Riviera, offers special prices on accommodation for all visitors. You can choose between hotels and campsites, but of course, there are other accommodation options available in Baška. Hurry up with your reservations because the capacities are filling up fast!

HOTELS
CORINTHIA BAŠKA SUNNY HOTEL BY VALAMAR*** - soon SOLD OUT!
The price of a double room with buffet breakfast and dinner with drinks: from 66 EUR
Promo code: BOFTRAIL / BOFMTB ; www.valamar.com
HERITAGE HOTEL FORZA****
10% discount on all accommodation units
Promo code: OUTDOOR 2022; www.hotelforza.hr

CAMPS
BAŠKA BEACH CAMPING RESORT**** - SOLD OUT!
Promo code: BOFTRAIL / BOFMTB ; www.valamar.com
CAMP "MALI"
10% discount on lots; phone: +385 51 864 164; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; www.kamp-mali.hr

OTHER ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES
PENSION "BURIN"
phone: +385 51 856 697; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; www.pansionburin.hr

PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION
Contact the tourist agencies from the Baška area, which will find the best possible accommodation for you:
"ŠILOTURIST" - phone: +385 51 860 171; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
"LPD TOURS" - phone: +385 51 856 460; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
"POLO LINE" - phone: +385 51 856 533; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
"PDM-GULLIVER" - phone: +385 51 864 007; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
"ADRIA SOLE" - phone: +385 51 293 801; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
"AGENCY ARA" - phone: +385 51 856 321; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

All photos are courtesy of the Baška Tourist Board.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated Travel section.