June 16, 2022 - Galešnjak, a small island in the shape of a heart, is located in the Pašman Channel as it continuously provides a sanctuary for couples seeking moments of connection. It hides amongst Zadar's archipelago and is surrounded by crystal blue waters of the Adriatic Sea.
“Cupid’s Island”, more famously known as the “Island of Love”, was originally spotted by a 19th-century cartographer working for Napoleon. However, the recognition it received was all thanks to Google Earth and the photograph it published in 2008 – depicting the island's prised heart shape. The awareness of the idyllic sanctuary from the public is unceasingly growing throughout the years as the natural phenomena is seen as a gem on social media.
Galešnjak Island is home to ancient Illyrian burial mounds, low shrubs, and little vegetation – nothing more! It has a population of zero, being an uninhabited, featureless island and a perfect place for some peace and quiet. Additionally, it is only 32 acres or so in area; allowing visitors to walk across it in less than ten minutes.
The exotic Island is currently privately owned by locals; the Jureško family. The family extolled Galešnjak’s features as a serene destination for honeymooners or other lovestruck couples, as well as cut down some of the natural foliage across the island in order to plant olive orchards that could host weddings and showcase splendour like no other.
Therefore, if you are visiting Croatia and find yourself near Zadar or Pašman, do not miss the opportunity to experience seeing the Island of Love in person and dive amidst its breathtaking marvels. And do know that the island's astonishing natural shape, the sound of the sea, and the occasional singing of birds charmed one of the most famous singers in the world, Beyonce, as she decided to celebrate her 39th birthday with her family on Galešnjak in 2020!
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