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Susak is a small islet formed from sand deposits
(total area 6.3 sq. km) in the Kvarner Bay, southest of the
Istrian peninsula and west of Lošinj. The
northern part of the islet is slightly higher (Garba, 98 m).
The name Sansego comes from the Greek
word Sansegus meaning oregano which grows in abundance on
the island. A small percentage of natives still reside on the
island which has increasingly become a popular tourist
destination—especially during the peak summer months. Many of
the people from Susak currently live in the United States,
settling in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Almost the whole islet is covered with terraced vineyards. The
only settlement is the village of the same name on the east
coast. It consists of an older part situated at the edge of a
sand plateau and a more recent part by the sea. In addition to
wine growing (wine cellars and distillery) the inhabitants are
engaged in fishing and fish processing; the surrounding sea
offers good fishing grounds, particularly for sardines. By the
village a sandy beach. Susak is a favourite excursion point for
visitors to Lošinj and Cres. Communications via Mali Lošinj.
Mythical origins
"In Antiquity, when the archipelago was home to a Greek
colony, the islands were called the Absyrtides. This is
because, according to an episode in the legend of the
Argonauts,
Jason and
Medea were said to have taken refuge here to escape
pursuit by Absyrtus, the sorceress's brother, after they had
stolen the
golden fleece. Medea's brother found them, however, and
fell into a trap she had laid: he was chopped into pieces and
thrown into the sea where his body parts formed the many
islets surrounding
Cres
and
Losinj."[1]
Susak was already inhabited in Roman times. A
Benedictine abbey (remains north of the church) stood beside the
present village church in the 11th century. An 11th century
cross is built into the wall above the side door; inside the
church a Romanesque crucifix from the 12th century. The inhabitants
of the islet differ considerably from the inhabitants of the
neighbouring islands in language, customs and costumes. They
still observe extremely interesting traditions
connected with weddings, the wine harvest and the carnival, and
the women still wear their unique folk costumes.
Notes:
-
Knopf, Alfred (2005). Croatia and the Dalmatian Coast.
Knopf Guides.
Sources:
- The Yugoslav Coast,
Jugoslavenski Leksikografski Zavod (Zagreb, 1972)
- Image - Roman Klementschitz,
Vienna, Austria
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Created: Sunday, March 30,
2008; Last updated:
Sunday, November 27, 2022
Copyright © 1998
IstriaNet.org, USA
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