Name and Location

The Veli Rat Lighthouse, also known as Svjetionik Veli rat, is situated on Punta Bjanka, the north-western tip of the island of Dugi otok in the Adriatic Sea. Its official name is Svjetionik Veli rat, and it is operated by Plovput d.o.o., the Croatian state maritime signaling authority. The address is Veli klanac 101, 23287 Veli Rat, Općina Sali, Zadar County, Croatia.

Construction and History

The lighthouse was commissioned in 1849 under the Austro-Hungarian Empire to improve maritime safety along the busy shipping lanes of the northern Adriatic. It is one of the oldest lighthouses still in operation on Croatia's Adriatic coast. The construction date marks the beginning of a long history, with the light serving as a crucial aid to navigation for mariners.

Architecture and Materials

The tower is a freestanding cylindrical masonry structure with a gallery and lantern, founded on local limestone rubble bound with lime mortar. The exterior is whitewashed, giving it a striking appearance. The attached keeper's quarters are a two-storey rectangular building also whitewashed. Originally equipped with a Fresnel lens, the lighthouse today features modern optics.

Light and Navigation

Unfortunately, technical details such as tower height, focal plane (above sea level), light characteristic, and nominal range were not available in the provided sources. However, it is known that the light remains the primary aid to navigation, with no public record of radar installation.

Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse site offers panoramic views of the open Adriatic, neighboring islands, and the Dalmatian mainland on clear days. Visitors can reach the site by car or bicycle via the local road network from the village of Veli Rat and then follow a short dirt track. The grounds are accessible year-round and free of charge. However, public entry to the tower and keeper's quarters is not possible.

Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding landscape features low limestone cliffs surrounded by Mediterranean maquis vegetation, providing a picturesque setting. Nearby attractions include "Sakarun" beach, one of Croatia's best-known white-sand beaches, local fishing villages, hiking trails along the coast, and stunning vistas of the Adriatic.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Local tradition recounts that the light was crucial in preventing shipwrecks in the mid-19th century when sailing vessels crowded these waters. Stories of the first keepers speak of harsh winters and lonely watches, but no specific keeper diaries have been published.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is automated (unmanned) and powered by mains electricity with an emergency generator, typical for Plovput lighthouses. The managing authority is Plovput d.o.o., Maritime Safety Department.

Further Information

For more information, visit the official Plovput website or consult IL76 (Adriatic Sea, North) and Croatian chart series.