Tradition
The town of Pag has a rich folklore heritage. The Pag folk costume is of beautiful colors and shapes, and the ladies' head cover hemmed with Pag lace is particularly attractive. Pag lace is the most beautiful autochthonous souvenir – it is made by sewing and used as an independent ornament or part of clothing.
The central part of summer is marked by the Summer Pag Carnival, when the town brass band plays the traditional Pag wheel-dance on Petar Krešimir IV Square, a masquerade is held, folk chants are sung, and a folk play Robinja (Slave) is performed. The biggest religious holiday in Pag is Assumption of Virgin Mary on August 15th, celebrated by an official procession.
Excursions
The geographical position of the town of Pag allows each visitor to take quick and easy trips to the biggest Croatian national parks.
National Park Kornati is a wonderful archipelago of little islands and rocks. North on mainland are Plitvice Lakes (Plitvièka Jezera), a very pleasant place for rest. Walking through a thick forest and seeing the magnificent great falls will remain in one's memory forever.
National Parks Paklenica and Sjeverni Velebit (North Velebit) are especially interesting, because you transfer from a warm Mediterranean climate into a cool mountain one in a matter of minutes, and the view from the peaks will leave you breathless. National Park Krka consists of a string of pearly falls and the little island of Višovac in Krka Canyon. You can visit two ornithological reservations on the island of Pag, fresh water lakes Velo Blato and Malo Blato, or take an all-day fish picnic by boat in Pag Bay.
Recreation
Lovers of active holidays and nature can enjoy a number of sports & recreation facilities while staying in the town of Pag. In the area called Lokunje is the exclusive Olympic Center with tennis courts and grounds for a number of other sports. 115 km of biking trails were developed next to the rocky hills, on what used to be ancient shepherds' trails.
The rocks rising vertically out of the sea, including mountain-climbing signposts, are a real challenge for mountain climbers. The submarine world around Pag is exceptionally attractive for diving, and the Pag Bay itself is suitable for sailing and windsurfing.
The Town of Pag
Pag is the town of the sea salt. The importance of the salt was the main reason that Pag was constructed in the 15th century, according to a plan and as a fortified town. The original salt manufacture by draining of the sea, which is brought in the small clay pools (saline), is still present on the island. These salt pools are not only an authentic relict of the past but also an interesting photographic motif.
The town of Pag is also the town of needlework- the famous lace. Every lace is a unique item. The slow and demanding process of making them has been nourished through centuries and still lives in the streets of the old town.The most interesting cultural and historical place on the island – the town of Pag – is not the oldest place on the island as well. One kilometer to the south, there are the remains of a settlement (a fortified convent and a church) which preceded today's Pag – the Old town of Pag which the king Bela IV granted the status of the Royal Borough, on 30th March 1244.
In 1443, the construction of the new town started according to the strict designs of Juraj Dalmatinac, Renaissance sculptor and architect. It ended two centuries later. There is the parish Church of the Assumption on the main town's square. This church is a valuable cultural and art monument because of its exterior and interior architectural solutions, as well as the exhibits. The town abounds in beautifully carved doorposts on the entrances of the noblemen's houses and yards, small baroque balconies, stone coats of arms from the period 15th - 18th century and a magnificent portal on the Duke's palace.
This well-preserved mediaeval town, whose center is the cultural monument, even today performs the function of the administrative, cultural and mercantile center. The Benedictine convent of St. Margarita, besides numerous valuable sacral relics and pictures, cherishes also the tradition of making "baškotini", the aromatic crunchy biscuits that are offered at the entrance of the convent.
The bay of Pag is rounded by 20 km of the gravel and sandy beaches. Beside 4 hotels, the town offers trendily equipped capacities in private accommodation. During the summer season, the winter (in February) and summer (at the end of July) carnivals, there is a rich cultural and entertainment program. "Pag's Slave girl"(a kind of a "miracle play"), folklore, the carnival wheel dance (so called "kolo") accompanied by the brass band, old folk costumes, old songs and dances with "mišnjice", (a kind of an instrument) are the distinguished parts of the centuries-long tradition.
Source: TZ Pag
|
