Mljet Island
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General
An island in the southern Dalmatian archi-pel-ago, south of the Peljesac Peninsula, separated from it by the Mljet channel; area 100.4 sq km; population 1,237. The relief is characterized by ranges of limestone elevations and numerous karst valleys and fields (Polacno, Ivanovo, Blatsko, Kneze Polje). South of the highest crest (Veli Grad, 514 m) is the largest field zone (Babino Polje). In the extreme north-western part of the island is the submerged valley of Mljet Lakes: Malo and Veliko (Small and Big). Small Lake (area 24 hectares, depth up to 29.5 m) is connected with a 30-m long canal with Big Lake. Big Lake (area 145 hectares, depth up to 46 m) is connected with the open sea by a shallow, 30-m long canal called Soline. A powerful sea current occurs in both channels, which changes its direction every six hours due to ebb and flow. In the Middle Ages, the change of direction of the sea current was used for water mills. In the interior of the island are -another four small, submerged karst valleys, called "blatine" or "slatine" (eel fishing grounds). Larger coves are Luka, Polaca, Tatinica, Sobra, Luka Prozura, Okuklje, Saplunara; along the coast are numerous islets.
Forests account for 72 % of the total island area; nice pine forests are best preserved on its north-western side. Major places (Babino Polje, Prozura, Maranovici, Korita, Blato, Ropa, Govedari) lie in the interior, along cultivated fields; the closest coves on the northern coast are used as harbours. Economy is based on farming, viticulture, production of wine, olive growing, cultivation of medicinal herbs, fishing and tourism. The regional road runs throughout the island. Mljet has ferry lines with Peljesac and Dubrovnik.
On the peak of Mali Gradac (close to Babine Kuce) are the remains of an Illyrian fortification. The island was mentioned in Roman times under the name Melite. The remains from that period may be found all over the island - Pomena, Zare, Pinjevica. The ruins of palaces and of an early Christian basilica in Polace date back from the beginning of the early Middle Ages. Around 536-537 the island became part of the Eastern Roman Empire. Later it fell under the power of the Nerentani/Narentini and after that under the power of Zahumlje. Small pre-Romanesque churches of St. Pancras, St. Andrew and St. Michael in Babino Polje. In 1151, the grand prefect of Zahumlje, Desa, bestowed the entire island upon the Benedictines (from the abbey Pulsano at Monte Gargano in Apulia), who erected their abbey and church on the islet in Big Lake. The Bosnian viceroy Stephen gave the island of Mljet to the Dubrovnik Republic in 1333; from that time the island was under the power of the duke who resided in Babino Polje. In 1345 Mljet got its statutes. Several churches were built in Gothic style (the parish church in Babino Polje, the Holy Trinity in Prozura, St. Vitus in Korita - all of them dating back to the 15th c.). The ruins of the church of St. Mary of the Hill date back to the transitional period between Gothic and Renaissance (above Maranovici). The profane architecture is represented by several typical structures (Renaissance palace of the Mljet duke in Babino Polje, several Baroque houses from the 17th-18th c. in Korita).
Approaches
POMENA
(42° 47.5'N; 17° 20'E), village (pop. 50 in 1991) and cove on the W extremity of the island of Mljet. It is protected from the N by the islet of Pomestak. Between that island and the Galicija rock there is a shoal patch.
Approach: When approaching from SW, care should be taken to avoid Sij rock N of Goli rat point and the rocky patch near the rock; Crna seka rock fronts the cove entrance (should be given a berth of at least 200 m; shoals). Approaching from the NE, course should be shaped NW of the islet of Glavat in order to avoid Crna seka and Borovac rock, two rocky patches and a shoal (depth 3 m).
POLACE
(42° 47'N; 17° 23E), village (pop. 123 in 1991) and cove on the N coast of Mljet.
Approach: The string of small, almost bare islands, among which the islet of Ovrat stands out, is easily discernible from seaward. A round white tower mounted on a pedestal exhibiting a white light is situated on Kula cliff. In the W part of the passage between the coast of Mljet and the islet of Moracnik, shoals extend around Stupa point and both sides of its S part.
SOBRA
(42° 45'N; 17° 37'E), village (pop. 68 in 1991) and cove on the N coast of Mljet. Main harbour of the village of Babino Polje (pop. 398 in 1991), 7 km inland.
Approach: Landmarks: the white octagonal concrete tower (white light) on Pusti point (should be given a berth of at least 500 m; shoals), the low-lying Seperka rock in its vicinity and part of the road leading to Babino Polje can be seen from seaward.
OKUKLJE
(42° 44'N; 17° 41'E), village (pop. 16 in 1991) and small harbour on the N coast of Mljet.
Approach: Landmarks: navigational marks include the round white tower with a column and a balcony (white light) on the E entrance point (Stoba), the green tower standing on a cement block in the sea in front of Okuklje point and the green tower (green light) on the molehead.
Weather
Marinas and Anchorages
POMENA
(42° 47.5'N; 17° 20'E)
Mooring: The cove is sheltered from all winds and suitable for prolonged stays. Good anchorage for larger yachts S of Galicija rock and Pomestak islet (depth about 40 m). Smaller yachts can anchor in the S of the bay (depths 2030 m). Moorings along the waterfront in front of the hotel (depths 24.5 m). In the middle of the bay there is a mooring buoy.
Facilities
- Limited provisions and water.
POLACE
(42° 47'N; 17° 23E), cove on the N coast of Mljet.
Mooring: The inner part of the cove, particularly Mala tatinica cove, affords protection from all winds and sea. Yachts can moor along the pier in Polace harbour (depths 4.75.2 m) or use the four-point moor along the NW part of the landing-place (depth ca. 2.5 m). Good anchorage for larger yachts NE of the ruins of the old palace near the village (depth 22 m), W of Tajnik islet (depth ca. 35 m) or W and SW of Kobrava islet (depth 43 m). The best anchorage for smaller yachts is in the W part of Rogac cove (depth 14 m).
Facilities
- Limited provisions;
- Shops in the village of Govedjari 1.5 km inland by road.
Sights: Walls of a palace, according to tradition of Agesilaius of Anzarbo, dating from the late Roman period (3/4 C), remnants of an early Christian basilica (5/6 C). Starting point for visit to the Mljet lakes (2 km by road).
SOBRA
(42° 45'N; 17° 37'E) A village and cove on the N coast of Mljet. Main harbour of the village of Babino Polje (pop. 398 in 1991), 7 km inland.
Mooring: In the harbour yachts are exposed to the bora and the sirocco and it can not be recommended for longer stays. Yachts can moor along the landing-place in front of the village (depths 3.24.1 m). The best anchorage, even in a sirocco, is situated S of the islet of Badanj, in the small cove of Zaglav (E part). In NW winds Klacna luka cove affords a good anchorage (W part), but care should be taken to avoid submerged rock (depth about 0.8 m).
Facilities
- Harbour master's branch office;
- shop;
- car-ferry landing ground in Zaglav cove (the E part of the cove);
- Limited provisions;
- Post office and medical service in the nearby village of Babino Polje.
OKUKLJE
(42° 44'N; 17° 41'E) A small harbour on the N coast of Mljet.
Mooring: The cove is protected from all winds and it can be recommended for longer stays. Yachts drawing up to 3.5 m can moor alongside the mole on the NE coast (green light) or use the four-point moor in its vicinity. Anchorage for smaller yachts in the harbour entrance (depths 46 m). Poor holding ground. The SW part of the harbour is shallow.
Facilities
- Restaurant on the N coast of the small harbour.
