About Brijuni
Brijuni or Brioni are a group of twelve small islands in the Croatian part of the northern Adriatic Sea. These twelve islands are separated from the west coast of the Istrian peninsula by the narrow Fažana Strait. The largest island, Veli Brijun lies 2 km off the coast. The Brijuni islands were proclaimed a national park in 1983. They cover an area of 2,700 acres. The islands abound with Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean vegetation. The island has a zoo, pheasant farm and safari park with numerous diverse forms of animal life. Traces of human inhabitation on the island date back to the earlier neolithic period. Among the many archaeological sites, the most significant is the pre-historic settlement on Gradina hill. On the western coast of the island are located remains of a typical summer residence and temple from Roman times in the Verige Gulf, and on the western shore, very valuable ruins dating from the late ancient-Byzantine period and the Byzantine basilica of St. Mary dating from the sixth century.