Mljet – The Green Island

Mljet is popular in the name “Green Island” because of its abundant forest feature along with the two saltwater lakes. The island is very serene in the Adriatic Coast, where many finds it as very tranquil place. It is located in the south of Peljesac Peninsula, southern Dalmatian archipelago. Few hours of boat sails, you will reach the Island Korcula at the eastern part of Mljet. Add another more hours, you be heading to the direction of Elafiti Islands and getting further, {Dubrovnik} is at sight.

The island is not actually that huge. With an area of 100.4 sq km, the estimated population is more or less 2,500-3,000 only. Limestones and valleys is what depict Mljet best. There are also numerous fields in this unruffled island including Polacno, Blatsko, Ivanovo and Kneze Poljie. The largest field is the Babino Polje, situated at the south of Veli Grad – the highest crest in Mljet that measures 514 meters high. Dark green forest covers most of the island. It includes the forests of pine woods and other vegetations of Mediterranean.

The lakes that surround the soaked valley of Mljet are Malo (which means small) and Veliko (which means Big). Malo Lake has a 24 heactares area and it is 29.5 meters deep. On the other hand, Veliko Lake measures thrice as much as Malo, having an area of 145 hectares and up to 46 meters deep. The two lakes are connected by a 30 meter canal called Soline. It is amazing how the sea current changes its direction every six hours because of ebb tide and course. The changing of sea current’s direction was actually useful during the Middle Ages when they used it for water mills.

Inside the island of Mljet lies four immerse valleys. Locals call it as “slating” or “blatine” which means fishing ground for eels. There are also hefty coves within Mljet name Polaca, Luka, Sobra, Tatinica, Okuklje, Luka Prozura and lastly the Saplunara. Islets were spread along the coast line of Mljet. With a fabulous and exquisite island like this, no wonder that Mljet-connected legends are popular all over the atoll. It is belived that St. Paul visited Mljet. Moreover, the greek hero Ulysees used to go to Mljet to spend the holiday.

In case you want to spend the rest of your vacation in Mljet, surely, there is no need to bring thick and bulky clothings. The weather is so Mediterranean. Rainfall usually happens during July. The sources of income for most Mljet locals are farming, wine production, viticulture, development of medicinal herbs, fishing and of course, tourism.

In this western part of the Mljet is where the National Park is located. It is quite near to Male Lake and Veliko Lake. This is the most admired spot on Mljet. At the very heart of Veliko Lake (Veliko Jezero) stands a little island called Melita Island. The island of Melita has a Benedictine monastery built in the 12th century. If you want to do activities like swimming, cycling, walking or if just want to have a composed, the National Park is the place to be.

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