ALONG THE FRANKOPAN DUKES ROADS

VRBNIK – KOSTRIJ – UVALA MELSKA – UVALA SV. MAREK – UVALA SUPOVICA – RISIKA – GRADEC (Festung) – STOZA – ROVOZNIK – VRBNIČKO POLJE – LUG – POD ČERENEC – VRBNIK

Path length: 20 km
Time of walking: 5 hours
Path of medium difficulty

From the centre of Vrbnik along Japnenica and Bočina Street we will reach the area known as Kostrij. Through the gentle landscape overgrown by a green tree heath and strawberry-trees we continue straight on to the Melska Bay (where you can take a swim). If you ­continue walking, the path will take you to St. Mark Bay - Sv. Marek , the largest sandy beach on the island of Krk and to the remains of the very old small church of St. Mark - Sv. Marko. Those with a penchant for exploration will enjoy discovering Supovica, a lovely inlet hiding a beautiful natural beach. We will continue along the tarmac road up to Risika, turn right at the next crossroads and continue along the gravel road. The signs will take us to the beach. If we turn left before Melska Bay, we will reach Risika. Risika was mentioned for the first time in 1284 and in the centre of the village is the church of St. Geronimo - Sv. Jeronim. The path continues up to the Gradec and Gradec fortress, ruins of the Frankopan noblemen’s castle and to the remains of the small church of the Holy Spirit - Sv. Duha. This noble family of Krk appeared on the island at the beginning of 12th century as the island’s feudalists who conquered the island from Venetians. According to ancient ­beliefs, they originate precisely from the Vrbnik area and their main castle was Gradec located above the Vinderska dingle with a stream passing near it. On June 15th 1388, these Krk noblemen adopted the statute of the island of Krk written in the Croatian language and using the Glagolitic alphabet. The Vrbnik Statute was conserved in transcription from 1526 until 1961 and was part of the private property of the notable Petris family from Vrbnik. Today it is conserved in the University Library in Zagreb. On the following crossroads, by turning left, you will reach the Stoza and then turning left again you come to the fresh water spring at Rovoznik. Nearby we can find the chapel of St. Mary Magdalene - Sv. Marija Magdalena where, according to legend, the last member of the island’s Frankopan family was married. The trail meanders through the fertile Vrbnik fields is planted with žlahtina grapes and there is also another trail surrounding it. We will continue toward Lug and exits to the crossroads by the small church of St. Nedija - Sv. Nedija (built in 1445). Turning right and heading to the next crossroads and then turning left, you will return to your starting point.