Stražica Lighthouse: the 1875 light on uninhabited Prvić
Stražica Lighthouse stands on the northern cape of Prvić, a small island of the northern Adriatic close to Krk. Built in 1875, it marks the narrow channel between the island and the south-eastern tip of Krk, on the eastern side of the entrance to Senjska vrata. A small stone house and a modest tower make it a quiet, characterful stop for lighthouse enthusiasts.
Until 1974 the lightkeepers were the only people living on the island of Prvić. Since then the lamp has shone without a crew, powered by the sun and switched from far away.
The history of Stražica Lighthouse
The lighthouse was built in 1875 on the north-western point of Prvić, an island of the northern Adriatic. It consists of a small stone house for the keepers and a lighthouse tower set on it. Its purpose is to mark the passage through the narrow channel between Prvić and the south-eastern point of the island of Krk, at the eastern side of the entrance to Senjska vrata.
For almost a century a crew of lightkeepers was stationed here, and until 1974 they were the only inhabitants of Prvić. In that year the lighthouse was fully automated and the island was left without residents. Natural gas fuelled the light until 1993, when the system was replaced by solar panels.
Today the light is controlled remotely by Plovput, the state-owned company for maritime traffic that runs the entire network of Croatian lighthouses. The lantern shows a single white flash every six seconds: one second of light followed by five of darkness. Its range is given as nine nautical miles, about 17 km, from a focal height of 21 m. The keeper's house is built of grey stone, while the tower is painted white.
Prvić also holds a small geographical footnote. Until the early 2000s it was believed to be the largest uninhabited island in Croatia, but new measurements published in 2004 showed that the island of Žut is bigger by about 2 square kilometres.
Curiosities about Stražica Lighthouse
- Until 1974 the lighthouse crew were the only people living on the island of Prvić.
- Prvić was long thought to be Croatia's largest uninhabited island, until measurements published in 2004 showed that Žut is about 2 square kilometres bigger.
- The light ran on natural gas until 1993, when solar panels took over.
- Nobody has to be on the island to keep it shining: Plovput controls it remotely, as it does the whole Croatian lighthouse network.
- Its signal is a pattern of one second of white light and five seconds of darkness, repeated every six seconds.
- The cape guards the eastern side of the entrance to Senjska vrata, a name that literally means “Senj Gates”.
Tours near Stražica Lighthouse
Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:
Visiting Stražica Lighthouse
- Stražica is an active aid to navigation: a small stone house with a white tower on the northern cape of Prvić.
- Prvić has had no permanent residents since 1974, and the sources do not describe public access or visitor facilities, so find out locally before planning a trip.
- Check current conditions and any access restrictions before you go.
- Other places in this guide in the wider area include Nehaj Fortress (about 12 km away) and Frankopan Castle (about 18 km away).
Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.
Map: where Stražica Lighthouse is
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Questions
Where is Stražica Lighthouse?
It stands on the northern cape of the island of Prvić, near the island of Krk, on the eastern side of the entrance to Senjska vrata.
When was Stražica Lighthouse built?
It was built in 1875 and consists of a small stone house and a lighthouse tower.
Does anyone live on Prvić?
No. Until 1974 the lighthouse crew were the only inhabitants, and the island has had no permanent residents since the lighthouse was automated.
Is Stražica Lighthouse still in use?
Yes. It is an active lighthouse showing a white flash every six seconds, powered by solar panels and controlled remotely by Plovput.
Can you visit Stražica Lighthouse?
The available sources do not describe public access to the island or the lighthouse, so it is best to ask locally and check current conditions before planning a visit.
Also nearby
Nehaj Fortress
Senj · the square Uskok fortress with a name that means “don't care”
12 km away
Frankopan Castle
Krk · seaside castle of the Frankopan counts, from 1191
18 km away
Sokolac Castle
Brinje · Frankopan Gothic fortress named after the falcon
29 km away
Krk Bridge
Krk · 1980 concrete arch bridge, once a world record
38 km away