Veli Rat Lighthouse: the yellow lighthouse of Dugi Otok
Veli Rat Lighthouse is an active lighthouse on the north-western cape of Dugi Otok, in the Zadar archipelago. A 36 m white tower rises from a yellow keeper's house, surrounded by pine forest, quiet coves and pebble beaches. Built in 1849, it is one of the best-known landmarks of the island and an easy stop for anyone exploring Dugi Otok.
Legend says the yellow walls of this lighthouse were mixed with thousands of eggs to stand up to the salt air. Whatever the truth, the colour has outlasted generations of Adriatic storms.
The history of Veli Rat Lighthouse
Veli Rat Lighthouse stands on the north-western cape of Dugi Otok, the long island of the Zadar archipelago on the Dalmatian coast. It was built in 1849, and Croatian sources also give it the older name Punta Bjanka. The lighthouse lies about 35 km west of Zadar, while the nearest settlements, Veli Rat, Verunić and Polje, are around 3 km away and the ferry port of Brbinj is 9 km off.
The masonry tower is 36 m high and ends in a white lantern with a single gallery. A single-storey keeper's house is built around its base, so tower and dwelling form one compact block. The tower itself is white, while the walls of the house are a warm yellow. Local legend explains the colour: the paint is said to have been mixed with eggs, thousands of them, to give it a better consistency and to protect it against the salt air.
At a height of 41 m above the sea, the light has a range of 22 nautical miles, about 40 km, so it serves ships well beyond the island itself. It is run by Plovput, the state company that maintains Croatia's sea routes, and it also has an automatic identification system for marine navigation.
Like several other Croatian lighthouses, Veli Rat still has a keeper, and a family lives on site. A road links the lighthouse with the villages, which makes regular supplies possible. Since 2000, some rooms inside the lighthouse have also been available as holiday accommodation, so the building is not only a working aid to navigation but a place where visitors can stay.
The lighthouse is surrounded by dense pine forest, attractive coves and pebble beaches. Beside it stands the small chapel of St Nicholas, patron saint of sailors, which keeps a Roman Missal from 1869 and is increasingly used for weddings. In 2010 Veli Rat appeared, together with the lighthouses of Vir and Tajer, in a set of commemorative stamps issued by the Croatian postal service, Hrvatska pošta.
Curiosities about Veli Rat Lighthouse
- The yellow walls of the keeper's house were reputedly painted with a mixture coloured by thousands of eggs, said to give better consistency and protection against salt air.
- The light, 41 m above the sea, reaches 22 nautical miles, roughly 40 km.
- The lighthouse still has a keeper, and a family lives on site.
- Next to the lighthouse stands the chapel of St Nicholas, patron saint of sailors, with a Roman Missal from 1869.
- In 2010 Veli Rat was shown, with the lighthouses of Vir and Tajer, on a set of Croatian commemorative stamps.
- Croatian sources also know the lighthouse as Punta Bjanka.
Tours near Veli Rat Lighthouse
Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:
Visiting Veli Rat Lighthouse
- The lighthouse is on the north-western cape of Dugi Otok and can be reached by car; the ferry port of Brbinj is about 9 km away.
- The surroundings are pine forest with pretty coves and pebble beaches, so the visit combines easily with a swim or a walk.
- Look for the small chapel of St Nicholas next to the lighthouse.
- The lighthouse is a working station and its keeper's family lives there, so respect the site; check the current conditions for visiting and for staying in the rooms before you go.
Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.
Map: where Veli Rat Lighthouse is
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Photos of Veli Rat Lighthouse
Questions
Where is Veli Rat Lighthouse?
It stands on the north-western cape of the island of Dugi Otok in the Zadar archipelago, about 35 km west of Zadar.
When was Veli Rat Lighthouse built?
It was built in 1849 and is still an active lighthouse.
How tall is Veli Rat Lighthouse and how far does its light reach?
The masonry tower is 36 m high. The light, 41 m above the sea, has a range of 22 nautical miles.
Why is Veli Rat Lighthouse yellow?
According to a local legend, the paint for the house was mixed with thousands of eggs to give it better consistency and protection against the salt air.
Can you stay at Veli Rat Lighthouse?
Since 2000, rooms inside the lighthouse have been available as holiday accommodation. Check the current arrangements before planning a stay.
How do you get to Veli Rat Lighthouse on Dugi Otok?
It can be reached by car along the island's roads. The ferry port of Brbinj is about 9 km away and the nearest villages about 3 km.
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