Ljubacka vrata - Nin - Middle Adriatic - Adriatic nautical guide

Approach: Ljubacka vrata passage can be entered only by day and only by vessels with masts less than 30m high. When approaching Ljubacka vrata from Velebitski kanal, give Tanka nozica point a wide berth because it is fringed by a shoal.

Orientation. Landmarks: the bridge connecting the mainland with the island of Pag, the pyramidal stone tower with a gallery (white light) on Tanka nozica point, the quadrangular tower with a red top (red light) on Fortica point and the quadrangular tower with a green top (green light) on Ostrljak point.

Special directions for navigation in the passage. Vessels larger than 50 GRT and trawlers regardless of tonnage must give a long signal on the whistle or siren before entering Ljubacka vrata. The ship which has given the signal first has right of way, unless another ship is already in the passage. The latter must in that case reply with at least four short blasts. This signalling does not apply in foggy or overcast weather, when the regulations for avoiding collision at sea apply.

The most dangerous wind in Ljubacka vrata is the bora, which blows with gale force from various directions and causes a strong chop. The current from Velebitski kanal normally attains a rate of 1 knot, exceptionally 23 knots.

Sights: In the village of Ljubac: an Illyrian castle and several tombs, the early medieval Sv Ivan church (St John). On Ljubljana point: the ruins of the early medieval residence of the Templars with Sv Marija church (12/13 C).

NIN (44° 14'N; 15° 11'E), old Croatian historical town (pop. 1,692 in 1991) in the shallow lagoon in the bay of the same name. The shallows extend far offshore.

Approach: Landmarks: the chimney of the brickyard NE of the town, the belfry of the church in Nin and the chapel NE of Privlaka harbour.

Mooring: The bay is exposed to the bora and the sirocco, which are very strong but do not cause big waves. The best anchorage for vessels drawing up to 1.2m is in the E part of the bay; larger yachts can anchor off the NE coast of the bay, in the direction NNE of the belfry of the church in Nin. E from the town (0.5 M) there is Miljasic jaruga (Miljasic gully) where the stream reaches the sea. Along the quay (on the left side) there are berths for vessels drawing up to 2 m.

Facilities: Post office, medical service and chemist's. Limitied provisions and water.

Several sites of medicinal mud (pelloid, with 80% colloid particles). Nin has salt pans (which cover an area of 45 hectares), a brickyard and a tree nursery.

Sights: Neolithic finds; Illyrian and Liburnian finds (town of Aenona): ceramics, a necropolis, tombstones; from the Roman times: town walls, bridges, cemetery, aqueduct, Diana's Temple (about 70 A.D.); medieval churches of Sv Kriz (Holy Cross, 11 C?), Sv Asel (renovated in 1673 and 1965, with the chapel of Sv Ivan Krstitelj /St John the Baptist/), of Sv Ambrozije (Gothic, renovated, built on the site of the former Benedictine monastery), of Gospa od Ruzarija on the cemetery (Our Lady of the Rosary, mentioned in a document from 1228); Sv Nikola church at Prahulje (late 11 C); the Slav necropolis on Zdrijac beach (250 tombs, 8/9 C).

In 1069 king Petar Kresimir issued in Nin the deed of gift known as Mare Nostrum. The remains of an old Croatian ship dating back to the 10 or 11 C have been excavated near the town. The Statute of the District of Nin regulating shipping and fishing in the region popularly believed to date from 1103 a more probable dating is 15 C.