BLITVENICA

South of the island Žirje, three nautical miles away, towards the open sea, there is a row of islets and rocks. The biggest of them - Kosmerka is surrounded by the rocks Balkun and Prokladnica. To the east are Vrtlac and Babuljak. Remote from the group and the farthest from the coast of Žirje rests isolated Blitvenica. The islet arises from the deep sea abyss. The acclivities under this island reach to the depth of 150 meters and the sea ground in vicinity sinks up to 200 meters. The surrounding acquatorium is still today rich in fish and quite often in these waters a protected Blue shark feeding on tuna fish at high sea, can be found. Because of the presence of tuna fishes the acquatorium is today a big game fishing area. The underwater of Blitvenica also hides colonies of the valuable Adriatic red coral on many unresearched, steep, underwater slopes. The lighthouse building on Blitvenica was built in 1872. According to stories passed down by generations, the building process was very slow. It was often interrupted by inclement weather conditions. Rough sea and the unsuitability for landing and unloading building material have prolonged the building. The builders sometimes stayed alone for days, on minimum water and food supplies, since it was impossible to approach the small islet lost in wild sea. It is impossible to disembark on Blitvenica when one wishes; it can be done only when the sea “permits” it. The light of the lighthouse tower is situated 38 meters above the sea level and is visible from all sailing directions. The lighthouse building has a total of 200 square meters of closed area in ground and first floor. On Blitvenica there are two moles on opposite sides, while anchoring around the islet is risky because of the configuration of the sea ground. The main mole is on the north coast where there is also a lifter for elevating boat from the sea. Sea currents are strong and dangerous because of great depths around Blitvenica and alternate often as well as the winds. The rainfalls are in this acquatorium rare, so the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy has also built the cistern, also today in use. The crew was withdrawn from Blitvenica for the first time in 1990, after the automation of light. However, in 2003 the lighthouse men were returned to the lighthouse since Blitvenica is a connecting point on a very important sea way. The lighthouse crew shifts last about fifteen days and the lighthouse men shorten their time by maintaining the lighthouse, doing horticultural work and fishing. Rarely, here stop passing yachtsmen, when the sea “permits” them to land at the arranged high waterfront.