CROATIAN TOWNS 1994 - VIS

Motif: The centre of Vis with the Pirovo peninsula and the Franciscan monastery, the former site of the Issean theatre. In geographical terms, the island of Vis belongs to the group of mid-Dalmatian islands, 45 km away from the coast. It is the farthest island in its group; and its size (90 km2) makes it one of the medium-sized Croatian islands. Vis is the most densely populated island in the Adriatic. Its economy is founded on viticulture, fishing and fishing industry, with shipbuilding mostly for local needs. There are two towns on the island -Vis and Komiža- both well placed in beautiful natural bays, protected from most winds and several villages. The histories of the island and of the central town of Vis (former Issa) are closely intertwined. They go back for at least 5 000 years, encompassing major events both in the Adriatic and the broader Mediterranien area. Archaeological finds and the place names suggest that the island was inhabited as early as the Neolithic period, 3000 B. C., by the "Mediterraneans" who called it Issa (meaning "fortification"). In the 6th century, the Croats conquered Salona, and in the 7th and 8th centuries they began populating Issa, which they called Is. In 997, the Venetians were already calling it "a Croatian city". The inhabitants of Vis dearly paid for the island’s strategic position. Battles were constantly fought on and around the island. In the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, Venice, Austria, France, Britain, fascist Italy and nazi Germany fought over it; the sea around it is strewn with wrecks, and many human lives were lost. For the first time, since the Serbian Navy was forced to leave in 1992, this hitherto "forbidden island" is free to look forward to its future. The stamp was printed in sheets of 50 pieces each. HPT issued first day cover (FDC) and a commemorative sheet.