The island of Iž is a typical island of the Zadar Archipelago. It is a piece of land that is so close and yet so far from the nearest large city, Zadar. The two are separated not only by the “two seas”, but also by the long island of Ugljan. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Its population has always been faced with isolation and therefore it has focused on the natural resources present on the island: bits of fertile land for agriculture or animal husbandry, olive growing, and the sea as an important source of food…
“Anchored” on the routes of many merchant ships that sailed the Adriatic, Iž produced generations and generations of good sailors. However, the people of Iž were quite special and recognisable for one skill. It was making of pottery, i.e. making of useful everyday objects from clay, branded long time ago as Iž pottery. The people of Iž were known for their ceramics all over the Adriatic, its islands, the coast, and even deep on the mainland. The first record of the Iž pottery dates back to 1530. The Iž potters (lopižari), were named after a ceramic bowl used for cooking of food (lopiž), which was just one of the many everyday objects they manufactured for their own needs, but also for sale or trade. They made pottery from the clay that they found on their island.
During the summer, the island comes alive with traditional festivals, music concerts of a capella singing groups (klapa), and various cultural events that present the wealth of the local heritage and customs. Among those events, the election for the King of Iž stands out. The election of the village king or doge (dužd) is an old European custom dating back to the Middle Ages. It was widespread on most of our islands, and has been preserved only on the island of Iž, more precisely in Veli Iž.
Beautiful beaches, crystal Adriatic Sea and unspoilt nature make Iž an ideal destination for a relaxing holiday in nature. The island of Iž is an irresistible destination of bedazzling beauty and with a rich history and authentic Mediterranean ambience that offers its visitors a real piece of paradise on Earth.
