Municipality of Jasenice

A historic road as a special point of interest

Majstorska cesta is a notable destination for anyone interested in transport routes and history. It was ceremonially opened on 4 October 1832 and connects Sv. Rok in Lika with Obrovac in Dalmatia. A 24-kilometre section runs through the Municipality of Jasenice; the entire historic road is 41 kilometres long. These details give the road its own scale: the section within the municipality is part of a longer route across the Velebit landscape. If you want to focus on historic places and nature during your trip, this offers a specific starting point without limiting your stay to a single theme.

Discover the karst landscape and Velebit

Tulove grede is an unusual karst formation in Velebit Nature Park. The limestone ridge is about one kilometre long and features particularly steep rocky spurs. Its distinctive shape sets it apart from a simple description of a peak and makes the rocky landscape itself a point of interest. Part of the Velebit range lies within the Municipality of Jasenice; the range is protected for its exceptional natural values and biological diversity. Tulove grede and Velebit are therefore important reference points for a nature-focused trip. Nearby, a plateau on the edge of the Zrmanja Canyon offers a view of the deep gorge carved by the Zrmanja River.

Hiking is also part of the nature experience: Modrič, the westernmost part of the Municipality of Jasenice, is a starting point for hikes to Sveto brdo. At 1,752 metres, this peak is the second-highest in the Velebit range. When planning your trip, distinguishing between a rocky landscape and a summit destination can be useful if you want to cater to different interests in nature.

Churches and stories of the municipality

Several churches bring the municipality’s history to life in different ways. In Jasenice, the Church of St. Jerome was built in 1874 on the site of the former parish church of the Holy Trinity. It was gradually restored after the end of the Croatian War of Independence, following the population’s return to the area of the Municipality of Jasenice. The Church of St. Francis in Podprag stands on the slopes of Velebit, below Tulove grede. Emperor Francis I had it built in 1832 to commemorate the road, then newly constructed, that connected southern and northern Croatia across the karst Velebit range.

In Rovanjska, the Church of St. George stands right on the seashore. It is a protected zero-category monument and part of the cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia. The three churches offer different ways to explore local history: a former parish church and its later restoration, a monument associated with road construction, and protected cultural heritage on the coast. If historic buildings interest you, you can make them a focus of your trip.

Caves, cycling and water

Modrič Cave is about 800 metres long. It has no concrete paths or spotlights, and there are no large tour groups. Appropriate equipment and an expert guide are required to explore it. This is an important distinction from a visit where you simply view a landscape from the outside: the cave requires specific preparation and a guide.

Cyclists can enjoy rides along Majstorska cesta as well as the climb to Tulove grede. The municipality also offers water sports such as jet skiing. This means that historic roads, karst landscapes and water activities are all available as different themes. Another historical and culinary dimension came from the “U zagrljaju mora” project: it included a selection of gastronomic offerings based on fishery products. The aim was to make these available through the project’s activities to local residents, the wider community and tourists.

Getting there and places to explore further

The Municipality of Jasenice is close to the Zagreb–Split motorway and Zadar Airport. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, this location may factor into your general choice of destination. The information provided here does not give a basis for specific residential areas, distances or journey times within the municipality, so first choose based on the experiences that matter most to you.

For more information about places in the municipality, see Rovanjska and Jasenice. Other destinations in the municipality: Municipality of Polača, Municipality of Ražanac, Municipality of Posedarje, Municipality of Obrovac, Municipality of Sukošan, Municipality of Pirovac.

For the broader travel overview: Zadar County.