Municipality of Ražanac: Velebit Channel and the history of Ljubač

Ljubač: Fortress, church and town centre

In the Middle Ages, Kastrum Ljuba was an important fortress in the wider Zadar area. The Gothic Church of St. Marcela has been preserved within the walls of the former Kastrum Ljuba. The historic centre of Ljubač is characterised by narrow streets and closely spaced houses. There is also the former defensive wall: remnants of this fortification survive in Šekuće. Here, you can encounter different aspects of the town’s history, from the fortress complex and its church to the inherited layout of the historic centre.

The first Festival of Traditional Crafts in the Municipality of Ražanac also offers a specific cultural insight. It took place on 31 August and 1 September 2024 in the main square. Traditional crafts such as cold forging, engraving and calligraphy were demonstrated, and there were interactive medieval games. The programme thus combined craft demonstrations with playful connections to the Middle Ages.

The wider setting: the overarching destination of Pasman

In the overarching destination of Pasman, the view expands to Zadar County. At 1,300 kilometres, it has the longest coastline of all the Adriatic counties. The regional landscape encompasses a deeply indented coast, numerous islands, fertile plains, and karst and mountain landscapes; it also has abundant water and forest resources. Protected areas also represent a range of natural features: Paklenica National Park lies mostly within the county, part of Velebit Nature Park is in the county, as is Vransko Lake Nature Park. The latter is an ornithological reserve for 251 bird species.

For an active experience, Paklenica National Park has more than 150 kilometres of hiking trails and includes the Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica canyons. Cultural routes focus on other themes: the route “Na ruti liburnskog, rimskog i hrvatskog nasljeđa” connects Zadar, Benkovac, Asseria, Nin and Pag in a shared experience of history, culture and tradition. The “Zadar – Grad utvrda” route takes you through the historical layers of the city of Zadar and its significant fortification heritage. Route details may be updated by tourism authorities; check the latest information before planning your trip.

Regional cuisine and experiences

In the overarching destination of Pasman, young lamb and hard sheep’s cheese from Pag are among the featured specialities. On the island of Pag, a guided tour of the Gligora cheese factory in Kolan includes a look at the production gallery, a visit to the maturing rooms and a tasting. On a culinary tour of Pag, visitors can also learn how to prepare peka. Paška lace from Pag is also part of the region’s culture: today, only a few women still practise this centuries-old craft.

Those interested in water activities will find a range of options across the wider Zadar County area, including rowing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and wakeboarding. You can explore the Zadar Archipelago by kayak and see inhabited islands from a new perspective. Diving destinations there include shipwrecks and underwater archaeological sites. This selection complements the historic townscapes and natural areas, broadening the picture of the overarching destination.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in the Municipality of Ražanac, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on: should Ljubač’s history take centre stage, or would you also like to include regional nature, cultural and water-based experiences in your holiday plans? The municipality on the Velebit Channel and the broader themes of the overarching destination of Pasman offer different ways to shape your trip.

Discover more destinations: Rtina, Razanac, Ljubač, Radovin, Jovići, Municipality of Benkovac, Municipality of Pakoštane, Municipality of Gračac.

Go to the overarching travel overview: Zadar County.