Pag island – Educational trail and Solar statue biggest attractions of the season
The works on arranging the educational trail in the Dubrava forest in Pag are (part of the Special Forest Vegetation Reserve Dubrava Hanzina), have been completed. This was confirmed by the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Areas of Nature in the Zadar County Natura-Jadera.
The value of the project is HRK 656,625.00, which was provided by the public institution Natura-Jadera from the European Union, or the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, through the Rural Development Program of the Republic of Croatia for the period 2014-2020.
A project to protect a unique ecosystem
Director of Natura Jadera, Damir Perić, explained the progress of the project. He says that they arranged the path, set up the educational boards (two of which are in Braille) and built a beautiful wooden lookout with benches and tables for rest and socializing. Visitors will be able to see the spectacular view of the Bay of Pag from the lookout.
The main purpose of the educational trail is to educate and inform the public about the forest, sustainable forest management and protection of forests and nature. The project will prevent further penetration of roads and paths and mark the already existing paths appropriately. The implementation of this project will seek to highlight specific parts of forest ecosystems or areas of special importance.
There are as many as 6 protected areas on the island of Pag, 4 of which are in Zadar County. Medunac oak forest Dubrava-Hanzine is also protected in a very high category. The special forest vegetation reserve Dubrava-Hanzina has been protected since 1988 and covers an area of 28.45 ha. The oak and white hornbeam forest Dubrava is the only deciduous forest on the island of Pag.
The statue of Solar – a symbol of Pag town
On the Old Waterfront in Pag town, in front of the former saltworks plant, a statue of Solar was erected in the spring. In a short time, it became one of the identity features of the town. Tourists look at it with interest, take photos with it, and it has become a place where many, especially in the afternoon, rest after sightseeing Pag.
Its size dominates the Old Waterfront and completes the space between the Katina Bridge and the former salt warehouses. The Solar statue was made by the academic sculptor Tomislav Kršnjavi and was cast in the Ujević Foundry in Zagreb.
The long tradition of saltworks in Pag
The Solar statue represents a worker on the salt pans who performs the work of scraping, i.e. separating the salt from the payroll, the hard surfaces of the pool. The statue is a symbol of the long history of saltworks and salt industry, one of the most important businesses and traditions on Pag island.
