Brijuni National Park

The Brijuni group of islands is situated along the western Istrian coast, opposite from Pula.  The largest island, Veli Brijun (5.6 km²), lies 2 km off the coast. Famous for their scenic beauty, the islands are a holiday resort and a Croatian National Park. It consists of 14 islands and islets of  a total area of 736 hectares. Most of this area is taken by the largest island - Veli Brijun. Brijuni have been proclaimed a national park due to their natural characteristics.

The park has a 3,000 hectare area since its borders include the open sea. The autochtonous natural values of Brijuni include its vegetation - it is a veritable Mediterranean environment consisting of a black oak and shrubbery - some trees are up to 15 m tall, with trunks 60 cm in diameter, and the zelenika and planika trees grow up to 12 m tall  and have a diameter of up to 30 cm.  An interesting landscape park has been created on Veli Brijun.

It consists of domestic, as well as imported species - Lebanese cedar, palms, bamboo and eucalyptus trees. Imported species of wildlife can be observed grazing on Veli Brijun pastures: stag, Muflon mountain goats, pheasant and peacocks.

Diverse animal wildlife is located in an enclosed area. Brijuni also are a first class cultural-historical area - since the mid-Neolithic up to the present day, man has resided there and left traces of his presence. There are interesting and abundant remains from the Roman and Byzantine historical period.