Žirje

Žirje is the outermost permanently inhabited island in the Šibenik archipelago, facing the open Adriatic near the southern approach to the Kornati islands. Its roughly 15 square kilometres contain 29 coves and about 40 kilometres of deeply indented shoreline. The village lies inland, while scheduled passenger and vehicle services dock at Muna Bay. The island’s strategic position survives in two sixth-century Byzantine sites, Gradina and the unfinished Gustirna fort, and in the Zvizdulje artillery battery, which helped defend Šibenik in 1991. Dry-stone walls, olive groves, vineyards and quiet tracks now connect these military layers and make Žirje particularly rewarding on foot or by bicycle. Velika Stupica, Mala Stupica and Koromačna are the best-known swimming coves, and the broken coastline usually offers shelter on one side of the island when winds rise. The surrounding waters have long supported local fishing, reflected in the fresh catch served by island taverns. Year-round links run from Šibenik, but Žirje’s scattered settlement pattern means visitors should plan drinking water, meals and the return sailing before setting out.

Žirje is not arranged around a single compact waterfront: part of the settlement sits inland, while Muna functions as its working harbour. The island’s character grew from fishing, isolation and control of sea routes towards Kornati and Šibenik. At Samograd, the Stari stan dry-stone complex is protected as cultural heritage, while fields, olive groves and vineyards remain visible across the landscape. One highly local agricultural curiosity is the žirajska sliva, a nearly indigenous green plum variety that has become increasingly rare.