Zambratija

Zambratija is a coastal village between Umag and Savudrija, facing a shallow bay where fishing history overlaps with exceptional maritime archaeology. In 2008, the remains of a prehistoric sewn boat were reported beneath its water; current research dates the vessel to 1264–1056 BC. Its preserved 6.7-metre hull section makes it the oldest known sewn boat in the Mediterranean. The timbers were recovered in 2023 and transferred to Grenoble for conservation in 2025. On shore, the historical trail continues at the small Church of St Mary Magdalene, renovated in 1752, whose southern wall incorporates a first-century Roman funerary stele discovered in 1986. West of the village, the remains of Sipar extend into the sea at Kaštel Point and are most visible when the water is low. The main developed swimming spot is Villa Rosetta, a roughly 100-metre rocky and pebbly beach with shallow access, pine shade, showers, rental equipment and nearby parking. Zambratija lies about five kilometres from central Umag and two kilometres from Savudrija, while the coastal route between them passes Sipar before continuing to Savudrija’s 1818 lighthouse.

Zambratija belongs to Umag’s northern coastal strip, five kilometres from the town centre and two kilometres from Savudrija. The former fishing village developed around a harbour and shallow bay, although settlement reaches much further back: a prehistoric hillfort stood on Romanija, and Roman activity later shifted towards the shore. Today’s identity brings together the Church of St Mary Magdalene, fishing boats, Villa Rosetta beach and underwater archaeological sites. The most important discovery—a Late Bronze Age sewn boat—shows that mariners used this bay roughly three millennia ago.