Beli

Beli is an ancient settlement in northern Cres, perched on a steep hill above a small harbour and pebble beach. The Romans developed Caput Insulae on the site of a prehistoric hillfort, using its position to watch the sea passages between Cres and Krk. Its most striking ancient remnant is the stone Roman bridge west of the village: eight metres long, 4.7 metres wide and 12 metres high. The compact historic core retains its medieval form, with a cistern square, Romanesque bell tower, churches and Glagolitic inscriptions. Beli is equally significant for its wildlife. The Beli Visitor and Griffon Vulture Rescue Centre interprets the remarkable Cres population that nests on cliffs directly above the sea. A network of trails enters the Tramuntana forests from the village, including the 19-kilometre route 305 via Ivanje and Porozina. Down at the harbour, swimming can be combined with a zipline crossing olive groves, the quay and the sea. From the mainland, the quickest approach is the 20-minute Brestova–Porozina ferry followed by the island road to Beli.

Beli rises above the eastern coast of northern Cres on the site of Roman Caput Insulae. A steep cliff separates its compact stone core from the harbour, campsite and pebble beach below. The village is protected as cultural-historical ensemble Z-2688; within the former walls, it retains a circular street pattern, a cistern square and tightly packed houses. The surrounding Tramuntana gives Beli a second identity: oak and chestnut woodland, a pastoral landscape and sea cliffs used by nesting griffon vultures encircle one of the oldest settlements on Cres.