Dobrinj

If you are on the island of Krk and would like to relax in the quiet town whose name comes from the word “Good”, visit the village Dobrinj. The island of Krk has in its central part of the island well known metropolis, called Dobrinj. The center of the metropolis is a smaller village called Dobrinj,  which is located on a 200 meters high hill, from which we can see the bay of Soline. More about bay Soline you can read at this link: http://www.krkcroatia.net/soline-bay/

The main economic activity in the city has always been crafts and agriculture. Dobrinj is a small village, which does not support a large hotel-tourism, but it is more focused on the harmony with nature and enjoyment of peace and quiet environment. Even the very name of the town derives from the word “good”. It is recommended that you leave your car in one of two landscaped parking lots, which are located in close proximity to both entrances to the city. If you enter at the bottom entrance, you can see the Glagolitic inscription which is located on the left side of the entrance and the map of the city which is located on the right side. While you are walking towards the city center, you can see houses build of stone and a lot of imagination. You will also pass the city’s tap built in 1903, ethnographic museum, information center with souvenirs and the INFELD gallery. The sacral museum offers a collection of ecclesiastical objects (silverware, wooden objects, canvas and books). All museums are open during the season to see, out of season you can see them by prior arrangement. The ethnographic museums are diligently collected and preserved collections of the island of handmade tools (fishing and land based), and a few items that were used in the city, or on the island in everyday life. On the main square you can find a society’s center, post office, small shop, restaurant and of course the church. The most beautiful attraction in the village is certainly a beautiful park named Jardin, on which is placed a famous bell tower of the parish church in Dobrinj.

Bell tower in Dobrinj

The bell tower was rebuilt, as it had the unfortunate history, in 1720 it was destroyed by lightning, so in 1726 they built a new one, but was again destroyed during World War II. Now, it is currently safe, and the main attraction of the place itself. Under the park Jardin, which is dedicated to Croatian defenders, is located a view point, from which you can see a beautiful view of the bay of Soline, so as the surrounding villages in the distance. Under the view point and the park, there is a variety of flowers, which connect you with the nature and the whole spirit of this place. They say that in Jardin it used to be a cemetery, which was later moved next to the road at the upper entrance to the village. If you are going to enter there, you will as well see “Gumno”  – a place where the animals walk in circles, and with their feet treading peeled grains, and thus separating the grain from the straw. In the vicinity of the village Dobrinj, you can find a few interesting churches. One of them is the Church of St. Vitus, whose specialty is a beautiful stone bell tower. Since it was discovered in the deed of donation record from 1st January 1100, in which the name of Vrbnik and Dobrinj was mentioned for the first time. Villagers of Dobrinj and Vrbnik are particularly proud of this church. In the village Gabonjin, you will find interesting and informative, two hundred feet long Glagolitic path that extends over the hill to the church of Sv. Peter. It’s called Glagolitic Path St. Peter Gabonjin.

Church of st. Peter

If you want a more peaceful but still, a special experience, I recommend you visit the village of Dobrinj. If you feel like swimming, you can still drive just a few minutes away to the seaside villages like for instance, Šilo.