Povljana - island Pag

History and monuments

Municipality of Povljana on the island of Pag abounds in prehistoric archaeological localities. So far, the oldest item found is a fragment of a stone axe from copper-stone age (Eneolithic).
Liburnians and Romans left an indelible mark in the history of Pag, and the Povljana territory is here to prove that. The name of Povljana comes from the Roman name PAULUS by adding the Latin suffix – ANA, which forms: PAULINIANA. The Croats began to build their settlements on the territory of Pag quite early. Several medieval graveyards (Stara Povljana, Grušna, Belotine ograde and Gomilica) and churches give evidence of their presence on the Povljana territory. The name Povljana (referring to Stara (Old) Povljana) is mentioned in historical resources in relation to the construction of St. Martin’s Church on February 13, 1345, and also later in 1452 and 1492, but the settlement is older than that. In Stara Povljana Bay, there was a settlement by the name of Povljana up until the 17th century. Since the settlement was abandoned, it has been called Stara Povljana. Its inhabitants were moved to a bay on the opposing side, the present Povljana. In the year 1750, 90 inhabitants lived in Nova (New) Povljana, and by the end of the 19th century – 181.
With a view to sacral buildings special attention must be given to the church of St. Nikola (Nicholas) mentioned in literature many years ago. Academician Ivo Petricioli described it in detail in 1963. In the meantime, archaeological research was carried out in the church and the church has been conserved. It was first believed that it dated back to the 9th until the 11th century, but lately only 9th century is mentioned. Some experts, however, date it back to the early Christian period, noting that the church was renewed during the medieval period, which resulted in a more lavish interior.
St. Martin’s Church is first mentioned in the testament of its establisher Dižilav Radogostić Vučo (1335). The church is surrounded by a graveyard where excavations have been carried out since the end of 2007. St. Martin’s Church has recently been entirely conserved and hence temporarily saved, and it is an exceptionally important monument of Croatian medieval architecture. During medieval period there were 18 salt pans in the bay outside the settlement, as mentioned in a historical document dating from 1411. As confirmed by a document dating from April 28, 1341, a number of salt pans also existed on the territory of Seline Bay, in one part of Prutno peninsula. During very low tides the preserved remnants of the medieval saltpans can still be seen.
The present parish church of St. Juraj, first dedicated to St. Nikola the Benedictine was established in the 17th century. During the 17th, 18th, and 19th century, the inhabitants of the town of Pag also migrated to the Povljana territory. The present last names and local legends support this theory.

Swimming and beach Povljana - island Pag

Povljana has many sandy and pebbly beaches with postpenim access to water. The location is very suitable for small children and non-swimmers. Extremely clear water has plenty of fish and other marine species, and in the nearby bays you can find mussels, especially in the Old Bay. Povljana has a very indented coastline with many beaches and valama, such as:
- in the center of the town beach is gravelly
- sandy beach of St. Perilo with showers and a cafe
- beach little Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik - bay with a pebbly beach at wich are two cafes, benches and showers, a playground for beach volleyball, and about 350 m from the beach there is an area with helathy mud
- the beaches  Livade and Obatnice - are located behind the beach Perilo, in the sandy bay, and most importantly less crowded with people
- beach Old Povljana - the bay can be reached by asphalt road through the fields, on the southern side of the bay are rocks and on the north side are many small hidden sandy coves.

In the town of Pag, 10 km away is a sandy beach with a slide
In Novalja, wich is about 25 km away is the famous pebble beach Zrče

Sports offer

In the center of town there are tennis courts and besides them there is a trampoline for children and multifunctional playground, where you can play all ball games. Dubrovnik beach available for beach volleyball and there, you can also rent a pedal boat, canoe or jet, a popular sports include windsurfing.
Along the sea extends lighted promenade, where you can drive and roller skates, skate or ride a bicycle. Povljana is surrounded by valleys and provides additional bike paths on natural roads, but you can also drive by the road  to the city of Pag which is approximately 10 km away. Throughout the island of Pag is also available to more than 100 kilometers of bicycle paths. One of bike trips, we recommend is a visit to the ornithological reserve Velo Blato.
One of the favorite trips in the city of Pag is horseback riding. Other favorite activities are scuba diving as close you can watch the rich underwater world, as well as fishing at sea and lakes Velo Blato, for which you first have to obtain a license for fishing.

Cultural events and evening life

Povljana is primarily peaceful Dalmatian place, but in the heart of the tourist season, the local tourist board organizes a rich cultural and social program. You can watch concerts of popular music performed by local groups, or watch performances of traditional dances, with folk costumes from island Pag.
We recommend: tradicionalnoi encounter of a caplla singing "Povljana pismi", to be held in the beautiful surroundings of the square in front of the church of Sv. Juraj, which is held on the first Friday in July. This competition is one of the most important meeting of a capella singing in the Zadar region, but also participating choirs from all over Croatia. In memory of this event, you can buy a CD with songs that are issued each year.
In Povljana is active male a capella group - klapa Povljana, which has been operating since 1998, and except in Povljana you can listen to their performances throughout the island of Pag and Zadar County. In Povljana also acts and female a capella group - klapa Kaladi, which was formed in 2006, and performances throughout Dalmatia. The purpose and mission in the singing group is primarily to preserve the tradition of Dalmatian a capella singing.