The tiny island of Zlarin is situated in Šibenik archipelago, divided from land by Šibenik canal. Today is known as the coral island but in the past it was known as the golden island (the name Zlarin means golden from Croatian word zlato which means gold).
Zlarin is peaceful and quiet, picturesque and very hospitable place with crystal clean sea, idyllic nature, pine forests, sandy beaches and coves. Cars are not allowed on the island.
Zlarin is famous for its red corals. In summer, when many tourists are on the island, one may witness a ceremony that is held for sailors who are going to the sea at night to find corals. Dalmatian songs are sung, and men and women are dressed in folk costumes typical of the area. The ceremony is held to wish luck to the sailors.
Each year the yacht club of Zlarin organizes three boat regattas, "Zlarinska regata krstaša", "Latinskin idrun na kureja" and New Year "Zlarinska regata krstaša". "Latinskin idrun na kureja" is reserved for wooden boats built on old, exclusively hand-made traditional ways, and propelled by Latin sail (mainsail, triangular sail).
Zlarin’s churches are full of treasure – gold and branches of red corals which sailors left in legacy like a vow. The oldest church is Church Gospa od Rašelje, located in a field outside of town.
Key landmark is the impressive clock tower built in 1829 and known as the Leroj (local version of the Italian word for clock - orologio), crowned by an attractively spindly weather vane.
Occupying a stone house at the eastern end of town, Zlarin Museum displays finds from a shipwrecked Roman galley found by marine archaeologists just off the Šibenik coast, and an “ethnographic room” containing domestic utensils and traditional costumes.
The upper floor of the same building houses the Zlarinka coral workshop, where coral is cut, burnished and made into jewellery. Here you can buy traditional red coral jewellery and see the process how it is made.
