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SVN Solovelanet Global
Luca Da Damos is a literature teacher
and sails on a small self-built catama-
ran with his wife and young children
for two months a year.He writes
travel articles.
The author
Above, the main street of Goli. The
history of this cursed island is a tragic
history, the events of those who have
experienced here their worst night-
mares and those who have never re-
turned from here. A piece of universal
history that has emerged only a few
years ago.
The Croatian government has even hypothesized
to include the island in the 100 national treasures
to be put up for sale in order to repair the state's
finances, and someone else would like to tran-
sform the wonderful island into a resort, erasing
all traces of the past.
A small Goli Otok is inside each of us.
Around the harbour, bleak ruined barracks remind
us of the dark past of the island. Outside the har-
bour, the most beautiful sea of the Kvarner bay.
Sitting with your legs dangling at the head of the
pier, is like looking over an aquarium; swarms of
damselfish swim between blue stones and black
sea urchins, while bigger fish compete for pieces
of bread thrown into the water.
Goli Otok is no longer the naked island, because
prisoners planted trees that over time have grown
into a gorgeous maritime pine forest.
A short walk leads to the only settlement of the
island that is equipped for visits to prisons. Here
is where boats loaded with tourists from nearby
islands dock; here is the only bar and restaurant
on the island, which however closes at six pm.
Then you are alone with your thoughts and with
the ghosts of history.
