Komiza (Croatia, island Vis) is a town located on island Vis, in Croatian region of Central Dalmatia. Komiza is located in a deep bay on west side of island Vis, in the bottom of hill Hum (587 m).
You can get to Komiza by boat or ferry. Ferry port is in Vis. You can also use boat rental services or water taxi to get to Komiza from mainland. Many cruises, trips and group water transfers have been organized to visit island Vis and nearby islets by a speed boat. You can go swimming, diving, sailing and do many other water activities.
If you are coming by plane, you will get to Airport Split and take a taxi or bus to ferry port Split and take a ferry to island Vis.
KOMIZA INHABITANTS AND SETTLEMENTS
Most of the inhabitants of Komiza are directed to fishing and tourism. Komiza was known for it's fishermen who ruled in the Adriatic and made settlements on the coasts of North and South America.
Before World War II, Komiza had 7 fish processing factories, which were combined into one factory Neptune. Komiza is known for blue fish. Komiza has around 1670 inhabitants. Most of the inhabitants are Croats. During the Austrian-Hungarian rule, Komiza has over 5000 inhabitants. Inhabitants mostly emigrated because of the grapevine's disease, then World War I and World War II.
Most known inhabitants: entrepreneur Martin Bogdanovic, poet Josko Bozanic, poet Vinko Kalinic, poet Senko Karuza, painter Boris Mardesic, writer Ranko Marinkovic, writer Miljenko Smoje, movie director and scientist Niksa Svilicic, actor Ivica Vidovic, philosopher Ante Petric and many other. Komiza is consisted of settlements and islands: Komiza, Bisevo, Duboka, Okljucna, Palagruza, Borovik, Podspilje, Podhumlje, Zena Glava and Sveti Andrija (St. Andrew).
KOMIZA HISTORY
It is believed that name Komiza comes from Com Issa which means next to the Issa, which was the name of town Vis during the Antique times. Komiza was first time mentioned in 1145. as Val Comeza in the Grant of Zadar's duke Peter.
During the Venetian rule, town Komiza belonged to Hvar's Municipality. It became center of fishing. Venetians noted that in only one day Komiza's fishermen have caught three million tons of sardines in 16th century. During the Austrian rule from 1815.-1918. town Komiza became a town with all necessary contents.
After 1918. fishing area around Komiza got under the Italy until 1947. Many inhabitants after World War II moved to America. Island Vis became a military fort and direct ferry line for city of Split was cancelled. After Croatia got its independence, town Komiza and island Vis started to develope tourism. In 1993. Komiza became Municipality and in 1997. it gained town status.
Town Komiza was first Croatian settlement visited by a Pope. Palagruza's fishermen hid the Pope Alexander III from bad weather. The Pope blessed the Church of St. Nicholas and moved on to Zadar.
KOMIZA TOURISM
Town Komiza is also touristic settlement. Many inhabitants offer accommodation in private apartments, houses and rooms. You can also stay in family hotels. Island Vis also has camps.
Komiza has many beautiful things to offer it's tourists. It has beautiful nature and beaches, crystal clear sea and many historical and cultural monuments and sights.
KOMIZA ATTRACTIONS
Attractions in Komiza:
- Church of Our Lady Gusarica;
- Cave Modra on island Bisevo;
- Memorial Home;
- Tito's Cave;
- Parish Church of St. Nicholas;
- Remains of Benedictine monastery;
- Square Skor with House of Zonkot;
- Venetian Castle;
- Fishing museum - Church of St. Blaz;
- Church of St. Michael; - Factory Neptune;
- Island Svetac;
- Island Jabuka...
Tito's Cave is located in the bottom of hill Hum. In 1944. there was supreme headquarters of the Partizan army and Tito's seat of government. Island Svetac (St. Andrew) is located around 30 km west of town Komiza. It is 3.5 km long and 1.5 km wide.
Highest peak of island Svetac is Serti kuk (311 m). Island Jabuka is located around 70 km west, north-west of town Komiza. It is the only Croatian island built of eruptive rocks. Island Jabuka is 97 m high steep cliff. You can get to island Jabuka in only one place on south-west side of island. Cave Modra is located on island Bisevo, south-west of island Vis and town Komiza.
Cave Modra is located in a bay Balun. It is 24 m long, 10-12 m wide, 15 m high and 16 m deep. Cave Modra has 2 entrances. One entrance is smaller and made for a small boat to get in. Other entrance is larger and it is below sea level.
Sun light penetrates through larger entrance and breaks by passing through the water and deductes of the bottom of the cave. The deducted light fills the cave with silver-blue glow.
KOMIZA ACTIVITIES AND NIGHT LIFE
Komiza has bowling hall and paragliding club. You can also enjoy in many other sports and water activities such as diving, sailing, swimming, cruising, horse riding, walking, jogging and other.
During the season in Komiza are kept many fun and cultural events. Fisherman's night is kept on the first Saturday in August.
You can also visit many nearby places and monuments. You can visit Modra Cave on island Bisevo, city of Split with Diocletian's Palace, islands Brac with famous beach Zlatni Rat and Hvar with many historical and cultural monuments. For nearby one-day excursions you can use speed boat transportations, water taxi or rent a boat. Many water transfers are available for you.
Komiza has many restaurants and taverns known for many Dalmatian specialities: tavern Bako, restaurant Falkusa, restaurant Komiza, tavern Molo Trovna, tavern Jastozera, restaurant Senko...
Beaches in Komiza: Nova Posta, Gusarica, Velo Zalo, Kamenice, Veliki Kupinovac, Moli Kupinovac, Stupisce, Jurkovica, Srebrna, Milna, Stiniva... Komiza mostly has pebble beaches accross the whole bay. Gusarica is public town beach. Kamenice is beach located on the most southern part of the bay. Storo Posta is small pebble beach suitable for two persons.
