Interesting facts

Legends

• There is a belief saying that there still remain 12 golden statues of the apostles buried at the archaeological of St. Peter's basilica, located near Ubli.
• Throughout history, not a single walnut tree was to be found anywhere on Lastovo, because of the belief that walnut trees were the favourite gathering place of witches. Naturally, garlic was revered as an all-round cure for curses.
• Witches were also thought to gather in places where the road forked in three directions. On the other hand, the Rača cave, whose corridor leads all the way to the sea - that was the fairies' abode.
• Legend of Glavat tells that the ancient Greek god Zeus sent his emissary to find the world's most beautiful island. After a long and arduous search, the emissary was torn between the islands of Latovo, Korčula and Mljet. It is said that he still remains, frozen in stone, somewhere right in between the three glorious islands.
• According to another legend, Ulysses, who visited the island during one of his journeys, found a resting place in the bay known today as Skrivena Luka.
• By the grace of its natural beauties, rolling fields, green forests and the myriad of small islets and bays surrounding the main island, the Romans named Lastovo the imperial island or Augusta Insula.

Settlements on Lastovo

Traces of first civilised settlements on Lastovo date back to the neolithic period, as evidenced by findings from Rača and Puzavica caves.

Lastovo Carnival

The Lastovo Carnival, whose origins remain shrouded in mystery, is considered one of Europe's oldest customs. The oldest evidence of its existence lies written down in the 1390 Lastovo statute.

The Round Dance of Pokladar

The Round Dance of Pokladar is a cued folk dance performed with prop swords, held in its entirety only on Shrovetide in the village of Lastovo. It is played out by men dressed in folk uniforms accompanied by lyre music.

The Round Dance of the Beautiful Masquerade

The Round Dance of the Beautiful Masquerade is a unique folk dance with handkerchiefs held annually only on the Shrovetide Tuesday. This round dance is unique because the only participants allowed in it are women.

Uvo!

Uvo! is a peculiar interjection, whose meaning remain unexplained, which constitutes an integral part of Lastovo's Shrovetide events.

St. Kuzma and Damjan

Saints Kuzma and Damjan are the rightful guardians of Lastovo, where the municipal church bears their names. Each year, Lastovo celebrates its holy guardians on August 26th.

Military isolation of Lastovo

During the second half of the 20th century, the islands of Lastovo and Vis were off limits for foreigners due being employed as military outposts by the Yugoslav Armed Forces. The development of tourism was therefore impeded until the army left the island in 1992.

Star-strewn skies

Slovenian astrophotographers Mikuz Herman and Andrej Mohar declared Lastovo's night skyscape one of the most beautiful in Europe, wholly thanks to its separation from mainland, and thus from all conceivable pollutions. This makes Lastovo extremely suitable for setting up your telescopes to enjoy stargazing.