Baška is located on the shores of a vast bay surrounded by hills, with a view to Velebit and the islet Prvić. Like the vast lake, ithas always attracted through its natural beautyand picturesque landscapes, the always curious and random visitors.The large gravel beaches are the most beautiful beaches on the Adriatic, found along the banks of the inexhaustible flowing river, Vela rika, which is a source for drinking water, and it keeps the surrounding picturesque hills and pastures fertile.It is not by chance that the first traces of life in this area originate from prehistory.The earliest inhabitants are the Iapodes from Illyrian times. Baska is first mentioned in written documents in Latin 1232.godine, and with the current name Baska is mentioned for the first time in year 1375.
In addition to the church of St. Mark, there are traces of an early Christian basilicaand there are still visible parts of the mosaic that decorated its floor. Many tombs that testify to the presence of the Roman Empire in Baska have also been found near the church. Located in the area near the graveyard of the church of Saint John are an ancient village and castle.In the war with Venice, by order of the commander Ludovica Loredana, the castle was set on fire in 13
80with the intention of forcing villagers to move to the coast.The first village house was built in 1529.godine,and is located near the bistro Franceska and the old fountains.
Baska and its region was visited long before there was any kind of organized tourism.The faithful would set out on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady at Gorica (near Batomalj) and the monastery near the church of St. Lucia where the Baska Tablet dating back to the year 1100 can be found.This is the oldest complete record in Old Slavonic written in Glagolitic (the original is in Zagreb).
At the beginning of the 20th century Baska was a thriving commercial centre. It had 4,000 inhabitants, a large number of ships, and many merchants and craftsmen of various professions. At that time tourism became a strong economic possibility and plans were conceived to develop its potential.Baska is in the second half of the 19.st. connected to the Rijeka on the coast and with the city of Senj.
There is a regular boat service across the Rijeka and to the rest of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Europe. In 1892 a 220 m long breakwater was built and Baska is a safe haven and refuge during storms. In 1904 a committee was established for beautifying the town and not long after, the first tourists started coming. In 1909 Emil Gaistlich, a Czech journalist from Prague, arrived and he promoted and organized the arrival of Czech tourists to Baska.
Every year the number of tourists has increased to where it is now a steady stream, not only Czech tourists, but from many other parts of Europe. This influx was interrupted by the wars, but that did not stop its growth.
Baska today is a modern tourist place,with a beautiful beach, many hotels and numerous private rooms and apartments. Although accommodation for tourists is steadily increasing, in peak season there is a lack of sufficient accommodation to meet the demand.
Baska is an ideal place for rest and recreation. A Blue flag waving on the edge of its large beach guarantees the quality of services and the purity of the sea. The crystal clear ocean waters are Baska’s main attraction. Nearby, on the island of Prvić, there are also many beaches. For lovers of underwater excursions, these can be organized off shore Baška bay. There is also sailing, long walks in the surrounding hills both during the summer and off-season. In Baska there is a football field and numerous tennis courts, and a swimming pool at the Hotel Corinthia. There is also a Wellness Centre at the Corinthia .
Baska has it all and more!
