History of the island of Pag

Pag Island as a whole and its history goes back in the course of 11 centuries. Traces of the Early Neolithic, traces of the Mediterranean culture people who "came from the sea", the Roman remains of a large scale, early Slavic remains, the Middle Ages the island, especially Cissa and old Pag are just some of the characteristics of this beautiful and historically rich islands.

In the northwestern part of the bay of islands, long 15 km, are located the ruins of a Roman settlement,

probably a fortified Roman city that is mentioned under the name Cissa (today Caska). Called him yet, and Kiss, Gissa, Chissa, Insula Paganorum and Pagus ante Gissa appellata.
Visible are also traces of all the people who lived here. Some local names as Lun, Maun, Skrda the Illyrian origin. Old names are Latin and custom: Barbati, Latin barbatus = overgrown, wooded, Pag, Latin Pagus = Village; Novalja of Navalia = shipyard, port or novalis = Krčevina, land fallow. But the largest number of village names and, in general, geographical terms, of Slavic origin, and the names themselves and prove that the Croats settled the island of Pag is very early. However, keep the other names. Pag is the domination of Greece on the Adriatic coast belonged to the group of islands called Mentorides. Supervisors were the Illyrian tribe of the neighboring Velebit. In the early Middle Ages, we have it called Insula Novalia (Novalja island), Loni insula (island Lun).
Over time, as Cissa becomes true center of the island, and the Romans and during the Middle Ages, until the thirteenth century, the island is a long name appoints Cissa (Rain). From the old Illyrian, Roman and then medieval center Cissa remained until today mainly ruins under the ground. Legend and some archaeological finds certain that the city was one big, that was dynamited several times, and that is partially sunk in the earthquake 361st year.
Novalja Novalja today and gradually sprang up as "external port" Cissa, because it is very difficult to affordable and it is supposed to bond with the open sea.
The population of Mediterranean culture, the mid-2nd millennium in the Neolithic blend with new immigrants, Illyrian Liburna. History records them as cattle breeders, farmers, sailors and famous pirates. At several places on the island, found their remains from the early Iron Age.
Liburnians on the islands share the fate of its neighbors in the Land 1st century AD and after long-term struggle with the Romans, they obey the Roman economy.

The town already in the 5th century we find traces of the early monuments, three basilica, a stone sarcophagus, mensa, etc. The remains of the urban basilica, and cryptic fragments found in Novalja. Set the thesis that it is already in the 4th century there diocese.
In the area of today Novalja, which in history was shaped castrum - fortifications. Detected basilica with partially preserved floor mosaics. Far from it dug the potentate that dates from the end of 4th century. Another similar church Basilical type shape with a semicircular apse reveals to the so-called. Kindergarten, second in the open air, and several smaller left barely recognizable traces along the town.

Stone remains of furniture and decorations listed churches are located in several places on the island, and also in the museum in Novalja and a small collection of stone monuments under "Stomorica".

Finding between the two communities that were at that time strengthens its position - Pag is late in its independence and became a victim of a neighboring commune island of Rab and even stronger neighbors, Zadar, which is aiming to become a republic. Pag, forced to hold between Rab and Zadar, and because of frequent disagreements with the rule, used in writing privileges, promises, and the accession of Venice as a better partner against Zadar.
With the Crusaders (1202 - 1244) Venice occupies and destroys Zadar. After the withdrawal of the Crusaders, Zadar attack Pag , plunder and destroy so much already infested Cissa that is never recovered.

Pag is through history suffered many tribulations, from Napoleon's siege (1806.godine), the first world war, Italian occupation, famine and poverty, the second world war ...

Postwar development of the island of Pag was difficult due to underdeveloped capacity in the past. First of all, it was necessary to build destroyed houses, roads, etc. Now they are beginning to show shortcomings of infrastructure: water, roads, electrification.
Lack of water is particularly difficult to maintain in Novalja, which is their greatest efforts and hope invested in tourism. Novalja remembers his small waterworks from 1912. year, when the Roman water supply through water came with a windmill.
The entire island of Pag is focused on the submarine, which stops water supply from sources Bacvice on Velebit. Year 1982. water came up to Novalja and thus ended the greatest concern.

To this date, all villages has increased immeasurably and ensure yourself a good tourist season.

Beauty of the island of Pag, reportedly even 1925. discovered the tourists from the Czech Republic and Poland and has since then recorded the 6580 overnight stay, and in the thirties Pag and Novalja declared the tourist areas of Sušačkog Tourist Association.