Zoran KovacicThe largest place on the southern coast of the Island of Vis is the colorful Rukavac. It will remain permanently recorded that it is one of the few settlements on the island that increased the number of inhabitants in 2021 compared to 2011. Now it is inhabited by 105 “souls.” The population has been growing since 1991. There were only 36 of them then.
This once typical fishing village had the most inhabitants in 1931, 144 of them. I would say, clairvoyantly, that the next census may reach that record number. I am sure that it will increase by at least two inhabitants. Me and my wife. 🙂
But these are all dry statistics, and the number of residents and their guests increases many times during the summer months. Because Rukavac is no longer a fishing village, but a real small tourist village, 10 km from the town of Vis, and 16 km from Komiža.
Did you know that Rukavac also had its own fish factory? It was before 1914, and the factory was called Mardešić. Today it is just a ruin.
Rukavac has a total of 384 residential units, so if I were to multiply that number by just three guests in each of them, I would arrive at a figure of 1,152 “residents”, the number of people who come on vacation to the safest port on the south side of the island in the summer. Ohhhh, even 10 times more than you could imagine.
A vacation in Rukavac is ideal for guests who want to enjoy beautiful beaches and crystal clear sea during the day, a unique natural environment and a real Mediterranean atmosphere. Tepluš, Srebrena or Bili bok (for nudists) are places for swimming in crystal clear sea, which can only be found on offshore islands like Vis.
It is best to watch this video of Rukavac, which we made, to get all the dimensions of this paradise on earth.
Rukavac is an ideal place for those looking for peace, without much noise and bustle, with only one restaurant and one beach bar. It doesn’t even have a store if I’m looking strictly geographically because the closest one is located at the entrance to the town, which is in Podstražje.
On the seaside, Rukavac has its “own” island, Ravnik, as a kind of natural shield from the violent blows of the south. On the seaside, Ravnik also hides the unique Green Cave, which can be easily reached from Rukavac itself by the boat.
The sea depths in front of Rukavac hide an attraction, the Brioni steamer, built in 1909 as a passenger-trade vessel. It belonged to Österreichische Lloyd. During the First World War, he sailed in the service of the Austro-Hungarian Navy. It was 69 meters long and had 1111 GRT. The wreck lies on its side in the sea and is well-preserved.
I feel truly honored that I can be part of the privileged people who plan to spend most of the year here and actively contribute to the betterment of the community, but for now only in writing…
Zoran Kovacic
