Osor
Osor is an ancient town at a crossroads of land and sea routes. As we know it today is a museum town. Wherever you turn, or whatever you dig up with hoe, there are traces of ancient history. From the prehistoric Osor, there are stone tombs, from the Bronze Age (9th century BC), megalithic walls (4th-3rd centuries BC) - huge stone blocks near the bottom of the town walls, and numerous Illyrian dwellings. The traits of a real urban settlement during Classical Age when it reaches its largest size, from the strait (Kavunada) to the Bijar cove. Osor had the classical schemes of streets. Remains of classical floor mosaics are found at the cemetery of Osor, where there had been a cult gathering place since prehistoric times. This is where Osor's cathedral was built in the 5th century, with its baptistery in the form of a hexagon pool in which catechumens were christened by submerging into the water. This complex encompassed the entire walled in area of today's cemetery.
Until the period of Romanesque architecture was continuity in the building of sacral and other structures. The church of St. Platon, from 8th-9th century with its rich braided decoration. Small Romanesque chapel of St. Peter's from the 11th century, is related to the spreading of the Benedictines thought the Kvarner islands. Monastery which was once there, became extinct somewhere in ht 15th century. Near this monastery, in the cove Bijar, is another one which, perhaps, the Benedictines could have resided likewise. St. Mary church was built as a part of this complex.
Osor began losing significance in the 15th century because of the new shipping practice. Osor was struck by malaria in the same century. Even the town walls were knocked down the disease diminished the population. Town's baron and captain moved to Cres. Because of the great loss of population, the eastern part of the town stagnated and the Venetians built a new town wall which encircled the town reduced urban area. The remains of the eastern town gate from this period can be recognized by the Venetian symbol - St.Mark lion, a stone relief. Inside the new town wall was being built new cathedral, new bishop's palace and church of St. Gaudencius. During the summer, the harmonious and acoustic cathedral serves as a concert hall for musical events called The Musical Events of Osor. There is a bell towe from 1575 on the eastern side of the cathedral. The bishop's palace may be seen by taking a walk thought its courtyard.
From the Roman period you will be attracted to the tombstone with a portrait of Centaurion, master of a Liburna warship. There are two pieces from the early Christian Period, 5th al least 6th century, which are exceptional importance. On them the Credo, pledge to faith that each catechumen was to know before being baptized. Osor is exceptionally rich in examples of sculptural stone ornaments of the so called braided style from the 8th to the 11th century.
The curch dedicated to St. Gaudencius is located on the western side of Osor's cathedral. It is a Gothic structure from 15th century.
After all this rich history, Osor today has 80 inhabitants.
Places to visit
- The museum town: the host of Summer Osor Music Evenings
- The Town Museum - ex-townhall from 15th century (remains from Early - Christian period and earlier)
- The vathedral built from 1463 to 1498 (direction North - South) with wooden painted casket
- The town wall
- The antique mosaic on the floor on Osor graveyard and hexagonal baptistery from 5th to 6th century
- Access them from Osor, Nerezine and Ćunski
Town-museum
In order to familiarize yourself with the history of the Lošinj islands, you will have to visit this formerly biggest town, 4000 years old, a center from the Roman era, currently an outdoor museum. Osor connects two islands by a bridge - Cres and Lošinj,. Numerous archeological remains, town walls, museum of sacral arts, archeological collection and cathedral remind of a glorious and rich history. Walking around the old town center, you will feel as if time had stopped and you had gone back to the past.
Maps and cityplans can be found here.