Šipan (pronounced[ʃǐpan]) (/ʃipɑːn/) (Italian: Giuppana), nicknamed the Golden Island,[3] is an island located in southern Croatia, more specifically in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County. It is located 17 km (11 mi) northwest of Dubrovnik, and is separated from the mainland coast by the Koločep Channel, which has an area of 16.22 km2 (6.3 sq mi).[4] The island is 9.1 km (5.7 mi) in length, and up to 2.6 km (1.6 mi) in width. It is a part of the Elaphiti Islands, and is the largest island in the archipelago. The name of the archipelago comes from the Ancient Greek word for deer (Greek: ἔλαφος, romanized: elaphos), which, according to Pliny the Elder, used to inhabit the Elaphiti Islands in large numbers. There is, however, no evidence of deer ever inhabiting the archipelago.[1]
Šipan's population was 476 as of 2021, an increase from the 416 people in 2011.[2][5] Its highest point, the Velji Vrh, lies at 243 m (797 ft) above sea level, and is located in the northwestern part of the island. The Velji Vrh is one of two limestone crests, the other being the Kameni Luk, located in the southeast. Frutis such as oranges and other citrus are cultivated on the island.[6] It holds the Guinness World Record for the most olive trees relative to an island's size and population.[7]
Šipan can be reached by ferries from Dubrovnik, which also go to Lopud and Koločep (locally known as Kalamota), the latter of which is the southernmost inhabited island in Croatia.[8] The ports of Suđurađ (Italian: San Giorgio) and Šipanska Luka (Italian: Porto Giuppana) make up the only two inhabited towns on the island.[9]
History
There are some remnants from the Illyrian era and villae rusticae from the Roman era on the island. The island's name Tauris, known to be mentioned in the 16th century, led old writers from Dubrovnik, as well as some contemporary historians, to assume that the Battle of Tauris took place in 47 BC near Šipan, and not Šćedar. In historical sources, the island is first mentioned under the Latinized name Juppana and Italianized Giuppana in the 13th century. The first known mention under the Croatian name of Šipan is from 1371.[9]
The beginning of the connection between Šipan and Dubrovnik was established by the noble Sagroević-Stjepović-Krivonosović-Skočibuha family, at around the 15th century. Although some associate their origin with Herzegovina, according to other sources, that surname is mentioned in Šipan before the fall of Bosnia under Turkish rule in 1463. Two brothers, Antun and Stijepo Sagroević-Krivonosović, were mentioned at the beginning of the 16th century, and the names of their nine descendants were also recorded. All of them were connected to seafaring and sailed throughout the Mediterranean and beyond, to the coasts of England and the Netherlands. Due to frequent conflicts with pirates and other dangers, such a life was risky and took victims. In the end only two sons survived, Vice Stjepović-Skočibuha [hr], who would become the most respected representative of the merchant class of his time,[11] and Marin, a priest who spent his life in Naples and Dubrovnik. The island became a part of the Republic of Ragusa in 1426.[12] The house originally owned by Vice Stjepović-Skočibuha is still intact, and is centrally located in Suđurađ.
Šipan flourished during the Republic of Ragusa when some of the most common activities were shipbuilding, seamanship, olive cultivation, fishing, and viticulture.[15] Though, after a great earthquake, and a fire that destroyed Dubrovnik in the 17th century, the economy of the island began to decline as the island relied heavily on Dubrovnik. The worst economic decline of the island happened during The Great Depression, accompanied by strong emigration. With major investments in the last ten years, the economy of the island is improving and the island is once again experiencing revitalization, though the island is still economically dependent on Dubrovnik.[16]
For hundreds of years, Šipan's fishing culture was strong, with it having had a large population of fishermen living on the island. As such, Šipan became famous for its fishing culture. These fishermen preferred fishing european pilchards and tuna.[17] These fishermen are also important in the island's economy.[18] The island also brings in large income from tourism, even though Šipan did not have any tourist attraction until 1980.[17] In addition, the island is home to a film school, which has been operating for 20 years.[19][20][21]
Geography
Šipan's highest point, named the Velji Vrh (Big peak), lies at 243 m (797 ft) above mean sea level, and is located in the northwestern part of the island. The 2nd highest point on the island, the Kameni Luk, located in the southeast, is slightly smaller than the Velji Vrh, with both hills being limestone crests. On the island, there are multiple plants which are cultivated, such as olives, figs, almonds, carobs,[22] and citrus.[6] Šipan also holds the Guinness World Record for the most olive trees relative to the island's population and size,[7] with the island being noted to have over 300 thousand olive trees.[3]
The island is also famous for its wide variety of palm trees, which are located throughout the island.[23][24]
