Diomedes' Route

Imagine sailing the sea that was once helmed by heroes and merchants, a sea that preserves memories of myths, legends and real historical events. This is exactly the sea route known as the Route of Diomedes, named after the hero of Homer's Iliad - Diomedes, who, according to legend, found refuge on the shores of the Adriatic after the fall of Troy. This sea route connects the Italian Gargano Peninsula with the Croatian Hylian Peninsula, namely the Punta Planka ridge near Šibenik. During the ancient and medieval centuries, numerous ships passed through it, and at the very heart of this route was the island of Vis (ancient Issa) - once the largest crossroads of Adriatic sea routes and the origin of urban life on the eastern coast of the Adriatic. Old records, in which legend and history merge into one, and numerous archaeological finds on the island and in its underwater world, testify to its rich past. Net weights, bronze hooks, coins with dolphin images and mosaics with sea motifs have been found on Vis – clear evidence that the sea has always been life, destiny and inspiration here. The famous Komiža falkuša, unique fishing boats from the island of Vis, also sailed on Diomedes' Route. Carried by the winds of the maestral and southerly winds, they set off towards Palagruža, returning to Komiža with barrels of salted sardines. It was precisely the harmony of the winds and the sea that enabled the thousand-year continuity of navigation along this route. The Greek colonists brought to Vis not only the art of shipbuilding and seafaring, but also a fishing tradition that has survived to this day. For this reason, Diomedes' Route is not seen only as a historical line on a map, but as a living story about the sea, people and the wind.