Valun

Valun is a small fishing village on the western coast of the island of Cres, in the Kvarner Gulf, and it is known above all for a stone slab that is among the oldest records of the Croatian language. The village sits at the head of a narrow bay, with a single row of stone houses along the water, a pebble beach, a small harbour and olive groves rising on the slopes behind. Its position away from the main road makes it quieter than the island's larger settlements, and it keeps the feel of a village that has lived from the sea for a very long time.

The Valun tablet is the village's claim to fame. This carved stone slab, dating from around the 11th century, bears an inscription in the Glagolitic script, the oldest Slavic alphabet, mixed with Latin text, and it records a legal agreement or a grant between the local community and a church. It is regarded as one of the oldest written monuments in Croatian, and it is evidence of how deeply the Glagolitic tradition was rooted in the Kvarner islands. The original is kept in the village church, and a copy can be seen in the village. The slab links Valun to a wider story of Croatian literacy, which also includes the nearby island of Krk and the Istrian town of Roč.

The settlement has a long past. An older community stood on the hillside above the bay, and the church of St. Mark, which dates from the 11th century, recalls that earlier settlement, known as Bućev. The present village grew up near the shore in later centuries as people moved down to the water. The local landmark known as Palac, the Palace, is a larger old house that adds to the character of the waterfront, and the harbour is lined with traditional stone buildings, with small restaurants serving fresh fish and island lamb.

The pebble beach is good for swimming, and the water is clear, with a small campsite on the edge of the village for those who want a quiet seaside stay. Coastal paths lead through olive groves and scrub, and the walks give wide views over the gulf. The village is reached by road from Cres Town, where a parking area lies at the entrance, and the final stretch is a short walk. Nearby beaches such as Veli Žal and Mali Bok are within reach.

Valun suits history lovers, families, swimmers and walkers who prefer calm places. Visit outside July and August to enjoy it at its quietest.