The strikingly vertical houses give Zbičina a distinctive appearance. There are also chapels with different historical connections, views of Lake Vrana and a gravel route linking Zbičina with other villages on Cres. When planning a trip, it is worth considering these separately: cultural heritage, landscape and cycling connections each offer a different perspective when choosing a destination.

Village Architecture and Chapels

The houses in Zbičina stand out for their distinctly vertical form, setting them apart from typical homes in nearby settlements. This contrast is a distinctive feature of the village’s appearance. Zbičina lies within the historic region of Gerbin in western Cres, placing the village within a broader historical context.

At the entrance to Zbičina stands the chapel of Majka Božja od Zdravlja, built in 1912. Another chapel, Kapela sv. Mihovila, is classified in the heritage records dated March 12, 2024, as a protected immovable individual cultural property and is listed under the identifier Z-1851. The two chapels thus offer different ways to explore the local cultural heritage: one has a construction date, while the other has a protection classification.

Gravel Route and Old Paths

The gravel route starts at Cres Marina and initially follows the Cres water pipeline. It passes through Valun and the higher-altitude villages before continuing to Pernat, Podol, Zbičina and Lubenice. The route to Valun is approximately 15 kilometres. This distance refers to Valun; the route continues on to the villages named above. The starting point, approximate distance and places along the route provide different reference points for planning the ride.

Zbičina is also described as a crossroads of old paths, which lead towards Lubenice, Pernat, Podol and Valun. This historic context complements the information about the gravel route. The old paths place Zbičina between several of the named places, while the cycling route has a specified starting point and approximate distance to Valun. This makes it possible to consider the historic crossroads and the specific cycling connection separately when choosing the focus of an outing.

Landscape and Views

The landscape includes the deep Dolci valley and the steep, wooded hill of Komunada. Views extend north and east towards Valun Bay, Veli verh and Perska. Viewpoints also offer panoramic views of Lake Vrana. Access to the lake itself is strictly prohibited because it is the only source of drinking water for both islands. When planning a trip, the lake is therefore a landscape to admire from a viewpoint, not a destination for visiting the water’s edge.

Which of these matters most for your trip depends on what you would like to focus on.

Discover more destinations: Vrana, Stivan, Filozići, Orlec, Loznati, Grmov, Cres, Dragozetići

Go to the main travel overview: Cres.