Airport and transport – bridge connection with smaller island Prežba; ferry and catamaran connection (from Ubli) to Split (around 140 km); airports in Split and Dubrovnik (around 140 km).
History – inhabited since Neolithic Age (continuous evidence of habitation found in Cave Rača (above Skrivena Luka; protected by low as geomorphologic monument of nature and an important archeological site)); the island was first mentioned (in a written text) in the 10th century in the works of the Byzantine emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus; in 1310 Lastovo got its first written legislation (the Statute of Lastovo; which had all the characteristics of law); private elementary school on the island existed since 14th century; a sardine factory was built in Ubli in 1931; Lastovo was very often a target of pirates.
Interesting to see: remains of basilica (Ubli, 6th century); church of St. Luke (11th century); church of St. Vlaho (12th century); remains of churches St. Ciprijan and St. Nikolas (Sušac; 11th-13th century); church of St. Marry in the Field (14th century); church of St. Anton (14th century); church of St. Mihovil (14th century); church of St. Martin (14th century); church of St. Ivan the Baptizer (14th century); church of St. Cosmas and Damian (14th century; on foundations of church from 5th/6th century); church of St. Nicolas (15th century); church of St. Salvation (Pržina; 16th century); church of St. Rock (Pjevor; 16th century); church of St. Ilija (Kolač; 16th century); church of St. Mark (Prgovo; 16th century); church of Joseph (17th century); church of Augustine (17th century); chapel of Saint John (17th century); church of Vincenco Fererije (18th century); private chapel St. Juraj (19th century); the lighthouse Struga (in Skrivena Luka; built in 1839; 104m high; one of the oldest on the Croatian coast); private chapel St. Jerolim (20th century); church of St. Peter (Ubli; 20th century).
Info – island has 46 churches, 46 hills that covers 46 square kilometers, 46 karstic fields, and 46 islands, islets and rocky skerries in the archipelago; 60% of the island is covered with forest; free from dangerous and poisonous animals (poisonous snakes, spiders (such as black widow)…); Lastovo archipelago (include: island Lastovo, the islet groups Donji Školji westwards, Gornji Školji in center, and Vrhovnjaci skerries eastwards) is proclaimed a Croatian Nature Park (from 2006); 835 inhabitants; highest peak Hum, 417 m; coastline 48.97 km; around 2 700 sun hours per year (one of the sunniest island in the Adriatic); no permanent surface water streams; numerous bays; rocky, gravel and sandy beaches; vineyards and olive groves; seabed hides endemic red corals; waters around the island are one of the fish richest areas of Adriatic Sea; transparency of the sea somewhere goes up to 30 meters; “trade mark” look of Lastovo houses are high broad terraces (of buildings from 15th and 16th centuries) and unusual cylindrical chimneys (called fumari; each one unique, no two of the kind; a status symbol where larger means more wealthier house; tradition dates back to the 16th century); island has rich communities of falcon and hawk nests (in the Middle Ages they were traded for falconry to other kingdoms, especially to Kingdom of Naples (Italy)); Island is connected by bridge to smaller island Prežba through village Pasadur (because of it part of the village is located on Prežba, and hence the only inhabited island of Lastovo archipelago).
Happenings: Nights of Lastovo (July; folk performances, klapa’s (a cappella) singing); Jazz festival (August; local and international ethnic, jazz and rock musicians).
Where to go out: taverns.
Inevitable to see: Poklad carnival (celebrated as a memory of an old historical event, the help of St George in defense of Korčulans against the pirates attack from 15th century; celebrated in February (on Tuesday before Ash Wednesday); all the island residents participate by wearing folk costumes); rich customs, traditions and dances; beauty of the underwater caves and colorful flora and fauna.
Inevitable to taste: “ćimule” in olive oil; lobster; octopus; John Dory and Groupers; fish on white; roast local lamb and kid; wines (Maraština; Plavac Mali and Rukatac); local olive oil; sweets: “prkle” (fritters), “skalice”, “kotonjati” (desert from apple quince; in past made for special guests); different brandy’s (from lemon, orange, carob, different herbs (bitters), and rose petals).
Good to know: the last outbreak of vampirism was recorded on Lastovo (in 1737 severe diarrhea killed many locals; the islanders blamed this on vampires; they formed a band or group of vigilante style vampire hunters; in the Middle Ages such cases were reported throughout all of Croatia); In Lastovo was born Bonino de Bonini (15th-16th century; worked in Venice, Verona and Lyon; one of the pioneers of printing in Europe; his works were considered among the best examples of printing, of his time; he printed Dante‘s Divine Comedy and ancient classics by Tibullis, Catullus, Propertius, Virgil, Plutarch, Aesop and others); the ornate chimney from 16th century, on the house “Biza Antica”, is probably the oldest preserved chimney in Dalmatia.