Brijuni Islands – From President Tito’s Summer Retreat to a Mediterranean Paradise
- Teo Drinkovic
- Sep 25
- 5 min read
Explore the National Park of Brijuni Islands– President Tito's Residence, History, Nature, and the Famous Safari Park
Introduction
Today I’m taking you on a journey through Brijuni National Park, a place I had the chance to visit with my partner and truly enjoy its attractions and natural beauty. The Brijuni archipelago consists of 14 small islands and islets off the western coast of Istria, Croatia, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and untouched Mediterranean vegetation.
What makes these islands so unique is their history as the former summer residence of Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito, who often hosted world leaders, celebrities, and influential figures there. Brijuni are also famous for their Safari Park, established to house the many exotic animals Tito received as diplomatic gifts.
Protected as a National Park since 1983, Brijuni covers about 743 hectares of land and 2,652 hectares of surrounding sea. The islands are partly covered with pine forests and rocky maquis, and home to centuries-old olive groves, the most famous being a 1,600-year-old olive tree. Dolphins are often spotted in the pristine waters, and the flora and fauna of the islands add to their charm.
On the southern part of Veliki Brijun lies Soline, an ornithological reserve and wetland habitat where herons and other waterbirds nest. Tito even kept a small fisherman’s hut there, where he liked to sit and listen to the birds.
The History of the Brijuni Islands
Beyond their socialist past during Tito’s time, Brijuni boast a rich history stretching back to antiquity. The Romans built luxurious summer estates here, and in Verige Bay you can still see the remains of a grand villa from the 1st century BC, complete with mosaics and Roman baths. Nearby are ruins of ancient harbors and terraces.
In Madona Bay, the remains of a Byzantine fortress and the Basilica of St. Mary from the 5th–6th centuries can be found.
During the Middle Ages, Brijuni were under Venetian rule, and stone from their quarries was used across Istria.
A turning point came in the late 19th century, when Austrian industrialist Paul Kupelwieser purchased the then-neglected and malaria-ridden islands in 1893. With the help of Nobel laureate Robert Koch, malaria was eradicated, and Kupelwieser began transforming Brijuni into a luxury resort.
He created parks and gardens, planted citrus trees and palms, and built five seaside hotels and a heated seawater pool. He established dairy farms with native Istrian cattle, vineyards, and gardens, exporting Brijuni products like wine, cheese, and milk all the way to Vienna. Regular shipping lines connected Pula and Fažana, and even a direct night train ran from Vienna to Fažana, with ferries taking guests to the islands.
Kupelwieser also introduced one of Europe’s first themed Mediterranean gardens with citrus plantations and exotic plants, making Brijuni a fashionable Austro-Hungarian Riviera resort, a gathering place for high society.
Source: Google.com
The Tito Era – Brijuni’s Golden Age
The most iconic chapter in Brijuni’s modern history belongs to Josip Broz Tito, Yugoslavia’s charismatic president. Tito first visited in 1947, and by 1953, the White Villa on Veliki Brijun became his official summer residence.
For the next 26 years, Tito spent 4–6 months annually on the islands, hosting over 250 foreign delegations and around 300 ambassadors. Leaders from more than 60 countries visited, including India’s Nehru, Egypt’s Nasser, Ghana’s Nkrumah, Tanzania’s Nyerere, Cuba’s Fidel Castro, and Ethiopia’s Haile Selassie.
One of the most significant meetings was the 1956 Brijuni Declaration, where Tito, Nasser, and Nehru signed a non-alignment pact that laid the foundation for the Non-Aligned Movement. This is why Brijuni are often called the “Island of Peace.”
The islands also became a glamorous retreat for Western celebrities like Sophia Loren, Richard Burton, and Jackie Kennedy.
Tito’s Cadillac Eldorado (1953), one of Yugoslavia’s most famous cars, symbolized his era of luxury. Gifted by a Yugoslav emigrant from the USA, the car came with cutting-edge features of its time, automatic transmission, electric windows, a powerful V8 engine, and chrome details. It was used for island drives and state ceremonies, and today stands preserved in the Brijuni auto museum.
Other famous “residents” included Lanka the elephant, a gift from Indira Gandhi, and Koki the parrot, beloved by Tito’s granddaughter. Koki, still alive and chatty, delights visitors even today.
Source: Google.com
The Safari Park – Exotic Gifts and Local Heritage
In 1978, the Safari Park was officially opened, covering nine hectares. It housed exotic animals gifted to Tito: Indira Gandhi’s elephant Lanka, zebras from Ghana’s President Touré, and sacred Indian cattle from Nehru, along with ostriches, emus, llamas, and more.
Today, the park combines exotic species with native breeds like the Istrian ox boškarin, sheep, goats, and free-roaming rabbits. Visitors can ride a small tourist train through the park, observing animals in natural surroundings, a zoo without bars.
Mali Brijun and the Ulysses Theatre
The second largest island, Mali Brijun, is home to a restored 19th-century Austro-Hungarian fortress. Each summer, it becomes the stage for the Ulysses Theatre, founded in 2001 by renowned actor Rade Šerbedžija and director Lenka Udovički.
Performances take place under the stars, with Shakespeare’s King Lear, starring Šerbedžija himself, being the most iconic production. The atmosphere, blending stone walls, sea breeze, and night skies, makes this one of Croatia’s most unique cultural events, attracting thousands of visitors each summer.
Source: Google.com
Beaches and Activities
Brijuni are not only history and culture, they’re also a playground for recreation. Veliki Brijun offers pebbly coves, the most popular being Saluga Beach, shaded by century-old pines with a beach bar and loungers.
Nearby St. Jerolim Island is a favorite day-trip spot, known for its clear waters, diving spots, and pine-shaded shores.
Activities on Brijuni include an 18-hole golf course (the first in Istria), open-air tennis courts, cycling paths, diving among Roman ruins, kayaking, guided tours by tourist train, and even archaeological and night excursions. The Boathouse Museum offers an interactive look into the islands’ history, nature, and Tito’s era.
Accommodation and Modern Tourism
Veliki Brijun offers two renovated hotels from Tito’s era, Hotel Istra and Hotel Neptun, preserving early 20th-century architecture. Guests can also stay in apartments, smaller guesthouses, or camp at Jerolim.
During summer, the islands host open-air cinema nights, Pula Film Festival screenings, wine and olive oil tastings, and wellness programs. Staff speak multiple languages, making Brijuni a welcoming destination for global visitors.
Source: Google.com
Conclusion – The Island of Peace and Wonder
From Roman villas and Venetian stone to Tito’s Cadillac and exotic animals, Brijuni are a mosaic of history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re here for the beaches, theatre under the stars, or simply the tranquility of olive groves and dolphin-filled seas, Brijuni delivers an unforgettable experience.
A true Mediterranean paradise, Brijuni remain what they’ve always been, a unique blend of heritage, luxury, and peace.
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