Omišalj

History

Omišalj is located close to one of the oldest settlements on Krk, dating from the 1st century when it was built by the Romans and named Fulfinum. The town was built on the cliff overlooking the bay of Kvarner, some 80 meters above sea level. It is the site of an early Christian basilica. Omišalj was first mentioned in 1153 and is one of the oldest places on the island of Krk, an important Glagolitic and cultural center. The town was referred to in the 12th century as "Castri musculi": this is from the Latin Ad musculi, meaning "the place of shells". The land between the castles of Dobrinj and Omišalj, as well as the areas in and around Dubašnica and Poljica, were settled by Vlachs and Morlachs (originally Romanians who later diverged into Istro-Romanians) by Ivan VII Frankopan during the second half of the 15th century. They formed a community in the island of Krk that would last until 1875 when the last speaker of the Istro-Romanian dialect of the island died. Omišalj Baptismal Register.png|The final Glagolitic entry in Omišalj parish's baptismal register, by the cleric Nicholas in 1817