History

The historical name of the archipelago - Apsyrtides - is associated with a legend about a mythical hero called Apsyrt, who his sister Medeia had killed. She threw parts of his body into the sea and they turned into the Apsyrtides Islands. The history of the oldest settlements on the islands (Lubenice, Osor, Beli) goes back over 4000 years, and the Roman town of Osor was the Bishopric seat in the 9th century. Having been practically uninhabited until the 13th century, by the 19th century Lošinj developed into one of the leading regional maritime forces, and the town of Mali Lošinj became the second most important harbour in the Mediterranean, after Trieste. The people of Lošinj were esteemed as the best navigators in the Mediterranean. It was in this era that the architectural appearance of the centre of Mali Lošinj was defined, and it has remained almost unchanged to this day.

The first hotel was built in 1887 and called Vindobona , after the Roman name for Vienna. Because of its exceptional climate characteristics, Lošinj was pronounced a climate health resort, pursuant to a decree passed by the Ministry of Health of the Austro - Hungarian Monarchy. Lošinj became one the favourite holiday destinations among the Austro - Hungarian aristocracy, who built numerous villas and summer residences which still adorn Lošinj today.