Basic information:
ČIKAT FOREST PARK
CATEGORY OF PROTECTION: forest park
AREA: 236 ha
LOCATION: south-west of the town of Mali Lošinj
YEAR OF PROCLAMATION: 1992
ALTITUDE: 0 – 62 m
FLORA: Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis), mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus), common myrtle (Myrtus communis), strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), laurustinus (Viburnum tinus), tangled honeysuckle (Lonicera implexa), heath tree (Erica arborea), prickly juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus), olive tree (Olea europaea), deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara), cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), stone pine (Pinus pinea) and other Mediterranean plant species.
FAUNA: birds, cicadas, butterflies, grasshoppers, crickets …
VEGETATION: planted forest of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis)
BASIC FEATURES: Čikat forest park is a man-made ecosystem that has resulted from deliberate efforts to shape the landscape and act in harmony with nature. As such, it is of particular importance to tourism and recreation on the island of Lošinj and for stimulating the interest of visitors in nature and the local sites of natural interest. Several attractive marked walking paths pass through the forest park.
SPECIAL SITES OF INTEREST: The lush forest of Aleppo pine was planted on barren land at the end of the 19th century as a result of the endeavours of the Society for Afforestation and Embellishment of Mali Lošinj under the guidance of Ambroz Haračić, a renowned naturalist and patriot from Lošinj. The promontory of Anuncijata hosts the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary that was built in 1858. This is the traditional votive church of Lošinj’s seafarers.
The origins of Čikat forest park date back to the year 1886 when the Society for Afforestation and Embellishment of Mali Lošinj was established.