ISLAND OF KOVERSADA

The coastline of Vrsar, together with the Brijuni islands, is considered to be the most developed part of the Istrian coast. Eighteen local islands contribute to the indentation of the coast, and Koversada is one of them. It has a surface area of 67,477 m2 and its coastline is 990 m long. Its significance lies in the development of tourism in Vrsar and its recognisability in Western Europe in the second half of the 20th century.

In historical and cartographic sources, Koversada is mentioned under the name Conversada; its name is probably derived from the Latin verb convertere, which might, according to some interpretations, indicate that converts used to inhabit or at least temporarily reside on the island. In the sources, the island is mentioned under the following names: Konversari, Kuvrsada/Kuversada (Koversada), Koversada, Koorsada, Koorsari, Koorsara, škoj od Koversade, Koveršada, Konverzada, Konversada, Conversada, Versada. With its surface area of 67.477 m2 and 990 m long coastline, it is the second largest island in the archipelago of Vrsar (after Sveti Juraj).

Since 1960, the island has been developing as the centre of naturism in Istria, but in Europe as well – the so called FKK (Frei Körper Kultur – Free Body Culture). In 1976, the island of Koversada was connected with the mainland by means of a bridge approximately a hundred metres long. Thus the “Koversad” naturist centre became one of the most modern resorts for naturists. At the time, the “naturist town” could host around ten thousand naturists.