65th anniversary of the oldest marine protected area in the Mediterranean

This year, the Mljet National Park is celebrating its 65th anniversary, and on Friday, September 12, 2025, an all-day program dedicated to nature, culture, and the islanders will be held in Pomena. The national park, declared in 1960, encompasses the northwestern part of the island of Mljet, including the Large and Small Lakes, the islet of St. Mary with a 12th-century Benedictine monastery, and Polače, which preserves the remains of one of the largest Roman palaces on the Adriatic.

The celebration of the 65th anniversary begins in the afternoon on the Pomena Riviera, where there will be a local products fair, with a performance by the Natko Nodilo Cultural and Artistic Group, which will present the cultural heritage of the island.

Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the presentation and sale of products labeled Mljet Made, which designates products made by the islanders that have passed an evaluation and received recognition for their quality. Products labeled HOP (Croatian Original Product) from the Dubrovnik-Neretva County will also be presented.

At 4 pm at the Odisej Hotel, the Mljet Made and HOP designation of origin will be presented, and the entire event will end at 9 pm on the Pomena Riviera with a concert by the popular local band.

As stated by the director of the Mljet National Park, Ivan Sršen: “The Mljet National Park is celebrating its 65th anniversary, which is the oldest marine protected area in the Mediterranean, and also the only national park in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County.

This year, we have decided to celebrate in several locations, including Dubrovnik, in cooperation with the Dubrovnik Museums. As for September 12th itself, we will have a presentation of the Mljet Made label, which is awarded to the products of our family farms and craftsmen.

After the application and processing by the commission, these products receive a quality label and are sold in the National Park’s souvenir shops. This cooperation between the island’s inhabitants and the institution is very valuable, because we are working with designers to create a joint product that is recognizable by its shape, quality, and design.”

Celebrating 65 years of the Mljet National Park reminds us of the importance of this area in the preservation of natural and cultural resources, but also of its role in the sustainable development of tourism and the local community. (source)