Students from the First Rijeka Croatian Gymnasium visit the UNESCO Global Geopark Vis Archipelago

The UNESCO Global Geopark Vis Archipelago was visited this Saturday by students of the First Rijeka Croatian Gymnasium, who had the opportunity to learn about the geological, natural, and cultural heritage of Komiža and the Vis Archipelago through a lecture and an expert field tour.

The program began at the Geopark Visitor Center in Komiža, where an introductory lecture was held on the formation of the Vis Archipelago, its exceptional geological diversity, and the values that make this area part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks network. Students were introduced to the key geological processes that shaped the islands of Vis, Biševo, Brusnik, Jabuka, and the surrounding waters, as well as the importance of geoparks as areas where science, education, nature protection, and the local community interconnect.

After the lecture, an expert field tour commenced along the Komiža Geotrail, during which students were able to connect geological processes with the surrounding landscape at specific locations, as well as with the island's rich cultural and historical heritage.

At the beach of Kamenice we discussed the oldest rocks in the Adriatic, approximately 220 million years old, and the sources of drinking water that historically held crucial importance for life in Komiža. The salt diapir, in addition to shaping the geological narrative of this area, also played a significant role in the emergence of local water sources.

At the Komiža pier students learned more about the formation of Komiža Bay and the unique phenomenon of the salt diapir – a geological occurrence that makes this area one of the most interesting in the Adriatic. The narrative of the bay, coast, and Komiža's location further emphasized the connection between geology, settlements, and life by the sea.

At the beach of Gusarica we discussed gypsum and Quaternary breccias and the island's complex geological past, which left its mark on today's relief. This location provided an opportunity to illustrate to students how rocks, layers, and formations in the landscape can "tell" the story of the Vis Archipelago's long geological history.

Throughout the tour, geology was intertwined with stories of Komiža's cultural heritage – the fishing tradition, the gajeta falkuša boat, the activities of the Commune, former fish factories, the importance of drinking water sources, and the legends and history of the Church of Our Lady of Gusarica. This demonstrated to the students how natural and cultural heritage complement each other and collectively shape the identity of the area.

We thank the students and teachers of the First Rijeka Croatian Gymnasium for their visit, interest, and active participation. We are delighted to have introduced them to the unique features of the UNESCO Global Geopark Vis Archipelago and to have shown them how geology is best understood in the field – where rocks, the sea, the landscape, and people form a single, shared story.