The Majstorska Road runs for 24 kilometers through the Municipality of Jasenice; in total, the historic road is 41 kilometers long. It connects Sv. Rok in Lika with Obrovac in Dalmatia. The local section and the entire route are therefore two different scales that put the road’s course through the municipality into context.
A road and its history
The Majstorska Road was ceremonially opened on October 4, 1832. It connected southern and northern Croatia across the karst Velebit mountain range. That same year, Emperor Francis I had the Church of St. Francis built in memory of the newly constructed road. The connection between road construction and history can thus also be seen in a specific building in the municipality.
The Church of St. Jerome in Jasenice was built in 1874 on the site of the former parish church of the Holy Trinity. After the end of the Croatian War, it was gradually restored as the population returned to the municipal area. The church thus represents a different chapter in the area’s history from the Church of St. Francis, which was dedicated to the road’s construction.
In Rovanjska, the Church of St. George stands right on the seashore. It is a protected Category Zero monument and a cultural heritage site of the Republic of Croatia. The Church of St. Francis in Podprag has a different relationship with the landscape: it stands on the slopes of Velebit, below Tulove grede. The coastal setting and the mountain slope mark two different locations for the ecclesiastical heritage of the Municipality of Jasenice.
Karst landscape and cave
Part of the Velebit mountain range lies within the municipality and is protected for its exceptional natural values and biodiversity. The distinctive karst formations include Tulove grede in Velebit Nature Park. This limestone ridge, about one kilometer long, is characterized by particularly steep rocky spurs.
Modrič Cave also reflects the character of the karst landscape. It is located in Rovanjska, is about 800 meters long, and has neither concrete paths nor spotlights; there are no large tour groups there. Appropriate equipment and a knowledgeable guide are required to explore it. This is an important difference to bear in mind when planning: unlike an outdoor hike, the cave requires an appropriately equipped, guided exploration.
Hiking and cycling
Modrič, the westernmost part of the municipality, is considered a starting point for hikes to Sveto brdo. At 1,752 meters, this peak is the second-highest in Velebit. Those interested in mountain landscapes will find a clearly defined connection between the starting point and a prominent destination in the mountains.
The Majstorska Road and Tulove grede also feature in the cycling experiences described for the municipality: cycling tours along the historic road and the climb to Tulove grede are presented as suitable themes for a bike trip. Water sports such as jet skiing are also available in the Municipality of Jasenice. Mountains, roads, and water thus offer different kinds of experiences.
Getting around and local cuisine
The Municipality of Jasenice is close to the Zagreb–Split motorway and Zadar Airport. Another local feature is the “U zagrljaju mora” project: its activities in 2023 included a culinary selection based on fishery products. It was intended to be accessible to the local population, the wider community, and tourists. The selection was therefore an example of bringing fishery products and regional cuisine together as part of the project’s activities in 2023.
Discover more destinations: Rovanjska, Jasenice, Municipality of Privlaka, Municipality of Starigrad, Municipality of Nin, Municipality of Polača, Municipality of Benkovac, Municipality of Biograd Na Moru.
Go to the main travel overview: Zadar County.
