August the 9th, 2025 – An ancient villa and a sarcophagus have been discovered right next to the sea on the island of Unije.
As Morski writes, a very significant ancient site has been discovered on the island of Unije, which includes a sarcophagus and the remains of a Roman villa. The site is endangered due to its location right next to the coastline and the unfortunate effects of the sea water. Although the villa on Unije was already known in professional literature, it actually had not been the subject of archaeological research until this moment.
After locals reported the discovery of the ancient villa and the sarcophagus on Unije, an expert tour of the site was organised. The tour was attended by director and museum advisor Zrinka Ettinger Starčić and curator Branka Reljac from the Lošinj Museum, senior conservator Iskra Karniš Vidović from the Croatian Conservation Institute, and archaeologist-conservator Dr. Ivana Miletić Čakširan from the Ministry of Culture and Media.
Experts determined that the sarcophagus is actually located at a secondary location, to which it was moved and damaged throughout its long history. There are no longer any movable objects remaining inside, but it remains a valuable and rare archaeological find.
In addition to the ancient villa and sarcophagus, parts of a Roman threshold and a stone part of a Roman oil mill were also found nearby. They further confirm the importance of this precious site. Since part of the site is covered by cultural layers, systematic archaeological research will be required going forward. It is recommended that the movable stone discoveries along the coastline itself be stored and displayed to the public in the town of Unije, according to a report from Radio Rijeka.
The entire site has been documented and procedures have been initiated for its legal protection as a cultural asset. Further activities are currently being planned to adequately research, protect and present the ancient heritage of the island of Unije to the public in the future.
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