Lovinac, Lika-Senj County

Geography

The village of Lovinac is located 35 kilometers from Gospić to the southeast of the greatest Croatian karst field, Licko polje. At one time, the shortest trade routes from Lika's interior to the sea went through Lovinac.

The new highway which was recently built alongside the village has resulted in more tourism.

Climate

Since records began in 1960, the highest temperature recorded at the local weather station was 39.6 C, on 5 August 2017. The coldest temperature was -32.5 C, on 13 January 2003.

Demographics

In 2021, the municipality had 943 residents in the following 10 settlements:

• Gornja Ploča, population 43
• Kik, population 8
• Ličko Cerje, population 62
• Lovinac, population 242
• Raduč, population 40
• Ričice, population 80
• Smokrić, population 13
• Sveti Rok, population 250
• Štikada, population 197
• Vranik, population 8

In 2011, Croats represented 90% of the population.

Politics

Minority councils and representatives

Directly elected minority councils and representatives are tasked with consulting tasks for the local or regional authorities in which they are advocating for minority rights and interests, integration into public life and participation in the management of local affairs. At the 2023 Croatian national minorities councils and representatives elections Serbs of Croatia fulfilled legal requirements to elect 10 members minority council of the Municipality of Lovinac.

Villages

• Gornja Ploča - 22
• Kik - 3
• Ličko Cerje - 117
• Lovinac - 288
• Raduč - 11
• Ričice - 114
• Smokrić - 55
• Sveti Rok - 292
• Štikada - 175
• Vranik - 19

Pilar (population 45) and Vrkljani (population 27) are hamlets near Lovinac.

History

Above the town of Lovinac are the ruins of the medieval city of Lovinac in which artifacts from the Roman period have been found. In the Middle Ages the village was under the control of the noble family Lovinčić. At the beginning of the 16th century it belonged to count Ivan Karlovic. The Turks conquered it around 1522. After the expulsion of the Turks in 1689 the current Bunjevac population was brought in to settle the area.

Economy

The production of clothes and underwear usually takes place during the winter months from prepared wool, flax and hemp. Some parts of the native costume, especially vests, are decorated with gold or silver coins and toka. Also produced are type of local footwear called opanci.

Monuments and landmarks

• Old fort Lovinac
• Zdunić tower
• Kovacevic kula: notable for its being the only building in Lika left over from the time of Turk occupation. It is House 50 in Vranik.

Education

• Lovinac elementary school

References

References

1. {{Cite Q. Q119585703
2. {{Croatian Census 2021. S
3. {{Cite Q. Q125763583
4. DHMZ. (2022-07-19). "Najviše izmjerene temperature zraka u Hrvatskoj za razdoblje od kada postoje mjerenja".
5. DHMZ. (2022-01-21). "Najniže izmjerene temperature zraka u Hrvatskoj za razdoblje od kada postoje mjerenja".
6. "2001 census by settlement". Central Bureau of Statistics (Croatia).
7. (13 March 2023). "Manjinski izbori prve nedjelje u svibnju, kreću i edukacije". [[T-portal]].
8. (2023). "Informacija o konačnim rezultatima izbora članova vijeća i izbora predstavnika nacionalnih manjina 2023. IX. LIČKO-SENJSKA ŽUPANIJA". Državno izborno povjerenstvo Republike Hrvatske.