Old photographs of Pirovac reveal a scene that is hard to picture today. The coastline looked completely different, with fishing boats, sailing vessels and small wooden boats moored right beside the houses. Back then, the sea was not just a place for swimming and relaxing — it was a central part of everyday life for the local community.
The sea as a source of livelihood
For many Pirovac families, the sea was above all a place of work. It served as a route for travel, a workspace, and a source of food. Along the shore, fishing nets were mended, boats were made ready, and the day’s catch was unloaded. Small boats covered everyday fishing needs, while larger sailing vessels played a wider role in the village’s maritime life.
A waterfront we wouldn’t recognize today
It’s especially striking to see how different the old coastline was from the one we know now. In some of the historic photographs, the sea reaches almost all the way up to the houses — today’s promenade, landscaped waterfront and paved riva simply didn’t exist yet in their current form. Over the decades, Pirovac has changed considerably, yet its bond with the sea has stayed just as strong.
Pirovac and the sea — a connection that hasn’t changed
These old photographs are more than a nostalgic glance backward. They let us compare Pirovac then and now, and see just how much the village has evolved over time. One thing, however, has never changed: Pirovac and the sea remain inseparable.
If you’re planning a holiday in Pirovac, it’s worth remembering this chapter of its history next time you stroll along the modern riva — and perhaps finding your own view of the sea, for example at Vila Bonaca apartments.
Source: Pirovac Tourist Board – Facebook, August 25
