Tales and legends     

Vrbnik is a small town full of tales and legends.We chose some of them for You.

MALIČIĆI (small people)
During long winter nights neighbours would often gather in one of their houses.And while fire from an open hearth warmed the elders seated as close to it as possible,an invisible hand was drawing vivid,restless images over the walls of barely lit rooms,like they were pages of some magical picture-book.Strange figures moved all over the room,they grew,bended,twisted and next moment they were gone. Then the story-telling began,of ancient events and unusual encounters with strange creatures who long time ago dwelled in these areas alongside with native people.Memories of fairies,elves and small people „maličići“ were alived near the fireplaces. In ancient times,when years were not counted yet,those strange beings could be encountered in the town,but also on pastures outside of it,where shepherds dwelled.those encounters were especially unpleasant if they took place at night.
Mali Roč (one of the oldest parts of Vrbnik) had major trouble with maličići.Those small playful beings,wearing red caps,appeared suddenly and then annoyed,bothered and teased people who did not find that very amusing.Inhabitants of Roč often remembered one particular maličić and his misdeeds.So,he cosily settled himself in the attic in one small house in Roč (You will surely pass by it if You go to Roč!).He demanded that plat of „makaruni“ (type of home made pasta) is to be prepared for him every day,meaning that he had to be fed not to bother the neighbourhood.And not to be fed with just anything,because makaruni were a dish prepared on Sundays and holydays only!
taken from: „Vrbnik,town and surrounding area“
(special edition of Vrbnički vidici),by Marija Kraljić

PLAGUE'S HOUSE
There is a house in Smokovec (another very old part of Vrbnik) called „Plague's house“.Long time ago,a poor woman named Jela lived in it with her only son.One evening,as she was coming home,she met Plague which could not get to pass the Cross in the entrance to Vrbnik.Plague promised Jela that if she carried It in the town,It will spare her house.It also treathened that if she refused,It will find someone else to carry It in anyway,so jela agreed to save her only child.However,that night the little boy was at neighbours',not to be alone at home. Plague visited every house in Vrbnik that night except for Jela's,as It promised.When poor mother came home,she called for her son and when she realised he was not at home she broke down and bitterly wept.People said that if one peeped through the window,there stil can be seen the outlines of poor Jela,weeping and calling for her child.
Mate Gršković (1835.-1916.) from Vrbnik who,while studying in Prague,shared a room with a great Croatian writer to be,August Šenoa (1838.-1881.),told him this beautiful legend.Šenoa described it in his famous poem „Plague's House“.
also taken from: “Vrbnik,town and surrounding area“ by Marija Kraljić