On
this small island, whose appearance was significantly changed as a result of
blasting for the construction of Krk Bridge, there are the remnants of a
Byzantine fort from the period of the Emperor Justinian and also the Church of
St. John Chrysostom, which was used by the Byzantine military garrison.
In
ancient and medieval sources, this islet was called Almis, which means fertile.
One of the hypotheses about the origin of the name of Omišalj is also connected
with this ancient name. After settling in the Early Middle Ages, the Croats
took over the name. While gradually adapting the pronunciation to their native
tongue, they gave the name to the town (Almis-Omišalj). The present, barren
appearance of the islet is in complete contrast to its original name, which is
also recalled in several endemic plants that still grow here. The island of
Sveti Marko also had an important role in later periods of history, especially
in periods of war, when it was an important observation point from where the
Venetians could look out for the ships of the Uskoks of Senj during the
so-called Uskok War between Venice and Austria in the early 17th century. From
the top of the island, there is a fantastic view of the surrounding waters. No
ship could have ever entered Bakar Bay, which was dotted with Austrian forts
that threatened Venetian rule on the island of Krk.
Just
like other conquerors, Arditi storm troopers under the command of the eccentric
Italian poet and politician Gabriele d'Annunzio used the islet of Sveti Marko
to reach the island of Krk in 1919.