ZAGREB, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Tourists will soon be able to visit the small island of Vanga on the Croatian islands of Brijuni, where the former Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito had a residence.
The Vanga Island was closed to the public for 38 years after the death of Josip Broz Tito, and now last preparations are underway for the arrival of tourists who will be able to see the residence of the former president next month.
Tito had been using the island of Vanga since 1952 and had received more than 50 world leaders in his residence, as well as numerous film stars such as Sofia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Orson Wells and others.
At Vanga, Tito also had a photographic studio, a metal workshop, a tangerine grove and a vineyard. In the basement of the residence there is a wine cellar with archival wines.
This summer, a huge number of tourists from all over the world have visited the National Park Brijuni, including Chinese tourists who are especially interested in visiting the museum of Josip Broz Tito.
"Chinese tourists are interested in details from the life of the former Yugoslav president who was among the founders of the non-aligned movement," tourist guide Slavica Markic told Xinhua.
Tourists can also drive a Cadillac, which was owned by Josip Broz Tito, and half an hour drive costs around 800 U.S. dollars.
Large tourist chains have shown interest in investing in hotels in Brijuni, but the National Park has not yet made a decision on investment in the island.
There is also a small zoo in Brijuni, with the elephant named Lanka, which President Tito received as a gift from the former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Today the Brijuni islands are the venue for theatrical performances of the Ulysses Theatre led by the world-famous actor Rade Serbedzija.
Brijuni islands are situated in the northern part of the Adriatic, consisting of 14 islands with a total area of 33.9 square kilometers.
The two largest islands are Mali and Veliki Brijun, and because of the variety of flora and fauna they are known as "the paradise on earth". They were declared a national park in 1983.
