Logorun – Otok magaraca

The revitalization of Logorun Island, locally known as “Big Island,” is a unique example of long-term, interdisciplinary planning driven by the local community. Situated in the Šibenik archipelago, just a short boat ride from Tribunj, this uninhabited island holds a layered history—from Austro-Hungarian fortifications of World War I to traditional agricultural shelters. A particularly significant chapter of the island’s identity unfolded during the 1990s and early 2000s when Logorun hosted a sanctuary for donkeys (tovari). Once a ubiquitous domestic animal in the Croatian coastal regions, islands, and hinterlands, the donkey found a safe haven here. The sanctuary repurposed existing military infrastructure while adding smaller service buildings and a short-lived hospitality facility, all of which now stand abandoned.

The initiative for a systematic renewal began in 2014, led by a local youth group envisioning the transformation of neglected military and agricultural remains into a valuable cultural and social resource. A major milestone was reached in 2018 when the Ministry of State Assets granted the Municipality of Tribunj a 50-year management lease. Since 2021, the project has evolved through a series of workshops titled “Island Tactics,” combining participatory planning with hands-on interventions. The goal is to create an inclusive, open, and accessible space, turning the island into a living laboratory for sustainable development.

The planned revitalization is organized into distinct phases. The first focuses on fundamental spatial rehabilitation: clearing the terrain, stabilizing paths between abandoned structures, and reintroducing indigenous vegetation. These interventions establish Logorun as an accessible public landscape for leisure and education. The second phase envisions developing new programs within the island’s fifteen existing structures. Central to this vision is the revival of the donkey sanctuary, paying tribute to this native species through modern cultural and infrastructural activities.

In 2024, the project received support from the Croatian Ministry of Culture to develop programmatic guidelines. Logorun is thus emerging as a model for the future, where historical heritage and natural beauty are not seen as burdens but as foundations for new value. Through a blend of research and experimentation, “Donkey Island” becomes a meeting point for local tradition and contemporary social needs, preserving its authentic spirit while providing new resources for future generations.