The beginning of May 2025 will be inscribed in golden letters in the history of the island of Lošinj. In the atmosphere of a grand celebration, marking an impressive 140 years of organized tourism, a memorable feat was achieved on the main square in Mali Lošinj – a Guinness World Record was broken! The central event of the celebration was the creation and official recognition of the world's tallest Lošinj krokant, a magnificent confection that symbolizes the long and rich tradition of this Kvarner island.

This sweet giant, crafted with incredible precision and patience, reached a height of as much as 2.73 meters. It consisted of 14 meticulously crafted tiers, symbolically representing the 14 decades of Lošinj's tourism history. The total weight of this unique sugar and almond sculpture was 57.5 kilograms. The entire process was officially supervised and confirmed by Paulina Sapinska, a representative of Guinness World Records, who, after detailed measurement and verification, solemnly announced that the Lošinj krokant had officially entered the prestigious book of world records as the tallest edible structure of its kind.

The Arduous Path to the Record

Behind this spectacular achievement lie days of dedicated work and hundreds of hours spent. The master pastry chef, Petar Goleš from the famous Lošinj pastry shop Slastičarnica Moby Dick, together with his hardworking collaborators, led the project of creating this record-breaking krokant. The preparations were extremely demanding; they lasted for days and involved making more than two thousand individual parts that were later assembled into a whole. Nearly 200 working hours were spent just in the preparatory phase, before the actual assembly began on the main square in Mali Lošinj.

The very act of building the krokant outdoors, before the eyes of the public, was a special event. It lasted almost eight hours, and thousands of curious citizens of Mali Lošinj and numerous tourists followed every step of this fascinating process throughout the day, from the early morning hours of May 3, 2025, until the evening culmination. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and pride as the sweet structure grew tier by tier.

Tradition Woven into Sugar and Almonds

The Lošinj krokant is not just a dessert; it is a deeply rooted part of the cultural heritage of the island of Lošinj. Traditionally, it is prepared from only two main ingredients, sugar and almonds, which were once considered a luxury, making the krokant a symbol of wealth, abundance, and prosperity. For generations, it has been made for the most festive moments in the lives of the islanders – weddings, baptisms, important anniversaries, and celebrations. It was especially valued in the families of Lošinj captains and sailors.

There is also an old Lošinj custom, almost a ritual, associated with this confection. At the end of the celebration, the ceremonial krokant is traditionally broken with a saber. It is believed that this act brings luck and prosperity to the celebrants, and legend has it – the more pieces the krokant breaks into, the happier and richer the future will be. The significance of this tradition has been recognized at a higher level, so the Lošinj Museum has launched an initiative to inscribe the Lošinj krokant into the Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Croatia, in order to preserve this skill and customs for future generations.

The Proud Master Pastry Chef and His Vision

Visibly happy and proud, master pastry chef Petar Goleš shared his feelings after the record was confirmed: "I am extremely happy to have been given the opportunity and honor to build the largest Lošinj krokant ever with my own hands, with the help of collaborators from our family pastry shop. Into each of these 14 tiers, besides sugar and almonds, much effort, patience, and love have been woven. This is our dedication to the generations of Lošinj people, including our family, who have built and nurtured tourism on this beautiful island for decades."

Goleš, who has been seriously involved in making krokant since 2018 and whose creations are an indispensable part of many celebrations on the island, added: "Lošinj has once again shown how much it values community, its heritage, and tradition. The fact that we broke our festive, record-breaking krokant into countless pieces, which we then ate together, symbolically heralds prosperity and well-being for our island Lošinj in the future. I firmly believe in that." His life and business partner, Katja Žic Antunović, provided great support in the realization of this project.

Celebrating 140 Years of Tourism on the Island of Vitality

Setting the world record was the perfect way to crown the celebration of the great jubilee – 140 years since the beginnings of organized tourism on Lošinj. The history of tourism on this island dates back to 1885, when the Viennese physician Dr. Conrad Clar arrived in Mali Lošinj with his sick son Walter. Delighted by the beneficial climate and noticing his son's rapid recovery after just three weeks of stay, Dr. Clar recognized the island's potential as a health resort. His arrival is considered the beginning of Lošinj's tourist era.

Shortly thereafter, thanks also to the meteorological research of Ambroz Haračić and the initiatives of the local population and prominent guests like the Austro-Hungarian Archduke Karl Stephan, the Society for Beautification and Afforestation (1886) and the Tourist Society (1887) were founded. Intensive afforestation created dense pine forests, especially in the Čikat bay, and the first hotels (Vindobona in Mali Lošinj 1887) and pensions opened. The key moment occurred in 1892 when Mali Lošinj and Veli Lošinj were officially declared climatic health resorts of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Over the decades, Lošinj developed, built infrastructure, nurtured its natural and cultural heritage, and became recognized as the "Island of Vitality," a destination of health, sustainability, and authentic Mediterranean flair.

A Blend of Tradition, Innovation, and Community

The director of the Tourist Board of the Town of Mali Lošinj, Dalibor Cvitković, did not hide his satisfaction with the event's success: "There is no better way to mark 140 years of tourism on Lošinj than by setting a world record – and precisely with the Lošinj krokant, one of the most recognizable symbols of our rich maritime and cultural heritage. This project transcends a mere gastronomic feat; it sends a strong message about the community, pride, and identity of our island."

Cvitković emphasized that this record is a blend of tradition and innovation, with which Lošinj has reached new heights, both literally and symbolically. He thanked everyone who contributed in any way to the realization of this unique project, especially highlighting Slastičarnica Moby Dick, master Petar Goleš and his team for their vision and dedicated work, and Katja Žic Antunović for her crucial support. "The Lošinj krokant is now officially inscribed in the Guinness Book of Records – another exceptional reason for pride for all of us on the Island of Vitality!" concluded Cvitković.

Celebration Culmination with Parni Valjak

The ceremony on the main square in Mali Lošinj culminated in the evening hours. After the official measurement and declaration of the record, the traditional ceremony of breaking the krokant with a saber followed, to the delight of the gathered audience. Pieces of the sweet record were distributed to those present, so everyone could taste a part of the historic success and take with them a wish for happiness and prosperity.

This sweet spectacle, which united numerous locals and visitors in celebrating the island's tradition and the great jubilee, was rounded off with a large free concert. The legendary band Parni Valjak, with their new singer Igor Drvenkar, provided an evening to remember, filling the square with energy, emotions, and their timeless hits, thus concluding this historic day for Mali Lošinj and the entire island of Lošinj in the most beautiful way.