Karlobag 1920–1945 | Interwar History & Archival Photos

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With the end of the Monarchy, Karlobag stepped into the twenties, becoming part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The town began to breathe with a new, optimistic rhythm. The old vistas of the Customs House and the fortress gained a new gleam, and the waterfront (riva) became livelier than ever, full of travelers and merchants.

The interwar period brought a harbor full of hope and a modest but steady growth in tourism. New postcards and photographs document this period of stability, showing local festivities, new buildings, and people who proudly posed in front of Velebit mountain.

Unfortunately, the optimism was cut short. The Second World War and the Italian occupation brought a bitter period. Karlobag became a place of separation, and the scent of salt was replaced by fear. This collection records that dramatic transition: from family photos taken on the sun-drenched waterfront in the 1930s, through the arrival of foreign soldiers, all the way to the turbulent end of the war.

These images and postcards are a crucial document on how Karlobag survived twenty-five years of upheaval, all while preserving its eternal connection to the sea and the Velebit mountain.

Postcard 1

This postcard traveled in 1937.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

View towards Karlobag and Pag from Velebit.

Photographed by Griesbach & Knaus, Zagreb, Jurišićeva 1.

Postcard 2

This postcard traveled in 1941.

Stamp of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH)

View towards Karlobag and Pag from Velebit.

Postcard 3

Period around 1922.

View of Karlobag and the port.

Photographed by Griesbach & Knaus, Zagreb, Jurišićeva 1.

Postcard 4

This postcard traveled in 1939.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

View of the town from the current Hotel Zagreb direction.

Postcard 5

This postcard traveled in 1924.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes

View of Velebit and the town of Karlobag.

Postcard 6

Period around 1930.

View of the town and the old port.

Photographed by Vittorio Stein, Trieste.

Postcard 7

This postcard traveled in 1932.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

View of the town and the old port.

Postcard 8

This postcard traveled in 1938.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

View of the school and town.

Postcard 35

This postcard traveled in 1936.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

View from the sea to Velebit and Karlobag.

Postcard 9

This postcard traveled in 1938.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

View from the sea to Velebit and Karlobag.

Postcard 10

This postcard traveled in 1935.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

View from the sea to Velebit and Karlobag.

Postcard 11

This postcard traveled in 1934.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

View from the sea to Bakarčić inn and the pier.

Postcard 12

Period around 1931.

View of the Higher Elementary School, City Hall and Customs in the town center.

Published by Nik Pavelić, Karlobag.

Postcard 13

This postcard traveled in 1924.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes

View of the Higher Elementary School, City Hall and Customs in the town center.

Photographed by Zvonimir Pavelić, Karlobag.

Postcard 14

This postcard traveled in 1928.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes

View of the pier.

Postcard 15

This postcard traveled in 1931.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes

View of the pier.

Postcard 17

This postcard traveled in 1933.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

View from the sea to the town and Velebit with inserted planes.

Postcard 18

This postcard traveled in 1931.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes

View from the sea to the town and Velebit.

Postcard 19

This postcard traveled in 1931.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes

View from the sea to the Higher Elementary School, town and Velebit with inserted planes.

Postcard 20

This postcard traveled in 1931.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes

View from the sea to the Higher Elementary School, town and Velebit.

Postcard 21

Period around 1930.

View of the pier and the steamboat arriving at the port.

Postcard 22

This postcard traveled in 1941.

Stamp of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH)

View of the pier.

Postcard 34

The postcard was sent in 1922.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes

A view of the square, people, and the monument to Baron Molinari in the background.

Postcard 23

This postcard traveled in 1937.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

View of the square and the monument of Baron Molinari.

Postcard 24

This postcard traveled in 1933.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

View of Baron Molinari monument with steamboat in the background.

Postcard 25

This postcard traveled in 1933.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

View of the Customs building and the waterfront.

Postcard 26

This postcard traveled in 1938.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

View of St. Charles Borromeo Church and the town.

Postcard 27

This postcard traveled in 1930.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes

View of the town and the port.

Postcard 28

This postcard traveled in 1941.

Stamp of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH)

View of Velebit restaurant and the pier.

Postcard 29

This postcard traveled in 1934.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

View of the town swimming area.

Postcard 30

This postcard traveled in 1940.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

View of the town swimming area and St. Charles Borromeo Church.

Postcard 31

Postcard from the 1930s.

View of Gojtanova Dražica.

Postcard 36

Postcard from the 1930s.

Enjoying the summer in Gojtnova dražica, while the city beach can be seen in the background.

Postcard 32

This postcard traveled in 1934.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

View of the town swimming area, St. Charles Borromeo Church and Pag.

Postcard 33

This postcard traveled in 1930.

Stamp of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes

View of Gojtanova Dražica and Villa "Nada".