After spending the first few days getting acquainted with the project and bonding with one another, the volunteers of the ISLAND EXTRAVAGANZA 2026 project had the opportunity today to experience Murter from a different perspective—through its rich history, cultural heritage, traditions, and natural beauty. Accompanied by licensed tour guide Željko Čorkalo, the volunteers toured numerous sites that tell various stories about Murter and island life. They visited the Roman cistern, the Church of Our Lady of Gradina, and the Colentum archaeological site, where the guide’s stories and explanations gave them insight into the area's history and the people who inhabited it across different eras. After Colentum, the tour continued to the summit of Gradina Hill, which offers a stunning view of the waters surrounding Murter and the neighboring islands. The view from Gradina allowed the volunteers to appreciate Murter’s natural landscape and gain a better understanding of the setting where they will live, work, and spend their free time during the project. The tour then proceeded to Zdrače Bay and continued through the fields of Betina and Murter. In this way, the volunteers were introduced to the traditional way of life linked to the island, its agricultural lands, and the daily lives of the local population. The tour continued through "Selo"—the old part of Murter—where they specifically visited the *Pijaca društva seoske izobraženosti* (Village Education Society Square), a site that bears witness to the local community's social and cultural life. They concluded their exploration at Rudina Square—or *Hramina*, as the locals call it.
Throughout the tour, the volunteers had the opportunity to connect various facets of the Murter story—from ancient heritage and archaeological remains to traditional life, the natural landscape, and the contemporary community. Each location visited offered a fresh perspective on the island and helped them better understand the place that would be their home for the next month.
The day did not end with the tour. After spending several hours exploring the island, long-term European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteers Mayline and Violetta conducted reflection sessions and interviews with the new participants. The volunteers had the opportunity to look back on their initial impressions, share experiences from the start of the project, and reflect on their own expectations and motivations for participating. Through the interviews, they discussed what drove them to join the project, what they hope to learn and achieve, and the kind of impact they wish to leave during their stay in Murter. Reflection is a vital part of the European Solidarity Corps experience, as it gives volunteers space to pause, consider what they have experienced so far, and connect their daily activities with their own learning and personal goals. Thus, the day combined getting to know the location with getting to know themselves. While discovering Murter and its past through historical and cultural sites, they also began—through conversations and reflection—to gain a better understanding of their own motivations, expectations, and the goals they aim to achieve during the project.
This very connection between the past, present, and future will be a key part of their experience on the ISLAND EXTRAVAGANZA 2026 project. By exploring local heritage, forging new friendships and experiences, and engaging with the local community, volunteers will have the opportunity during their stay not only to get to know Murter but also to leave their own mark.
