Mljet is the first larger island one come upon while sailing the Croatian Adriatic from the direction from south to north. It is Croatia's greenest island with its Mediterranean vegetation, clear and clean sea, gentle sandy shoreline and a wealth of underwater sea life. The island is conisdered to be one of the most beautiful of the Croatian islands too. Mljet is well known for its white and red wine, olives and goat's cheese. It is indeed s unspoiled island covered by a dense Mediterranean forest. The sea around here is rich in fish and marine life. Mljet is also well known for it's two salted lakes - Veliko and Malo Jezero that are located at the north end of the island. Beside beach Saplunara (on the south of the island) , Veliko and Malo Jezero are favorite swimming spots for locals and visitors alike. Situated on the island of the same name, Mljet National Park is the most important protected area of the Dalmatian south. It is the oldest National Park at the Adriatic. The park covers the western part of the island, which many regard as the most alluring in the Adriatic, full of lush and varied Mediterranean vegetation. The park includes two deep bays which, due to their extremely narrow links with the sea, are regarded as and indeed named lakes: the Great Lake and the Small Lake. Mljet is also very rich in cultural heritage, the most prominent example being the complex of the 12th century Benedictine monastery. The monastery is located on a small island in the middle of the Great Lake and is set in a lush park. Over the course of centuries, numerous chronicles, dissertations and other literary works have been written here. Located within the monastery is the church of St Mary.