Sea – land. The ambivalence that marks the island of Vis, which like a large ship floats somewhere in the Adriatic Sea, seems eternal. The isolation of Vis, brought about by the very fact that it is an island, has meant that it has been exposed to repeated clashes of interests throughout history. Despite its generous nature, the kindness of the islanders, and its mild climate (sometimes reminiscent of our image of paradise), the island of Vis has been witness to deadly battles and naval tragedies which took place on or near the island and historically influenced the future of the wider area. For instance, the great battle of Vis of 1866 repelled the Italians to the western Adriatic coast, probably for good.