| Murter | |
| Native Name Link: | Croatian |
| Location: | Adriatic Sea |
| Coordinates: | 43.8°N 51°W |
| Archipelago: | Šibenik |
| Area Km2: | 18.7 |
| Highest Mount: | Raduč |
| Elevation M: | 125 |
| Country: | Croatia |
| Country Admin Divisions Title: | County |
| Country Admin Divisions: | Šibenik-Knin |
| Country Largest City: | Murter |
| Country Largest City Population: | 2,025 |
| Population: | 3,608 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Density Km2: | 192.94 |
| Ethnic Groups: | 97.59% Croats |
| Country Admin Divisions 1: | Murter-Kornati and Tisno |
| Country Admin Divisions Title 1: | Municipality |
Murter (in Croatian pronounced as /mǔrtɛːr/; it|Mortero; la|Colentum) is an island in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea.
The main settlements on the island are Murter, located on the north-western part of the island, and the southern part of Tisno. Other settlements on the island include the villages of Betina on the northwestern side and Jezera on the southeastern coast. In the 2011 census, the total island population is about 3,608 inhabitants.[1] [2]
The island is in the northwest part of the Šibenik archipelago, separated from the mainland by a 20m (70feet) wide sea canal at Tisno which is spanned by a short draw-bridge. The island covers an area of about 18.7km2,[3] and the highest point is the peak of Raduč at 125m (410feet) above sea level. There are old military tunnels dug deep inside the hill.
The southwestern coastline is predominantly steep slopes divided by many sandy coves. The island has many rocky beaches, as well as several sandy ones.
The island has been populated for nearly two millennia. An Illyric-Roman settlement known as Colentum has been found near Betina. In 1293, documents show that Murter was called "Villa Magna' meaning big village. During the 13th century there were two documented settlements on the island: Jezera and Veliko Selo. Srimač (now Murter) and the island itself were mentioned in the year 1318 as Insula Mortari. Betina and Tisno were most likely built around the beginning of the 15th century, during the time of Ottoman attacks in the area. The population of the island increased as refugees fled from the Turks.
In a naval battle in June 1944, the Yugoslav torpedo boat T7 - then part of the pro-Nazi Navy of the Independent State of Croatia - was driven aground on Murter and destroyed by Royal Navy Fairmile D motor torpedo boats.