SIRANA GLIGORA Ltd., Lika Travel Guide

History and Heritage

Sirana Gligora represents a remarkable family legacy spanning over a century. Ivan Gligora's grandfather, Frane, began producing Pag cheese in 1918, establishing a tradition that would define the family's identity. Born in 1950 to a poor peasant family in Kolan, Ivan initially pursued other work, eventually becoming a production manager at The Pag Dairy in 1993. However, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Mermaid, a small dairy in 1995 with his wife Marija, operating from their family home's basement and garage. The venture faced numerous challenges throughout the late 1990s, nearly collapsing several times before international recognition arrived in 2002 when Pag cheese earned its first major international award. This breakthrough marked the beginning of consistent global accolades and established Gligora as synonymous with premium Croatian cheese.

Modern Facility and Production

In 2009, after his son Šime completed studies in milk production at the Faculty of Agronomy in Zagreb, the family constructed a state-of-the-art dairy facility—one of the most modern cheese factories of its size in the world. The three-level structure features production areas on the ground floor, ripening chambers in the basement, and offices with tasting rooms on the first floor. The factory now employs over 50 skilled cheese producers and professional staff. Production capacity reaches approximately 450 tons annually across 40+ cheese varieties, with roughly 50 tons dedicated to the signature Pag cheese. The dairy sources milk from over 200 partners across Pag and regions including Dalmatia, Lika, and Kordun, producing cheeses from sheep's, cow's, and goat's milk, with aging periods ranging from months to two years.

Tasting Room Experience

The factory's tasting room occupies the upper floor and accommodates up to 100 guests comfortably. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide breathtaking views across the Kolan field and the northern portion of Pag island. The space features a projector for multi-language cheese-making videos, a wine bar showcasing premium Croatian selections, and an oil bar highlighting local products. Visitors experience curated tastings of Gligora's signature cheeses, including Paski Sir and Dinarski Sir, alongside complementary local delicacies. The tasting room operates daily except Sundays from 9 AM to 4 PM, with organized group tours available by prior arrangement.

Product Range and Awards

Gligora's portfolio spans diverse cheese styles, with Pag cheese remaining the flagship product—a protected designation of origin cheese made exclusively from sheep's milk grazing on Pag's unique salt-laden vegetation. Specialty offerings include Kozlar, a 100% goat's milk cheese from northern Dalmatia, aged in paraffin coating to prevent mold growth and recommended for use similar to Parmesan. The dairy consistently receives international recognition, including World Cheese Awards Super Gold (2022), International Cheese Awards Gold (2022), and Global Cheese Awards Gold (2021). Nearly every year brings additional top-tier international accolades, elevating both the brand and the island of Pag's global reputation.

Retail and Distribution

Beyond the Kolan flagship location, Gligora operates 13 retail shops across Croatia's major cities including Zagreb, Zadar, Rijeka, Split, Opatija, and Dubrovnik, plus a stand at Zagreb's Dolac Market. The Kolan store, located at Figurica 21, offers the complete product range alongside curated wines and olive oils from Pag, sage honey, and other island specialties. Online ordering through the official webshop enables direct-to-consumer sales worldwide, ensuring accessibility to international customers seeking authentic Croatian cheese.