Press 2010

Press 2010
Croatian National Tourist Board
Iblerov trg 10/IV
10 000 Zagreb
Croatia
Phone: + 385 (1) 4699 333
Fax: + 385 (1) 4557 827
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.croatia.hr
Press 2010
Photo: Ministarstvo turizma Republike Hrvatske
Welcome
Dear friends,
In conditions of global economic crisis in 2009, Croatia had
10.93 million tourist arrivals and 56.29 million night stays. In
comparison with 2008, this is 2.9 percent less arrivals and
1.4 percent less night stays.
In 2009, foreign visitors made up 85.3 percent of tourist arrivals and 89.7 percent of total nights stays. Considering
that there were 9.33 million arrivals and 50.5 million night
stays, there was quite an insignificant fall in foreign tourists
coming to Croatia in 2009, with 0.9 percent less arrivals and
0.2 percent less night stays in relation to the previous year.
In 2009, a much more significant fall in physical trade was
recorded in the domestic market. There were 1.59 million,
or 13.4 percent less, domestic visitors. However, 2009 also
had a somewhat smaller reduction – 10.5 percent – in domestic night stays when compared to 2008. In 2009, there
were 5.79 million night stays by domestic guests.
Statistical data for 2009 shows that the largest falls were
recorded at the beginning of the tourist season in 2009: the
month of April was some sort of a buffer zone, while real
recovery occurred during June, July and August.
In terms of Croatia’s share in total European trips, we can
be satisfied with the fact that we recorded a growth of more
than two percent. Around 90 percent of foreign visitors coming to Croatia came from EU member countries. In 2010
our task is to maintain this share and get domestic visitors
to return. Croatia’s share in terms of international arrivals at
the European level has grown from 1.91 percent (2007), to
1.92 (2008) to 2.07 percent in 2009.
Croatia enters the 2010 tourist year fully aware of the fact
that the key to good results is above all else successful collaboration between the private and public sectors, the timely
introduction and implementation of measures and the focused application of joint measures.
Once again, joint advertising of the preseason and postseason by Croatian and foreign tourist companies and the
state, will be one of the most important tourist measures in
order to prepare for and implement a better 2010 season.
Two new measures will be introduced in order to encourage
arrivals by air and bus. It is expected that the total funding for 2010 tourist promotion could amount to 30 million
euro, which would be 2 million more than the amount spent
in 2009. In accordance with the Strategic Plan for Tourism
(2010 - 2014), we will present Croatia as a lifestyle tourist
destination: we will use our authenticity and diversity in a
better way because we have potentials which our competitors do not have. Ten tourist regions in Croatia will develop
in accordance with their quality and characteristics.
The program of reorganizing the Croatian tourism into lifestyle tourism should make Croatia a destination of new experiences. We will initiate the process of branding different
Croatian tourist products such as small Croatian hotels,
Croatian ecological rural houses, and so on. Special marketing plans have been created in order to improve the main
products: the sun and the sea, sailing, meetings, culture
and touring, inland tourism, wine and gastronomy.
Although further investment into high quality accommodation, i.e. high value resorts and elite tourism is still one of
the guidelines of Croatian tourism, Croatia will not only offer
hotels as the core of tourism but also environment protection and rich cultural and historical heritage.
As an integral part of the preparations for the 2010 season,
Croatia will also be more engaged and dynamic in its promotion abroad, especially regarding camping and sailing.
There will probably be targeted campaigns for individual
markets, the online campaign will improve and, as already
announced, it can be expected that the visa regime will be
lifted, besides Russia and Ukraine (who could already visit
Croatia seasonally this year without a visa), for India and
China as well. The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development will intensify their cooperation in order to develop rural tourism and
Croatian ecological and agricultural products and strengthen their placement.
The tourist year 2010 could be more difficult and demanding
than this year because of the general economic situation,
but also because the competitors will surely implement a
greater extent of tourist measures than this year. Croatia
will take timely and determined measures and struggle for
every tourist.
The Minister of Tourism
and President of the
Croatian National Tourist Board
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Press 2010
Contents
Why come to Croatia
3
Portrait of Croatia
5
The country of a thousand islands
7
UNESCO
9
National Parks
12
Nature Parks
13
Croatia in numbers
14
How to reach Croatia
16
Announcing for 2010
Hotels
Campsites
Small family owned hotels
Hostels
Private accommodation
19
25
28
29
29
A holiday for everyone’s taste
golf
world celebrities on the Croatian Adriatic
nautical tourism
congress tourism
rural tourism
cultural tourism
adventure tourism
wellness and health tourism
religious tourism
30
31
32
36
37
39
47
53
55
Gastro & Wine Corner
57
Croatia – the home of the famous
59
Presenting Croatia by region
City of Zagreb
Central Croatia
Slavonia
Lika - Karlovac
Kvarner
Istria
Dalmatia - Zadar
Dalmatia - Šibenik
Dalmatia - Split
Dalmatia - Dubrovnik
61
69
83
92
104
113
123
131
137
145
Statistics – January-November 2008/2009
153
Contact
155
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Press 2010
Why come to Croatia
A destination always rediscovered
Photo: Damir Fabijanić
Attracting a wide range of guests, Croatian has developed
and maintained an infrastructure suitable for both adventurers and guests seeking a certain level of comfort.
We systematically and permanently strive to raise the price/
quality ratio to a higher level, at the same time complying
with the postulates of sustainable development and producing a harmonious satisfaction for both the guest/service
user and the host/service provider.
We therefore wish to create a win-win situation for both of
them. Such development, tailored to the needs of Croatian
citizens and foreign guests, aims for the domicile population
to participate in the improvement of their own living standard and the preservation of the national identity.
In our case, this means we first used the potentials utilizing
our original comparative advantages. We are now turning to
potentials that could be valued in terms of tourism, but start
the race without an explicit comparative advantage.
We are therefore not static but dynamic, creative and proactive. Because travelling trends, needs, expectations and
motives change.
During 2009 Croatia continued the process of intensive
investments in both public and private sectors, in accommodation infrastructure, including the infrastructure of cities,
towns and municipalities, and transport infrastructure at the
national and local levels. All these efforts contribute to a
continual rise in the quality guests experience at their destination, starting from the moment they arrive in our country,
their residence and travel, to the moment they return home.
Continuously improving the quality of its offer, Croatia seeks
to please even the most fastidious of visitors. Testimony to
this is the already traditional arrival of royal families, film
celebrities, musicians and artists, and members of business
dynasties from all around the world, who come back and
visit Croatia year after year.
Croatia is also a great natural and historical stage for many
unique festivals, exhibitions, concerts and events such as
the Dubrovnik Summer Games, Split Summer, Rab Fjera,
Pula and Motovun Film Festivals, or the Špancirfest in
Varaždin.
More than 20 per cent of tourists who choose European cities for their destination are primarily motivated by cultural
heritage. From an economics point of view, cultural tourism
is a new tourism segment, as it positions Croatia on the
cultural map of the world and shows that we are not merely
a bit-of-sun-and-sea country for two summer months a year.
By the number of concerts, exhibitions, cultural events and
open air festivals, Zagreb is now at the European top.
The year 2009 set a record for the number of world class
performances in Croatia, the peak of the country’s track
record for the last 10 to15 years. With performers ranging
from Beyonce and Sting to U2, and with the help of three
major rock festivals - INMusic at Zagreb’s Lake Jarun, Radar in Varaždin and Rokajfest at Jarun - or Jazzarella in the
spring and Zagreb Jazz Festival in the autumn – the year
2009 truly sets the record for the number and quality of top
class pop events. Apart from the musicians already mentioned, Croatia hosted Eros Ramazzoti, Massive Attack,
Cesaria Evora, Limp Bizkit, Arctic Monkeys, Elton John,
Moby, Kraftwerk, Lily Allen, Santana, Patti Smith, David
Byrne, Bradford Marsalis, Sonny Rollins, Diana Krall,
Leningrad Cowboys, Michael Bolton, Sinead O’Connor,
Jose Carreras, Pet Shop Boys and many others.
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Press 2010
In the British daily newspaper The Guardian, the
chart of alternative European events not to be missed
in 2010 placed the Croatian Soundwave Festival– a festival that has been stirring up audiences in
Petrčane near Zadar for years now – in first place.
The Guardian’s selection gets even more interesting when
we discover the author of the chart; Mat Osman, the Suede’s
ex-bassist and the editor of the portal whatsonwhen.com,
also the co-author of the Frommer’s guide of The 300 Events
& Festivals Around the World, published in October 2009.
Osman described The Soundwave Festival, held in the
Garden Club, as an improved version of the British Bestivala, which counted 43 thousand visitors in 2009. ‘Located
in a fishing village on the Dalmatian coast, the Soundwave
has everything that the Bestivala has, only on a sunnier
and nicer place’, The Guardian says. Apart from clubs and
bars, the newspaper speaks highly of the festival’s party
boat and the Barbarella club, one for true fans of disco only.
www.soundwavecroatia.com
In the year 2009 we received a prestigious award from
the leading U.S. magazine on tourism and tourist industry, the ‘Travel Age West’ (www.travelagewest.com) for
the ‘Best Vacation Value Europe’ destination, and one of
the leading consumer travel magazines ‘Travel & Leisure’
(www.travelandleisure.com) placed the Dalmatian islands
at the European top.
Strategic objective of Croatian tourism: lifestyle destination with preserved natural and cultural values
The Tourism Strategic Plan for the period of 2010-2014 outlines five main tactics that will make Croatia a hot lifestyle
destination with all the natural and cultural values maintained.
The objectives include e-commerce, on-line communication and marking offers. Croatia still lacks established
brands, which means that it should begin the process of
marking the different products (for example, ‘Croatia’s small
hotels’, ‘Croatian rural eco houses’, etc.). One of the tactics
will refer to the encouragement of cooperation between
key players in tourism, and the final tactic to education,
since there is much room for improvement of education in
tourism. Special marketing plans have been made to improve our main products: the sun and sea, sailing, meetings, culture and touring, continental tourism, and wine
and gastronomy.
In accordance with the strategic plan, by the end of 2020
Croatia should be able to accomodate 17.6 million tourists
instead of this year’s 11.3 million, while the total revenue is
expected to jump from the current 7.1 billion to 19.8 billion
euros.
In order for Croatian tourism to remain competitive on the
international market, Croatia will be divided into ten regions
or clusters, and each region will be approached individually,
and treated in a different way, respecting its qualities and
uniqueness. In accordance with the objectives defined, we
have outlined new branding strategies, whose purpose is
the extension of the season, an increase of arrivals in the
pre-season and the further development of e-marketing in
all the regions respectively.
Istria will aim to get the brand of ‘green Mediterranean
resort’. Its image will be built on tourist experience throughout the whole year, and will place a special emphasis on its
authentic towns and villages, and a romantic and relaxing
holiday.
The market position of the Kvarner region will be - lifestyle,
health and relaxation, and its image ‘Adriatic lifestyle destination’. The special values of Kvarner are recognised in
its sophistication, rejuvenating effect and good atmosphere.
Dalmatia is divided into four tourism regions, or clusters,
each with its own peculiarities.
Dalmatia - Zadar will be branded as the ‘enchanting Adriatic’, building its image on the world of islands and nature
parks. In comparison to other parts of Dalmatia, it will be
different for its offer and a specific ‘Robinson’ feeling of the
environment.
Dalmatia - Šibenik takes the title of ‘crown of the Adriatic’, placing a special focus on its “nautical paradise” character. The advantages of this area, according to the marketing
plan, are picturesque islands and the maintained authentic
towns.
Dalmatia - Split will become the ‘Adriatic inspiration’ with
the Dalmatian way of life and culture forming its image.
In the South, Dalmatia-Dubrovnik will be marketed as “Dubrovnik Riviera and Islands’ - an elegant tourist destination of culture and heritage.
The Karlovac-Lika region should be presented as the
‘green heart of Croatia’, a place where the coast and
a wonderfully preserved continent connect as one.
The marketing position of Slavonia will be the
‘true joy of life’, with focus placed on gastronomy, nature, peace and the rural environment.
Central Croatia will become a ‘short holiday region’, a baroque region, with spas and castles.
Zagreb will be presented as a ‘gate to Croatia’, with the
image of a meeting place, one where continental Europe
connects with the Adriatic.
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Portrait of Croatia
www.croatia.hr
Unique in its diversity
Photo: Romeo Ibrišević
As one of the most significant travel destinations in the
Mediterranean, Croatia has a longstanding tourist tradition
and great development potentials. The advantages of the
tourist product are its preserved natural wealth and environment, cultural and historical heritage, mild Mediterranean
climate, close proximity of European markets, and the availability of active holidays in environmentally protected destinations. In terms of climate, the country combines elements
of the Mediterranean and Central Europe. Geographically, it
stretches from the Pannonian Plain, the Danube region, and
woody and hilly areas to real peaks and mountain chains
descending to and protecting the unique and unforgettable
Adriatic coast.
Such diversity is perhaps best reflected in the natural
wealth comprising as many as eight fully independent national parks. They are Kornati (www.kornati.hr), Risnjak
(www.risnjak.hr),
Krka
(www.npkrka.hr),
Paklenica
(www.paklenica.hr),
Brijuni
(www.brijuni.hr),
North
Velebit
(www.np-sjeverni-velebit.hr),
Plitvice
Lakes
(www.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr) and Mljet (www.np-mljet.hr).
The Plitivce Lakes are also on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List. The national parks are accompanied
by the nature parks of Kopački rit (www.kopacki-rit.com),
Medvednica
(www.pp-medvednica.hr),
Lonja
Field
(www.pp-lonjsko-polje.hr), Velebit (www.pp-velebit.hr), Biokovo (www.biokovo.com), Telašćica (www.telascica.hr),
Učka (www.pp-ucka.hr), Papuk (www.pp-papuk.hr),
Vrana
Lake
(www.vransko-jezero.hr),
Žumberak
(www.zumberak-samoborsko-gorje.hr) and the Lastovo Islands (www.lastovo.org).
Many people of sophisticated taste can sense the abundance of Croatian diversity. They sense it while sitting at
a table offering dishes named after Croatian regions: Pag
cheese, Slavonian kulen, Drniš prosciutto, Istrian soup, Cres
lamb, Gorski Kotar belly, Kvarner shrimp, Zagorje štrukli,
Ston oysters, Vis and Komiža bread, Međimurje gibanica
… The tastes of these dishes are all different, yet have a
clear link – they are Croatian and they are excellent. All this
combined in a natural harmony of distinctive wines, quality
olive oil, nostalgic harmony songs and vivacious folklore.
The fact that intermingling of Croatian diversities can be
very artistically stimulating is confirmed by man-made masterpieces. The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List refers
to the unique and universal value of the Old Town of Dubrovnik, Diocletian’s Palace in Split, St. Jacob’s Cathedral
in Šibenik, the medieval core of Trogir, the Euphrasius Basilica complex in Poreč and the Starigrad Plain on the island
of Hvar.
With seven intangible heritage goods listed in the UNESCO
List of World Intangible Cultural Heritage, Croatia is first
among the European countries. From 2009 the following
can be found on the list of intangible heritage: The festivity of Saint Blaise, the patron of Dubrovnik, Two-part singing of narrow intervals from Istria and the Croatian coast,
Traditional manufacturing of children’s wooden toys in Hrvatsko Zagorje, Spring procession of ‘Queens’ (Ljelje) from
Gorjani, Procession ‘Za Križen’ (‘following the cross’) on
the island of Hvar, the Annual carnival bell ringers’ pageant from the Kastav area, and Lacemaking in Croatia (the
towns of Pag on the Adriatic, Lepoglava in northern Croatia
and Hvar on the Dalmatian island of the same name.)
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Did you know that the Croatian karst has become a global
generic term for rock-bound areas? Did you know Croatia
was one of the richest countries in Europe in drinking water? When you come to Croatia, you will find yourself in the
country where the first European calendar was found. It was
drawn on a ceramic container from Vučedol near Vukovar,
and made between the year 3000 and the year 2400 B.C.,
at the time cuneiform writing appeared in Mesopotamia and
hieroglyphs appeared in Egypt.
Croatia’s tourist offer is diverse and rich, including nautical tourism, diving, congress, environmental, rural, cultural,
religious, adventure, hunting and fishing tourism, as well as
health and wellness tourism, cruises on motor sailing ships
and excursion boats.
Each Croatian tourist region – Istria, Kvarner, Zadar,
Šibenik, Split, Dubrovnik, Zagreb as the capital city, Lika
and Karlovac, Central Croatia and Slavonia – develops its
distinctive offer in line with the global trends and its own
tradition.
Croatia is a country of contrasts, both natural and historical/
cultural. This is another reason for you to visit and spend an
unforgettable holiday in the Mediterranean as it once was.
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Press 2010
The country of a thousand islands
www.croatia.hr
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
Croatia is a country of a thousand islands, more precisely
1244, which makes it a paradise for boaters. The 6,176 km
long coastline counts about 50 inhabited islands, while the
rest are small islands, reefs and rocks, which contribute to
our well-indented coast.
Each island is different than the other and each one has its
own story and fate. The first visit to the Adriatic coast and
islands is a trip to the unknown. Each subsequent trip will
be a return to the familiar beauty of this country, always
different, yet equally fascinating. We will begin the story of
the islands with Brijuni. These 14 islands are situated on a
7 km stretch between Pula and Rovinj. Nature has created
quite a little paradise here – a true harmony of flora and
fauna, historical monuments and comfortable hotels.
The golden or green Krk is an island and yet it is not one. Its
idyllic nature and peace and quiet far from the daily routine
make it an island, but considering the transport connection,
it practically is not one.
Cres and Lošinj. One island or two? Once upon a time they
were separated by a channel dug by the Romans, but they
are now connected by a bridge.
Among the 1,185 islands and reefs spread along the entire
Adriatic coast, made of solid and sharp rock and some soil,
Susak is one of the few islands nature has created out of
sand. The 20 million cubic metres of sand provide the wine
made on Susak with a special flavour.
Next on the list is the Kvarner island of Rab. Abundant in
Mediterranean vegetation and sandy beaches, the local
council pronounced it a bathing and health resort way back
in 1889.
Photo: Ivo Pervan
Pag is an island covered by mythical olive groves, rich in
saltwater and famous for its lace and cheese, a world renowned delicacy.
Silba, an island of ship owners and captains, is a real sanctuary from the wind for sailors. Silba is unique in many ways;
there are no cars or motorbikes on the island, and even bicycles are rarely seen. Peace, quiet, and intact nature allow
the visitors for a complete mental release and relaxation.
The island of Ugljan is a ‘suburb’ and garden of Zadar,
named after extensive productions of oil. The nearby island
of Pašman has become one with Ugljan. They seem like
twins, and the only difference is that Pašman is somewhat
quieter.
Iž is the island of fishermen, potters and olive growers, and
one of the most scenic islands in the Zadar archipelago. It is
covered with typical Mediterranean vegetation and cultivated olives. The yearly Iž Fiesta features a traditional election
of the King of Iž, a custom which dates back to Antiquity.
On the island of Dugi otok, you can rest in a natural reserve
covering an area of 114 km². According to a legend, Kornati, a maze of sea passages and islets, were created from
a number of rocks God had left over after creating the world.
He tossed them into the sea, looked at them, and decided
nothing else needed to be corrected.
Another picturesque island is Murter, with a surface area of
18 km2. Murter is an island of fishermen, olive groves and
shipbuilders.
The island of Prvić is near the tourist pearl of Vodice, an
oasis of Mediterranean flora and fauna.
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Press 2010
The island of Zlarin is situated southwest of Šibenik. In the
15th century, it was famous for coral and sea sponge extraction.
Žirje is the remotest inhabited island of the Šibenik Archipelago with great fishing areas and numerous bays for navigators.
The island of Brač is the highest and third largest island
in the Adriatic Sea. The island is well known for its quality
stone used to build many palaces. This is the island with the
only stone mason school in Croatia.
South of Brač lies Hvar, the longest island in the Adriatic.
This is an island of vineyards, olive groves and lavender.
Hvar is without a doubt an exceptional island. It is characterised by pleasant winter and summer resorts, mild climate
and abundant subtropical vegetation.
Pakleni otoci is a particularly interesting group of islands
with gravelly and sandy beaches, mostly for nudists, and a
rocky sea bottom perfect for underwater fishing.
Far from the mainland and its problems is the island of Vis,
rich in citrus fruits, palm trees and fishing areas.
The island of Biševo stretches over 6 km2 and has many
caves carved into a steep coastline.
Although officially a peninsula, Pelješac actually seems to
be an island. It is separated from Korčula by a narrow channel.
They say no island has more legends or monuments than
Korčula, and it is also the most wooded island in Croatia,
along with Lokrum and Mljet.
Far out in the open sea is the island of Lastovo, with a surface area of 50 km2, gravelly beaches and several islands
on its west and east sides.
Next to Pelješac is the green Mljet, stretching over 100
square kilometres. Thanks to its thick pine forests, karstic
caves and two picturesque lakes connected with the sea,
gravelly and sandy beaches and a fishing area abundant
with fish and lobster, the west part of the island has the
status of National Park.
www.hhi.hr
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Press 2010
UNESCO
www.unesco.org
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
Registered sites of the Republic of Croatia on the
UNESCO World Heritage List:
Diocletian’s Palace and Medieval Split (1979) – The Emperor’s Palace is one of the most significant works of lateancient architecture, not just for the preservation of original
parts and the whole, but also for a series of original architectural forms announcing the new early-Christian, Byzantine
and early-medieval art. The cathedral was built in the Middle Ages with materials from an ancient mausoleum. Roman churches from the 12th and 13th centuries, medieval
forts and gothic, renaissance and baroque palaces are contained within the Roman walls, thus creating a harmonious
ensemble.
Dubrovnik Old Town (1979) – The Pearl of the Adriatic became a major Mediterranean power after the 13th century.
This late-medieval planned city in the south part of the east
Adriatic Croatian coast, with its historical core situated at the
foot of Mount Srđ, has preserved the character of a unique
urban whole throughout the centuries, defined by the city
walls. It has a significant place in the history of city planning.
Although severely devastated by the 1667 earthquake, Dubrovnik has managed to preserve its gothic, renaissance
and baroque churches, monasteries and fountains.
National Park Plitvice Lakes (1979) – The beauty of Plitvice
and its unsurpassable attractiveness are a result of gypsum
and gypsum-depositing plants. The creation of gypsum and
rearrangement of the river bed created a string of 16 Plitvice
Lakes representing a magnificent natural architectural phenomenon, surrounded by thick forests inhabited by bears,
wolves and many other rare animal and plant species.
Photo: Damir Fabijanić
Early-Christian Euphrasius Basilica Complex in Poreč
(1997) – The cathedral complex in Poreč was named
Euphrasius Basilica after Bishop Euphrasius who thoroughly renovated the cathedral in the mid 6th century and
decorated it with famous mosaics. Before Euphrasius’ renovation, there were at least two phases of early-Christian
buildings in the same place. In Poreč, Christianity was established as early as the 4th century – the basilica, the atrium, the baptistery and the Episcopal palace are remarkable
examples of religious architecture, while the basilica itself
combines elements of classicism and the Byzantine Empire
in an exceptional way. The apse is luxuriously decorated
with figurative mosaics that are among the most significant
examples of its kind in Europe.
Historical Core of Trogir (1997) - Trogir is an excellent example of urban continuity. The orthogonal street plan of this
island settlement originates from the Hellenic era – consecutive rulers continued to decorate it with exceptional public and
residential buildings and forts. Its beautiful roman churches
are supplemented with exceptional renaissance and baroque
buildings. The most significant building is the Trogir Cathedral with its west portal, a masterpiece of Radovan and the
most significant example of Roman and gothic art in Croatia.
St. Jacob’s Cathedral in Šibenik (2000) – Built between
1431 and 1535, St. Jacob’s Cathedral witnessed important
exchanges in the area of monumental art between North Italy, Dalmatia and Tuscany in the 15th and 16th centuries. Three
architects - Francesco di Giacomo, George of Dalmatia and
Nicholas of Florence – developed a structure fully made of
stone, by using a unique technique for the cathedral’s dome.
The result is a harmonious stone whole, arrangement methods and absolute harmony within the cathedral.
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Press 2010
Starigrad Plain (2008) - In July of 2008, the Starigrad Plain
was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The explanation provided by the World Organization states that
the vineyards and olive groves in the Plain have remained
practically intact since it was first colonised by the ancient
Greeks and that they are a unique example of the geometric
land division used in the ancient times. In the summer of
385 B.C., a group of around a hundred families was sent
from the town of Paros on the island of the same name in
the Aegean Sea toward the Ionian Bay, as the Greeks referred to the Adriatic Sea, to establish a colony there. Their
destination was the island of Hvar, formerly named Fiteja,
and they were led by Okist who was, among other things,
in charge of proper land division to the settlers in the new
settlements. Amidst the plain, in a place from where you can
see almost the entire plain, is a marked starting point - omphalos. By using groma, a simple surveying instrument, the
plain was surveyed and divided into parcels of 1 x 5 stadia,
which is approximately 180 x 900 metres. They also carved
boundary stones bearing the names of the parcel owners,
but the island and coastal Illyrians did not like such division
so they attacked the town in 384 B.C. However, the Greeks
defeated the Illyrians, which enabled them to gain control
of the entire Starigrad Plain, the largest fertile plain on the
Adriatic islands. The settlers soon began to erect ancillary
buildings and lodgings in the plain, on their own estates.
The luxurious ones date back to the Roman era – so far,
the remains of around sixty of them have been discovered.
Today, the Starigrad Plain represents the best preserved
ancient Greek landscape in the Mediterranean.
In September of 2007 at the congress in the Scottish town
of Ullapool, the Coordination Committee of European Geoparks decided to accept Papuk Nature Park in the European geopark family protected by UNESCO, comprising 31
European and 51 world geoparks.
Papuk thus became the first protected area in Croatia having such status. Although it is difficult to list all the geological features and diversities making Papuk different than the
other mountains in continental Croatia, the most valuable
among them is the Rupnica site near Voćin with its 70 million years old cascading volcanic rocks that can only
be seen at three other locations in the world: in New Zealand, in Yellowstone, USA, and in Slovakia. New, previously
undiscovered natural beauties of the mountains built from
rocks with an age range of 350 million years are discovered
every day
Sites on the Accession List
The Republic of Croatia has also sent the accession list
of cultural and natural sites to the World Heritage Centre
(WHC). The cultural sites include the Episcopal complex
in Zadar, the Croatian Limes in Varaždin, the Fort in Osijek,
the extension to Diocletian’s Palace and the historical core
of Split, Lubenice on Cres, the Burg Castle of Veliki Tabor,
the historical urban whole of Ston including Mali Ston, Motovun, Blaca Desert, Primošten vineyards and the Town of
Korčula.
The natural sites include North Velebit, the Kornati National Park and Telaščica, while the cultural and natural
site category includes Lonja Field. The Lace Making in
Croatia project was nominated for UNESCO’s proclamation
of the masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of mankind, as well as the Annual Carnival Procession of Bell
Ringers in the Area of Kastav.
Intangible heritage on the UNESCO List
From the year 2009, UNESCO’s list includes seven of the
16 proposed Croatian cultural particularities. In 2010 The
Ministry of Culture will once again propose the knight’s tournament ‘Sinjska Alka’, the traditional folk dance ‘bećarac’,
the ‘silent dance’ from the Dinara mountain (‘nijemo kolo’)
and honey making from northern Croatia, some of the particularities which have not been inscribed this year.
The list of intangible heritage includes:
- Festivity of St. Blaise, Patron Saint of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik chose St. Blaise as its patron saint after the
events that took place in 971.A.D. Legend tells that a Venetian fleet of 112 ships came into Dubrovnik waters. Previously, the Venetians won over the people from the Neretva
region and forced them to pay tribute to them. They plotted
to win Dubrovnik by fraud. The City of Dubrovnik did not
foresee the plotting so they gave them a friendly welcome.
In the Cathedral of St. Stephen, later to be destroyed in an
earthquake, the devout dum Stojko prayed long into the
night. Suddenly he saw a church full of armed soldiers and
among them a grey old man with a cane in his hand. He told
him he was a bishop, the martyr St. Blaise, sent from heaven to defend Dubrovnik. With heavenly soldiers by his side
he defended the city walls from the Venetians. The citizens
of Dubrovnik decided to build a better safeguard for their
city then, and they took St. Blaise as their patron saint and
built him a church. The Festivity of St. Blaise on February
3rd was a national holiday in the time of the Dubrovnik Republic. The oldest written document testifies that St. Blaise’s
Day has been celebrated since 1190. Every year, on the 3rd
of February, the bishop and priests carry st. Blaise’s relics,
while the congregation kiss the bishop’s hand and touch the
relics. Upon the end of the procession, the flag bearers go
back to their villages bringing the blessing of the saint to all
of those who could not make it to the city.
- Two-part singing of narrow intervals from Istria and the
Croatian coast
This is a complex style of folk music found outside the Istrian and Croatian coast region as well, but it is precisely
in this area that it lives its life to the fullest. The two-part
singing is founded on intemperred tone relations and a
specific colour of the tone achieved by vigorous and partially nasal singing. During the performance, both voices
can often improvise and do variations, but the unisonous
or octave endings have to be there in the end. The majority of the tonal sequences consist of four to six tones.
The metrorythmical formal structure and the structure of
the text range from very simple to very complex patterns,
with a special relationship between the music and text.
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- Traditional manufacturing of children’s wooden toys in Hrvatsko Zagorje
Children’s wooden toys are a distinguished product of Hrvatsko Zagorje and have a long history. It was in this area
that the distinctive skills of toy making were developed in
the 19th century, and the traditional way of manufacturing
toys has been kept to today, carried from one generation
to another as a family business or hobby. The method includes the men carving the toys by hand and the women
usually painting them. There can never be two completely
identical pieces because each is handmade. Soft woods
such as willow, linden, beech and maple are used. After
dying the wood, the men carve the toys, cut them and
shape them with the help of special wooden or cardboard
templates. They use ecologically friendly paints; as for their
substrate, they commonly use red, yellow or blue. The toys
are painted in floral and geometrical ornaments. Today
there are fifty different kinds of toys produced, ranging from
different types of pipes, tambouritzas, and animal toys to
items for everyday use.
Spring procession of ‘Queens’ (Ljelje) from Gorjani
It is believed that Ljelja is the wife of the Slavic god Perun.
Legend tells that the custom dates back to Turkish times,
when the Turks captured all the men in the village. This
gave the village women an idea. They disguised in strange
looking clothes, took sabres and scythes into their hands
and walked towards the Turks. The Turks believed them to
be ghosts, were scared and ran away, and the women freed
their husbands, brothers, and sons. Scientists who studied
this custom think that it dates to much older times, to the
Protoslavic state and that it is a remnant of the ancient rite
of inititation. The custom is held on the Catholic holiday of
All Saints when the procession of girls goes around the village and visits the courtyards. The girls play roles of kings
and queens, accompanied by young men carrying baskets
for presents, together with beggars and a bagpiper. The
hosts greet them in their courtyards, the ‘Ljelje’ sing them
their holiday songs, do their ritual play and wheel-dance to
bagpipe music.
Procession Za Križen (‘following the cross’) on the island
of Hvar
This is a unique rite of devotion and an expression of the
religious and cultural identity of the population in the island’s
central region, which has endured for five centuries now. On
the Eve of Good Friday, a procession connects six points on
the island: Jelsa, Pitve, Vrisnik, Svirče, Vrbanj and Vrboska.
The processions in six different churches start at the same
time, at 10 p.m., headed by a cross bearer each. The bearer
carries a cross, which can weigh up to 18 kg, in the name
of his plea or gratitude, as his personal or his family’s vow.
A selected suite of monks, believers and pilgrims follow behind him, stopping in churches and chapels of other towns,
greeted by priests, only to return to their parish chuches
in the dawn. The procession is remarkable for its duration (25 km in eight hours), and its pronounced Passionist
character. The core of the procession is Our Lady’s Tears,
an octosyllable Passionist text from the 15th century, and
sung by the kantadures, in the form of musical dialogue.
Annual carnival bell ringers’ pageant from the Kastav area
At the time of the Carnival (from January 17th to Ash
Wednesday) a dozen men go around their villages in mile
long processions following traditional roads in Kastav, a
small town in mid Istria. Some wear masks, some wear
different headgear which symbolises vegetation and fertility. The men wear sheep skin, worn inside out, and bells,
the reason for which they are named the bell ringers.
They ring them moving around in different ways, which
requires special skills and phisical stamina. Although in
one way this ritual embodies the ancient magical meaning of the prayer for fertility at the end of winter, this custom is remarkably vital today. Special meals, handicraft
(mask, headgear and ring making), dances and different ways of social behaviour are all a part of this custom.
- Lacemaking in Croatia
There are three main centres of lacemaking in Croatia today, all with a long standing tradition: the Croatian Zagorje
town of Lepoglava, with their lacing with sticks, the town of
Pag on the Adriatic with lacing with the needle, and the town
of Hvar with lace made from agave. The skill of lacemaking
with sticks, and with lace made out of rough linen yarn resulted in fine lacemaking of various forms. The girls of Lepoglava made the laces for clothing decorations or for sale.
The Pag lace is a decorative element, first found on folklore
textile and later as an independent decorative item. The skill
of lacemaking from agave in the town of Hvar is distinct for
the material that is used- the plant of agave, as well as the
place where it is made- in the Benedictine monastery only.
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National Parks
Photo: Milan Babić
Croatia has eight national parks, namely: Brijuni, Kornati,
Krka, Mljet, Paklenica, Plitvice Lakes, Risnjak and North
Velebit. The largest number of visits is registered in the
most popular Croatian National Park, Plitvice Lakes, followed by Krka, Brijuni and Paklenica.
From Brijuni to Mljet
Brijuni (www.brijuni.hr) consists of 14 islands and islets
having a total surface area of 36.3 km². Thanks to its indented coastline, diverse flora and fauna, Brijuni is sometimes referred to as Heaven on Earth.
National Park Kornati (www.kornati.hr) has a total surface
area of 220 km², comprising 89 islands, islets and reefs.
Land accounts for only around one quarter of the park’s
area – the rest is a marine ecosystem.
National Park Mljet (www.np-mljet.hr) in the far south of
Croatia is often referred to as the most beautiful Adriatic
island because it has some truly rare sites – a lake in the
middle of the island and an island in the lake with a castle on
the island, a Benedictine monastery from the 12th century.
This almost surreal image seems to have been extracted
from the most beautiful stories. According to one of them,
Mljet was part of Odysseus’ route and nymph Calypso kept
him in captivity there.
Photo: Damir Fabijanić
National Park Krka (www.npkrka.hr) was named after the
Krka River within the park. The national park is located in
Central Dalmatia, only a few kilometres northeast of the City
of Šibenik.
Paklenica (www.paklenica.hr) is an area of unusual contact
between the sea and the mountain, rich in natural forests of
beech, black pine and mountain pine.
National Park Plitvice Lakes (www.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr)
is a woody mountainous region with a string of 16 smaller
and larger lakes of a crystal blue and green color. They are
supplied by water from numerous small rivers and streams
and are interconnected with foamy cascades and forest
falls.
National Park Risnjak (www.risnjak.hr) is situated in Gorski
Kotar, the Mount Risnjak massif and its 1528 metre peak
forming the basis of the park. To enjoy the beauties of Risnjak, you need to have a special sense for the thrills of natural phenomena.
National Park North Velebit (www.np-sjeverni-velebit.hr)
has a diversity of karstic phenomena, flora and fauna, which
is just a part of this natural whole.
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Nature Parks
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
From Biokovo to Kopački rit
The nature parks in Croatia are: Nature Park Biokovo, Nature Park Kopački rit, Nature Park Lonja Field, Nature Park
Medvednica, Nature Park Papuk, Nature Park Telašćica,
Nature Park Velebit, Nature Park Vrana Lake, Nature Park
Učka, Nature Park Žumberak- Samobor Mountains, and
Nature Park Lastovo Islands.
Biokovo (www.biokovo.com) was proclaimed a nature
park for its exceptional and valuable flora and fauna, geomorphological forms and natural beauty covering an area of
19,550 hectares.
Kopački rit (www.kopacki-rit.com) is an area which significantly changes its appearance over the year, depending on
the intensity of flooding, predominantly from the Danube
and much less from the Drava.
Nature Park Lonja Field (www.pp-lonjsko-polje.hr) is the
largest protected marsh area, not only in Croatia, but in the
entire Danube area.
The forests of Medvednica (www.pp-medvednica.hr) descend almost to the very centre of Zagreb. In addition to its
peace and greenery, the mountain is abundant in rich and
diverse wildlife.
Photo: Renco Kosinožić
Nature Park Telašćica (www.telascica.hr) features three
basic phenomena – Telašćica Bay as the largest and safest
natural port on the Adriatic, the vertical cliffs rising up to 200
m above the sea and descending to a depth of 90 m, and
the saltwater lake of Mir, with its healing properties.
Nature Park Velebit (www.pp-velebit.hr) is the most significant endemic centre of flora and mainland fauna in Croatia.
Nature Park Vrana Lake (www.vransko-jezero.hr) is a park
containing the largest lake in Croatia.
Nature Park Učka (www.pp-ucka.hr) is primarily characterised by an exceptional diversity of features in a relatively
small area.
Nature Park Žumberak (www.zumberak-samoborsko-gorje.hr)
covers around 350 km², and its basic goal is to protect and
promote the natural beauties of the region.
The Lastovo Islands (www.lastovo.org) include all 44 islands, islets, rocks and reefs within the Municipality of Lastovo. The largest in the group are Lastovo and Sušac. This
area is one of the most preserved marine areas in the Adriatic.
The special features of Papuk (www.pp-papuk.hr) represent an important segment of the biological and landscape
value of Slavonia. The diversity of geological phenomena,
preserved flora and habitats of a number of animal species
represent a true treasure.
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Croatia in numbers
Official name:
Republic of Croatia
Geographic position:
Croatia stretches from the easternmost edges of the Alps in
the northwest to the Pannonian Plain and the banks of the
Danube in the east, its central part is covered by the Dinara
mountain massif, and its southern part finishes on the coast
of the Adriatic Sea. It has a sea border with Italy and a land
border with Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Serbia and Montenegro.
System of government:
Croatia is a multi-party parliamentary republic
Population:
4,437,460
Area:
the land part covers 56,594 km2, and the territorial sea area
is 31,067 km2
Number of islands, rocks and reefs:
1,185, the largest islands are Krk and Cres
Coastline length:
5,835 km, with island, rock and reef coast accounting for
4,058 km
National Parks:
Croatia has eight national parks, 4 in the mainland area (Paklenica, Plitvice Lakes, Risnjak and North Velebit) and 4 in
the coastal area (Brijuni, Kornati, Krka and Mljet)
Economy:
GDP per capita – 15.632 USD (2008)
Gastronomy:
Gourmets will have a field day in the continental part of
Croatia, surrendering to the gastronomic magic of the cuisines of Slavonia, Međimurje, Zagorje, Lika or Gorski Kotar.
Hardly anyone could resist specialties such as Slavonian
kulen, Zagorje turkey with mlinci, Baranja spicy fish stew,
Lika potatoes, Gorski Kotar belly, frogs or various game
dishes. The Mediterranean part of Croatia is an empire of
light, healthy food. The area offers the flavours of olive oil,
Cres and Pag lamb, Drniš and Istrian prosciutto, Kvarner
shrimp, Ston oysters, Vis and Komiža bread, Dalmatian
fish and crabs, Istrian truffles and specialties made under
a baking lid. Wine lovers can choose among a wide range
of continental wines like Traminac, Riesling, Graševina and
Burgundy, as well as the Adriatic Dingač, Postup, Malvasia,
Žlahtina, Teran and Vugava.
Money:
the official currency in Croatia is the Kuna (1 Kuna = 100
lipas)
Mean annual
Average daily
temperatures °C temperatures in
August °C
Zagreb
11.1
21.4
Pula
14.4
24.9
Rijeka
14.1
24.7
Rab
15.5
25.7
Zadar
15.2
24.9
Split
16.4
27.4
Hvar
16.6
26.1
Dubrovnik
16.6
26.3
Climate:
There are three climatic zones in Croatia: a moderately warm
rainy climate prevails in the interior, a snow forest climate
on the highest peaks, and a pleasant Mediterranean climate
with many sunny days prevails along the Adriatic coast; the
summers are dry and hot, the winters are mild and humid.
Average temperature in the interior: January - 2 to 0˚C or
lower at higher altitudes; August – around 20˚C and around
12˚C on the highest peaks. Average temperature in the littoral: January - 5 to 9˚C; August - 22 to 25˚C; sea temperature
in winter is 12˚C and around 25 ˚C in summer
Croatia – a value for money destination
Coffee
1.1 to 2 euros
Mineral water 0.5 l
1.1 to 2 euros
Juice
1.6 to 2.5 euros
Beer 0.33 l
2 to 2.9 euros
Wine 0.75 l (quality wine
produced in a specific region)
13.8 to 25 euros
Car fuel – since the world market fluctuates, the prices
change nearly on a weekly basis
Eurosuper 1 l
1.1 euro
Eurodiesel 1 l
1 euro
Capital city:
Zagreb (population 779,145, 2001)- economic, transport,
cultural and academic centre of the country
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Ferry ticket for car and passenger
(mainland - islands, one way)
Average tourist menu
21.2 to 64.2 euros
10.4 to 15 euros
Capacities
Total number of hotels Total number of beds
in hotel accommodation Total number of beds
in private accommodation Total number of small family hotels Total number of tourist resorts Total number of beds
in tourist resorts Total number aparthotels Total number of beds in aparthotels Total number of tourist apartments Total number of beds
in tourist apartments Total number of campsites: Total number of beds in campsites Total number of rural tourist economies Total number of beds in rural households Total number of marinas Total number of berths Total number of charter-boat fleet stationed
in Croatian marinas 584
98,680
421,000
220
47
25,650
13
858
54
9,497
231 +
311 small
households
229,004
353
891
54
12,107 berths
in the sea and
over 3,650
dry berths
3,500
www.hrvatski-farmer.hr; www.mint.hr;
www.mmtpr.hr; www.camping.hr
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How to reach Croatia
Excellent bus connections
Croatia is connected by regular international bus routes
with Slovenia, Austria, France, Italy, Hungary, Germany,
Slovakia and other European countries. A very widespread
network of domestic bus routes enables the passengers to
easily reach Croatia, Zagreb and Split, and all other travel
destinations.
Zagreb-Goričan Motorway and the M7 Budapest-Letenye
Motorway, construction of the Rijeka-Zagreb-Budapest
Motorway on the Vb pan-European corridor of 496.2
kilometres in length was completed. Of the total, 232.5
kilometres of the motorway is in Hungary and 263.7 kilometres in Croatia. The duration of the voyage was reduced
to 5 hours.
Slovenian vignettes
On January 1st 2009, Slovenia introduced a weekly vignette
at a price of EUR 15. Slovenia did not yield even to the pressures of the European Commission that claimed a weekly
vignette should cost no more than EUR 10. It also released
a monthly vignette at a price of EUR 30. They have revoked
six-month vignettes, and have also increased the price for
the annual one from 55 to 95 euros. The annual vignette is
valid only through the calendar year, that is, if it is bought
today, it will be valid until the end of the year.
Completion of the highway from Ljubljana to the Bregana
border crossing can be expected by mid-2010, when the
planning documentation for the highway Ptuj - Macelj border crossing will also be completed.
Other tubes of the Mala Kapela and Sv. Rok tunnels were
opened for traffic in June 2009. Mala Kapela is the longest
tunnel on the Split - Zagreb highway; the right tube is 5,780
m long, and the left one 5,821 m. The digging works for the
right tube began in 2002, and in June 2005 it began operating. The left tube of the Sv. Rok tunnel is 5,679 m long and
the right one is 5,670 m long. During the time of financial crisis, investments into the road infrastructure were frozen and
the section in the Croatian South, Dalmatina (A1) VrgoracPloče, was put on hold. Although the heads of the Croatian
Highways have been stressing that the part from Ravče to
Vrgorac will be opened for traffic by the end of 2009, this will
not happen. The date when the highway A1 will connect to
the town and port of Ploče is still uncertain.
Expansion of the motorway network
www.hac.hr, www.arz.hr, www.azm.hr, www.bina-istra.hr
Intensive work on expanding the existing network of modern
motorways continues. The Kikovica-Oštrovica section
(7.4 km) of the Rijeka-Zagreb Motorway near Rijeka has
been opened in its full profile. This is one of the most difficult road sections in Croatia, with 20 per cent of its length
in motorway structures – five viaducts and two underpasses. The Rijeka-Zagreb Motorway was put to service in its
full profile in late October of 2008. The voyage now takes
around one hour and 15 minutes, and the toll for a passenger vehicle from Rijeka to Zagreb costs 60 HRK (8.36 €).
The Rijeka-Zagreb Motorway is part of the European E65
route and part of the Vb pan-European transport corridor,
essential to development of tourism and economy, and the
most cost-effective Croatian motorway considering the traffic volume.
On 22nd October 2008, the motorway section between
Goričan and the border with Hungary and the new Mura
Bridge (216 metres in length, consisting of two 15 metre
wide bridges) between Croatia and Hungary were put to
service. In the extension of Mura Bridge on the Hungarian
side is a kilometre of new road connecting together with the
newly built 1.4 kilometres on the Croatian side the Budapest-Letenye and Zagreb-Goričan motorways.
By completion of construction of the full profile on sections
of the A6 Rijeka-Zagreb Motorway, the last section of the A4
Due to the recession, the works on the Split bypass, worth
EUR 200 million, have also been suspended. The construction of this part will be a lifesaving solution for the TrogirSplit-Omiš road, which is the most frequented section in
Croatia, with an average daily transit of 40,000 vehicles.
On June 18th 2009, the section of the Rijeka bypass, Škunje
node – Diračje node began full scale operations. The section has a total length of 5.2 km, together with a brand new
Rujevica node. The Rijeka bypass will be fully functional by
the end of 2009.
Istrian Y
The construction of the full profile of the Istrian Y began
in October 2008, and was divided under the plan into two
phases, so that the complete work of the duplication of the
road network could be completed as soon as possible. The
completion of works is expected within the next two and a
half years, with the investment costs estimated at around
EUR 313 million. With the construction of the fully profiled
highway, a new tariff system will be introduced, i.e. a closed
system of toll collection. The user will thus pay only for the
length of the highway travelled.
In addition to the existing eco-friendly features of the Y road
network – the bulit-in drainage and wastewater system,
noise-proof walls, solar energy supplied SOS phones and
speed radars, an energy efficient ventilation system, etc. –
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the Istrian Y will contribute to sustainable development on
a larger scale. All the nodes will have a bult-in eco-lighting
illuminating only the concrete and asphalt, without disturbing the natural biorhythm of night birds and animals. Under
the planned construction of the full profile, the concessionaire Bina - Istra will build two more roads which are not a
part of the concessional territory. These roads will not have
toll charges and they will be handed over to the Croatian
Roads for management, i.e. to the County Road Administration. One road makes up a 1.5 km long link from the Umag
node to the national road D200 in the direction of the Kaštel
and Plovanija border crossings, and the other is a linking
road from the Plua node (Istrian Y) to Pomer (Medulin), 8
km long, which should lessen the traffic load at the entrance
to Pula.
Direct railway routes
www.hznet.hr
Croatia’s direct railway routes are networked with Austria,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Italy, Hungary, Germany,
Slovenia, Slovakia, Serbia, Montenegro and Switzerland.
They are indirectly connected with the other European
countries. Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko, a.s., in cooperation with Českými dráhami, is preparing the possibility of
travelling from Bratislava to Split by train.
The Croatian Railways – Passenger Transport in cooperation with the Serbian Railways are introducing a special
seasonal train, Adriatic Express, during the summer season. The train will be operating from June 20th to September
7th on the route Belgrade-Knin-Split-Belgrade and BelgradeRijeka-Belgrade. In addition, the Slovakian ‘Železničná
spoločnosť runs in the tourist season from Bratislava directly to Split. The fast train City Star runs daily from June to
September and they have organised transport for bycicles.
The price of the ticket Bratislava – Split is EUR 115,6.
www.slovakrail.sk
Airports and low-cost airlines
International airports in Croatia are available in Zagreb,
Split, Dubrovnik, Osijek, Zadar, Rijeka and Pula, and those
on Brač and Lošinj are only open during the summer season.
Sport airports in Croatia are available in Zagreb, Čakovec,
Slavonski Brod, Rijeka, Vrsar, Mali Lošinj, Sinj, Otočac,
Čepin, Ivanić Grad, Koprivnica, Brač, Pula and Varaždin.
Croatia Airlines (www.croatiaairlines.com), the Croatian
national airline, connects Croatia with numerous European cities. In addition to Croatia Airlines, 35 other
airlines maintain flights to and from Croatia, such as
British Airways (www.britishairways.com), Germanwings
(www.germanwings.com), Lufthansa (www.lufthansa.com),
SkyService Airline (www.skyserviceairlines.com), SAS,
Delta, TAP Portugal and Austrian Airlines (www.aua.com).
In 2009, Croatian airports operated with 18 low cost airlines. Despite the bankruptcy of ‘SkyEurope’, who left 700
passengers in Zadar airport this August to arrange for alternative transport themselves, we see no special threat of
such a scenario repeating with any other company. Croatia
is connected with around 40 European cities by low-cost
airlines such as Germanwings, Happag Lloyd Express, Sky
Europe, Norwegian Air Shutlle, Wizz Air, Flyglobespan,
Flybe, Thomsonfly, Easyjet, Ryanair and EstonianAir. Germanwings has the largest number of flights to Croatia, followed by the German TUIfly, Slovakian SkyEurope, Hungarian Wizz Air, Norwegian NorwegianAir and EasyJet from
the UK.
Although the recession significantly affected air traffic,
with sales decreasing around the world, the announcement of new flights in the season of 2010 have confirmed
Dubrovnik as one of the more favourable destinations on
the Mediterranean. Many airlines have shown their interest in Dubrovnik, and they aim to connect our Pearl of
the Adriatic with Moscow, Budapest, Rome, Amsterdam,
Istanbul, Leeds, Athens, Edinburgh, Manchester, etc.
With the beginning of the new season, a brand new passenger terminal will be opened, a HRK 160 million investment, which will make Dubrovnik airport the only Croatian
airport with air bridges or ‘dry transition’ from the aircraft.
Split airport had 45 different airlines landing in their
port in 2009, and the flights’ main destinations are: Zagreb, Rome, London, Paris, Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Oslo and Stockholm. Counting by countries, most
travelers came from Germany, followed by the United Kingdom, Croatia, France, Norway and Sweden.
In 2008, Zadar airport achieved a record number of passengers in its 40-year history, when almost 160,000 passengers passed through the port. However, in 2009, with an
increase in traffic of more than 35 per cent the airport is destined for new record setting. The commercial office of Zadar
airport expects 220,000 passengers. The low cost airlines
which connect Zadar with different destinations in Europe
have greatly contributed to the success. When it comes to
low cost airlines, Ryanair stands out with its seven destinations making it a first class company for the Zadar port.
Germanwings follows as a close second.
This year, Zadar airport introduced eight new routes: Ryanair extended its offer with Edinburgh, Stockholm, Frankfurth, Düsseldorf and Pise, while Germanwings introduced
Berlin. Two new airlines have come to the scene as well:
low cost carrier Danube Wings, which flies to Bratislava,
and Orenburg Airlines, which has a charter-line to Moscow.
Croatia connects with many European cities by charter
flights. In 2010, Kuoni Travel will introduce the following
charters:
• Zurich-Split with Swissair, Saturdays;
• Zurich-Krka-Pula-Zurich with Helwetica, Saturdays
during July, August and September;
• Friedrichshafen-Pula and Friedrichschafen-Zadar with
Intersky;
• Basel-Dubrovnik with Dubrovnik Airline.
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Croaticum is introducing a charter route Zurich-Split with
Dubrovnik Airline. Charter flights from Geneva to Split
and Dubrovnik are also in preparation. In addition, in 2010
they plan to introduce charter routes from Milan, Palermo
and Catania to Split, and probably to Dubrovnik, as well.
In 2010, 11 British airlines from 19 airports will fly to
Croatia with 80 flights a week.
Smart Connect for flights from Croatia
Germanwings is the leading low-cost airline in Croatia,
the first of all low-cost airlines to introduce regular flights
to Zagreb and Split back in June of 2004, later including
Dubrovnik in their flight schedule, as well as Zadar in 2007.
Croatia is one of the few European countries to which Germanwings flies from all their major airports in Germany,
with an average occupancy rate of 90%. In 2008, they introduced a new service called Smart Connect for flights
from Croatia that no other low-cost airline in Europe offers.
Germanwings thus introduced 141 more routes and 500 additional stopover options a week. The service is very userfriendly. Passengers can book a flight with a stopover the
same way they booked flights before, and the stopovers are
now available in Cologne/Bonn, Stuttgart and Berlin.
More than 50 inhabited islands connected by boat
Croatia is a maritime country. Its coastal towns are interconnected by boats and ferries. As many as 50 inhabited
islands are connected with the mainland by boat or ferry. In
the summer months, ferries and boats transport passengers
more frequently.
The local ferry routes connect the mainland with the islands
of Cres, Lošinj, Pag, Rab, Ugljan, Pašman, Dugi otok, Iž,
Rava, Olib, Silba, Premuda, Ist, Molat, Brač, Šolta, Hvar,
Vis, Pelješac, Korčula, Lastovo and Mljet.
The regular passenger and ferry lines operate between
Italian (Venice, Trieste, Ancona, Pescara and Bari) and
Croatian ports. Ferries connect Rijeka, Split and Dubrovnik
twice a week throughout the year. Ferries departing from
Rijeka for the south part of the coast are a good solution
for drivers looking to avoid the beautiful, yet exhausting ride
along the coast.
Information about the boat lines in the season can be found
on the Agency for Coastal Line Nautical Transport webpage, www.agencija-zollp.hr
In 2008, Croatian islands received HRK 1,680,680,000
funding for infrastructure projects from the state budget and
the national public enterprises.
In compliance with the Act on Islands, important action has
been taken in relation to the new construction work and upgrading, as well as the rehabilitation and reconstruction of
the existing island ports and piers. They aim to improve the
maritime connection between the islands and the mainland.
Our special goal is the creation of infrastructural conditions
that would enable public ports to receive larger, new and
modern boats.
Under the Shipbuilding Programme 2011, adopted by the
Government on January 22nd 2009, Croatian ship builders
will be able to receive state aid amounting to HRK 240 million, which will cover up to 30 per cent of justifiable costs of
additional investment in building boats. The programme’s
goal is the restoration of the Croatian shipping fleet, and
therefore greater safety of navigation, as well as a greater
degree of protection of the sea and the environment.
According to the Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, the Travel and Excursion Fleet Restoration Programme included 12 vessels in 2008, with the cost of HRK
4,605,720.30. A maritime passenger terminal worth HRK
95 million was opened on October 5th 2009. The terminal,
equipped with a state-of-the-art port supervisory centre,
restaurants and other travel amenities, is part of the Rijeka
Gateway project, which includes the modernisation of ports
and port facilities, construction of supporting infrastructure,
i.e. a road and rail network from Rijeka to the inland.
www.jadrolinija.hr; www.croatiaairlines.com;
www.splittours.hr; www.hznet.hr; www.hrvatske-ceste.hr;
www.luka-vukovar.hr; www.port-osijek.hr;
www.blueline-ferries.com; www.snav.it;
www.venezalines.com; www.lnp.hr; www.medplov.hr;
www.miatours.hr; www.ivante.hr; www.krilo.hr;
www.gv-line.hr
18
Press 2010
Announcing for 2010
Photo: Petar Trinajstić
Hotels
Croatia
Photo: HTZ
Top investments in the hotel sector
–
a
quality
accommodation
destination
The hotel sector in Croatia records, in the 2009 crisis,
a continuation of profitable rate fall with an unsatisfactory return on capital rate. It is estimated that by the
end of the year the decline will rise to around 15 per
cent on the income level. The hospitality sector does
not expect an increase in physical demand, nights and
revenue in 2010.
A continuation of the growth trend in Croatian tourism is,
among other factors, a result of investments – the total investment in Croatian tourism in 2008 exceeded HRK 7 billion, of which the majority went to existing buildings, new
construction and putting existing facilities into operation. It is
believed that in 2008 hotels began to invest about HRK 5.5
billion, and in 2009 another two billion.
5 Star Kempinski Adriatic Resort - Savudrija:
www.kempinski-adriatic.com
The first Kempinski in Croatia officially opened in
Savudrija in August – the Kempinski Adriatic hotel, also the first Croatian 5 Star Golf & Spa Resort.
The former residence Skipper now has a luxury hotel with
22 exclusive villas with heated pools and the first new 18hole golf course in Croatia. The hotel has 186 rooms and
suites (e.g. the two presidential suites are 650 m2 together
with swimming pools on the terrace), a spa area the size
of 3,000 m2, an outdoor and indoor swimming pool and numerous restaurants and bars. The villas range from 500 to
1,000 square metres. The largest ones are equipped with
a wine cellar, a sauna and a small wellness area, together
with two smaller apartments for the entourage and a butler.
The resort has its own marina with 38 berths that can accommodate mega-yachts up to 50 metres long. The total
investment amounts to 190 million euros.
All the experts agree - despite the crisis in world tourism,
the only way to maintain the competition is further investment in quality accommodation. Although in comparison
to 2008 the investment cycle will be slower in 2009, we
opened ten quality hotels this year on the Adriatic, one
or two years after the beginning of construction works.
Along with Istria and Kvarner, this is even more conspicuous in Dalmatia, especially in the Split-Dalmatia County and
the town of Split, where several exclusive facilities and a
large number of small, family luxury hotels are being built.
The largest Adriatic resort in Novi Vinodolski is completed,
and Petrčane will have a new luxury tourist resort. Istria
has received its second five star hotel on Crveni otok
(the Red Island), followed by a third one, the Kempinski
luxury resort.
19
Press 2010
Photo: HTZ
5 Star Hotel Istria - Rovinj, Crveni otok: www.maistra.hr
On the Red Island, just fifteen minutes drive away by boat
from Rovinj, the first Croatian all-suite hotel opened earlier in September this year. It counts 32 apartments, with a
distinctive design and superior equipment, but also something more: a view to the sea and the beautiful Rovinj archipelago from each apartment. The value of this investment is 30 million Kuna (e.g. more than 4 million Euros).
Moreover, this facility will have additional amenities and
also ‘lean’ on the existing tourism offer of the hotel Istria
and Crveni otok. The Istria Hotel offers a luxury wellness
centre ‘Otok’ and top restaurants, sports facilities and
a rich congress hall. The Red Island is a common name
for two islands of the Rovinj archipelago, i.e. Sv. Andrija and Maškin, which are connected by an embankment
with a total area of about 233 thousand square metres.
Photo: HTZ
Photo: HTZ
4 Star Family Hotel Diadora, Punta Skala Residence &
Vacation Club - Petrčane: www.punta-skala.com
The Austrian Falkensteiner group, which also owns the
Borik tourist complex in Zadar, opened the first of three
hotels in their new settlement in Petrčane. Hotel Diadora
has 250 rooms ranging from 33 to 47 square metres. All
rooms have a separate sleeping area for children, a living
corner, bathroom with bathtub and shower, Internet connection, minibar, and flatscreen TV. The hotel also has
rooms that are interconnected by doors and rooms suitable
for people in wheelchairs. What makes this hotel special
is the fact that all activities designed for adults are also offered for children. This means that both adults and children
can enjoy the benefits of a spa programme. Falky-Land is
situated on nearly 1,000 square metres of space, and covers children’s facilities only, including a day nursery for infants, baby area, cinema, TV room and children’s disco.
Familiy Hotel Diadora is the first piece of major investments
on the peninsula of Punta Skala to have opened its doors.
The continuation of work on the remaining two buildings,
apart-hotel Senia and the hotel Jadera, is planned for the
end of the tourist season, in early November. The Jadera
Hotel will be the first five star hotel in Zadar County and will
be aimed primarily at adults without children. Guests who
decide to stay in apart-hotel Senia will be able to also use
the hotel catering and other services, as a part of the hotel
offer, which will be charged additionally. The entire resort
should be able to receive a thousand people, and the total
investment will amount to 220 million Euros.
4 Star Hotel Palazzo - Poreč: www.hotel-palazzo.hr
The Hotel Palazzo opened in Poreč in July, once the hotel
Riviera, in whose reconstruction was invested five million
Euros. This is the city’s oldest hotel, built in 1910, located
in a beautiful site of the Poreč waterfront. The new Palazzo
hotel is a blend of the traditional and modern. It offers 70
rooms and four presidential suites; the largest is 400 square
metres. The outdoor swimming pool is there to be used in
wintertime, and there is also a superb restaurant, a spa
offering unique facial treatments using caviar, truffles and
wine, and a wide selection of different massages, manicures, pedicures and depilation. The hotel also offers sports
activities such as golf, tennis and horse riding.
20
Press 2010
Photo: HTZ
5 Star President - Solin www.hotelpresident.hr
Near the Gospin otok (Our Lady’s Island), on the banks
of the river Jadro, the President group built this luxury five
star hotel in June 2009. From the moment of obtaining the
building permits in 2007, it took two years for the investor
to realise this 14 million Euro project. The project on the
bank of the river Jadro is the second hotel of the President
group in this area. The first is the one in the centre of Split,
a hotel of the same name, and with four stars. Accommodation capacities count 80 rooms, both single and double
rooms, together with four suites, so it can accommodate
about 160 guests in total. Most rooms have balconies with
stone or iron fences, which also decorate the central atrium
and staircase leading to the floor.
With a restaurant and a cafe, the hotel also has four separate conference rooms with a capacity of 50 to 200 participants, and which can be transformed into one single 500
people conference room, thanks to the moving surfaces and
doors that are built in. These rooms, which follow the shape
of an amphitheatre, will be able to accommodate theatrical
performances. Congress tourism is only a part of the offer, the other is health care. No less than three pools are
in the hotel: an indoor seawater pool, an outdoor 25 metre
competition standard pool for swimming and water polo,
and a recreational pool, suited to children as well. Ten million Euros were invested into the construction of the hotel.
Photo: HTZ
5 Star Hotel The View, New Spa Hotel & Resorts - Novi
Vinodolski: www.novi.hr
The View Hotel, opened in January 2009, is part of the largest hotel resort on the Adriatic, New Spa Hotel & Resorts,
which extends to 15 hectares. Its owner is the former tennis
player Bruno Orešar and his partner Gordan Širola. Since
2004, when the resort opened, 150 million Euros have been
invested in the project; the latest investment went into a
luxury spa centre, covering 14 thousand square metres and
worth 25 million Euros. The View is a luxury designer hotel
built with the finest Brač stone, and with 130 accommodation
units, of which most are apartments. There are also 36 villas
with 336 luxury apartments in the surroundings of the hotel.
Rooms and suites are housed in five wings of the hotel,
named after the five famous local winds: Bora, Sirocco, Mistral, Tramontana and the Levant. All are facing the sea and
have fabulous panoramic views of the Kvarner Bay and the
island of Krk from their balconies. Spacious, of modern design and richly furnished, with the finest bedding and toiletries, high-speed Internet and a telephone in the bathroom,
these interiors are carefully designed with regard to their functionality, providing high quality and comfort for their guests.
The resort also provides children’s playrooms with all-day
programmes and entertainment activities for the youngest
guests, 12 different restaurants and lounge bars, swimming
pool with cabanas, a sandy beach, pebble beach, a selection
of sports grounds and fun outdoor activities, shopping gallery, multi-functional congress halls and a dynamic night life.
21
Press 2010
Photo: HTZ
5 Star Hilton Hotel Marjan Split - Split:
www.hotel-marjan.com
The owner of the Marjan hotel signed a franchise agreement
in 2009 for a period of 22 years with the world famous Hilton
chain. This completely refurbished Split hotel will therefore
bear the name of Hilton Hotel Marjan Split. The Hilton has
so far been present on the Adriatic Sea only in Dubrovnik.
The opening of the hotel was postponed to the middle of
2010. Once fully completed, the hotel will have 254 rooms,
27 luxury suites and one presidential suite on the highest,
11th, floor. In the first phase, 220 rooms, the restaurants
and bars, a wellness centre, and three smaller conference
rooms will be completed. The rest of the rooms and suites
and the main conference hall should be completed in the
year to follow. A total of 135 million Euros will be invested in
the reconstruction and renovation of the hotel.
Photo: HTZ
Photo: HTZ
5 Star Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Dubrovnik Sun Gardens Hotel: www.radissonblu.com/resort-dubrovnik
The first Croatian hotel in a prestigious international hotel
chain, Radisson BLU, was opened in the Dubrovnik Sun Garden tourist complex in July. The new tourist centre in Orašac
offers 201 rooms and 207 luxury apartments. This makes it
one of the largest hotels of the Radisson BLU chain, which is
the new name for the famous Land Radisson SAS.
The resort is located by the sea and is an ideal destination
for a break and rest from the stress of everyday life, but also
a source for creating new vitality and optimism.
Radisson Blu Resort & Spa in the Sun Gardens is a blissful
combination of modern architecture, with the imperative for
beauty and functionality, and Mediterranean hospitality that
always sees you as a very special individual. The pleasant
and comfortable accommodation in the hotel or the residential apartments, the reflection of the blue sea, the view
onto the romantic Elafiti islands, and, finally, a wide variety
of contents is there to please even the most demanding of
guests. The diversity of contents, i.e. a wonderfully equipped
modern spa complex, a sports centre, multi-functional conference halls, restaurants, shops and bars, all turn this part
of the resort into a separate little city that lives in its own
way. The hotel will have a night club as well, while a large
convention centre, which occupies more than 1100 square
metres and can accommodate up to 900 participants, will
also contribute to the yearlong success of the business.
One of the particularities of the Orašac Radisson BLU is
also its own small marina, which will facilitate boat transport
to the City.
4 Star Hotel Radisson Split - Split: www.radissonblu.com
On the ruins of the old hotel Split a new hotel has been built
and it will be operated by the worldwide chain Radisson. In
the first phase, worth 40 million Euros, and which should be
completed by the end of 2009, 250 rooms and suites, two
restaurants, a large conference hall, a 2,000 square metre
wellness and fitness centre and an underground garage with
200 parking places will be built. In the second phase, worth
20 million Euros, a five star apart-hotel will be built, with
110 accommodation units and an annex with 50 rooms. The
opening of the hotel is expected at the beginning of 2010.
22
Press 2010
Photo: HTZ
4 Star Hotel Punta Osejava - Makarska:
www.osejava.com
One of the oldest hotels in Makarska, situated on the very
waterfront and built in the 1930s, has been turned into a
brand new hotel. The renovated hotel, which opened in
August 2009, has 48 rooms, a conference hall, swimming
pool, restaurant, tavern and a banquet hall. Catering facilities are adapted to the daily needs of the city; the design of
coffee bar Kantun is irresistibly reminiscent of the old captain’s room, there is the restaurant Parangal, with an offer
for all age groups, and a tavern with local delicacies, as well
as the Žalo restaurant with its breathtaking view of the city.
The other areas of this magnificent piece of architecture are
also planned for city events - cocktails, promotions, exhibitions and seminars. Hotel Osejava offers an outdoor pool
with a luxury spa, a souvenir shop, travel agency, parking
and a garage. Six million Euros were invested in the project.
thousand square metres as well. The investment is worth 33
million Euros. The great advantage of the Valamar Lacroma
Resort is that, as a part of Valamar group, which owns five
more hotels in Babin Kuk, it offers additional congress capacities and accommodation for large business meetings.
The hotel wellness centre Ragusa Spa provides a break
from the stress of everyday life in The Spa area, with several types of saunas (Finnish, bio, infrared, steam bath, ice
fountain, relaxation room with water beds), and the Aphrodite Spa section, designed for ladies only. Ragusa Spa also
includes a fitness centre, beauty centre, rooms for massage
and relaxation, outdoor Jacuzzi, wellness bar and an indoor
and outdoor pool.
A variety of catering facilities, restaurants and bars provide a superior enogastronomic experience. In addition to
the large hotel restaurant with show cooking, Lacroma, directed by top chefs, the hotel has a seafood restaurant as
well, Langusto Fine Dining, with a terrace and a magnificent
view of the sea and the Elafiti islands. The Nocturno Wine
& Cocktail Bar offers a fine selection of wines and cocktails.
Photo: HTZ
Photo: HTZ
4 Star Valamar Lacroma Resort - Dubrovnik:
www.valamar.com
In early September 2009, the Valamar Lacroma Resort was
officially opened in Dubrovnik, the largest congress and
spa hotel in the city under Srđ. The hotel has 385 comfortable, spacious and modernly furnished double rooms and
16 suites, of which 13 are two storey rooms. The exquisite
presidential suite of 140 square metres has a private wellness zone of 70 square metres, a large 1,000 person conference hall, seven smaller halls, and a spa area the size of one
4 Star ‘Spa & Golf Resort in Saint Martin’ - Sveti Martin
na Muri: www.toplicesvetimartin.hr
In the first half of September 2009 a luxury spa golfer four
star hotel ‘Spa & Golf Resort Saint Martin’ was opened in
Sveti Martin na Muri, a municipality which was declared the
European destination of excellence in 2008. The hotel has
151 rooms, 6 suites, an 1800 m2 wellness centre, a 500 people congress hall, two-piece sports hall and a recreation centre with a golf court, two restaurants, piano bar, night bar,
lounge bar and a kindergarten. The multimillion investment in
Sveti Martin offers a golf course with nine holes and heated
‘greens’, tennis courts, aqua aerobics, beach volleyball and a
range of sporting facilities. The spa hotel has saunas, baths,
Jacuzzis, massages and various beauty treatments.
‘Spa & Golf Resort in Saint Martin’ is the largest project in
continental tourism with a present investment of more than
300 million, and with more than 200 employees. Since the
only facility on location before the beginning of the project
was a single outdoor pool, this makes it truly one of the
largest green-field investments in the whole of Croatia.
23
Press 2010
Photo: HTZ
4 Star Bluesun Kaj Hotel - Marija Bistrica:
www.bluesunhotels.com
On the northern slopes of Zagreb’s mountain Medvednica,
thirty kilometres from Zagreb, in the southeastern part of
the Croatian Zagorje region, there is an ancient Croatian
Marian shrine, Marija Bistrica, in which the Croatian people have found spiritual peace for centuries. On the
feast of the Assumption in 2009, the 4 Star Bluesun Kaj
hotel opening ceremony was held in the famous Marian shrine. It offers 66 rooms, congress and wellness &
spa facilities, as well as a superb culinary programme
based on an innovative interpretation of traditional cuisine, led by a team of professionals who were educated
at the Ritz Escoffier Ecole culinary academy in Paris.
The hotel has a restaurant, Bistricza, with 400 seats for the
organisation of wedding ceremonies and different receptions, the Academia restaurant with 60 seats and an exclusive gastronomic offer, an open grill terrace and winter
garden, wine cellar with 200 labels from Croatian and world
wine regions, and a cocktail bar with outdoor terrace. The
Wellness & Spa area covers 350 m2, with saunas, whirlpools, and a wide selection of classic and exotic treatments.
The multi-purpose conference hall with a 150 seat capacity
provides for the smooth organisation of conferences, seminars, team building events, courses and similar facilities.
Photo: HTZ
4 Star Aparthotel “Villa Magdalena” - Krapinske Toplice,
www.villa-magdalena.net
At the end of June 2009, the first boutique, the exclusive
four star Aparthotel Villa Magdalena was opened in Krapinske Toplice. Guests have access to eight luxury apartments
and one double room. The apartments have unique hydro
massage baths directly connected to the healing thermal
spring water. Within the hotel there is also a restaurant
based on a modern ‘fusion cuisine’, with a panoramic view.
The hotel offers a small multimedia room for meetings. During 2010, the Villa Magdalena offer will be enriched with
more wellness facilities.
With the recent opening of the aforementioned top hotels,
the Croatian network increased to 142 hotels with four stars
and 23 hotels with five stars by the end of September. In
other words, in a little more than two years, thanks to both
higher investment and new categorization – the domestic
offer has become richer for twenty top hotels.
Most five star hotels, thirteen of them, are located in the
Dubrovnik area. In the last two and a half years the number
of four star hotels, a category especially popular and valued
on the foreign market, has risen even faster.
If Croatia wants to keep pace with the competition, it must
continue to invest and build more because it still lacks tens
of thousands of new hotel beds. Only in this way will quality,
competitiveness and the profitability of the hotel sector be
maintained.
www.huh.hr
24
Press 2010
Campsites
•
According to the Croatian Camping Union, Croatia has
231 campsites and 311 more small ones in households, whose total accommodation capacity is estimated at
229,004 beds. Campsites represent 25 per cent of the total accommodation capacity in Croatia. From their opening
until the end of September 2009, there were approximately
14,000,000 overnight stays, or 3.4 per cent more than last
year. This is, despite the optimism in the sector, a result that
nobody expected. In cooperation with the Croatian National
Tourist Board (HTZ) and with more money than last year,
this Union has been promoting Croatia on international fairs
and other marketing channels as a ‘Land ideal for camping’.
Ten campsites received a recognition for special achievements in the previous year, the ADAC’s “Yellow Table”:
Kanegra, Stella Maris, Finida, Park Umag (Umag), Solaris
(Poreč), Poljana (Mali Lošinj), Zaton (Zaton), Vira ( Hvar)
and two newly awarded campsites are Lanterna in
Poreč and Nevio in Orebić.
Emphasis on quality of supply and security
Because of the wonderful locations and rising quality of
the offer, Croatian campsites are popular and well known,
especially among foreign tourists. The general trend in recent years has been the adjustment to market demands,
which is reflected in the increasing offer of mobile homes
in campsites, but also the rising quality of bungalows and
apartments in campsites. That is why today we have some
real ‘Holiday Villages’, such as Zaton Nin or the Bi-Village
in Fažana. We pay a lot of attention to raising the level of
catering and commercial services in the campsites and the
safety of guests; also, all major and almost all intermediate
campsites have organised entertainment and facilities for
children. In Croatia, campsites are becoming real ‘hotels’ in
the open, which provide high quality accommodation in an
attractive and preserved environment. In addition to accommodation on a spacious, furnished and equipped plot, there
is an increase in the offer of high-quality catering and shopping facilities, animation, different sports and entertainment
facilities, and even wellness facilities and swimming pools.
11 campsites which were assigned a special tag for
‘Maintaining excellent sanitation’: Pila, Straško,
Zaton, Kozarica, Jezera Lovišća, Kanun, Vira, Nevio,
Adriatic, Solitudo, Monika
ANWB
The ANWB guide for 2009 presented 82 Croatian campsites. For the year 2009 a special recognition ANWB’s
(ANWB erkend) was given to 6 campsites:
• Konobe, Pila and Kovačine (Primorje-Gorski Kotar
County)
• Adriatic (Šibenik-Knin County)
• Zaton and Rio (Zadar County)
Confedercampeggio
The progress of our campsites towards a greater quality has
been recognised by our Italian guests who, through the action of campsite evaluation organised by the Italian Association of campers, Confedercampeggio, have recognised and
rewarded the following campsites in Croatia:
The ‘Sympathy and Ecology’ Award
1st Prize: campsite Bor, Island Krk
2nd Prize: campsite Bijar, Osor
3rd Prize: campsite Nevio, Orebić
Awards for Croatian Campsites in 2009
The ‘Sympathy and Quality’ Award
1st Prize: campsite Park Umag, Istria
2nd Prize: campsite Park Soline, Biograd na moru, Dalmatia
3rd
Prize: campsite Šimuni, Island Pag, Kolan
A high rating of the campsites is confirmed by the many
compliments from established world organisations.
Leading Campings Membership ZATON Turisthotel d.d.
Zadar
In the year 2009, Croatian campsites have received numerous awards and prizes (ADAC, ANWB, Alan Rogers, Leading Campings, etc.) that are the result of continuous investment and the rise of quality in camping sites.
The German automobile club ADAC (with more than 12
million members), has given its highest awards Superplatz
to no less than two campsites in Croatia in their guide for
2009. These are the Nin Zaton and the largest Istrian Park
Umag camspites.
Leading Campings is a widespread and exclusively European corporation of top individual campsites. In the year
2009, Leading Campings assigned membership to campsite Zaton Nin, making it the first Croatian campsite to make
it into the association of top quality campsites. The campsite
has 38 European members and the European Union has
recently recognised the Leading Camps of 2009 as its advisory institution for camping quality in Europe.
In the ADAC Camping Caravaning Guide for 2009 Croatia
was presented with 103 evaluated camps. ADAC notes
“special improvement” in 24 campsites, 2 more than last
year. ADAC inspectors have singled out:
• 6 campsites which are assigned a special tag for ‘Exceptional care and condition of the campsite’: Park
Umag, Valalta, Poljana, Nevio, Adriatic and Mungos
Leading Campings is also recognised as a measure of quality in the global campsite market. Each Leading Camping
is protected in its territory, has always been known as the
best, and often the oldest in the region. Needless to say,
the regions always compete as resort destinations. The
customary product of the resort is quality, a special quality
that goes beyond the required standards and includes the
skills of ‘service with a smile’.
25
Press 2010
News in campsites for 2010
- An increasing number of campsites have the possibility
of online bookings: currently over 45 offer this opportunity
- All campsites under the Valamar group are abolishing
reservation fees (the amount paid for the reservation
will be calculated and returned to guests upon obtaining an account)
- Camping Lanterna has constructed a new part in the
settlement, and called it the “Istrian Village”, a mobile
homes village designed in the Istrian style. The mobile
homes are equipped with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, toilet, kitchen, cosy living room and a balcony
with table and chairs. Apart from the mobile homes, the
Istrian Village is also characteristised by the horticulture of the Istrian region and Mediterranean plants, and
is situated near a complex comprising a children’s pool,
children’s playground and a mini club.
- Camping Park Umag, entirely equipped and decorated in the concept of a ‘hotel in the open’, is often
referred to as a real small ‘Nature Park’ because of
the value placed on the natural environment and horticultural arrangement through the fun and educational
eco-park ‘Istria’. From the rocky landscape and native
plants, a display of soil types represented in Istria, to
the presentation of local products such as honey, lavender, wine, ham and truffles, the eco-park presents
the original heritage of Istria on a surface of 13,000
m2. The campsite has built a system of pools with an
additional 1350 m2 area, and it offers a wide range of
animation activities for children and adults, as well as
sports facilities and playgrounds. Guests will be able to
enjoy a new golf course and a wellness centre in the
season to come. From the 18th to the 25th of June, the
campsite will host the 76th FICC Rally, the world’s congress of campers, held for the first time in Croatia. Over
2,000 participants from 60 countries are expected.
- Campsite Stoja will host the 11th Adria Rally - a preopening of the 76th FICC Rally – from the 10th to the 18th
of June 2010. The event and other benefits, as well as
special offers for 2010 will be published on the web site
of the campsite.
- Campsite Stobreč - Split set up a new sanitary facility, completely compliant with the rules of ADAC. The
campsite also introduced new sports facilities, beach
volleyball and soccer, two playgrounds for football,
street basketball and a mini gym.
- Starting from 2009, the Bijar campsite is equipped with
a waste water management system based on natural
methods of purification, and with which waste water is
discharged with a purification level of 98 per cent.
- Campsite Kovačine introduces an outdoor pool with
heated water for the year 2010. For guests staying 7
days, the campsite will reimburse the price of the ferry
ticket in one direction, and in both directions for those
staying 14 days.
- The Turist Grabovac campsite offers free wireless internet starting from 2009 and will divide the campsite
into plots for the year to follow.
-
-
-
The campsite Sirena in Rogoznici is open throughout
the year.
The campsite Šila has arranged a separate part of the
camp for short term camping.
The only web portal for all the Croatian campsites, the
official Croatian Camping Union portal www.camping.hr,
plans a complete redesign and a richer content of its
website with the help of a new interactive approach,
and the presentation of the campsites in an ameliorated way. Information on the best Croatian campsites
can be found on the web section www.camping.hr/best.
The Croatian Camping Union, which gathers more than
190 members, selected the best Croatian campsites, of
which no less than 18 are in Istria, nine are in the Kvarner region, six in Dalmatia and one on the continent.
Some of those are exclusively naturist campsites.
Stars among Campsites
Campsite Park Umag is the largest and best Istrian campsite, situated in beautiful countryside with very well kept
sandy and rocky beaches and a variety of amenities like
swimming pools with waterfalls and castles, and a botanical
eco-park of native vegetation. The famous Stella Maris is
situated nearby, with an abundance of restaurants, shops
and sports facilities that guests of both the campsite and
the tourist resort of the same name can use. Between Umag
and Lovrečica there is a quiet and intimate campsite, Finida, with hidden caves, sandy and rocky beaches, and a
paved sunbathing area.
In the nearby Savudrija, on the most western part of
the Croatian coast, there is the campsite Pineta. The
1.5 km long coast, with rocky and sandy beaches, has
restaurants, terraces with live music in the evening,
a pizzeria and several cafes. Visitors can enjoy the
pool, sports facilities and entertainment activities in
the apartment complex in the vicinity of the campsite.
Campsite Lanterna, between Novigrad and Poreč, covers
a 3 km long pebble coast in a pine and oak forest, has two
swimming pools with hydromassage, and an abundance of
other amenities as well. In the vicinity of Poreč, the best
campsites include the White Bay and Green Lagoon, and
their sports, entertainment and gastronomic offer, in the
opinion of HUK, is one of the most complete offers on the
Adriatic. Both campsites have specially separated sections
for naturists on their beaches.
The Valkanela, Porto Sole and Orsera campsites can
be found in the vicinity of Vrsar, with a Dušan Džamonja
sculpture park nearby, while in the Rovinj area campers are
most content with the Polari and Veštar campsites. Opposite Brijuni, near Fažana, is the newest tourist centre in
Istria, Bi Village, with a variety of fully equipped accommodation units and a large apartment village. On the peninsula near the town of Cres is the campsite Kovačine, which
is well wooded, with stone and pebble beaches and has a
separate beach for naturists. Among the many activities on
offer, the diving courses stand out as the most popular.
The adjacent Lošinj is known among the campers for its
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campsite Poljana, in the cove at the narrowest part of the island, near Mali Lošinj. One interesting thing about the campsite is that it is located in the famous Lošinj Dolphin Reserve,
and along with the complex along the beach and the many
facilities, a harbour with 150 berths forms an integral part of
the campsite. Near the centre of the historic town of Krk is
Ježevac campsite, set in a natural pine forest wood for the
most part, with 800 metres of sandy and rocky beach and numerous recreational facilities. In the neighbouring Punat, is
the Pila campsite, just a few steps away from a place where
guests can use many other facilities. Many lonely sandy
beaches can be reached on foot or by boat, and guests with
tents have an equipped campsite kitchen at their disposal.
The award winning Zaton Holiday Village near Nin is the
largest Dalmatian campsite, completely renovated, and
covered in pine trees. There is also a holiday resort next
to the campsite, with a sports centre, while the beach is
particularly suitable for children and non-swimmers. The
wonderful heated swimming pools for adults and children,
lots of various facilities and well organised programmes for
sports and entertainment make this village, in the opinion of
the Camping Association, a family paradise.
Campsite Adriatic is located three kilometres northwest of
Primošten, between a beach road and the sea. An old pine
forest covers about 80 per cent of the camping area, and
the remaining part is adorned with evergreen oaks and olive
trees. The beaches are sandy and rocky, and truly suitable
for everyone, from children to couples who want to swim or
dive alone.
Soline Camping Park is situated in the shade of pine trees
next to a sandy beach in the heart of Biograd. A newly built
promenade that stretches along the entire campsite takes
you past the most beautiful beaches of Biograd to the heart
of the city centre.
In the forest of pine and olive trees near Novalja, the Pag
campsite Straško is best known. This is a large and comfortable complex with a variety of amenities and a large pebble beach.
The admirers of the more southern parts of the coast may opt
for campsite Nevio near Orebić, by a lovely sandy beach,
and they are sure to make the right choice. The campsite is
immersed in greenery and completely isolated from noise.
In addition to places for tents and caravan homes, new air
conditioned mobile homes for up to five people are also on
offer. Each home has a terrace with a panoramic view of the
sea, and a private parking place.
A few kilometres from the town of Hvar is Vira campsite,
fully renovated three seasons ago. The campsite is partially
wooded, and the beach is pebbly and rocky, with sunbathing areas on flat rocks. Guests can use the sports and
recreational services of the nearby sports centre, and one
unique thing about the campsite is that, in accordance with
the environmental protection policy, solar cells supply energy to the sanitation facilities.
Nudist campsites
Genuine naturists, as followers of the idea of balance between man and nature, appreciate campsites also because
they love to stay outdoors, enjoy sports and healthy food.
Of all such campsites along the coast, the best and most
popular ones are in Istria. In the opinion of the International
Naturist Federation (INF) the Rovinj Valalta campsite deserves the best grade. In fact, the INF (International Naturist
Federation) and DNH (Croatian Naturist Society) passed an
action, for the first time in Europe, and right here in Croatia,
to estabilish a naturist quality system through an INF-DNH
certificate. The INF has 26 European countries in its system and 12 non-European countries; and with half a million
registered members it represents other naturists as well,
of which an estimated 25 million are from Europe alone.
Croatia was the first European country to open its doors
to commercial centres in naturism, back in the 1960s, and
the first to receive a certificate for a quality nudist campsite.
This is a first class marketing event as well, since Croatia is
getting a big advantage over other European destinations,
and awarding a certificate of quality to a nudist campsite for
the first time in Europe to no other but the Istrian Valalta
from Rovinj.
With the aim to follow the trends in naturism and tourism in
general, Valalta has built a wellness centre and a marina,
it offers beer from its own brewery and, apart from the continuous improvements on its sanitary facilities, apartments
and bungalows, the campsite has built the first sandy beach
in Istria. As a novelty for this season, Valalta has offered
modern mobile homes of thirty square metres, for four to
five people, in the vicinity of the sea water swimming pool.
Regarding the other 11 official naturist campsites, the
Croatian Naturist Society ranks Solaris in Poreč and Kanegra in Umag among the best ones.
Istria is also home to the oldest and largest nudist campsite in Europe, Koversada near Vrsar, situated on 120 hectares, with more than five thousand metres of coast. The
peak of the season is certainly the traditional Miss Nudism
Contest, which is organised on the beach in August.
Other campsites are Ulika in Poreč, Istra in Funtana, Bunculuka, Politin and Konobe on the island of Krk, Brajdi on
the island of Cres, Savinja in Tkon on Pašman and Nudist
in Vrboska on Hvar.
Unauthorised camping is sanctioned by impounding
the trailer for two months
Since simple fining proved to be an ineffective measure, the
State Inspectorate has a new, drastic means of sanctioning unauthorised camping at its disposal, as regulated by
the Law on Catering. According to the new provisions, if an
inspector determines that persons are camping at a private
property not registered as a camping ground, the inspector
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can immediately impound the camping gear for 60 days.
This kind of sanction is drastic also because the campers
will not be allowed access to any of their impounded property for two months; thus if the peak season is in question–
the whole summer period.
The new law is trying to put an end to the plague of unauthorised camping. In addition to depriving the state and local tourism of a number of contributions, these campers are
also great environmental polluters as they usually dwell in
places not suited for camping. The targets of the new legislation include camping huts, RVs, and tents. The law gives the
inspectors the authority to issue the sanction both orally and
in writing, and the said sanction will be executed imediately,
on the spot, by sealing the camping equipment. The campers
will be allowed, though, to temporarily gain access to their
equipment during the first 24 hours in order to remove any
perishable goods and personal items. This will be followed by
resealing. The removal of the seal is ill-advised as it is classified as a crime. The law can be applied to the owners of the
grounds as well, if they are using their property for unauthorised camping, in a camping house or in a tent.
Useful links:
www.camping.hr; www.istraturist.com; www.omh.hr;
www.topcamping.hr; www.camping-adriatic.com;
Small family owned hotels
Small family owned hotels – a part of the new face of
Croatian tourism
Croatia has currently a little over 200 small and family
owned hotels in almost all Croatian regions, most of which
are members of the National Association of Family owned
and Small Hotels (OMH). The total capacity exceeds 13,000
beds, which is 13 per cent of the total number of hotel beds
in Croatia. The advocates of small hotels advise Croatia to
take the same course as Austria, Switzerland, or France,
where small and family owned hotels account for 70 per
cent of the total accommodation capacity.
Despite their quality often being even higher than that of
comparable hotels in these countries, the Croatian hotels
are still 20 to 30 per cent cheaper. The guests from these
countries, as well as from the whole of Western Europe,
Scandinavia, and the USA, make for the majority of foreign
tourists in Croatia and in polls they evaluate the small hotels
as on par or even better than in the countries mentioned.
This is confirmed by the categorisation of Croatian small
and family owned hotels, which already have four stars in
the majority of cases. Every new small hotel or pension built
in the past two to three years is in that category, and another 60 such facilities currently being built will soon follow
in similar fashion.
The owners of small family owned hotels are competing
to create the best and richest offering of various additional
services – from day trips, recreational activities, meeting,
talking to, and engaging in the activities of the local population, to car rentals, charter airplanes, etc.
Family owned hotels are emerging as the most sought-after
tourist product in Croatia, and as many as 70 per cent of
them are open year round.
It is expected that by 2018 the number of small hotels will
reach 1,000, with at least 70,000 beds. Most of the new
facilities will bear four stars. This proves that Croatia has
caught pace with this niche market, especially since there
is an ever stronger imperative, aligned with the principle
of “more human tourism”, to put the guest in the centre
of attention, above and beyond providing first class food
and accommodation. Based on global trends, the specific
character of Croatian tourism, and the competitive advantage of family owned and small hotels, six specific product
groups have been chosen as the focus: hotels catering for
families with children, hotels for active holidays, wellness
hotels, heritage hotels, eno-gastro-hotels, and business hotels. Small family owned hotels, members of OMH, cherish
authentic Croatian gastronomy. The recipes and methods
of preparation of food are passed on from generation to
generation. The naturally produced foods (meat, fish, etc.),
native vegetables and cereals are specific and unique to
the regions where the hotels are situated; Istra, Kvarner,
Dalmatia, Slavonia and northeastern Croatia. The authentic
gastronomic offer in the restaurants of small family owned
hotels, the wine offer, quality of service and interior design
are of a very high level. The multiple award-winning website
of the OMH (www.omh.hr) has provided online reservations
for its member hotels since 2009.
Photo: HTZ
Marco Polo Hotel from Gradac is the best small and
family owned hotel in 2009 – www.hotel-marcopolo.com
At the fourth contest for the best small family owned hotel
there were 123 entries, and the award “Adrian 2009” went to
the Marco Polo Hotel from Gradac (on Makarska rivijera).
This hotel, situated in the centre of Gradac, offers accommodation in 32 luxurious rooms. At the contest, there were
18 hotels from Istria, 20 from Kvarner and its mountains,
12 hotels from the Zadar region, 6 from the Šibenik region,
31 from the Split region, 9 from the Dubrovik region and 23
from continental Croatia. The finals saw the following hotels
compete: Valsabbion from Pula, Mozart from Opatija, Bas-
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tion from Zadar, Skradinski buk from Skradin, Marco Polo
from Gradac, Villa Maria from Tučepi, Villa dvor from Omiš,
Villa Pattiera from Cavtat, Waldinger from Osijek, and Savus from Slavonski Brod.
www.omh.hr
Hostels
Croatia has a network of 10 youth hostels run by the
Croatian Youth Hostel Association (CYHA, or HFHS in
Croatian). The hostels are located in Zagreb, Osijek, Rijeka,
Veli Lošinj, Pula, Zadar, Zaostrog, Gradac and Dubrovnik.
All the hostels are open all year round, except for the one in
Veli Lošinj, which opens only for the summer season.
In the last several years a lot has been invested into the
improvement of the hostels, so today they all comply with
the standards of Hostelling International and represent
Croatia’s national offer of Hostelling International youth hostels. The hostels accommodate over 70 thousand people for
150 thousand overnight stays a year. The primary customers of the hostels are young individuals
and various groups from abroad, and they account for 80%
of the total number of guests and overnight stays.
The hostels are located in town centres (Zagreb, Osijek,
Dubrovnik, Rijeka) or tourist areas (Zadar, Pula, Gradac,
Zaostrog) and are great starting points for exploring the rich
natural and cultural heritage of the regions. With their location, quality standards, and services (accommodation, food,
multipurpose halls) provided to various types of groups,
Croatian youth hostels offer an ever more attractive kind
of accommodation, as well as a platform for educational,
traning, and fun programmes for groups from Croatia and
abroad. In addition to youth hostels incorporated into the HFHS
network and who have a Hostelling International licence, a
large number of smaller private hostels (15 to 40 beds) have
opened around the country, so the total number of currently
reigstered hostels in Croatia is 40. The number of young travellers visiting Croatia is increasing
every year. Therefore there is a plan to open a number of
new multi-purpose hostels within the next 3-5 years; this is a
part of the tourism development programme of the Croatian
Government and the Ministry of Tourism, which gives special attention to backpacking tourism. The young have a multitide of opportunities for discounts
in museums, theatres, restaurants, bars and shops around
Croatia. The discounts are subject to the possession of a
EURO<26 card, available in HFHS’s hostels, or the international ISIC student card. Private accommodation
Croatia is an ideal country for holiday stays in privately
owned houses, apartments and private rooms. For many
guests the best way to get to know a country is to enter and
stay in private houses, and get to know the hosts and locals.
In your room, apartment or house you have the freedom
you wished for, you can receive visits and spend time with
friends you met during your holiday, and at the same time
be in the heart of the town you chose for your holiday. Owners of rental houses have built and furnished their houses,
apartments and rooms with a comfort that meets the highest standards, while cleanliness is no less than a matter
of prestige. The hospitality of your hosts will show you the
reason why the saying ‘feel at home’ is always connected
with this kind of holiday. In Croatia, about 600,000 households are registered for rental activity, and a considerable
part of this capacity is at the three, four and five star levels. In Croatia there are 944,077 beds, of which 421,378
in family housing. It is estimated that there are at least one
third to one half of unregistered private landlords of the total
number of registered landlords.
There were 10 per cent more tourist arrivals and 7 per cent
more overnight stays in homes and flats for rent owned by
tourists, their families, relatives or friends, in the period of
June 15th to September 15th 2009, than in the same period in 2008. This data is provided by the Central Bureau of
Statistics, from research on non-commercial tourist traffic,
which is based on the billing records of the tourist tax covered by the Tourist Board. In total, 270.3 thousand persons
spent time in the aforementioned houses and apartments,
from June 15th to September 15th, and made 4.01 million
overnight stays.
Istria stands out for its wide ranging offer and quality of private accommodation. In early 2006, the Istria Tourist Board
launched a project for quality private accommodation, the
‘Domus Bonus’. The project defined the standards of quality
for private accommodation, and issues a certificate of quality ‘Domus Bonus’ to private accommodation which reaches
the standards. As the project has achieved relatively good
results in Istria, other counties are beginning to follow this
practice as well.
Useful links:
www.iznajmljivaci.com; www.apartmanija.hr;
www.apartmani-hrvatska.com;
www.travel-tourist.com/hrvatska_hr.htm;
www.kroatien-online.com; www.uniline.hr/hrvatska;
http://www.croatia-apartments-kroatien.com;
www.adriatic.hr; www.adriatic-home.com;
www.hrvatskituristickicentar.com; www.adriatica.net;
www.kompas.hr; www.generalturist.com; www.dalmatia.net www.hfhs.hr www.hihostels-croatia.com
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A holiday for everyone’s taste
Photo: HTZ
Golf The golf development programme in Croatia envisages
the construction of more than 30 golf courses on the Adriatic coast and on the mainland. New 18-hole golf courses
opened in 2009 in Golf & Country Club Zagreb and in Crveni Vrh near Savudrija within the Kempinski Resort, while a
new 9-hole course opened in Sveti Martin na Muri. The new
golf course Molindrio (www.golfporec.com) in Poreč is located at the entrance to the Zelena laguna (Green Lagoon).
There are signs set up along the winding brook, marking up
to 250 metres of distance for training in long game; a little
further on, in the shade and with the sound of the fountain,
is a pitching green of 120 square metres and a large putting
green of 300 square metres with 18 holes, ideal for practicing all the elements of short games.
The new courses, with all their accompanying facilities are
proof that this sport is increasing in popularity.
In addition to the newly opened terrains in Istria and Zagreb,
there are two other golf courses with 18 holes, on the Brijuni
Islands and Krašić; the rest are courses with nine holes and
smaller practice ranges.
Although the interest in golf has not fully gained momentum
and is still on average much lower than in the rest of Europe
and the world, the number of tournaments is getting larger
every year, plans for the creation of new courses are being made, and new clubs are beign established. One more
proof that golf is serious business and not only a sport, with
regard both to professionals and amateurs, is the opening
of new golf fields.
The world’s most famous golf course designer Greg Norman and the Razvoj Golf Ltd company presented an exclusive golf course project on Mount Srđ, called Golf Park
Dubrovnik, on November 13th 2009, in the town of Du-
brovnik. The future outlook and advantages of this project
were presented before the city councillors, led by the Mayor
of Dubrovnik Andro Vlahušić, and numerous other guests.
A group of international investors, including Greg Norman
himself, plan to invest about 6.5 billion Kuna in the project,
through the Razvoj Golf Ltd company.
On 310 hectares of abandoned land located on the Srđ plateau above the city, and in line with spatial planning, the
construction of two golf courses of the highest professional
PGA standards, one 18-hole and one 6-hole, and a prestigious Greg Normann Golf Academy along with a golf practice
course is planned. In addition, the construction of numerous sports and recreational facilities, such as an equestrian
club, an outdoor amphitheatre, wellness centre, bicycle
and pedestrian paths and the associated accommodation
is planned. The project envisages a complete refurbishment of the now heavily damaged fortress Imperial on Srđ,
for which Razvoj Golf Ltd. received a concession in March
2009. The renovation will be made in accordance with the
guidelines of the Conservation Department of the Croatian
Ministry of Culture and the original appearance of the old
fortress on the basis of old drafts which have been found
in the Military archive of the former Austro-Hungarian Army
in Vienna.
The development of a complete golf centre with numerous
accompanying capacities creates a new, competitive tourist
product, which guarantees exclusivity, high consumption,
the revitalisation of rural areas and a maximum extension
of the tourist season.
Before the Second World War, golf was played at three locations in Croatia: on the island of Veli Brijun, in Zagreb and
in Ičići between Opatija and Lovran. Unfortunately, from the
late 1930s to the early 1990s, golf completely faded out in
our territory. At the beginning of the 1990s, a group of enthusiasts began to re-establish golf as an activity in Croatia.
The first real 18-hole golf course opened on July 14th 1998
near the town of Krašić, halfway between Zagreb and Karlovac. In the spring of 2006 all 18 holes of the course on
Veli Brijun island were reconstructed, according to drawings
from the last century. In the spring and summer of 2009,
new golf courses were opened in Zagreb and Savudrija.
It is no secret that golf is an expensive sport, the rental of a
course with nine holes or more costs a few hundred Euros
for a couple of hours only, and the equipment is anything
but common and inexpensive. Despite all of this, in the last
few decades, golf has expanded and taken up a very high
position in the rankings of popular sports.
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World celebrities on the
Croatian Adriatic
During the summer of 2009, just as in the previous summers, paparazzi tried to snap some of the world celebrities
on the Adriatic coast. However, the star hunting season was
opened no later than February, by the famous American actor Nicolas Cage, who shot his latest movie ‘Seasons of
the Witch’ in the nature park Kamenjak in Istria. The film
also stars Ron Periman, Stephen Campbell Moore, Robbie
Sheehan, Claire Foy, and Stephen Graham. Director Dominic Sena’s film should be in cinemas in 2010.
The enchanting Beyoncé Knowles obviously fell in love with
Croatia during this year’s concert in the Zagreb Arena, so
she decided to enjoy the beauties of the Croatian coast during the end of August. She anchored her 47 metre long yacht
Va bene opposite the island of Lokrum near Dubrovnik, and
before that, she was seen walking through Cavtat with her
husband, rapper Jay-Z, surrounded by bodyguards.
When he visited Dubrovnik for the first time, in August 2008,
the Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey said that this was
one of the most impressive cities in the world and that he
would surely return. Spacey fulfilled his promise and returned to Dubrovnik in August 2009 with forty friends to celebrate his 50th birthday. Just as in 2008, Spacey stayed in
the luxurious Villa Agave in 2009.
The most famous 007, Roger Moore, has also remained
faithful to Dubrovnik, and attended the ‘Julian Rachlin &
friends’ festival once again.
Mickey Rourke and the famous agent Scully, Gillian Anderson also walked the red carpet at the impressive stage set
of Dubrovnik, in front of the Ducal Palace. Darren Aronofasky, the director of the film and the person most credited
for Mickey Rourke’s comeback on the big screen, attended
the projection of ‘The Wrestler’, organised under the open air
Dubrovnik Film Meeting event in the historic centre of the city.
The U2 bassist, Adam Clayton could not resist the charms
of Dubrovnik, as couldn’t the famous director George Lucas, creator of the popular ‘Star Wars’, ‘Indiana Jones’ and
‘American Graffiti’.
Croatia’s biggest fans and regular visitors have remained
faithful to the Croatian coast, as is the case of Formula 1 coowner Bernie Ecclestone, despite his divorce from his better
half, Croatian Slavica Radić, who instilled in him the love
for the Adriatic. Divorce did not prevent Russian billionaire
Roman Abramovich’s ex-wife Irina from cruising around the
Adriatic waters and visiting Croatia again. She was spotted
in the waters of Zadar on a 90 metre yacht in July.
This year’s biggest surprise was the visit of the Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who was sailing the Croatian
coast and anchored in several harbours in the Adriatic.
Cruising the Adriatic on the 65 metre black yacht Main, Armani set sail from the marina in Split, to which he flew from
Milan. He first headed towards the islands of Brač and Hvar
and later sailed south to Korčula and Dubrovnik. The famous designer was snapped on the Hvar waterfront and the
Dubrovnik main street Stradun, enjoying the historical heritage and trying out the local cuisine with friends.
The richest man in the world, Microsoft’s founder Bill Gates,
was seen in Skradin in July. Gates spent two hours sightseeing in Skradin and the Krka waterfalls.
Besides the yachtsmen, those who own properties there often visit Istria, which became a world hit destination in the
ranks of Provence or Tuscany a few years ago.
Alongside the champions of Formula 1 Michael and Ralph
Schumacher, the king of pudding and baking powder Richard Oetker, and Andreas von Bismarck, one of the heirs of
united Germany’s first chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, also
found ‘home’ in Istria, while the Scottish Lord Alexander
McEwen redesigned a classic Istrian house in Oprtalj into a
castle, with Croatian and Scottish flags flying together.
At the opening of the luxurious hotel Rixos Libertas in Dubrovnik, alongside the CEO and Turkish entrepreneur Fettah Tamince were the Arab millionaire Mohammed Al Hashimi, who offered 450 million for Arsenal football club, Turgay
Ciner, who featured on the Forbes list of the one thousand
richest people in the World, and Mustafa Koc, member of
one of the best known Turkish families, owners of the Ayd
business empire.
However, alongside the true members of the international
jet set, the paparazzi are also drawn to ‘wannabe’ stars
such as the French flight attendant Nicole Coste, seen this
summer on Hvar. She became famous after she gave birth
to Prince Albert of Monaco’s extramarital son Alexandre,
recognised by his father several years ago.
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Photo: Ljubo Gamulin
Photo: Braslav Karlić
Nautical tourism August saw 180.6 thousand visitors in nautical ports with
342.2 thousand nightly stays, amounting to 9 and 2 per cent
Nautical tourism has been on the rise in spite of the recent respectively, less than in the same month last year. With
recession and in the first 9 months of this year, 55,800 vi- 520.5 thousand arrivals and 1.03 million stays in the eight
gnettes were issued, which represents a 3.8 per cent im- month period, foreign guests dropped by 13 and 3 per cent
respectively.
provement on the last year. The State Secretary for the Seas in the Ministry of the Seas, Traffic, and Infrastructure, Branko Bačić, pointed Domestic seafarers recorded substantially larger drops than
out in early September 2009 that, according to the relevant the foreign seafarers: by 53 and 29 per cent in August, with
data, seafarers kept their loyalty to the Adriatic Sea and only 6.8 thousand arrivals and 11.6 thousand stays. For the
the beauties of our islands. Compared to other countries, eight month period, the drop was even greater: 57 and 45
we saw an increase in nautical tourism this year, with 55 per cent, with a total of 19.9 thousand arrivals and 34 thouthousands vessels and 275,637 seafarers. With the inclu- sand overnight stays respectively. sion of the 254,241 charter guests, the Croatian Adriatic Among the six Adriatic counties only the nautical ports of
saw 531,625 seafarers in the period up to the first week of the Primorje-Gorksi Kotar County saw an improvement in
September, an increase of 1.7 per cent over the last year. August: by 4 per cent for arrivals and 14 per cent for overnight stays. The ports of the Split-Dalmatia County recorded an increase
Croatian ports for nautical tourism Croatia has 21,020 berths, amounting to 2.6 berths per kilo- by 4 per cent in stays, but with 2 per cent less arrivals this
metre of coast, distributed over 97 nautical tourism ports. August, while all other counties recorded a drop in both paThese ports include anchorages, moorings, marinas and rameters.
dry marinas. With the addition of berths in publicly acces- sible ports and sports marinas, the total berth count rises The data for the eight month period is similar, with only the
ports of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County recording an 8
up to 35,000. The capacity of nautical tourism ports in Croatia totals per cent increase in stays, but a drop in arrivals, as with all
16,403 floating vessels and another 5,189 spaces on land the other counties.
(from DZS, 2008). Croatia sells an average of 55,000 vi- The Primorje-Gorski Kotar County has the largest number
gnettes to foreign vessels annually. The nautical ports of the six Adriatic counties recorded a of ports dedicated to nautical tourism with 32; Zadar County
12 per cent drop in the number of arrivals and a 4 per cent has 24, Istria 14, Šibenik-Knin and Split-Dalmatia 11 each,
drop in overnight stays this August compared to the past and Dubrovnik-Neretva 5. August, while the total for the first eight months compared The new plans (in the period up to the year 2015) call for the
to the same period last year dropped by 16 and 6 per cent development of a new total capacity of 33,655 spaces, with
25,755 at sea and 7,900 on land.
respectively.
The development strategy for nautical tourism in the period
According to the State Bureau of Statistics (DZS), the nauti- from 2009 to 2015, in line with the spatial planning of the
cal ports were visited by 187.4 thousand guests staying for Counties, predicts the total capacity, including both the existing and planned new capacity, to rise to 54,675 spaces,
354.1 thousand nights.
with 41,589 at sea and 13,086 on land. This year’s eight month total for these ports was 540.5 thou- The building of 15 thousand new berths is a part of
the Government’s “three times fifteen” strategy for the
sand arrivals and 1.06 million nightly stays.
next ten years: to build 15 thousand new berths at
The foreign seafarers at these ports, both in August and in 15 elite locations across the Adriatic and achieve anall eight months, account for 97 per cent of the total number nual revenue of 15 billion Kuna from nautical tourism.
of arrivals and overnight stays, but the numbers are still www.dzs.hr www.hgk.hr, www.mmpi.hr
smaller compared to the previous year.
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Notable increase in charter fleet capacity
Croatia has 900 active highly professional, modern and well
organised charter companies operating 3,500 high quality,
luxuriously equipped vessels, winning the hearts of professional and recreational sailors alike. The charter companies
have at their disposal sailing boats, motor boats and catamarans, as well as smaller boats and speedboats. Sailing
boats make up 75 per cent of the Croatian charter fleet,
while the rest are motor yachts and other vessels.
Cruises
According to the records managed by harbour masters,
there are around 250 ships dedicated to tourism in the form
of one-day trips or multilple-day cruises. It is estimated
that the fleet totals over 2,000 beds and can transport over
5,000 tourists in one boarding. There were less foreign cruises visiting the Croatian Adriatic, both in August and in the eight month period in 2009
compared to the same periods in 2008. The length of stay in
Croatia has also decreased, according to the DZS. August 2009 saw 104 cruises by foreign vessels (a drop by
37 cruises compared to the same period last year). The total
number of days spent in Croatia was 174 (67 less than last
August). The total number of passengers aboard the vessels dropped by 18,000 to 154,071.
Vukovar and Osijek are Croatian river ports that are not
only freight ports, but also where thousands of tourists enter Croatia annually. There is great interest from passenger ships in docking several times a week in Vukovar, from
March to October. Those are luxurious ships of foreign shipping companies with tourists mostly from the United States,
Germany and other European countries. They usually sail
between Hungary and Romania and vice versa. In the summer of 2009, the first modern passenger ship – a cruiser,
sailed into Osijek with 150 passengers from the United
States. It is estimated that 50 cruisers with about 7,000 tourists will sail into Osijek during 2010.
Through the Centratour agency alone, more than 59,000
guests came to Vukovar on cruisers. Cruisers began sailing on the Danube in April 2004, when the first such ship,
with 6,704 guests and organised by Centratour, sailed into
Vukovar. After that, Centratour brought 9,700 guests to Vukovar in 2005, no less than 11,300 in 2006, and 15,000 in
the year that followed, and, finally, 17,135 guests in 2008.
www.dzs.hr, www.portdubrovnik.hr;
www.luka-vukovar.hr; www.port-osijek.hr
Photo: Ivo Perva
On the other hand, within the first eight months of this year
there were 492 cruises, a drop of 48, or 8.9 per cent compared to the same period last year, while there was an increase in the number of passengers by 18,200, or 2.9 per
cent, to 639,779.
These vessels spent a total of 861 days in Croatia, that is
224 days or 20.6 per cent less than for the same period in
2008.
The leading month for the number of cruises in 2009 was
July, with 126 cruises, whereas the leading month by passenger count was August with 154,071 passengers.
The cruisers arrived to Croatia under the flags of 19 different
countries, with the most cruises from the Bahamas (94), Marhall Islands (71), Italy (70), Panama (67), and France (33).
According to the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, 513 cruisers
with 676,000 passengers visited Dubrovnik by the end of
September 2009. Around 845,000 more passengers on
about 580 cruisers are expected by the end of the year.
The magazine Dream World Cruise Destinations placed
Dubrovnik at an enviable tenth out of 50 busiest ports of the
world, and the third in the Mediterranean (after Naples and
Livorno). The primary tasks of the Cruising Office include
the improvement of guest reception from cruisers, the enlargement of the excursion offer, marketing activities on the
promotion of Dubrovnik as a cruising destination, as well as
further affirmation of the city as a ‘home port’. The Cruising Office has already begun its preparatory work under the
Dubrovnik Tourist Board.
Blue Flags
A total of 114 Blue Flags were awarded to Croatian beaches
and 20 to the marinas in the year 2009.
The sea and coast environmental protection programme for
beaches and marinas, the Blue Flag, has been successfully implemented in Europe for 21 years. The Blue Flag
Programme is owned and run by the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe (FEEE), established in 1981
within the European Council. The programme now includes
over thirty European countries and a dozen countries on
other continents where tourism is one of the strategic goals.
The first Blue Flag in Croatia was raised eleven years ago.
The Blue Flag symbolizes a preserved, safe and pleasant
environment intended for rest, amusement and recreation,
a well elaborated coast management system and sustainable development in tourism. Flying a Blue Flag means excellent tourist promotion for a beach or a marina, based on
high service quality, cleanliness of the sea and coast and
maintenance of the beach.
www.aci-club.hr; www.lijepa-nasa.hr; www.blueflag.org
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Over 300 regattas on the Croatian side of the Adriatic
Croatia’s investment into sports yachting is helping to
strengthen our image in the nautical world. In the final stage
of the ACI Match Race 2009, even the world’s best skipper
in Match sailing, 24 year-old New Zealander Adam Minoprio, took part and was full of praise for the host yachtsmen.
In fact, some ten Croatian yachtsmen, Karlo Kuret, Mate
Arapov, Marin Mušura, Tina Mihelić, Šime Fantela, Igor
Marenić, Ivan Kljaković Gašpić and others are among the
world sailing elite, and this is the best promotion for Croatian
nautical tourism. Around 32 races are planned or have already been held on the Croatian Adriatic in 2009, especially
in Central Dalmatia, where the biggest and most popular regattas are held – they have eventually become prestigious
sporting events, like Split Mrduja. In addition to the Mrduja,
we have the Vodice Easter Regatta, Murter’s ‘Kornati Cup’
and ‘Business cup’, ‘Fiumanka’ in Rijeka, and the Latin Sail
Association’s regatta in Murter, promoting tradition, former
lifestyle and sailing, and construction of traditional wooden
boats (gajeta, leut, kajić and bracera). The regattas have
become a true marine movement and a lifestyle stimulating
the construction of small boats and their overhauls, nautical
& sailing fairs, sales of boats and related equipment, servicing and demand for human resources such as skippers and
boat cooks.
www.hjs.hr
Croatian marinas’ focus on the mega-yacht segment
Around 2,000 vessels a year are chartered in the Croatian
part of the Adriatic – over 70 per cent are sailing boats and
the rest are motor yachts. The price of a week’s charter
ranges between 1,500.00 Euros for the smallest boats to
60,000.00 Euros for mega-yachts of around 30 metres in
length.
Considering the increasing number of mega-yachts sailing
into their marinas, ACI, a Croatian nautical system, is gradually turning to this market segment. The term mega-yacht
includes vessels between 30 and 150 metres in length,
costing 10 to 300 million Euros depending on the level of
equipment.
ACI Ltd. (Adriatic Croatia International Club), a unique
chain of marinas in the Mediterranean, made a profit in the
amount of 33.7 million Kuna in the first nine months of this
year, an increase of 26 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to ACI.
The total revenue for ACI in the first nine months of this year
amounted to 138.2 million Kuna, and was higher by 5 per
cent compared to last year.
From annual berths, until the end of September this year,
ACI achieved revenue of 63 million Kuna, or 11 per cent
more than in the same period last year, while adding that
they also had 3,675 or 4 per cent less vessels on (annual)
berths.
ACI explain this decrease by the structural change of the
vessels on annual berths – with the renewal of the contract
owners typically bring a vessel of larger proportions to the
same berth, and occupy more physical space than planned.
This reduces the capacity of the marina, but in financial
terms it registers as an increase of income, the ACI said.
For the period until 31st September, ACI marinas achieved
3 per cent higher revenue, or 44.3 million Kuna, in transits,
despite a planned reduction of transits by 15 per cent.
ACI emphasise that until the end of the year, their expected
revenue for all categories of berths will be 3 per cent higher
than last year.
The total investment in the ACI marinas system in 2009 was
about 56 million Kuna, which is 26 per cent more than the
year before. The most significant investments were in marina Pomer, in Pula and marina Cres. Otherwise, in the past
three years, ACI realised an overall investment of its assets
in excess of 120 million Kuna without additional borrowing.
The old pontoons were restored, where necessary, in almost all marinas. A large number of sanitary facilities were
also restored, marina receptions were redecorated and the
surrounding environments were cleaned. Digital barriers
which enable card controlled entry into the marinas were
set up at marina entrances.
Most annual berths are registered under the Croatian flag
(30%), followed by vessels under the German flag (19%),
Austrian (17%), and the Italian flag (7%). It is important to
note that the above mentioned 30% of Croatian vessels
also includes all the charter vessels. Most vessels in transit
are registered under the Croatian flag (54%), followed by
the Italian (14%), and German flag (9%). These data confirm that transit was mainly achieved by charter vessels.
Envisaging a growth of mega-yachts sailing into its marinas, ACI, the Croatian nautical system, is gradually turning towards this market segment. The term “mega-yachts”
includes boats 30 to 150 metres long, which, depending on
the level of equipment, cost from 10 to 300 million Euros.
During the construction of most of our marinas, including 20
year old ACI marinas, the berths were designed for the average boat length of ten metres. Today, the average length
of boats in our marinas is greater than 12 metres.
Therefore, the aim of ACI in 2010 is to work on the expansion of the marinas in Dubrovnik, Split, Ičići, Skradin and
Vodice.
In the marina in Ičići, in Opatija, which now has 290 berths,
the expansion or extension of the pier and setting up of
floating breakwaters would allow acceptance of 80 megayachts from 30 to 50 metres long. A heliport would be built
within the marina, especially because of the marina’s proximity to the airports of Grobnik and Krk.
One of the new activities that will certainly be of interest to
seafarers is the establishment of the nautical tourist centre,
ACI Sailing Centre in Cres, in the ACI marina Cres; ACI has
a fleet of 12 boats Jeanneau One Design 35, the sailing
boats used for sailing and competing by the biggest match
racers of the world, such as Russell Coutts, Dean Barker,
Chris Dickson and Paolo Ciana. These sailing boats will be
used for teaching fleet and match race sailing in the waters
in front of the island of Cres and for match race regattas.
The centre will, along with sailing, offer a variety of activities
tied to the island - exploring the island, visiting the griffon
vulture centre, exploring the islands of Zeč, Silba and Olib,
visiting the historic sights of the island of Cres, socializing
in the world famous Lubenice, and others ... The aim of the
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centre is to enable the sailors and teams from Europe to
train during all seasons. The uniqueness of the island, its
flora and fauna, guarantee the success of the project. Moreover, a botanical garden will be built in the centre so that
students can enjoy and learn about the flora of the Adriatic.
www.aci-club.hr
Construction of the first mega-yacht marina announced
Nautical Center Prgin (NCP) and the US company Island
Global Yachting, one of the world’s largest luxury marina
developers and operators, officially presented to the public
the Hotel Šibenik and Mandalina Megayacht Marina project
for the first marina in Croatia specializing in the needs of
mega-yachts between 40 and 60 metres long, as well as
those between 80 and 100 metres long, worth over 80 million Euros. Next to this luxury marina, another marina for
smaller boats will be built, offering 400 moorings. A shopping zone with stores and restaurants, a wellness centre,
several outdoor and indoor swimming pools, underground
garages, sporting facilities and a pier for smaller cruisers
will be developed on the peninsula where the project is to
be located. Right next to it is a repair shipyard where NCP
already services mega-yachts.
The complete marina, with 400 berths, of which 65 will be for
mega-yachts between 30 and 100 metres long, was to be finished by the end of 2009, but because of the economic crisis,
the deadline was extended for one year to the end of 2010.
www.ncp.hr
The most important boat shows
Nautical tourism brings 800 million Euros to Croatia, which
represents 10% of the earnings for tourism. Competent
state institutions are aware of the importance and financial
possibilities of nautical tourism, which will soon double its
income, and announced an extension of investment and
promotion of this dynamic aspect of tourism in 2010. Boat
Shows are the perfect opportunity for promoting Croatia as
the centre of yachting tourism.
Croatia Boat Show, Split: www.croatiaboatshow.com
Croatia Boat Show takes place in Split, in the spring, and is
one of the top ten boat shows in the world. Around 50,000
visitors from around the world gather in Split to see the
show. The ‘Croatia Boat Show’ is also of a commercial nature and enables Croatian shipbuilders to exhibit and sell
their products. Along with the ships, visitors can find equipment and clothing from leading manufacturers, marine electronics, engines, fishing equipment, and offers from brokers
and insurance companies. The fair traditionally features a
range of accompanying events, from fashion shows and
regattas, to lectures, panel discussions and round tables
related to the sea and nautical business.
Biograd Boat Show: www.bbs.com.hr
Biograd Boat Show is the first and largest autumn nautical fair in Croatia and boasts an 11-year-old tradition. In its
very beginning it was organised by the Yacht Club Biograd,
as a regional nautical event and marked the beginning of
the nautical season. Since 2003 the Biograd Boat Show is
organised by Illyria Inc., one of three leading travel companies in the Zadar County and the owner of the marina Kornati, which recognised the potential of the fair, but also the
need for introducing significant changes. In the autumn of
the same year, the company recognised the benefit of presenting the fair as one of the main nautical autumn events
and created a successful new concept, which encompasses
autumn as the nautical season with the main impact on this
market, a four day duration of the fair, considered as the optimal duration by many exhibitors, followed by the infrastructure and capacity of Illyria dd, including a marina, hotels and
restaurants with reasonable prices for the accommodation
of exhibitors and visitors. The show includes a rich entertainment programme and contributes to the general atmosphere, which in these circumstances is of great importance.
Adriatic Boat Show, Šibenik: http://abs.ncp.hr
Adriatic Boat Show is the youngest boat show and the first
international boat festival in Šibenik, dating from 2008. At its
very beginnings the Adriatic Boat Show achieved collaboration with two world famous boat shows. Salon Nautico de
Madrid, with a 10 year tradition and Boot Tulln - Austria’s
largest Boat Show, which has existed for 37 years. Both
fairs will be partners of the Adriatic Boat Show and will participate in the ‘trade promotion’. The organizer of the fair is
the Nautical Centre Prgin, the largest charter company in
Croatia, which is developing a new resort, Hotel Šibenik and
constructing the first specialised marina for mega yachts in
the Adriatic. The aim of the Adriatic Boat Show is to establish itself as the most important nautical autumn event in
Croatia and the surrounding countries within the next three
to five years.
Sports and Nautics, Zagreb:
www.zv.hr/sajmovi/144/index_hr.html
In 17 years of its existence, the Zagreb Fair of Sports & Nautics has confirmed itself as an unmissable meeting place for
producers and representatives of the world’s most respected brands of sport and nautical products, and it has also established itself as the leading business and marketing event
of the nautical sports industry in the countries of southeast
Europe. The fair is held in February at the Zagreb Fair.
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Nautica, Rijeka: www.nautica-rijeka.com
Rijeka’s Nautica Boat Show is the oldest on the Adriatic, and it
celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2009 when in the Gata Karolina and Waterfront Boduli areas of Rijeka around 140 exhibitors presented more than 75 boats set out on land and sea.
The primary task of ‘Nautica’ is the motivation, promotion and launching of domestic nautical production and
services, said the event organiser, the Riječki Sajam
company. The best exhibitors and exhibits will be awarded the traditional Golden Sail Award (Zlatno jedro).
Nautica is a review of all types of boats: motor yachts, catamarans, inflatables, sailboats, wooden boats, jet skis and
marine and outboard engines. The fair brings together the
providers of all equipment associated with boats and navigation, such as satellite navigation and boat electronics,
sails, paints and varnishes, polyester resins and composite
materials, steering equipment, deck equipment, refrigerators and other integrated equipment. In the last 14 years
visitors were able to view the Exhibition of Innovation in Marine and Nautical Tourism.
Photo: HTZ
atic Sea, with about 200 held congresses. It is also one of
the three officially registered congress hotels in Croatia.
Although building congress centres as part of the tourist infrastructure in Croatia has so far been ignored, the
Ministry of Tourism plans to build three new business
convention complexes in Split, Opatija and Dubrovnik.
On the basis of signed contracts with the Ministry, funding of
500,000 Kuna has already been disbursed to Split, Opatija
and Dubrovnik. The local governments will decide whether
the congress centres will be owned by the city or whether a
model of public-private partnership will be applied. According to the Ministry the local governments will have to comply
with a provision where all interested parties will be able to
tender for new tourist and business complexes.
With the opening of new hotels, and existing ones like ‘Le
Meridan Lava’ and ‘Hilton Marjan’, the pride of our congress
industry, Split, is finally, after difficult years without a substantial investment cycle, making a great move towards abolishing
the concept of the town as a transitional centre, where tourists stay only to view its rich historical and cultural heritage.
The transformation of Split into the premier tourist capital of
the Adriatic, which began three years ago, has also prompted investors to invest in the tourism sector, of which the
crown will be a massive congress centre.
Congress tourism
Although only a few hotels in Croatia are officially registered as conference halls, this branch of the tourist industry is increasingly gaining attention in the coastal and
continental parts of the country. This is not surprising, as
guests visiting to participate in a congress, professional
meeting, seminar or other similar business programme
will spend up to three times more than an ‘ordinary’ guest.
According to some estimates, in recent years more than
half a billion Euros have been invested in the construction of congress halls and associated facilities in hotels which have been renovated, and Croatia now has
about 80 hotels with larger or smaller congress halls.
The largest congress centres are in Zagreb, Opatija, Dubrovnik, Pula, Rovinj, Cavtat, Poreč, Brijuni, Crikvenica and
the Plitvice Lakes.
Kvarner leads in this area, with 42 hotels and more than
120 meeting and appointment rooms, and an overall capacity of 14,000 seats, while the ‘Grand Hotel Adriatic’
has the longest tradition in congress tourism on the Adri-
Minister of tourism Damir Bajs pointed out that Split is becoming a serious competitor to the most famous tourist destinations in the world. It is already well known for its hospitable residents, climate and perfect geographical position,
and now, with the high quality hotels, it has the opportunity
to impose itself as the strongest congressional business
centre. A new congress centre with a capacity of around
1,500 places is planned at the site of the former barracks in
Dračevac, donated to Split by the Government.
Dubrovnik has decided to build a convention centre near the
hotel complex Babin Kuk, while Opatija is already ahead as
it started preparing a tender for the construction of such a
complex in early 2009.
According to the estimates of the World Tourism Organisation, the number of international business trips is significantly increasing, by up to 10% annually, and on average makes
up to half the income of the world hotels. In addition, the
‘Meetings Industry’ participates with a share of 20 per cent
in air traffic, representing an annual income of 300 billion
Euros. In 2007 Croatia had 400,000 congress guests and
around 2,700 congresses with registered overnight stays.
In the first half of 2008 the number of registered congresses
rose by 8.5 per cent. A research conducted by the Institute
of Tourism shows that ‘ordinary’ guests spend an average
of 55 Euros per day. At the same time, our experts say that
the spending of ‘congress’ guests is up to three times higher
with about 165 Euros spent per day, per guest.
Good incentive to this branch of the tourist industry is the
fact that the leading European conference on congress
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tourism ‘MICE Europe’ was held in Valamar Lacroma, a
newly opened resort in Dubrovnik, in 2009, having been
traditionally held in Monaco for the previous six years. This
prestigious meeting brought together more than 200 European managers who are behind all the decisions concerning the organisation of business events.
Useful links:
www.kvarner.hr; www.valamar.com; www.grandhotellav.com;
www.hotelantunovic.com; www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr;
www.tzdubrovnik.hr; www.istra.hr
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
Rural tourism
Croatian rural areas have in the past several years seen the
development of special forms of tourism - from the production of indigenous and traditional products, to the protection
and preservation of natural and cultural heritage, traditional
costumes and folk customs, to the recognition of Croatian
rural areas and the formation of rural tourist destinations.
The advantages of Croatian rural tourism are also its most
important features - a peaceful environment, the absence
of noise, preserved ecology, communication with the local
population, local food and exploring farm works. The average occupancy capacity of all aspects of rural tourism is
111 days a year. The average stay is 9 days a year. Rural
houses for rent have the greatest occupancy with 134 days
a year.
From January to the end of August 2009 the 13 continental counties have been visited by 319,987 guests, including
150,383 domestic guests according to the Ministry of Tourism. The number of visits is on the level of 2008, which is
not bad considering the difficult year.
Despite 670,959 overnight stays being registered during the
eight months, 6 per cent more than last year, continental
tourism participated with only four per cent of total arrivals
to the country. A growth of 6 per cent of foreign guests’
overnight stays in rural households was recorded, achieving
302,427 overnight stays by the end of August.
353 rural family tourist farms are currently registered, with
891-beds, but the number changes from month to month
as new farms appear and some disappear from the tourist scene. According to the data of the Croatian Farmers
Association, most of the tourist farms are registered in the
Dubrovnik-Neretva County, with 70 farms, and then in Istria
with 64 farms and 253 beds.
Recently, the development of rural tourism is all the more
evident in the Osijek-Baranja County, where 56 farms with
192 beds are registered.
In comparison to the same period in 2008 (the first 6 months)
there was the same number of visits, but an increase of approximately 50 per cent of overnight stays - a fact that can in
any case satisfy part of the Baranja tourism workers.
Baranja is becoming more and more famous and this is
because the local tourist workers are working hard to attract visitors by building new infrastructure and improving
services.
Most foreign visitors to the area of Baranja were from Germany, Austria, Serbia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Kopački Rit Nature Park, in the borough of Bilje was visited
by about 20 thousand guests from various parts of the country and the world during the same period.
The so-called ‘Zagreb ring’ is becoming increasingly aware
of its potential for rural tourism. In fact, rural households of
the Zagreb County offer many varied activities: balloon ride
sightseeing, riding in a horse drawn carriage, horseback
riding, various sports and recreational facilities, walking
through the forest to vineyards and old vineyard huts, visits to wine cellars, accommodation in the indigenous village
houses, enjoying gastronomic specialties, tasting wines
from family run wineries, sightseeing of native ethno-collections, demonstrations of the old mills or weaving machines
and pleasant stays in the green nature in the immediate vicinity of Zagreb.
Croatian Zagorje is a region rich in traditional culture, and
this preservation of rural artefacts is best seen in the only
Croatian open air museum, the Museum “Old Village” in
Kumrovec in which visitors can experience the authentic
look of Zagorje villages at the turn of the 19th century. In
addition to the authentic architecture and a number of exhibitions, various traditional events such as the Ophoda Zelenog Jure or popular Zagorje weddings are also organised
alongside traditional crafts demonstrations and workshops
in which tourists can participate. Zagorje offers a wealth of
gastronomic delights in a number of recently renovated agritourist buildings, and more and more rural households offer quality accommodation combined with interesting tours
of the surrounding area and cleverly designed hiking or cycling tours.
Excursion sites of the Zagreb County are also very diverse
and include lakes and fish ponds. Specialties of these resorts include ecological farming of trout, the production and
preparation of healthy foods, the sale of products made
from medicinal herbs, tea blends and herbal drops.
The possibilities of rural tourism are also recognised in
Dalmatia and the Dalmatian hinterland, where a number of
eco-ethnic villages have emerged. Visitors are tempted by
staying in the old stone houses on rural estates, the use of
items that have long been thrown out of use, encounters
with animals which can only be seen in books by the city
people, alongside, of course, the inevitable clay oven baked
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bread, lamb on a spit, prosciutto, roast and black pudding
sausages, smoked lamb and game and many other delicacies of this region.
Rural, ethno-ecological and recreational family resort
Škopljanac, situated in the hamlet of Škopljanci in Radošić
village in the borough of Lećevica near Split, covers an
area of as much as 300,000 square metres, in the centre
of which we find a Dalmatian village with 20 houses. This
is the largest and most famous tourist complex of its kind in
Croatia thanks to the bull fighting, rural Olympics and Miss
Dalmatinska Zagora pageant during the so called midsummer nights when girls wear ethnic costumes. Besides the
said programme, guests can listen to authentic instruments
like ‘gusle’ (fiddle) and ‘diple’ being played and the singing
of traditional songs gange, rere, ojkavica, treskavica, suke
and other songs of the Dalmatian hinterland.
The first Croatian Etnoland Dalmati, a unique excursion site
can be found in the hinterland of Šibenik. In Pakovo Selo
guests can get acquainted with the customs and traditions
of the area and visit an authentic old Dalmatian house, stables, threshing floor and workshops for old crafts.
Leading role of the Istrian rural tourism
Istria, for now, has a leading role in Croatian rural tourism,
initiated by natural, geographic, traffic and cultural benefits,
but also by the proactive initiatives of the local community
and individual financial institutions. The process is underway, proceeding according to plan and continuously progressing, and is an indicator for the development of rural
tourism in other Croatian regions.
The unique profile and organisational diversities of different households emerged through the development of tourist services in rural households of Istria. These specifics
depend on the resource foundations, occasional or permanent residence of the household owner at the service site,
structure of services, organisational models and agricultural
production. Starting from these factors the following types of
rural households emerged in Istria:
• Agritourism (15 households)
• Rural holiday home (143 households)
• Rural B&B (17 households)
• Rural family run hotel (10 households)
• Holiday on wine road (5 households)
Agritourism is tourism where there is domestic agricultural
production. In addition to accommodation services these
households offer short day trips and visitors can enjoy the
culinary delicacies prepared with the household’s own products.
Rural holiday homes are traditional Istrian houses, completely renovated while still showing respect for the ambience and the use of natural materials. Guests can rent the
whole house with the appropriate spaces, and although
they have complete privacy, contact with the host still exists.
Rural B & B (bed & breakfast) is a household which along
with sleeping arrangements offers breakfast, made from the
household’s own products. The customer is accommodated
in the host’s own house but has privacy as his quarters are
separated from those of the host.
Rural family hotels are small, intimate hotels, set up in period buildings, with a capacity of up to 35 beds. As they are
run by the owners themselves there is interaction between
guest and host. The services are tailor-made, and there are
many additional features. The sites in the area are pointed
out to the customer and the hotels produce their own individual products.
Holidays on the wine road include households specialised
in wine production. The customer is able to view the production and consume the products. Since the wine cellar and
the guest’s bedrooms are situated very close to each other
and there is no need to drive, a few more units of alcohol
are allowed.
Support to rural tourism
The past year and a half has seen a great improvement of
rural tourism with seven programmes designed exclusively
for the development of continental tourism. A quality framework for future development has been created and attractions designed to encourage people to visit the continental
parts which previously held no tourist attractions.
The Ministry of Tourism subsidizes tourist agencies which
devise and offer quality programmes for Croatian villages,
with 20,000 Kuna.
The Ministry of Tourism has concluded agreements on business cooperation with the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction
and Development and 14 other commercial banks, in the
implementation of the Loans for rural tourism called ‘Tourism development in the countryside’.
Through the above programme, contractors can request
loans from 10 to 300 thousand Euros with a repayment period of up to 15 years. The programme is designed to encourage the development of rural tourism as a complementary,
but also as a basic activity on farms. Loans will be given for
the renovation of old traditional houses, for construction of
new ones and for catering and additional facilities.
All of this should contribute to maintaining and increasing
the quality of village life, the promotion of agricultural products and the creation of new tourist products.
The Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development will increasingly collaborate on
the development of domestic tourism and eco and agricultural products and their strong promotion within the tourist
industry. The aim of this cooperation is to strengthen the
production of local, indigenous, eco-certified Croatian products.
This extends the lending programme of the Ministry of Tourism for the development of rural tourism, since Croatia has
great potential in rural areas specifically for this form of tourist attractions.
All towns and boroughs on the island of Hvar are involved
in the project of improving rural tourism through the development of ethno-eco villages. The Re.Ra Agency for Development from the Split-Dalmatia County will propose this
project for funding under the European IPA Adriatic crossborder cooperation programme. Funds necessary for the
implementation of the programme are estimated at 1 million
Euros minimum. The programme consists of the renovation
of old abandoned stone villages and their integration into
the island’s unique tourist offer.
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As in any job, enthusiasm and creativity of the individual
can bear fruit only with financial support. So it is that the
ruin remains in Mali Sušik in the hinterland of Crikvenica
became the wonderful ethno hotel ‘Balatura’, thanks to the
enthusiasm and work of an individual first, and only then an
investment of approximately 700,000 Euros, funded by the
Ministry of Tourism from the funds of the ‘Under the Ancient
Roofs’ project, which encourages the preservation of building heritage. www.hotel-balatura.hr
Useful links:
www.istra.hr; www.hrvatski-farmer.hr; www.ruralis.hr;
www.seoski-turizam.net; www.kezele-vino.hr;
www.agroklub.com; http://ziviselo.com/
Photo: Damil Kalogjera
Cultural tourism
Over 20 per cent of tourists visiting European metropolises
are primarily motivated by culture. Economically speaking, the new tourist segment is cultural tourism because it
places Croatia on the cultural map of the world, whereby
we shift from the classic concept of sun and sea for two
summer months in a year. Croatia is unique, not just for
its crystal clear and blue sea, but for the veritable treasure
lying in the diversity of its rich cultural heritage. From prehistoric times to date, numerous types of monuments have
arisen throughout the country, each one selflessly leaving
its trace in history.
If you choose the coast as your starting point, you will have
the opportunity to see direct influences and the legacy of
Mediterranean culture, numerous ancient monuments,
monuments from the Roman era or early Middle Ages, Roman sacral heritage, and a series of preserved characteristic Mediterranean urban wholes.
Some of them are on the UNESCO World Heritage List,
such as Diocletian’s Palace in Split, that Roman Emperor
Diocletian had built near his birth place of Aspalathos in Dalmatia.
The Town of Trogir represents the best preserved medieval urban whole, not just on the Adriatic, but in the entire
Central Europe.
The City of Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic, a city of
unique culture and political history, gained its independence
after the 14th century when the Dubrovnik Republic was de-
veloped, and was widely known for the largest navy in the
Mediterranean. At the time, Dubrovnik saved its freedom
by commercial and diplomatic relations, as well as strong
protective walls (25 m in height and 2 km in length) and forts
that are now the greatest attraction in the city.
The Euphrasius Basilica in Poreč, its apse luxuriously
decorated with figurative mosaics that are, in addition to the
San Vitale mosaics in Ravena, among the most exceptional
examples of mosaic art in Europe, and without a doubt represent and impressive example of sacral buildings from the
6th century.
One should not miss the Renaissance St. Jacob’s Cathedral in Šibenik, as well as the Arena in Pula, one of the
most preserved Roman amphitheatres in Europe.
The UNESCO World Heritage pages are merely the beginning of a wonderfully inspired voyage through Croatia. The
Church of St. Cross in the town of Nin is also interesting
– it is widely known as the smallest cathedral in the world.
The City of Zadar, also a historical jewel, which has been
attacked and destroyed and attacked again throughout its
turbulent history, offers architectural features of each era –
according to the tourist guides: ‘There are few places in the
world where different influences intermingle in such a small
space’. The Sea Organ, an architectural wonder recently
built in the submarine part of the city quay, has become
a modern icon of the city. The currents of waves passing
through the musical pipes mounted beneath the sea create
an amazing sound, the so-called ‘sea music’. The Greeting to the Sun now shines at the very top of the Zadar peninsula. The Greeting to the Sun consists of three hundred
multilayer glass panels set at the same level as the paved
quay, designed in the shape of a circle with a 22 metre diameter. It is conceived as a spatial installation in the form of
an amphitheatre, surrounded by stone blocks displaying all
the planets of the Solar System and their orbits.
Turbulent history of continental Croatia
As part of the Central European cultural circle, the widespread continental Croatia is surely an interesting destination to visit. It features numerous prehistoric finds of
global significance, old towns, forts and late medieval
castles, cultural monuments and baroque architecture,
offering an interesting presentation of the time and life as
they once were in the region. The most distinctive monumental features of Hrvatsko Zagorje are without a doubt its
castles.
Adventurers can follow the tracks of the forts that used to
defend Western Europe from Turkish penetrations, with a
unique experience of numerous events that helped preserve old customs from falling into oblivion and passed on
the heritage for the upcoming generations. The Podravina
town of Đurđevac and its legend of the Picoks have been
included in the travel network of twenty European destinations of excellence cultivating intangible cultural heritage.
The Legend of the Picoks speaks of the courage and wit of
the locals who came up with the idea of how to outwit the
Turkish Army after a long siege of the town.
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A heaven for archeology enthusiasts
Croatia is a true discovery for archeology enthusiasts for
its three inevitable sites. The most important one is surely
the rich fossil site near Krapina the most extensive collection related to the Neanderthal man, scientifically known as
Homo sapiens was discovered in 1899.
We also have the Vučedol Neolithic Culture near Vukovar, and Salona, the largest complex of ancient monuments
and metropolises of the Roman Province of Dalmatia.
Photo: Milan Babić
From festival to festival
The number of concerts, exhibitions, cultural events and
open air festivals puts Zagreb among the top European cities of today. Project ‘Saturdays in Zagreb’ combines promenade concerts, Saturday etno scene and music of the Upper
Town. Every Saturday from mid April to early October these
three musical treats present the cross-section of the rich
culture and traditions from the past of the city and its surroundings. The multicultural project ‘Autumn in Zagreb’ unified the World Theatre Festival, Zagreb Film Festival, Queer
Zagreb Festival, Festival of New Circus, Jazz Festival VIP
Zagreb, and large exhibition projects.
When art moves to the coast, it signifies the start of the
summer season – all is filled with drama festivals, theatres,
classical and traditional music. There is not a day without
an event on the coast. The oldest and most prominent is
the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, which has an international
reputation and is part of the Association of European festivals. On the coast, the Split Summer Festival, Musical Evenings in St. Donat, the Pula Summer, Opatija Summer Festival, Pula and Motovun Film Festivals, Theatre Ulysses on
the island of Brijuni, the Dalmatian Klapa Festival in Omiš,
the Festival of Dalmatian song in Šibenik, and many others
should be mentioned. Zadar holds a very attractive event
“Night of the full Moon’, when the street lighting is switched
off and food, song and dance are enjoyed under the auspices of the moon, torches and lanterns.
Spring and autumn are the periods when events are put
on in continental Croatia. ‘The Alternative Film Festival’ in
the castle Veliki Tabor, Špancirfest and Baroque Evenings
in Varaždin and Vinkovci Autumn are some of the many
events. If castles and forts are considered to be cultural
events, then so is the occurrence of naïve painting in the
region of the river Drava. Offering artistic insight into the
former rural life, the naïve style was made famous by painters like Krsto Hegedušić, Ivan Generalić, Ivan Rabuzin and
Ivan Lacković Croata. During the folk cultural events the region of Slavonia is an experience without equal.
INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL IN ŠIBENIK
This international event is the only event exclusively for
children and it celebrates its 50th birthday in the summer
of 2010. It is important to emphasise that the event carried
on even during the Homeland War. For nearly 50 years the
Šibenik Theatre (the oldest existing Croatian theatre, but
the second oldest among all Croatian theatres) has been
the main organiser of the International Children’s Festival
and welcomed a variety of artists, art groups and experts,
contributing to the maintenance of the ‘children’s’ spirit in
the town of Šibenik, which for these two weeks of the Festival becomes an open stage. Additional information can be
found at: www.mdf-si.org
INTERNATIONAL MEDIEVAL FAIR IN ŠIBENIK
This Event takes place every year in late September to
mark the Day of the City and its patron Saint Michael. The
main aim is to preserve the folklore and ethnic heritage of
the region, particularly handicrafts and souvenirs, and the
original wood and metal products. Additional information
can be found at: www.sibenik-tourism.hr
LIBERTAS FILM FESTIVAL
Libertas Film Festival, which takes place in mid June and
early July in Dubrovnik, offers viewers a number of surprises such as free screenings under a clear sky. Libertas is becoming an outdoor film festival, so its audience can expect
a remarkable viewing experience of independent film titles
in the unique ambience of the medieval walls and Mediterranean scents.
The repertoire includes feature, documentary and short films.
For the more courageous viewers there is Midnight Madness,
a programme dedicated to horror films and thrillers.
Additional information can be found on
www.libertasfilmfestival.com
PULA FILM FESTIVAL
Pulal Film Festival is held in July in the beautiful surroundings of the Pula Arena (Vespasian’s amphitheatre from the
1st century AD). The festival is primarily a review of the best
Croatian films competing for the prestigious Golden Arena
award. In addition to Croatian films, the Pula Film Festival has an international programme and other numerous
events: a programme for children ‘Pulica’, a film workshop
‘Pula Film Factory’, the Cinemania(c) exhibition, Videodrome and a competition for amateur movies 640x480 max.
A new section which reviews the European film directors
was initiated at the 56th Festival (in 2009) and began with
a retrospective of the famous Spanish film director Pedro
Almodovar, organised in cooperation with the Embassy of
Spain in Zagreb. Find out more information on
www.pulafilmfestival.hr
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THEATRE ULYSSES BRIJUNI
In the months of July and August theatre lovers can enjoy,
within the beautiful landscape of the Brijuni Islands, the productions of the Ulysses Theatre, whose founders are Rade
Šerbedžija (actor and director) and the late Borislav Vujčić
(writer and playwright). The activities of the theatre are
closely linked to the Istrian region around Vodnjan, Fažana,
Brijuni and Pula, and its name is in homage to James Joyce,
a writer whose biography and work testify to his residence
on the islands. Joyce lived in Pula and worked as an English teacher in the Berlitz foreign language school, between
November 1904 and April 1905.
Besides theatrical productions, the Ulysses Theatre will
in the years to come hold film schools and workshops for
dance, writing, acting, directing and set design, where internationally prominent theatre and film artists will pass on
their experience and skills through creative socializing with
students.
Learn more at the official site: www.ulysses.hr.
SPLIT SUMMER
Split Summer Festival is an annual event, taking place since
1954, with opera productions at the heart of its programme.
This traditional summer festival of opera, drama, dance and
music takes place from mid-July to mid-August in ambiental
locations in the city of Split – in its historical centre and beyond. The festival is produced by the Split National Theatre,
which also hosts numerous music, stage and dance performances from home and abroad. The best performances
in music and drama are awarded the Judita prize, sponsored by the daily newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija.
The music programme of the 55th Split Summer Festival
(2009) became a part of the international festival ‘European
Musical Summer’, which brings together partners from four
countries: Croatia, Slovenia, Italy and the Czech Republic
and is co-financed by the European Union.
Learn more about the festival on www.splitsko-ljeto.hr
VUKOVAR FILM FESTIVAL
Vukovar Film Festival is an international film festival of the
Danube countries and is held in late August. The intention of this festival is to give a new, international dimension
of cultural life to Vukovar and Eastern Slavonia. As both
Vukovar cinemas were destroyed in the Homeland war, a
river barge, normally used for the transport of cargo, was
turned into an open air cinema on the river Danube. It is
believed that there is no festival or cinema which operates
in this way, and this specific cinema projection has become
a trademark of the festival and an attraction for all visitors.
With active siestas during the day on the sandy banks of
the Danube filled with musical rhythms, Vukovar becomes a
summer destination for the modern urban scene.
The Ružička House cultural centre (Lavoslav Ružička won
the Nobel Prize for Chemistry) was founded in 2009. It is
situated next to the building Hrvatski Dom and offers an
additional opportunity to show films in an enclosed space,
which enables the planned programme expansion. Find
more information at: www.vukovarfilmfestival.com
DUBROVNIK SUMMER FESTIVAL
Dubrovnik Summer Festival is the largest and most representative cultural manifestation in Croatia: it is an international music, stage and dance festival held in the city of
centuries-old civilization heritage. In the unique ambience
of the closed and open stage spaces of the Renaissance
and Baroque city of Dubrovnik, a large number of drama,
opera and dance performances, concerts, promotions, exhibitions, poetry performances and other programmes are
presented during the festival. The best achievements in music or rather drama are awarded the ‘Orlando’ prize.
Find more information at: www.dubrovnik-festival.hr
RIJEKA SUMMER NIGHTS
From Late June until mid July Rijeka’s squares, streets and
terraces are transformed into a theatre stage. Popular city
locations, but also locations which even the residents of
Rijeka cannot envisage as scenes for actors and theatre
equipment are handed to the artists of various stage and
musical expression.
The Festival programme extends from classical drama performances, premieres of recent dramatic texts, and classical music concerts to street theatre performances and pop
concerts. An indispensable part of the Festival is the one
which questions the relation of contemporary industrial architecture and theatre, and some of the shows are held at
the premises of former industrial facilities. Find more information at: www.rijeckeljetnenoci.com
VINODOLSKI SUMMER EVENINGS
Summer guests to Vinodolska Riviera will not only be treated to enjoying the sunshine and beauties of the Adriatic
coast but also to a real musical experience. In fact, from
mid July until the penultimate week of August, a variety of
concerts which widen our musical horizons are held at historic sites in the vicinity of Novi Vinodolski, such as the ruins
of the old Frankopan town Bribir and Drivenik.
The Vinodolski Summer Evenings offer high-quality classical music performances. Some evenings are reserved for
Croatian ethno music, and theatrical surprises. Find out
more information on: www.tz-vinodol.hr
LIBURNIA JAZZ FESTIVAL
Liburnia International Jazz Festival & Workshops was started in 2001 in Lovran and Opatija. Since 2005 Opatija also
hosts Liburnia Jazz Ex Tempore. The idea of Liburnia jazz
was born ten years ago, and its founder Elvis Stanić is a renowned Croatian jazz musician and a citizen of Liburnia. The
‘mission’ of the festival is simple, but very demanding – bring
jazz closer to the audience and the audience closer to jazz.
Early in July, the festival hosts exceptional musicians who
through their personality and artistic work demonstrate all
that jazz is and what it will become.
By moving to Opatija in 2003, The Liburnia Jazz Festival was
raised to a higher level with respect to the performers. Ten
concerts are held on several different stages so that the music programme lasts from early afternoon until late evening.
Find more information at: www.liburniajazz.hr
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DALMATIAN KLAPE OMIŠ
The national festival of Capella singing is held in Omiš in
July, and it aims to preserve and promote secular folk songs
and encourage the creation of contemporary Capella songs.
This festival is also a competition and the best ensembles
are presented with awards (the professional jury awards a
gold, silver and bronze shield, while the audience awards –
a gold, silver and bronze leut. There is also the Bašćinski
Glasi Award, plaques and other awards).
The festival has been taking place since 1967. Find more
information at: www.fdk.hr
MOTOVUN FILM FESTIVAL
Motovun Film Festival is an international film festival dedicated to films made by small independent productions and
was founded in 1999. Its aim is to establish international
contacts and to promote the exchange of ideas that contribute to the development and production of independent
film in Croatia. This festival has grown into one of the most
important cultural events in the country.
Motovun Film Festival lasts for five days and nights in late
July to early August when 90 films are shown in several
categories (mostly outdoor screenings), and Motovun, a
picturesque Istrian town is visited by more than 20,000
spectators. The best films in various selections are awarded
prizes. The main festival award is the Propeller of Motovun
and is awarded to the best film in the main programme. The
festival is accompanied by numerous events and a dynamic
life on the streets of Motovun. Find more information at:
www.motovunfilmfestival.com
LABIN ART REPUBLIC
Labin Art Republic is a project reviving the historical and cultural heritage of the old Istrian town of Labin. During the summer months of July and August, the old town centre of Labin
hosts in its outdoor and indoor locations a number of music,
stage, art and other events with local and foreign performers.
Visitors can enjoy the open studios, galleries and art collections (more than thirty painters live and work in Labin).
The Labin Art Republic Project was started in 2003. Find
more information at: www.labin.hr
ZAGREB SUMMER EVENINGS
The Zagreb Summer Evenings constitute a series of artistic events featuring renowned music artists from Croatia and
abroad throughout the month of July in Zagreb. The largest
part of the programme takes place in the attractive areas of
the Upper Town, mostly in the atrium gallery ‘Klovićevi Dvori’.
The repertoire of the Zagreb Summer Evenings includes
opera, classical, traditional and jazz music. Zagreb Summer Evenings have been held since 1982 (previously called
‘Evenings on Grič’ and then ‘Zagreb Summer’). Find more
information at: http://www.kdz.hr
CLUB THEATRE-MUSIC STAGE AMADEO
During the summer months in Zagreb, Club Stage Amadeo
organizes theatre, music and film productions, including
classical music concerts, jazz concerts, ethnic and popular
music concerts, while the theatrical part of the programme
consists of a chamber theatre and ballet performances.
Find more information at: www.scenaamadeo.hr
MUSICAL EVENINGS IN ST. DONAT
Musical evenings in St. Donat is the oldest and most prominent art event which has been taking place since 1960 at
the initiative of a group of residents of Zadar, lovers of art
and Zadar’s cultural heritage values.
This international music festival, which is held for twenty
days of July and several days of August in the church of St.
Donat and other scenic and historical locations of the city
of Zadar, presents performances by renowned musicians
from Croatia and abroad. Musical evenings in St. Donat are
traditionally oriented towards the music of the Middle Ages,
Renaissance and early Baroque periods. Find more information at: www.donat-festival.com
NIGHT OF THE FULL MOON (NOĆ PUNOG MISECA)
On the night of the full moon in the middle of summer, the
Zadar waterfront is lit by torches and candles. Ships are
converted to floating booths which offer everything from the
best tuna and sardines from the famous Kaljski fishermen,
to Novigrad mussels. Old temporary taverns serve diverse
traditional dishes from Nin falcon to figs, cheese, brandy
and other delicacies.
Naturally, the Night of the Full Moon occurs during the night
of the full moon, in late July or early August.
INTERNATIONAL MUSIC-STAGE ‘HISTRIA FESTIVAL’
This attractive international musical summer event hosts ballet, opera and classical music productions as well as rock
concerts in the famous Arena and other open stages of Istria.
The festival consists of about 10 events and is held during
the summer months (July and August) when viewers have
the opportunity to see great opera performances, ballet
and musical ensembles, soloists, and rock musicians from
Croatia and abroad.
For more information: www.histriafestival.com
ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEASANTS’ REVOLT
The area of Stubica has been known for centuries for the
great Gubec revolt, with a number of significant works written by eminent Croatian writers such as August Šenoa and
Miroslav Krleža, and which are perpetuated by artists such
as Otto Iveković, Rački or the sculptors Augustinčić and
Ružić. The historic events of the legendary Battle of Stubica, so unique for Croatia, are revived every year in late
January and early February and are accompanied by a series of interesting presentations for visitors.
More information on www.mhz.hr
OSIJEK SUMMER OF CULTURE
This major multicultural summer event, the largest in eastern Croatia, has been held since 2001. Starting at the end of
June and lasting to almost the end of July, numerous music
programmes, drama productions, dance and other performances, exhibitions, film screenings and literary readings are
presented at the premises of the Osijek Fort. The performers of Osijek are joined by those from the rest of Croatia
and abroad.
Find more information at: www.ljetokulture.osijek.hr
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INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL
This international folk annual event which takes place in
mid-July in Zagreb is the most important festival of that kind
in Croatia. It brings together ensembles that perform the
original folklore and nurture original folk customs from all
Croatian counties and abroad. Music and performing arts
events make up the bulk of the programme at the International Folklore Festival and these are accompanied by exhibitions, workshops, conferences, film and video screenings
and more.
The First International Folklore Festival was held in 1966.
Find more information at: www.msf.hr
FESTIVAL OF DANCE AND NONVERBAL THEATRE
SVETVINČENAT
The International Festival of Dance and Nonverbal Theatre
takes place in the second half of July, in the picturesque Istrian town Svetvičenat. This is one of the few festivals of its
kind in Croatia and it presents a wide range of events - from
dance and other performances, circus and street theatre
to art installations and dance workshops. With educational
and performing events, the festival focuses on production
(based on the principle of ‘artists in residence’, and on coproductions with the theatre houses and groups).
The first Festival of Dance and Nonverbal Theatre took
place in 2000. For more information:
www.svetvincenatfestival.com
JAZZ LAPIDARIUM
A series of ten jazz concerts of different directions and
styles and performed by local and foreign jazz musicians is
held in the Lapidarium Native Museum of Poreč, in Poreč, in
July and August. For more information: www.jazzinlap.com
STREET ART FESTIVAL (S.A.F.)
The festival of street events takes place in Poreč in the first
half of August through various forms of nonverbal artistic
expression (street theatre, clowns, acrobatics, performances, etc.) and visual art projects and workshops. There are a
number of festival events presented by theatre and dance
groups, musicians, jugglers, visual artists and performers
from Croatia and abroad. Find more information at:
www.poup.hr
FESTIVAL OF DALMATIAN CHANSON
The Festival of Dalmatian Chanson takes place in the second half of August in Šibenik and is presented in two parts:
an Evening of Old Compositions and an Evening of New
Compositions. Singers are accompanied either by the festival orchestra, an instrumental or singing ensemble or with
a piano or guitar. The jury, audience and six Croatian radio
stations issue awards: the best of chansons, the best text,
the best interpretation, Best Newcomer, best singer-songwriter work and the most performed chanson.
The Evenings of Dalmatian Chanson Festival has been held
since 1998. Find more information at:
www.sansona-sibenik.com
KRK SUMMER EVENTS
This traditional musical and theatrical event held in the
summer is one of the oldest in Croatia, having taken place
since 1957. The productions of Krk Summer Events include
opera, drama, oratorio, ballet, concert performances (from
early to contemporary music) and folklore performed by renowned artists. Events take place in the second half of July
and almost to the end of August at indoor and outdoor locations of the old town core of Krk. Find more information at:
www.grad-krk.hr
SINJSKA ALKA
‘Sinjska Alka’ is a traditional competition of the knights of
Sinj which commemorates the victory of the people of Cetina over the Turks on 15th August 1715. It is held from 7th
to 9th August every year. This competition is a picturesque
blend of skilful gallop on horseback and the shooting of a
295 cm long spear through an ‘Alka’ - an iron ring set on a
rope at a height of 332 cm.
The competition consists of three races: ‘Bara’ (day one),
‘Coja’ (day two) and ‘Alka’ (day three). The winners are
awarded cash prizes and commemorative plaques. Alka
has recently become a part of a broader event called ‘Days
of Alka and Feast of the Assumption’ held from 20th July to
20th August in Sinj. Find more information at: www.alka.hr
FESTIVAL ‘JULIAN RACHLIN & FRIENDS’
World renowned artists gather around violinist Julian Rachlin in the beautiful surroundings of the Duke’s Palace in Dubrovnik from the end of August to mid September at this
Chamber Music Festival.
Along with traditional performances of cellist Mischa Maiski,
pianist Itamar Golan, violinist Janine Jansen, and, of course,
Julian Rachlin, the audience has the opportunity to enjoy
the performances of other prominent musicians.
Find more information at: www.rachlinandfriends.com
PIF- INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF PUPPET THEATRE
The world renowned International Festival of Puppet Theatre has since its very foundation embraced all forms of open
puppet theatre expression, all puppet theatre techniques,
genres and topics. Traditional and experimental puppet
shows for children and adults are presented in the theatres
and on the streets of Zagreb in early September. PIF also
provides a series of accompanying programmes: exhibitions, a round table related to the topics of puppet theatre,
book promotions, film screenings and a traditional puppet
workshop for children and parents.
The International Festival of Puppet Theatre - PIF was established in 1968 by the members of the Student Esperanto
Club. PIF is an abbreviation of the name in Esperanto - Pupteatra Internacia Festivalo. The PIF Grand Prix is named
after the Croatian puppeteer, theatre critic and writer, Milan
Čečuka (Omiš, 1925 - Zagreb, 1978).
More than 450 puppet theatres from all continents performed at the festival up to 2009. PIF has been included
through UNIMA into the European network of festivals –
IFEA. Find more information at: www.mcuk.hr
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‘SUMMER ON THE FORT’
‘Summer on the Fort’ is a series of musical, theatrical and
film programmes organised by KUD Bašćinski Glasi. It
takes place in the picturesque surroundings of the Trsat fort
in Rijeka from the second half of June to mid September.
Find more information at: www.bascinskiglasi.hr
KASTAV CULTURAL SUMMER
This traditional cultural event is held during July until the
second half of August in the Istrian town Kastav and consists of several programme segments: art, music (concerts
by renowned local and foreign musicians) and drama. The
popular Triglav International Guitar Festival is a part of the
Kastafsko Cultural Summer, where prominent guitarists
from Croatia and abroad perform.
Find more information at: www.kkl.hr
RAB FAIR (FJERA)
Rab Fair is an event with which the residents of Rab present
their rich and glorious past to their tourists. During the three
days in late July, the islanders endeavour to portray the life
of their ancestors as realistically as possible through costumed drama events. The grand opening is held on the first
night, the second night is the Fisherman’s Village where
one can buy fried fish, and on the third and final evening is
the knight’s tournament of Rab crossbowmen.
Every year, Fjera features an increasing number of workshops in which the skills of old crafts are shown. During
the three days, medieval craftsmen, artisans and merchants
make coins, dishes, old fashioned decanters, barrels, scissors, shoes, comb wool, print names and messages using
the Glagolitic alphabet and draw on silk. One can eat fresh
clay oven baked bread dishes with homemade smoked
ham, cheese and homemade wine. There are also more
complex dishes on offer like lamb tripe made using original
old recipes.
In the past the fair was associated with the completion of
the agrarian cycle but today it represents the biggest annual
celebration on the island and pays homage to St Christopher, the patron of the city and king Ljudevit the Great who
set Rab free from Venetian rule.
Find more information at: www.fjera.hr
KNIGHT’S TOURNAMENT
The museums of the Croatian Zagorje were the first to start
organising chivalrous competitions in Croatia. The competitions have been very well received by audiences, and they
are the only ones that offer visitors a real treat – the duel of
knights on horseback. The tournaments are based on a true
story about Croatian lords preparing for the joust with the
Turks, which happened in 1545. Numerous associations,
entertainers, old craftsmen, theatre artists and singers guarantee an unforgettable experience for all who visit Upper
Stubica in June.
For more information: www.viteski-turnir.com
ŠPANCIRFEST
Špancirfest is a street festival which takes place in the second half of August on the streets and squares of Varaždin.
This festival consists of several smaller festivals: the Comedy fest, fest Hlapec (plays for children under 14 years of
age), Moderato fest (for lovers of classical music concerts),
Jazz festival, Rhythm Fest (concerts, various musical expressions) and Street fest (street artists, acrobats, jugglers,
puppet shows).
The festival includes up to three hundred smaller events. In
fact, day and night seem too short for this abundant festival
which averages 27 hours of performances per day on five
squares and seven streets, and with over 1,600 artists from
fifteen countries. The Špancirfest festival gained the status
of a Croatian Superbrand!
Find more information at: www.spancirfest.com
‘ORGANUM HISTRIAE’
The Umag Festival of Organ Music is a part of the international Organum Histriae project, dedicated to the heritage of
the organ and its music. It is a long-term heritage protection
project which focuses on the restoration and revitalisation of
organ heritage in Istria, with the goal of rehabilitating historic
organs as valuable components of sacral architecture and
returning restored instruments to practical use, both for worship and concerts.
Along with the festival, which begins in late August and lasts
eight days, the project includes publishing and restoration
services and other activities related to organ heritage preservation. An international organ competition, Andrea Antico
da Montona, has been held as part of the project since 2005.
Umag and the International festival Organum Histriae are
members of The Association of European Cities with Historical Organs and are a part of the international project
‘Hydraulis’ which encourages the exploration and reconstruction of cultural heritage in the Adriatic basin. Find more
information at: www.organum-histriae.org
VARAŽDIN BAROQUE FESTIVAL
The International Baroque Music Festival takes place in the
second half of September in the scenic Baroque town of
Varaždin and its surroundings. Daily concerts of baroque
music are performed by renowned Croatian and international orchestras and soloists.
During the Varaždin Baroque Evenings special attention is
given to researching and performing pieces of the musical
heritage of Croatian Baroque music. In recent years, the
festival has organised productions in other Croatian towns
besides Varaždin and its surroundings, and concerts of the
Varaždin Baroque Evenings are also held abroad.
Along with the music programme, the festival offers a
number of attractive side events: exhibitions, lectures, promotions, and others.
The Varaždin Baroque Evenings were founded in 1971 and
are a central cultural event of northwest Croatia. Find more
information at: www.vbv.hr
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THE VINKOVCI AUTUMN
The Vinkovci Autumn is the largest and most popular event
of original Croatian Folklore, and it takes place in the first
half of September in Vinkovci. It consists of a series of folk
events, and has been held since 1966. The central event
of the Vinkovci Autumn is a State Festival of Autochtonous
Folklore, where the best folk ensembles from Croatia and
the diaspora perform.
The event is regularly preceded by the Festival of Folklore
of the Vukovar-Srijem County (folk ensembles performing
original songs, dances and scenes of Slavonian folk customs). Find more information at: www.vk-jeseni.hr
25 FPS - INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF EXPERIMENTAL FILM AND VIDEO
The International Festival of Experimental Film and Video is held in Zagreb in the second half of September and
presents the best films from the world production of experimental film and video. The projects are evaluated by an international jury (each member of the jury awards the prize
of their choice) along with the jury of the Croatian Society
of Film Critics.
The first 25 FPS was held in 2005. The festival’s name - 25
FPS indicates the number of frames per second according to the European PAL system. Find more information at:
www.25fps.hr
WORLD THEATRE FESTIVAL
Since its beginnings the International Theatre Festival has
met the approval of professionals as well as the Zagreb audience. Controversies and conflicts only reinforced its status
and the reasons for its existence. The aim of the festival is
to present aesthetic (or political) dilemmas, the struggle for
recognition of urban awareness and artistic conscience as
well as the occasional didactic inclinations, whilst celebrating contemporary creation, the uniqueness of the pleasure
which comes from a theatrical act, and a sense of belonging
to a wider European cultural community. The festival is held
in the second half of September. Find more information at:
www.zagrebtheatrefestival.hr
ZAGREB FILM FESTIVAL
Since it was founded in 2003, the Zagreb Film Festival ranks
among the most important cultural events in Croatia. In the
second half of October, during the festival, the premises of
the Student Centre and cinema Europe are turned into a
kind of city within the city, which lives from nine o’clock in
the morning until four hours after midnight.
Along with the main competition programme, the Zagreb
Film Festival is divided into three categories – feature films,
short films and documentaries. Equal attention is given to
the accompanying programme which each year includes
five to six special film programmes, book promotions, film
and cultural projects and presentations of new technological achievements associated with film production. Indispensable entertainment programmes are held at the Gallery
SC, the Multimedia centre, Club SC and cinema lobbies.
The main award of the ZFF is called Golden Pram. Find out
more information on: www.zagrebfilmfestival.com
VIP ZAGREB JAZZ FESTIVAL
Audiences can enjoy performances by the world’s top jazz
musicians during the four festival nights in Zagreb in early
November. Zagreb Jazz Festival has become synonymous
with the arrival of some of the most important and respected
international musicians to the Croatian capital. This is a music festival that brings together some of the key icons of the
20th century, names which are hard to see together on the
stage anywhere in the world.
The first Zagreb Jazz Festival was held in 2005 and from
2008 the festival forms a part of the newly established multicultural project International Zagreb Autumn - Yes Zgb.
Find more information at: www.zagrebjazzfestival.com
ZAGREB DOX
The largest international documentary film festival in the region takes place in March in Zagreb. Zagreb Dox provides
an insight into the contemporary and moreover regional production of documentary films.
The festival consists of a regional competitive programme
(films from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro and Slovenia), international competition programme
(films from other countries), retrospective and other special
programmes.
Workshops, discussions, pitching forums and other events,
which are intended for professionals in the field of documentary film are presented during the festival.
Zagreb Dox was first held in 2005. Find more information at:
www.zagrebdox.net
QUEER ZAGREB FESTIVAL
Queer Zagreb festival is the largest queer festival in southeast Europe, which brings together more than 400 artists
from different parts of the world.
With the presentation of queer artistic expression, Queer
Zagreb largely produces queer art in Croatia and the wider
region. The festival usually takes place in early May. Find
more information at: www.queerzagreb.org
EUROKAZ
The International Festival of New Theatre EUROKAZ is
held every year in Zagreb in the second half of June. After
the first EUROKAZ was held in 1987, as part of the cultural
programme of Universiade, the festival became a regular
annual event. It has brought together numerous artists and
theatres from around the world and is considered the most
important theatrical event in this part of Europe.
EUROKAZ encompasses theatre, dance, performing and
other related arts. The programme emphasizes the concept
of innovation and creates new theatrical languages. Parts of
the programme are often devoted to specific topics that deal
with important theatre phenomena.
Along with the international programme, EUROKAZ regularly follows the Croatian scene, the production of independent groups and innovative plays of the national theatres.
EUROKAZ is often accompanied by discussions, symposia,
film and video screenings, workshops, concerts and exhibitions. Find more information at: www.eurokaz.hr
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CARNIVAL OF RIJEKA
The restored Rijeka Carnival found its roots in the six centuries of carnival traditions in this region and in the influences
of Venetian and Austrian urban carnivals, and began building its own unique identity in 1982. Having started with only
three local carnival groups and a hundred participants, it
has grown into an international event, which today has over
ten thousand participants from ten countries.
The ritual of carnival madness begins by selecting the
queen of the carnival and handing over the keys of the city
to the master of the carnival. Concerts, exhibitions, performances and festivities fill the days in anticipation of the crown
of the carnival – the great masked parade. The competition in imagination, wit and originality, fireworks, colours and
shapes, results in a parade of hundreds of allegorical wagons, thousands of masks and an immeasurable number of
viewers. Find more information at: www.ri-karneval.com.hr
CLUB STAGE
Given the choice of musicians, the electronic club music
scene can be included in this year’s cultural events.
Papaya
The Papaya club on Pag’s beach Zrće continues to hold
the music festivals Papaya Day & Night and Tuborg Green
Beat, which have placed Croatia among the most desirable
destinations for young people in Europe. With a rich programme and original music compilations, the Papaya Day
& Night festival earned the club a nomination for the vocational award, SeeMe Awards 2009, as the best clubbing
spot in southeast Europe. Two new destinations of hedonistic pleasures were created in summer 2009 by the founders
of Papaya in Umag – the ‘Jimmy Woo Club’ and ‘Goldfish
Beach Bar’. The founders claim that the Jimmy Woo Club
was created with the aim of turning Umag into one of the
most desirable destinations for young people and an exclusive location with the hottest parties. The Goldfish Beach
Bar is conceived as an after beach party location modelled
on the world’s most beautiful beaches, like Miami Beach.
Find more information at: www.papaya.com.hr
The Garden Festival
Lovers of life on the walls of Zadar will again, this summer,
not be disappointed by one of the best bars in the open - The
Garden, which already boasts many years of positive international media coverage. The Garden owner, British music
producer Nick Colgan brought the atmosphere of Ibiza to
Zadar and started The Garden Festival, one of the most
successful electronic music festivals, which moved to the
tourist complex Pinija, Petrčani after being held on Zadar’s
walls for two years. The British daily, The Guardian, rated
the ‘Soundwave’ festival produced by the Garden, number
one of the alternative European events for 2010 that should
not be missed.
Live bands and DJs of all directions of club music performed
at the Garden Festival. Also, there are not many festivals
where you can swim in the brilliant Adriatic Sea, relax in the
pine forest and dance under a beautiful starry sky. There
are three main festival areas: the terrace with the main
stage, the Tiki Bar, which also has its own dance floor with
a sea view, and Barbarella’s Discotheque, which is mainly
used for the night programme.
The parties on the boat Argonaut, which are held twice a
day, immediately became legendary. Parties on the open
sea are really something special and everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the incredible environment. Many who
came to the festival decided to stay for a week and visit
the nearby Plitvice Lakes, Krka waterfalls and the peaceful
islands near Zadar. The most popular British daily newspaper, The Times, included The Garden in the top 20 festivals
of summer 2009.
Find more information at: www.thegardenfestival.eu
Byblos
Top entertainment during the summer is guaranteed to visitors of the entertainment centre in Poreč, Byblos, which the
media are presenting as the biggest and best night club in
Europe. The Club boasts 5000 square metres of space, has
four bars and VIP boxes, and at the front there are of two
pools and a huge parking lot. Byblos is located in the beautiful Green Lagoon. Find more information at: www.byblos.hr
Monvi
Monvi, in the city of Rovinj, is the only place on the Adriatic
that offers visitors outdoor concerts in the amphitheatre,
parties of electronic music in the Temple Gallery and President clubs, good food, pizza, fast food, wine or cocktail bars
and video games all on one site. Monvi boasts famous DJs
and local and foreign bands, since the club can host almost
anything. Find more information at: www.monvicenter.com
Hacienda, Aurora, Summer club Luna, Club Deep and
Peter Pan
Hacienda in Vodice is a cult club which has played a major role in the nightlife of Šibenik for many years. For years
every summer, this club brings together famous names in
electronic music.
Find more information at: www.hacienda.hr
Aurora in Primošten, which from the end of July to mid August hosts all the names of the electronic world club scene, is
just as famous. Find more information at: www.auroraclub.hr
Youths are promised a good time in the summer club Luna in
Supetar on the island of Brač (www.summerclubluna.com)
and in Club Deep and Peter Pan in Makarska. Learn more
at: www.petarpan-makarska.com
Carpe Diem
In the category of cocktail bars there is no better than Carpe
Diem in Hvar. It is supported by a choice of cocktails and
after-beach parties, without which the Hvar waterfront is
now unthinkable, even in the small hours of night. Find more
information at: www.carpe-diem-hvar.com
Useful links:
www.kulturniturizam.croatia.hr;
www.croatica.net/hr/portal/unesco; www.culturenet.hr
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Adventure tourism
Photo: Zlatko Ramničar
Diving
It is said that the Adriatic Coast is one of the most beautiful in the world, but to really get to know it one has to look
beneath the sea surface. From season to season, more and
more tourists venture into researching Croatia’s sea bed.
Moreover, new clubs and diving schools are being opened
and more than 40,000 diving licenses are sold annually.
In addition to the rich flora and fauna of the Adriatic Sea, its
depths hold the archaeological sites and remains of ships,
from ancient to modern boat wrecks from World Wars I and II.
Diving tourism has recorded significant growth in the last
ten years, and diving can be done almost anywhere, but
for those who choose to go on this attractive holiday, some
sites simply cannot be missed.
The most attractive diving locations in the Adriatic are reefs,
caves and wrecks of ships and aircraft. The Croatian land
mass is one of the most special in the world: Dalmatia itself
lies on karst terrain, full of crevices, caves, holes and channels. In addition to plant and animal species that live only in
the Adriatic and which are in demand for photo and video
safaris, the most sought after sights are archaeological localities and underwater wrecks.
In other words, you can dive anywhere in the Adriatic, if you
are accompanied by a professional guide (diving or scuba
diving instructor), who cares about your safety and will show
you the diving sites in a direct and informative way. Every
professional diving centre has all the prerequisites for your
safe, fun and memorable diving.
Curious fact- 1,500 undiscovered underwater caves
and 15,000 wrecks
Thanks to the exceptional clarity and richness of underwater life, caves, grottos and reefs, diving tourism experienced real expansion in the Adriatic Sea where the number
of wrecks is among the highest in the world. It is believed
that at least 1,500 underwater caves still lay undiscovered.
There are as many as 15,000 sunken and stranded ships,
submarines, aircraft and torpedo-boats on the sea bed. Encountering the wrecks is a unique experience. Each ship
carries an interesting story, and each story is a monument
to somebody’s courage or tragedy. In the past ten years,
diving tourism recorded a growth of 15 to 20%. There is
a parallel growth in the number of professional diving centres positioned close to the most attractive locations on the
Adriatic. There are more than one hundred registered and
licensed diving centres, most of which are in Istria, Kvarner
and Central Dalmatia.
Diving centres and diving tourism specialists have the
equipment and leading experts who can provide training in
breath holding and scuba diving for beginners and for advanced divers, as well as guided diving tours. They will help
you obtain the necessary diving card for deep diving in the
allowed areas. Natural and cultural underwater treasures
are protected by diving regulations for individual and group
diving. In some protected areas diving is prohibited, while
for others a special permission of the park management or
local administration may be needed. (www.diving-hrs.hr)
Hyperbaric chambers in Zagreb and along the coast
Hyperbaric chambers are very important for treating decompression sickness and can be found in Zagreb, Split, Pula,
Zadar, Dubrovnik and Crikvenica. With more than 70,000
dives recorded annually, there is a need for some thirty interventions of this type and it is estimated that these numbers will grow every year. The Zadar hyperbaric chamber
can treat six patients at once, and as an advantage it has
an antechamber. If the patient’s condition worsens during
treatment, the doctor enters the antechamber in which the
pressure is equalled to that in the hyperbaric chamber and
provides assistance to the patient. The International Centre
for Underwater Archaeology for the entire Mediterranean
was founded In Zadar, where plans are underway to establish the school of diving techniques.
Hyperbaric chamber Pula - OXY - Clinic for Baromedicine
Tel. +385 (0) 52 215 663, Tel. / Fax: + + 385 (0) 52 217 877
GSM: + +385 (0) 98 219 225 (for urgent intervention)
www.oxy.hr
Hyperbaric chamber Crikvenica - OXY - Clinic for Baromedicine
Tel. +385 (0) 51 785 229
Hyperbaric chamber Split - Institute for Maritime Medicine
Tel.: + + 385 (0) 21 354 511
Hyperbaric chamber Split
Tel. / Fax: + + 385 (0) 21 361 355, 343 980,
GSM: + +385 (0) 91 546 13 13
Hyperbaric chamber Dubrovnik
Tel.: + +385 (0) 20 431 687, GSM: + +385 (0) 98 945 3435
Hyperbaric chamber Zagreb
Tel.: + +385 (0) 1 290 23 00,
Fax: + +385 (0) 1 290 3723, GSM: + +385 (0) 91 501 5556
Cycling
Cycling is one of the best ways of getting to know a country, but also an opportunity for a perfect holiday. Those who
choose to travel Croatia in this way can expect miles of the
most diverse cycling trails.
Two-wheel enthusiasts might make slower progress but can
enjoy the Croatian environment, especially the scents of
meadows, the freshness of waterfalls, birds singing and the
wonderful taste of spring water, with all their senses. Country and forest roads and paths through fields and vineyards
lead one to places that are not in the programmes of the
usual tourist tours. Cycling paths are marked and described
in national and nature parks.
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All areas are open to travel by bicycle. They are not particularly demanding and offer an incredible variety of landscape,
from the hills and valleys of sunny Istria, to trails through
the forests of Gorski Kotar, the green hills of the Croatian
Zagorje, and the plains of Slavonia or Turopolje. You can
cycle on the islands, which are less green in summer, but
surrounded by a magnificent blue. The cycling adventure
should include the national parks on the islands of Mljet and
Brijuni, as well as the larger islands - Krk, Cres, Rab, Pag,
Ugljan, Pašman, Dugi Otok, Brač, Hvar, Vis and Korčula.
You will find excellent terrain for mountain biking in the many
hills and mountains of Croatia. For harder, adrenaline rush
slopes, the Učka mountain, the mountains of Gorski Kotar,
Žumberak ,or routes through Vinodol to Velika Kapela or
through the Lika region to Velebit Mountain as well as hilly
areas between the Dalmatian rivers and on the landward
side of Biokovo Mountain are a good choice.
The quality of cycling in the Croatian mountains lies in the
diversity of the terrain, landscape, vegetation and climate.
Island, coastal, mountain and continental areas are all
equally of specific interest. Cyclists are expected to respect
nature and other travellers. Whenever possible, hiking trails
and cycling through vegetation should be avoided.
The combination of cruising and cycling to discover the islands is growing in popularity. Istria is the leader in the development of cycling tourism and paths. Since most of the
trails go through picturesque landscapes in Istria, it would
be a real shame not to go on this adventure.
Information on the Istrian cycling trails with information on
the condition and length of rides, accommodation, weather
conditions and other arrangements can be found on:
www.bike-istra.com For the rest of Croatia, most cycling
tours with maps and even GPS data are available at:
www.pedala.hr
Rafting
Rafting has a long tradition as a mode of transport in Croatia.
True modern adventure rafting began on the wild Croatian
waters only in the late eighties, revealing the amazing beauty of the Croatian rivers, which were until then known only
to a few adventurers, enthusiastic kayakers and fishermen.
Not even the pioneers of commercial river trips and water
experts in Croatia anticipated the popularity of rafting on
rivers not abounding with savage rapids and high waves.
Thanks to these, thousands of people have had close encounters with the unforgettable magic of rivers, green river
banks, steep canyons and clear depths. Continental rivers
are surrounded by thick forests and mountains, while those
near the sea, with green banks and deep, rocky canyons.
They are all green and clear to the very bottom.
The level of difficulty of the wild waters averages III and you
will only encounter the higher level of IV on the rivers Una
and Dobra. Lightweight trips include mostly peaceful rivers
with few rapids. These are I and II degree rapids suitable for
people of all ages, including the physically unprepared and
those who cannot swim.
Moderate trips include rafting II and III degree rapids and are
suitable for people of average fitness without previous experience. These will probably include short walks and swimming.
River Kupa flows from the National Park Risnjak in between wooded hills and rich valleys. There is enough water
for rafting only in the spring and after heavy rainfall.
River Dobra has surface and underground streams, and
rafting is always superb, because dams and accumulation
lakes permit a sufficient flow of water.
River Mrežnica is abundant with waterfalls, in between
which the river is gentle. In the upper, canyon part of the
river, rafting involves elements of canyon rafting.
River Korana emerges from the Plitvice Lakes. After heavy
rains and when snow melts, the section below the picturesque Rastok and downstream through the canyon is the
most interesting.
River Una is the natural border between Croatia and Bosnia and offers excellent rafting conditions downstream from
the 20 metre high Štrbački Buk waterfall. It is a little less
exciting during low water levels.
River Zrmanja is abundant with water in the spring while
smaller craft, like canoes and kayaks should be used in the
summer to ride down the most beautiful of Croatian canyons.
River Krka can be used in the upper part of the national
park thanks to the tributary Butišnica, which is controlled
by a dam. Rafting is the only way to get to know this undisturbed area of the park, and only the 12 metre Bilušić Buk
waterfall needs to be bypassed on land.
The waters of the River Cetina are directed via a tunnel to
the power plant on the coast, and there is not much water
for rafting in the river’s natural canyon bed. It still offers a
valuable experience due to the dense vegetation along the
river, clear waters, high cliffs, waterfalls and caves.
Rafts made of resistant materials with good mobility are
used on all Croatian rivers. Organised rafting arrangements
include the leader of a boat (skipper) and personal equipment for each crew member: life jacket, neoprene clothing
and footwear, helmet and paddle. Rafting is not recommended on rivers, or sections of rivers, which abound with
narrow passages, fragile limestone waterfall barriers and
other such risks.
Kayak
Clear and warm, green waters of Croatian rivers originate at
the foothills of the mountains, run through the canyons, cascade down the barriers of travertine in transparent curtains
of waterfalls. They capture us with their beauty, not danger.
If you are not an expert you will always be able to bypass
high waterfalls and dangerous rapids on land.
High water levels in the spring grant premium wild-water
pleasures and summer tours are ideal for beginners. Daily
kayaking excursions down the rivers Kupa, Gacka, Zrmanja
and Trebižat are organised by all major tourist centres.
While you silently glide down the river in a kayak, the landscape is sometimes enclosed by a forest, and elsewhere
spreads into a lake bordered by meadows. Mills, wooden
bridges, churches and monasteries confirm the tradition of
living on the rivers. The banks of the most exciting canyons
can be reached only by the sun and often impassable routes.
While paddling in a kayak, you will discover what many natives have never seen. Although kayaking in Croatia has a
long tradition and the rivers are beautiful, it is not a mass
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sport. You and your group will often be alone on the river
with only the nature and its inhabitants: fish, birds, amphibians and small mammals.
The best time for kayaking adventures on the rivers Dobra,
Mrežnica, Una, Kupa, Korana, Cetina, Krupa and Zrmanja
are spring and early summer. The rivers are abundant with
water and numerous waterfalls and the difficulty level of the
waters is degree III to IV. In the Krka National Park, there
are restrictions for touring with kayaks so it is necessary to
contact the administration.
The same applies to the river Krupa in the Velebit Nature
Park, while a charge must be paid to the park to ride on
the river Zrmanja. On most other rivers one can find local
agents for river kayaking, canoeing and rafting trips who will
be happy to provide information and assistance in organising the expedition.
www.riverfree.hr
Sea Kayak
Adriatic kayaking greatly differs from rowing experiences in
the oceans, the Mediterranean or in northern seas. Clear
and warm seas and numerous small bays and beaches
make sea kayaking on the Adriatic the best in Europe. On
your voyage you will be followed by schools of small fish
and often encounter dolphins and tuna fish.
Travelling by kayak, you will enjoy places that you could
never reach by yacht - hidden bays with sandy, gravelly or
rocky beaches, shallow lagoons and caves. Numerous cultural monuments, striking architecture and local traditions
complement this sumptuous experience.
From the Brijuni islands in the north, to the Elafiti islands
and Mljet in the south, the island groups are ideal for island
hopping adventures: from port to port, from bay to bay, a
few miles of paddling and a lot of docking. Distances between islands are not large and you can easily enter the
mouth of the rivers Mirna, Krka, Cetina and Neretva.
Because of many very sharp rocks, polyethylene kayaks
are more reliable than laminated or folding kayaks. Polyethylene kayaks made by renowned European manufacturers
can be hired for one or two persons. It is a shame not to
bring a mask, flippers and a snorkel, as they will allow you
to enjoy the clear and rich waters. It is not difficult to find
lodging in a camp, island home, boarding house, apartment
or hotel. Shops are available for food and other supplies.
Most inspirational are the island national parks - Mljet, Brijuni and Kornati, but each island has its own quite specific
points. An exceptional forest reserve can be found on the islet Lokrum in front of the old Dubrovnik port. Each of the 13
Elafiti islands is a first class kayaking destination: wonderful
nature, Renaissance villas, ancient churches and a peaceful life without cars. The islands also offer food supplies and
shelter on the way from Cavtat or Dubrovnik to Mljet.
The Croatian sea is relatively safe and comfortable for kayaking trips. Most of the islands have an elongated shape parallel
to the coast so that one side is always protected from rough
winds and waves. The most common winds are the midday
maestral, north-eastern bora and south-eastern sirocco.
Canoe
the most beautiful Croatian rivers flow through karst areas
and are abundant with rich travertine waterfalls surrounded
by dense vegetation, which favours the rich water and sun.
Waterfalls between travertine deposits retain enough water for canoeing, swimming and diving even during the dry
months. Rivers do not lose clarity and remain green except
during strong spring or autumn rains. Travelling by canoe,
you can hardly find more peaceful and interesting rivers,
with magical places for camping and fishing. Waterfalls often interrupt canoe trips, but are not too challenging to defeat, and are indeed a rare privilege to enjoy. In summer you
can sail or swim under them and discover impressive caves.
The rivers with magnificent canyons are not far from the
tourist oriented coast, although their relief and biological
characteristics differ greatly from those of the sea. Because
of that, many day trips departing from the coastal tourist
resorts feature visits to the rivers. Since the guides are experienced rowers, you do not need to be a proficient rower
and such a river trip is appropriate for the whole family.
Croatia has a centuries-long tradition of using canoes. Remains of simple hollowed trunk canoes were found on the
Plitvice Lakes and traditional “trupice” are often used for
fishing and transport in the fertile delta of the Neretva River
even today. There are restrictions to sail canoes on most
rivers and lakes in order to protect sensitive plant and animal communities or geological formations.
Administrations of protected areas and the organisers of
commercial trips can provide accurate information and assistance in organising canoe trips, and obtaining camping
permits. www.riverfree.hr
Canoe trips on Croatian rivers are cultural experiences. The
monasteries of Visovac and St. Archangel and Krupa are located in the green surroundings of the rivers Krka and Krupa.
Radman’s mill on the river Cetina is an interesting example of
folk architecture and so are the mills on the river Krka.
Remains of castles, ancient towns and fortresses are often
found close to the water. Some are well preserved - like
the Trakošćan castle, situated above the lake of the same
name, and Ozalj and Dubovac along the river Kupa. The
massive fortress of Knin and the remains of the Roman Burnum are found in the surroundings of the river Krka, and the
remains of Narona are situated close to the river Neretva.
Surfing
It is easy to catch a good wind from land or sea among the
many islands of the Adriatic. The wind and waves are usually not too strong. If you have had enough of wind, hide in
a bay, when the wind stops – enjoy the calm seas!
Surfing gives you the freedom to discover places which cannot be reached by yachts and typical tourists – rocky coves,
bays, beaches with sunbathing crabs...
Our country is one of the most suitable for learning to windsurf. Therefore, it is no wonder that virtually every tourist
town along the coast has a windsurfing school.
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Regardless of the conditions required, or the time during
which one is surfing, the Adriatic coast has much to offer.
During the summer months, the so called thermal winds,
like the maestral, are used for surfing.
The most famous summer surfing destinations are Bol on
the island of Brač and Viganj on the Pelješac peninsula, but
in fact the mistral can also blow quite well anywhere along
the coast, and generally strengthens as it travels south.
In the fall and spring, much stronger winds than the mentioned thermal winds can be experienced, and these are a
real treat for enthusiastic surfers. The prime locations in this
case depend on where one can find the strongest wind and
waves and the best access to the sea.
The best locations for surfing during the south-eastern sirocco (jugo) are Premantura (near Pula), Medulin, Biograd
and Žnjan (near Split), and during the north-eastern bora
(bura) Ližnjan (near Pula), Baška on the island of Krk,
Sabunike (Zadar), Povlja on Brač ...
Adriatic winds
Bura (Bora) - dry, cold north-eastern wind which blows
strongest from Velebit and Biokovo and cleans and refreshes the air in the summer; prevalent in winter.
Jugo (sirocco) - moist wind from the sea, common in the
south coast, can create large waves.
Maestral (Mistral) - refreshing summer wind from the sea.
Usually blows from noon and ends before the evening.
Wakeboarding - a sport which has in recent years gained
more and more followers is the sea version of snowboarding and skateboarding. Wakeboarding has three disciplines,
riding behind the boat or boat wakeboarding, riding with
water skiing lifts, or cable wakeboarding, and the third and
most recent discipline, wakeskating - riding a board without
bindings behind a boat or with ski lifts.
Photo: Ivo Pervan
Hiking and walking
Countless roads and paths invite you to discover the beauty and magic of nature - the mountains, river valleys and
canyons, through rocky fields and deep forests, on rocky
islands and green hills. In this intertwined relief hikers can
reach the most mysterious areas between the sea level and
the highest peak on Dinara (1831m): in nature parks, reserves, national parks and other beautiful adventure areas
- in Slavonia and Baranja, Northern Croatia (Croatian Zagorje, Međimurje, Podravina), Gorski Kotar, Istria, Dalmatia
and Zagora, on hundreds of islands and on the Dinaric Alps
along the coast. The mountains of Učka, Velebit, Mosor,
Biokovo and Sniježnica in the far south provide a number of
challenges. The approaches are easier on the continental
side, but the climbs from the coastal side tempt the climber
with a broader view of the sea and islands.
Although the Croatian mountains are not very high, since
there is no peak above 2000 m, they are very attractive
to mountaineers. The Dinaric range, most of which is in
Croatia, is known in the world as a typical karst region. The
basic feature of the karst, equally rich terrain above and below the earth’s surface, makes climbing in Croatia special.
Climbing in the karst has a lot in common with being in the
high mountains. Sharp karst shapes, the dominance of bare
karst, lack of water, poverty of vegetation, harsh climate and
sparse population require nearly as much effort from hikers
and climbers as higher mountains. Dinaric mountains, however, offer many varieties. In the north, for example, in Gorski Kotar the mountains are lower and more pleasant, while
those in the south, especially the Dalmatian mountains are
much higher and deserted. Mountains between the rivers
Sava and Drava are completely different. They are older,
relatively low, rich in water and vegetation, and as such are
ideal for walks and gentle hiking.
All four seasons are suitable for gentler hiking adventures
especially from early spring until late autumn, whilst winter is irresistible for the experienced outdoor enthusiasts. If
your use of skis, splashers, crampons and ice axes is confident, you are ready for winter ascents on Risnjak, Snježnik
and other peaks of Gorski Kotar, as well as the Samarske
Rocks and White Rocks (Velika Kapela) and North and Mid
Velebit. With less experience and a lot of positive energy
required, rich winter experiences await you in the nature
parks Medvednica, Samobor and Žumberak as well as the
Zagorje mountains of Ivanščica and Kalnik, in Papuk Nature
Park and on the Krndija mountain in Psunj.
Mountaineers and free climbers will find the appropriate
climbing environment in the continental and coastal regions,
and the climbs are sometimes quite close to the cities or
resorts (Zagreb, Ogulin, Rovinj, Pazin, Split, Omiš ...).
Routes from a few metres for beginners up to several hundred metres for experts can be found on the mountains of
Paklenica, Velebit, Učka, the Omiš Dinara, Dinara, Mosor
and Biokovo as well as on the islands (Brač, Vis, and Mljet).
The most famous climbing destinations of the continental
side are Klek, the Samarske Rocks and White Rocks, Kalnik and Papuk.
Climbers, in principle, use their own equipment. The organisers of climbing schools and courses provide climbing
equipment for students.
Free climbing is an adventure sport which is becoming
increasingly popular, despite the dangers. A climber uses
only his body to climb to the finish. Genuine free climbing
has several very restrictive rules. It does not allow the reviewing and studying of the field before the climb, resting
on the rope and other equipment, advanced preparation of
equipment, etc. The goal is to climb as if one was without
equipment and each of these climbs is rewarded with a
unique and stunning view.
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Croatian alpinists participated (and organised) many Himalayan expeditions and expeditions to other high mountains
of the world. Free climbers have a shorter tradition but a
vast experience in international meetings and climbing competitions. Clubs of free and technical climbers are active
in continental and coastal centres and operate within the
Croatian Mountaineering Association as well as outside the
umbrella of the association.
Modest but comfortable mountain lodging can be found
in many mountain homes and shelters, camps and village
households. Small hotels and guesthouses are usually
available in populated areas. Mountain roads are marked
with a white dot in a red circle (on a tree or stone). They
mark the approach to the peaks, springs, caves, mountain
huts and shelters.
The Trekking League is a collection of mountain races in
the most beautiful Croatian mountains: Velebit, Učka, Risnjak, Mosor and Medvednica. Races are divided into two
categories and are adapted to the requirements of a wide
variety of groups: recreational, top athletes, tourists and lovers of mountains. During the race competitors must carry
with them all the prescribed equipment, find orientation on a
variety of terrains, plan the necessary food stocks, make a
strategy for movement, rest and sleep and abide by all the
rules of the race. The Trekking League is a project of great
sport, tourist and ecological significance which promotes
the most beautiful mountains of Croatia in a unique way. It
has been organised four times since 2005 and has gained a
huge popularity among many domestic and foreign athletes.
Speleology
The Croatian karst area abounds with caves and pits, of
which there are over 8,500, on the mainland and islands,
along rivers, under the sea and in the mountains. More than
half of caves are unknown and unexplored. Some attractive
caves are available in part or fully to visitors without speleological experience. These are found in Istria, Gorski Kotar,
Medvednica, Papuk, Kordun, Lika, Dalmatia and Zagora.
They are diverse in shape and abundant with icicle shaped
ornaments and other cave formations.
Many of the underground spaces are protected geomorphologic natural monuments, such as the sea cave Modra on
the island of Biševo, Cerovačke Caves at Gračac, Manita
Peć in Paklenica, Veternica near Zagreb, and others. All
underground animals, relics and endemic species - insects,
molluscs, sponges, and olm as well as the cave leech, a
biospeleological discovery in Luka’s Cave in Velebit are
protected. The oldest remains of Homo erectus (about
one million years old) are found in Šandalja, Pula; 120,000
year old Neanderthal remains were found in the semi-cave
Hušnjakovo near Krapina. Among the many curiosities of
the island of Brač are the Dragon’s cave and the cave altars
near the Blaca desert.
Caves accessible to tourists are lit, while the trails ensure
safe movement, and the service is provided by members
of the association for the preservation of the cave or the
organiser of the visit. Speleological Societies, clubs, lodges
and speleo mountaineering companies carry out research
of caves and pits. Speleologists from abroad frequently at-
tend larger campaigns. Speleo diving is growing in popularity. Caves reveal many interesting places and connections
with other areas and underground water flows only when
the water barriers (siphons) are dived through.
Photo: Ivo Pervan
Riding
In the valleys of the rivers Sava, Drava and Danube, riding
skills and breeding horses for sport, hunting and work have
a long tradition. Travelling on horseback through the plains
and forests, you can meet attractive habitats of birds, fish
and wildlife and the traditional folk architecture of the village
farms. On the slopes of Papuk you can enjoy the excellent
bouquet of Kutjevo wine, spring water and relax in the spa.
Đakovo (Slavonia) is most famous for the breeding and selection of Lipizzaners, half-bred Croatian Tulipan line: harmonious, strong and durable horses of medium height and
elegant walk. A domestic hot-blooded breed, the Istrijanac
was bred in Istria. This region has several equestrian centres and beautiful areas for adventures on horseback. Similar to it is the quiet wilderness of Žumberak. At the beginning of the 18th century, the Sinj knights ‘alkari’ made riding
in the valley of the river Cetina in Dalmatia their business.
Riding through the valleys, you will discover the natural, cultural and historical peculiarities and customs of this picturesque area. You must savour the local specialties - grape
brandy, cheese, bread, clay oven baked dishes, roast lamb
or kid. Adventurous riders on the rugged slopes of Velebit
will be rewarded with an experience of natural phenomena
and magnificent views from the mountains to the sea and
islands.
Parachute, paraglide or baloon rides
Flying by parachute, glider or balloon over a variety of landscapes in favourable climatic conditions attracts more and
more flyers to Croatia. Mountains along the coast, like Učka
and Biokovo, create first class flight conditions with island
flights not falling behind. Those who come to enjoy the
flights are not limited to only one location. Mountains which
follow the coast are perfect for cross country flights - many
hours in the air with a view of the coast, sea and islands real adventures with help from the wind!
Mountains close to the sea and islands provide superb flying conditions for adventure travel with paragliders. Unlike
the rocky coastal mountains, the hills and plains of continental Croatia are abundant with greenery and forests. The
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Croatian hinterland and the Slavonian plains are therefore
excellent for balloon flights.
The most beautiful areas for flying adventures are the
mountains Učka and Ćićarija in Istria, Gorski Kotar, Velebit,
Mosor, and the mountains of the Dalmatian hinterland, Dinara, Biokovo, Rilić and the Pelješac peninsula to the south
as well as the islands of Krk, Hvar and Brač.
Green inland locations include the Croatian Zagorje,
Medvednica, Samobor and Žumberak, Papuk, Krndija, and
the Moslavaćka forest.
The best source of information on application submissions,
permits, weather etc. are Croatian flyers and parachutes
www.caf.hr who gather in clubs and private flight schools.
Adventure races
Adventure races in Croatia are organised around ten times
a year and range from easy and short to very demanding
multi-day competitions. Athletes and recreation enthusiasts,
willing to undertake extreme feats, discover alongside the
wild and the beautiful mountain and forest areas, the rivers, islands and the sea. Adventure racing combines different sports in nature such as hiking, mountain climbing,
kayaking, mountain biking, rafting and many others. Wild
and inhospitable natural landscapes offer a multitude of
challenges and the diversity and richness of landscape and
terrain provides race organisers with unlimited adventure
possibilities in planning routes.
Content and order of discipline depends on the terrain and
natural environment, and races may be of different lengths
and last from several hours to several weeks.
The preserved and beautiful nature of Croatia offers a myriad of challenges and traps on the ground and underground,
under water and next to it. The adventure races in Croatia
therefore quickly gained popularity among local and foreign
teams. Other sport events like rafting, kayaking and mountain bike racing, orienteering, paragliding and climbing competitions, marathon, triathlon and other outdoor sporting
events are also often organised. They contribute to the widening of knowledge about activities in the countryside and
developing skills of not only athletes and amateurs but also
professional guides who often participate in these events as
organisers or competitors.
In their lighter forms, such activities and events are introduced into team building programmes and other events
in nature. There are unlimited opportunities for socialising
while camping next to the camp fire, so the team building
and incentive group travel experiences which reinforce cooperation, friendship and confidence among participants
are long to be remembered.
According to experts, teamwork, physical fitness, ability
to cope in the wild, preparing equipment, food and resting
times and orientation during night and day in different terrains and unpredictable weather conditions are just some of
the prerequisites for success. In this game the main rule is:
you are as strong as your weakest member, and as fast as
your slowest member.
‘Škraping’ – a Croatian specificity - this tourist sports
manifestation and a type of adventure racing is a combination of climbing, jumping, running, walking and navigating in
the countryside, and was named after the sharp Dalmatian
rocks ‘škrape’. Škraping is a trekking race on sharp rocks
and through dense vegetation and includes two races: a 4045 km long trek designed for professionals and members of
the Croatian League, and a 15-20km long race for beginners and amateurs. This year’s Škraping Ugljan attracted
five hundred competitors from several countries.
Paintball
Large natural plains situated nearby cities and tourist destinations are very suitable for playing paintball, the most
prevalent extreme sport in recent decades, which is played
in about fifty countries.
It is an adrenaline sport in which opposing teams fire paint
balls from special guns called markers. All competitors are
equal and paintballing offers a moment’s escape from everyday obligations in the spirit of adventure and fun. Success, however, depends on teamwork and team tactics and
determination.
Although there are many forms of playing paintball, the most
common is to divide the players into two or more teams. The
number of players on the team can vary from one or two, up
to hundreds. The number is limited by the size of the field or
players’ imaginations.
Although seemingly a harsh game, strict rules and proper
use of safety and professional equipment have made paintballing one of the safer sports.
Paintball venues exist in many cities in Istria and continental Croatia, but the sport is more and more represented in
Dalmatia. Some venues are open only during the summer,
while most are opened throughout the year.
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
Staying in lighthouses
Lighthouses on the islands and capes of the Croatian Adriatic represent a unique synthesis of present and past. Human destiny and legends linked to the lighthouses entwine
a history told by stone lights. Lighthouse buildings, located
primarily in inaccessible and secluded beautiful pristine
landscapes, guarantee a unique summer holiday for guests
who prefer a Robinson type vacation. Lighthouses are lo-
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cated along the Adriatic coast from Istria to Dubrovnik in the
most hidden parts of Croatia. Through direct contact with
primeval nature, tourists can relax on one of the thirteen
lighthouses: Savudrija, Rt (cape) Zub, Sv. Ivan on the open
sea, Porer, Veli Rat, Prišnjak, Sv. Peter, Pločica, Sušac,
Struga, Palagruža, Sv. Andrija and Host. Accommodation
in lighthouses is possible only from Saturday to Saturday
during the high, early and late season while during the rest
of the year, it is possible to book a short period of time (e.g.,
weekends) in all lighthouses except Palagruža and Sušac.
All lighthouses have a lighthouse keeper (except on the
Rt Zub, Prišnjak, Pločica and Sv. Petar lighthouses). Find
more information at: www.lighthouses-croatia.com
Useful links:
www.croatia.hr ; www.adventure-sport.net
Photo: Milan Babić
Wellness and health tourism
Medical tourism potential
More and more foreign tourists from western countries use
their annual holiday in Croatia as an opportunity to carry
out some specialised health services the quality of which is
equally as good as abroad, but at a much lower cost. These
services can be provided by Croatian dentists or specialists
in plastic surgery.
The combination of medicine and tourism is a relatively new
type of tourism which records high growth rates, and today
the value of the medical tourism market is over $ 60 billion.
This growth trend will continue in the future, and its slow
down may be affected only by the lack of capacities and not
a decrease in demand. According to UNWTO data, 2.5% of
all international travel is related to medical tourism. According to McKinsey & Company Ltd, the estimates of market
growth range between 20-25% annually, and the expected
revenue from medical tourism in the next two years is estimated at more than $ 100 billion.
Growing demand for medical tourism services is primarily
generated by the crisis in health systems of developed countries, the high cost of health care services, long waiting lists,
and an existing trend of population aging. The current and
future development of health tourism in Croatia depends on
and is supported by diverse natural resources, environmental
quality, highly developed medical standards, as well as
the education system of medical and kinesiology profession, healing waters, the sea, moderate climate and healthy
food. All these aspects contribute to the development of a
new Croatian product, health and wellness tourism.
Development of medical tourism is noticeable in the most
attractive tourist regions of Istria and Dalmatia, but increasingly in Zagreb because of its good geographical position
and vast selection of services. There are some twenty
private clinics with good working conditions, and these include, for example, the Clinic for Plastic Reconstructive and
Aesthetic Surgery in Dubrava and Departments of Plastic
Surgery at University Hospitals in Zagreb, Rijeka and Split,
and smaller units in Osijek, Varaždin and Dubrovnik.
Croatian dentists increasingly offer a combination of accommodation and dental services. Many Italian tourists spend
their holiday in an apartment rented from their dentist while
the dentist carries out prosthetic service. Such practice is
most developed in Kvarner and Istria.
An excellent example of putting medical tourism into practice is a special hospital for medical rehabilitation, Biokovka
in Makarska, which operates commercially 365 days a year.
The vast range of its services can fill capacities of other
hotels nearby, and it attracts a large number of visitors from
Norway.
When it comes to offering specialised medical services to
foreign tourists as a form of medical tourism, agreements
must be signed at the state level to enable the full growth of
this service. Specifically, EU countries are interrelated, so
the funds invested in health care in another Member State
are returned to the patient through health insurance in his
home country.
Having in mind that particular fact, the mayor of Dubrovnik
Andro Vlahušić said that this huge challenge for Croatia allows the best Croatian doctors, nurses and health workers to
remain in their home towns and hospitals while they provide
superior service for the European patients and tourists. As an
example, he mentioned the American doctor and university
professor Walten Bean, who moved from Frankfurt to Dubrovnik. Dr. Bean, a neurosurgeon, came to Dubrovnik hospital where more than 2,000 people are being treated. The
hospital has a separate department and special contracts
with Real Caribbean and Carnival Cruises, whereby all passengers travelling on the Mediterranean, from Barcelona to
Venice are accepted exclusively to the hospital in Dubrovnik
if they fall ill during the trip and their case is not urgent.
The British agency ‘TreatmentAbroad’ claims that Croatia
has a great potential for health tourism. However there is still
a long way for Croatia to go, as health tourism participates
with less than one per cent of the total earnings from tourism.
In 2009 surgeon Miljenko Bura founded the ‘Medica Group’,
which incorporates 36 private clinics, dentists and surgeons, who provide services to foreign patients and promote medical tourism in Croatia. Bura believes that Croatia
has an excellent medical staff and a long medical tradition
and is competitive in every way when it comes to dentistry
and aesthetic surgery, which are well developed here. His
Medical Group plans to build a top medical centre in Vodice
and it has already attracted strong interest of foreign and
domestic investors from the wellness and hotel industry as
well as suppliers of medical equipment and private investors willing to invest in health.
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Data base for tourists
In order to promote health tourism in Croatia a catalogue
containing the names of specialist and dental offices, clinics
and pharmacies under the name of ‘CroatiaMedicine.com’
was launched in 2008. The project objective is to provide
quality and detailed information about the Croatian health
sector and its experts, provide quality, accessible and favourable medical services for foreigners in Croatia, to prove
that the Croatian doctors, dentists and other health sector
employees are competitive in the European market as well
as to inform patients about the Croatian providers of health
services. The CroatiaMedicine.com project is also a step
forward for Croatian tourism as it links tourism to the internet services. www.croatiamedicine.com
Wellness
Hotel facilities and independent wellness centres in hotels,
or self-organised wellness, offer a growing number of wellness services in Croatia. According to the data from the
Committee on Health Tourism, Croatia has as many as 222
mineral springs. The potentials of Croatian wellness are
aromatherapy, marine extracts, essential oils and autochthonous extracts of indigenous medicinal plants, healing
waters, autochthonous healthy food, combined with unique
wellness treatments inspired by exotic cultures.
Spas based on mineral and thermal healing springs
In the area of central Croatia there is a multitude of spas:
Tuheljske Toplice (Spa), Krapinske Toplice, Stubičke
Toplice, Varaždin Toplice, Ivanić Grad (Naftalan), Terme
Jezerčica, Daruvar, Toplice Sv. Martin and Topusko. In Slavonia there are the Lipik and Bizovac spas, in Istria and
the Adriatic, Istarske Toplice, Vela Luka, Šibenik, Lovran
and Duga Uvala. Thalassotherapy can be found in Opatija,
Crikvenica, Veli Lošinj, Hvar and Makarska.
According to data from Community Health Tourism in
Croatia from the Croatian Chamber of Economy, in this
segment of tourism Croatia offers 6,000 beds in 18 medical
institutions, of which 2,100 beds are under contract with the
Croatian Health Insurance Institute.
Hotel and Wellness Spa Services
Wellness tourism took hold as a new form of tourism and we
can already say that it introduced a revolution in preventative treatments. Numerous hotel wellness centres were
built in Croatia in 2008 and currently more than 60 operators are engaged in this activity. The Croatian Chamber of
Commerce launched the brand protection of ‘Croatian Wellness’ as to affirm all the particularities and advantages that
Croatia has to offer in the field of aromatherapy, herbs, the
clear sea ...
Lovran opened the first SPA Wellness Academy in
Croatia, where staff are trained in that segment of the tourist industry.
The following Croatian hotels are described as wellness oases:
In 2009 Le Meridien Lav in Split achieved outstanding success by winning the World Travel Awards for a Leading
Croatian Spa Hotel. World Travel Awards is regarded as
one of the world’s most prestigious recommendations of
best tourism products and destinations.
Hotel Istra Wellness Centre is one of the largest and best
equipped centres in Croatia; it covers an area of 1,650
square metres and is located on the island of Sv. Andrija,
just a ten minute boat ride from Rovinj. This Wellness Island
is designed with a Mediterranean theme and offers a holiday in an authentic Mediterranean garden, among a very
comfortable and natural setting with modern interior designs
and sophisticated equipment. The Wellness Island idea is
based on the benefits of Mediterranean plant and sea substances and has a mild microclimate which makes Rovinj a
well known destination throughout the world.
Novi Vinodolski Spa Hotels & Resort is the biggest wellness / spa centre in Europe. More than 10,000 square metres of interior and 4,000 square metres of outdoor space
hide a multitude of unique massages, treatments and programmes. The experience is completed with a Cosmetic
Surgery Clinic, dental services, and general check-up.
In Opatija, where the tradition of health tourism dates back to
the 19th century, the Liburnia Riviera Hotel recognised the
magnetic appeal of the spa centre Five Elements Ambassador, a themed spa dedicated to water. Luxury wellness facilities are located in an area of 1,300 square metres, which
makes the five star Ambassador hotel competitive even in
low season. One of the specifics of the wellness centre is
‘Rasul’ - a medicinal treatment steam which has its roots in
the Egyptian tradition of body and spirit hygiene.
Among the biggest wellness centres in Croatia is certainly
the one which forms a part of the Solaris resort in Šibenik.
It consists of six heated swimming pools of which two are
with sea water at a temperature of 28 degrees Celsius. Indoor, fresh water pools offer underwater massage and have
a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. Among other things
they provide opportunities for underwater geyser massages, counter-current swimming and waterfalls.
Wellness centres in Umag are based on the philosophy of
quality ways of living, which includes a special buffet corner with healthy foods, views of the open sea and the smell
of crisp, fresh air. The wellness services of Istraturist from
Umag are offered in the following hotels:
Hotel Sol Coral - Coral Fusion Spa, which offers exotic healing treatments and ancient Eastern technique massages.
Hotel Sol Umag offers an attractive whirlpool, themed saunas and beauty massages in the elegant, relaxing wellness
centre Istrian Relax Village. Wellness Centre The Body Holiday at the Hotel Sol Garden Istra in turn provides a series
of stimulating and revitalising treatments that aim to revive
and revitalise the body and mind.
Known wellness centres are located in the Dubrovnik hotels Uvala, President, Palace, Excelsior and Grand Villa Argentina as well as in the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa in the
Sun Gardens at the nearby Orašac and Valamar Lacroma
resort in Babin Kuk. The family Hotel Diadora in Petrčani
near Zadar offers exceptional wellness services for adults
and children. Hotel Valamar Diamant is the only four star
hotel in Poreč which offers a complete beauty and wellness
programme in one place.
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Holistic Approach
Some wellness centres such as the Zagreb Centre for quality of life Nova Noa are in turn based on a holistic approach,
and want to encourage their clients to seek balance in all
aspects of life as well as improve health and quality of life
from childhood. Nova Noa offers special types of massages
and treatments such as: Yumeiho - Japanese manual therapy, dynamic massages, shiatsu treatments, traditional Thai
massages and a classic medical sports massage as well as
ante and post natal massages, osteopathic approach to jaw
treatments etc.
The Ayurveda Centre Somalata in Zagreb and Ludbreg operates on a similar principle. The Ayurveda Centre Somalata offers a variety of natural methods and treatments for
various health disorders and skin problems, natural methods of regeneration, revitalisation and rejuvenation and
complete detoxification of the body, based on ayurvedic science. Ayurveda is based on Vedic philosophy and means’
teaching about life’.
Useful links:
www.solaris.hr; www.thalassotherapia-opatija.hr;
www.istarske-toplice.hr; www.spa-wellness.com.hr;
www.novanoa.hr; www.somalata.com;
www.medicinskagroup.com; www.dubrovnikpalace.hr;
www.hotel-excelsior.hr; www.istraturist.com;
www.maistra.com; www.porec-diamant.com;
www.adriatica.net; www.wellness.hr; www. gva.hr;
www.akademija.wellness.hr; www.toplicesvetimartin.hr;
www.minerva.hr; www.tuheljsketoplice.com;
www.bizovacke-toplice.hr; www.daruvarske-toplice.hr;
www.toplice.com; www.bolnicastubicketoplice.com;
www.krapinsketoplice.com; www.terme-tuhelj.hr;
www.stubicketoplice.net; www.ljeciliste-topusko.com;
www.biokovka.hr
Photo: Srgio Gobbo
Religious tourism
The Catholic Church in Croatia has expressed its willingness to engage more actively in religious tourism, one of the
oldest forms of tourism historically.
The Poreč-Pula Bishop, in charge of religious tourism in the
Croatian Bishops Conference, has already confirmed this,
underlining that this is a big and still insufficiently used opportunity.
The popular Croatian religious centers are Marija Bistrica,
Vepric, Sinj, Solin, Ludbreg, Aljmaš, Voćin, Trsat, Karlovac and Biskupija near Knin. The holidays of guardian
saints traditionally attract thousands of visitors to worship
places and to other towns, like for example the Holiday of
St. Vlaho to Dubrovnik and the Holiday of St. Dujam to Split.
Mary’s pilgrimage routes lead to the national shrine of the
Virgin Mary of Bistrica from many different cities and towns.
The international pilgrimage route I 23 ends in Marija Bistrica and it encompasses: Čenstohova, Levoca, Mariazzel,
Gradec / Graz, Mureck, Ptujska Gora and Marija Bistrica.
Of special interest and beauty in Marija Bistrica is the
procession with candles during the evening prayer at the
Bistrička Kalvarija or towards the old shrine on Vinski Vrh.
The Stations of the Cross in Bistrička Kalvarija are all valuable works of the most famous Croatian master sculptors.
In the sculpture park, tourists of the Galerija Hudek gallery
can enjoy a cultural offering of religious art. Old craftsmen,
like honey makers, potters and manufacturers of children’s
wooden toys can, over the summer, be found at a workshop next to the info-box at the foot of the Basilica of Mary,
or in their individual workshops throughout the year. For
years they have resisted the sale of low quality, commercial
souvenirs and hold an important place in the tourist offer of
Marija Bistrica.
The statue of the Virgin Mary of Bistrica – is the work
of an unknown, 15th century local master. It is 112 cm in
height, made of wood and painted black. Mons. S. Rittig,
pastor of St. Marko in Zagreb described the statue in the
following words: ‘This peculiar statue of the Virgin Mary of
Bistrica is the pearl of the Bistrica shrine. The statue is not
an expensive work of art. It is not particularly beautiful. It
is carved from wood and at first its modesty and dark face
look strange to one’s soul but the longer you stand and pray
before this unique statue, the more it possesses and wins
you over. Tears stream from your eyes and you feel the inner beauty of the modest Madonna as you comprehend the
meaning of the Biblical words: ‘Nigra sum sed Formosa- I
am black but beautiful’.
The statue of the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus was originally
found in Mary’s Chapel on Vinski Vrh not far from Marija
Bistrica. When the Turks broke in up to Konjščina in 1545
the Bistrica pastor took the statue of Mary from the church
on Vinski Vrh to the Bistrica parish church of St. Peter and
Paul, and buried it under the church choir to save it from
desecration. In 1588 Pastor Luka noticed strange lights in
the church choir one evening. The next day he had the choir
dug out and the statue of Mary was found. Due to the reoccurring Turkish threat, in 1650 the pastor walled up the
statue of Mary in the hollow of the church so that the only
Mary’s face could be seen out of the rock. In such circumstances, the open worship of the Virgin Mary was stopped.
Peter Brezarić was a pastor in Bistrica from 1676 to 1679.
In the second week of September, during the mass, a beautiful woman in a blue dress climbed up to the pulpit and
handed him a wax candle, saying: ‘Pray with the entire nation to get me my sight back’. The pastor wondered how a
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blind woman could climb the pulpit alone and then descend
among other women.
The same afternoon, when the pastor went with the chaplain from Bistrica to Podgrađe, towards the feudal castle
of the patron of the church Malerić, the same woman appeared before them. When they tried to catch up with her on
their cart she disappeared.
While Ivan Molitorisa was a pastor of the Bistrica church,
the Bishop of Zagreb Martin Borković sent clergyman and
curator Matija Stoklas to seek the forgotten statue of Mary.
The statue was found on 15th July 1684 and placed on the
altar among the statues of St. Peter and St. Paul. The next
day, Sunday 16th July 1684, Magdalena Paulec, a noblewoman and patron of the parish, brought her possessed
daughter Katarina to the Bistrica church. She was carried
around the altar three times and was miraculously healed.
The same day in the Turkish Nagykanizsa (Hungary) prison
the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the seven Christian
prisoners and told them: ‘Do not be afraid my children, but
keep the faith. I have been blind for 40 years but today I
received vision in Bistrica. Promise yourselves you will to go
there and you will be acquitted’. Soon after that, Nagykanizsa and the whole of Hungary was freed from the Turks.
From that day there are constant pilgrimages to Marija Bistrica.
From 1688 to 1786, 1,109 miraculous events were recorded
and recognised, but only after thorough research and reliable witnesses.
UNESCO decided to add the events of religious character
in Croatia such as the Easter procession in Hvar ‘Za križem’
to the list of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. Such
events can be used for extending the tourist season around
Easter. If Vienna can have its advent, why would the Dalmatian islands not have their Easter? During the pilgrimage in
Easter week in Hvar, a multitude of faithful pilgrims go from
village to village night by night. The core of the procession
is ‘Gospin Plač’ (Our Lady’s weeping) an octosyllabic New
Testament text from the 15th century, which is sung in the
form of music dialogue by the chosen singers (kantadur).
Since 2007, during Christmas, in front of the Shrine of Our
Lady of Sanctuary in Aljmaš, a beautiful Christmas story a Live Nativity Scene is presented. The village life in Jesus’ time is portrayed in the small wooden houses with a
live nativity scene. Residents of Bethlehem are locals from
Aljmaš and Dalj Planina dressed in jute costumes. Visitors
can enjoy tea, mulled wine, Aljmaš fried curd cake and relax
within the seasonal environment and a rich programme that
takes place from 24th to 26th December. The programme
‘Žive Jaslice’ (Live Nativity Scene) ends with the feast of
Epiphany, when the nativity is visited by the Three Wise
Men, among other performances.
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Gastro & wine corner
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
Photo: Damir Fabijanić
The Croatian cuisine is diverse and known as a cuisine of
different regions. Its modern form originates from the protoSlavic and ancient times. The differences in the selection
of ingredients and preparation methods are the most obvious if we compare the continental and coastal regions. The
continental cuisine is typical for its early proto-Slavic roots
and more recent contacts with established schools of gastronomy – Hungarian, Viennese, and Turkish. Meat products, freshwater fish and vegetables dominate. The coastal
region is characterized by the influences of the Greeks,
Romans, Illyrians and later Mediterranean cuisines – Italian and French. It features many seafood specialties (squid,
cuttlefish, octopus, shrimp, lobster...) prepared in various
ways, olive oil, prosciutto, various vegetables, Dalmatian
wines such as Babić, Malvasia, Prosecco and Vrbnik
Žlahtina, and various liqueurs like the famous Maraschino. In 2008, the national culinary team participated for the
first time in the world encounter of chefs and pastry chefs,
the Culinary Olympics held in Erfurt, Germany, and won the
bronze medal.
A special dish for each holiday
Some festivities are public, like the Dionysian St. Martin’s
Day celebrated on estates, in wine cellars and restaurants,
while others are only celebrated within the family (weddings,
baptisms, Christmas, New Year, Easter, etc.). Each holiday
has one specific dish. Pork and potato stew are prepared
for pilgrimages and fairs, cod is prepared on Christmas Eve
and Good Friday, pork is prepared on New Year’s day, and
donuts are inseparably connected with carnival events (in
the south they prepare similar pastry called fritule). Ham and
boiled eggs with green vegetables are served for Easter, with
traditional pastries for dessert (like pinca). Kulen is for harvest days, goose is for St. Martin’s Day, while turkey, other
poultry and sarma are served for Christmas. At weddings
they serve a series of dishes with pastries and cookies, such
as little peaches, bear claws, pepper cakes and fritule.
Many prefer lamb and suckling on a spit, grilled fish, calamari prepared in various ways, grilled meat, prosciutto
and sheep cheese, smoked ham and cottage cheese with
sour cream, fish stew and veal on any occasion.
First Croatian cookbook
The rich literary opus confirms the high level and tradition
of gastronomic culture in Croatia, such as the records in the
Croatian/Latin dictionary from 1740, preceded by a similar
French dictionary, fictional works by famous Croatian renaissance writers as well as the book written by Ivan Bierling in
1813, containing recipes for preparation of 554 different dishes, which is considered to be the first Croatian cookbook.
Many Croatian traditional festivities are directly associated
with food, regardless of whether they pertain to hard labour
(harvest or crop threshing, grape harvest or wine baptism,
house completion), religion (solely Catholic holidays –
Christmas, Easter, pilgrimage, celebrations of local guardian saints) or important moments in life of an individual
(baptism, wedding, birthday, name-day, wake).
A wide range of quality wines
Croatia has every right to be proud of its wide range of quality wines (there are as many as 700 wine varieties with protected geographic origin), brandies, fruit juices, beers and
mineral waters. In the south, people normally drink bevanda
(heavy red wine of a rich flavour mixed with natural water), while those in the northwest regions drink gemišt (dry
aromatic wines mixed with mineral water). The Croatian
Danube area promotes its wines, primarily the Traminac,
through the ‘Traminac Express – Three Railroad Cars –
Three Stories’ programme, as well as its gastronomy combined with cultural and historical activities. In Lučko near
Zagreb they opened the House of Croatian Wines on 250
square metres, offering some 1,500 labels of quality and
premium wines from all parts of Croatia.
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Every Croatian tourist region has its own wine attributes,
provided through the project ‘Wine roads’ as a special form
of selling agricultural produce of a particular wine-growing
area. Rural farms and other participants offer their products
and other original specialties, especially wine. The uniqueness of the environment and its natural beauty as well as
historical and cultural sights, form an integral part of the
wine road together with tourist and catering facilities. The
construction of the wine road defines the hospitality facilities
of an area and determines the alignment of the wine road.
Locations for the welcoming of guests are prepared, signposts are made and the wine road is marked. The supply
of wines and other local specialties at the wine farms have
a crucial role in the appearance and size of the wine road.
Wine roads in Croatia can be found in two main wine-growing
regions, the coastal and continental regions, each of which
is further divided into vineyard sub-regions. The coastal region is broken down into Istria, the Croatian Adriatic coast,
Dalmatian Zagora and North, Central and Southern Dalmatia. The Continental region is composed of a series of subregions that stretch from the Danube region through Slavonia, Moslavina and sub-regions near Zagreb to Zagorje and
Međimurje. According to some, there are three key regions:
Dalmatia, Istria and Primorje, and Slavonia. All the leading
travel agencies in the Adriatic and the continent offer wine
road tripa. These include visits to wine cellars and learning
about wine roads, and are equally popular in the main tourist season as in the months of Autumn and Spring.
USEFUL LINKS:
www.ibus.hr/html/en/vinskacesta.htm; www.vinailok.hr;
www.kutjevacki-vinari.hr;
www.knezevi-vinogradi.hr/vinske-ceste-podrumi;
www.tzbaranje. hr; www.tzm.hr; www.istria-gourmet.com;
www.izvorno.hr; www.tzosbarzup.hr/; www.tzzz.hr;
www.vinskiputi.org; www.vinski-klub.hr;
www.wine-hrvatske.com; www.vinistra.com
Croatian olive oil
Croatian olive growers are constantly regenerating their
grandfathers’ olive groves trying to preserve the tradition of
growing olives and respecting nature and organic production. Along with the superior flavour and taste they strive to
offer a healthy product. Oil refineries use modern equipment
for cold processing thus preserving the original flavour, aroma, richness of antioxidants and vitamins. Subsequently,
Croatian olive oil is kept in the appropriate packaging and
under carefully controlled conditions.
Croatia has about five million olive trees covering an area of
5500 hectares, and by 2012 Croatia should have 10 million
olive trees. Croatian olive oil is highly respected in the EU,
particularly the oil from the old olive trees, which in the past
fifty years have not been treated by any chemicals, and for
which the same can be said about the ground on which they
grow.
Croatian olive oil is created in an area where geographical
location, climate and soil structure guarantee excellent conditions for growing olives. Experience and expertise gained
through a thousands of years old tradition of olive growing,
combined with the monitoring of global technological trends
in production, have created a high quality product recognised at the international level and classified among the best
olive oils in the world. In 2009, for example, in a competition
of over 5,000 oils from around the world, as many as 54
Croatian olive growers were listed in the prestigious world
guide of best olive oil, L’extravergine. By the quality of our
olive oil, and the representation in the guide L’extravergine,
eminent world experts from the olive oil sector positioned
Istrian olive oil among the very best in the world. It holds
the 2nd place behind Tuscany and in particular it should be
noted that Istrian manufacturers have been included among
the top 15 manufacturers of the world for the fourth year
running. Specifically, 36 Istrian olive oils are included in the
guide L’extravergine 2009. At the second place of the top
list of the 15 best oils of 2009 are Bosiljka and Duilije Belić
from Fažana whose company Olea B.B. has made the biggest advance in quality and marketing in the last four years.
Useful links:
www.sibiba.com; www.7maslina.net; www.istria-gourmet.com;
www.orkula.com; www.ipsa-maslinovaulja.hr; www.oleabb.hr
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Croatia – the home of the famous
Photo: HTZ
One of them is Marco Polo from Korčula, the legendary explorer who discovered China for the West in the 13th century.
Faust Vrančić from Šibenik was a man of wide scientific interest, engaging in lexicography, philosophy, theology and
technology. In the 16th century, he invented the first modern
parachute, that he personally tested in Venice. Vrančić also
designed a mill driven by sea tides, the cable car, and a
new structure for metal bridges (suspended on iron chains,
the so-called suspension bridge), which he described in his
famous book on mechanics Machinae novae (61 structures,
Venice, 1595). Such bridges were not built before the late
18th century, two centuries later. Marko Marulić, often referred to as the father of Croatian literature, was born in
Split in 1450. He was an educated humanist poet (poeta
doctus), a Christian poet (poeta christianus) and a singing
poet. He wrote in Croatian and Latin. His epic Judita is one
of the most important Croatian literary works.
Marin Držić, one of the greatest Croatian Renaissance writers, was a man who incorporated the peak of his creative
work in two comedies, Dundo Maroje and Skup, which are
still applicable to the present day, after 500 years. In addition to writing, he was active in many other social areas
and created various controversies in his time. Among other
things, he was a priest, a university rector and a political
activist – in short, a man with a very interesting biography.
Julije Klović from Grižane near Novi Vinodolski is the
greatest European small-format painter, referred to as the
Michelangelo of Miniature. In the 16th century, his student
El Greco painted Klović together with Michelangelo, Rafael
and Tizian. In the 4th century, stone mason Marin from Rab
established the town/state of San Marino. Nikola Tesla
from the village of Smiljan in Lika was an inventor whose
discoveries in the area of electrical engineering and radio
diffusion are essential to modern civilisation. Tesla’s brilliant
mind enabled the electrification of the world and powerful
economic growth. Tesla’s inventions cover many areas, the
most significant ones being electrical energy, radio technol-
ogy, telecommunications, tele-automatics, lighting, etc. In
1888, he registered a number of patents concerning the rotating magnetic field and alternate current, which were purchased by George Westinghouse. In the late 19th century,
Tesla was fully committed to working in laboratories and on
inventions including the production of high frequency currents (Tesla transformers), fluorescent lighting, foundations
of radio technology, tele-automatics, X-rays and many others. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, he worked on
wireless energy transmission. He patented a total of 112
inventions in America. In 1917, he was awarded the Edison
Medal and discovered the basic principles of radar. Thanks
to his progressive ideas and inventions, Tesla is referred to
as the scientist who invented the 20th century.
Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić from Slavonski Brod, a children’s
writer from the early 20th century, was called the Croatian
Andersen with good reason. In the 19th century, David
Schwartz from Zagreb invented an aircraft, but died before he was able to have it patented. Count von Zeppelin
created the famous aircraft according to his drawings. Slavoljub Penkala, another man from Zagreb, put the world in
his debt by inventing the ballpoint pen. In the 19th century,
Giovanni Luppis from Rijeka invented the torpedo, which
is why the first torpedo factory was established in Rijeka.
Croatia is the home of top athletes, including the best female Croatian athlete of all times, Janica Kostelić. With
three Olympic gold medals and one silver medal from the
2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Janica became the most
successful alpine skier in the history of the Winter Olympics.
Her brother Ivica Kostelić is also a skier, with more or less
successful appearances at all major ski competitions. Since
he began his career, he has won the FIS World Cup 9 times
(8 times in slalom and once in Super Combination). Ivica
achieved his dream in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin:
he won a Silver Olympic medal in the Combination event.
Blanka Vlašić is the best Croatian high jumper and one
of the world’s best high jumpers. She has won numerous
gold medals and other awards at the World Championships.
Blanka won the silver medal at the Olympics in Beijing in
2008. The European Athletic Federation pronounced her
the best athlete of 2007, and in the same year, the International Athletic Federation (IAAF) declared her jump of 207
cm the ‘achievement of the year’. In the first competition
of 2009, on 26th January in Rijeka, Blanka recorded an impressive one hunderedth jump above 2 metres, achieved at
altogether 63 tournaments.
Ivano Balić is the best handball player in Croatian history,
and is also considered to be one of the best players of all
times. He was elected to the best team of the competition
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at several championships and was proclaimed the best
handball player of the world in 2003, 2006 and 2007. The
explanation of the decision stated: ‘He is simply a delight
to watch’. He was elected the best European and Croatian
player several times. In 2001, the famous tennis player
Goran Ivanišević won Wimbledon. Although not favoured
because he did not qualify for the tournament but received a
wild card, Ivanišević managed to reach the finals and defeat
Patrick Rafter. Ivan Ljubičić, Mario Ančić, and young Marin
Čilić, who is predicted a brilliant future in tennis, all defend
Croatia in the world of tennis. Since winning the Bronze at
the World Cup, when the Croatian football team was lead
by Davor Šuker, Zvonimir Boban, and Slaven Bilić, Croatian
footballers are well respected and have fans around the
world.
Maksim Mrvica, a young Croatian pianist, won over the
global audience primarily by his crossover performances,
as well as classical piano performances. The mixture of
modern sounds and classical tones, classical music with
rock beats and electronic additions leave no one indifferent.
The nice young man from Šibenik has successfully built his
international career and achieved the greatest popularity in
Asia where his fans literally fight for tickets to his concerts.
The two best known and most respected Croatian scientists in the world at this point in time are Dr. Ivan Đikić, and
Dr. Miroslav Radman. Zagreb born Ivan Đikić, a molecular
biologist, did his post-doctoral fellowship in the USA and
Sweden, and at the end of 2002 became the youngest professor at Goethe University Medical School in Frankfurt. He
is one of the youngest members of the European Molecular
Biology Organization (EMBO), which brings together 36 Nobel Prize winners. He has published over 80 papers in the
world’s leading scientific journals and they have been cited
more than 5,100 times. He has won a number of international awards, among them being the AACR Award of the
American Association for Cancer Research, for outstanding achievements in cancer research, and the award of the
European Association for Cancer Research (EACR) for the
best young researchers. In February 2009 the respected
journal “Molecular Cell” announced the discovery of Dr. Ivan
Đikić concerning the mechanisms by which cells of mammals can be cleaned from a variety of causes of diseases.
Đikić came to his latest discoveries, about clearing the cell
from a layer of proteins, damaged organelles and bacteria,
in collaboration with scientists from the Norwegian University of Tromso, Israel’s Weizmann Institute and the Japanese
Institute of Tokyo Metropolitan. This mechanism is essential
for the interpretation of the development of some neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The same issue of “Molecular Cell” also published the sensational discovery of Dr. Radman. He and his colleagues
have identified the major proteins which can repair damaged
DNA, in the bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans. These
wonderful bacteria can protect their proteins from damage
caused by radiation. Effective protection of proteins would
mean slowing the aging process, and the pharmaceutical
industries, thanks to this discovery could produce the elixir
of eternal youth. Born in Split, Miroslav Radman is a biologist who specialises in the area of DNA. He is a member of
the French Academy of Sciences, European Academy of
Arts and Sciences, the World Academy of Sciences and the
European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO). He is a
professor of cytology at the Paris Medical School (Faculté
de Médecine - Necker, Université Paris V) and head of the
Laboratory of Evolutionary and Molecular Genetics at the
Necker Institute in Paris. He is also co-founder and director of the Mediterranean Institute for Life Sciences in Split,
which brings together great scientists from Croatia and the
World.
The inspiration for Ian Flemming’s James Bond was a naturalised citizen of Dubrovnik, Dušan Popov, born in 1912 in
Vojvodina (then Austro-Hungary, and today Serbia), and
raised in Dubrovnik. The Germans called him ‘John’, and
the English ‘Tricycle’, and this skilful secret agent spent the
Second World War in the service of the Allies, misinforming
the German secret service. Through the missions ‘Fortitudo’
and ‘The Man Who Did Not Exist’ he contributed to the defeat of the Germans and indeed earned the unofficial title of
the greatest double agent of World War II. Before the attack
on Pearl Harbor, Duško Popov personally notified the FBI
and its director J. Edgar Hoover of the imminent Japanese
attack, but Hoover did not react, not believing the young
Balkan spy. Popov took part in the misinformation of the
Germans during the Allied landings in Normandy in June
of 1944, which brought chaos to the German defence. His
alter ego in those war years was that of a business man
surrounded by beautiful women, sports cars, palaces and
casinos. In reality his life was filled with interrogations, intrigue and espionage. Ian Flemming, who the British secret
service MI5 entrusted to watch Dušan Popov, was not disappointed to be inspired by him for his famous character
James Bond.
The great Croatian painter Julius Knifer (Osijek 23.04.1924.
- Paris 7.12.2004.), spent the last years of his life in Paris,
where he enjoyed the status of a respected artist. Knifer
spent four decades painting the motif of meander, noting
that black and white is at the same time the minimum and
maximum. He has exhibited in famous European museums
and galleries, and many of his works are now owned by the
world’s most prestigious museums, galleries, foundations
and private collections, which also speaks for the reputation
that his work enjoys. In honour of this great artist, Knifer’s
mural was unveiled at the end of June 2007 in Toulouse
as part of a major project which brought together some of
the World’s most important artists (Roman Opalka, Sophie
Calle and others) who envisaged 19 metro stations.
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Presenting Croatia by region
City of Zagreb
www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr
Photo: Ivo Pervan
What makes Zagreb completely different that the other European metropolises is its charm and directness, as well as
an excellent geographic position at the junction of important
roads between the Adriatic coast and Central Europe. Although it has all the characteristics of a Central European
city, Zagreb’s charm comes from its coffee houses and outdoor garden patios typical of the Mediterranean lifestyle.
Thanks to the modern motorways excellently connecting it
with the coast, Zagreb is in a way a seaside city as well.
The capital city of Croatia on the banks of Sava River, 170
kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, is situated at 122 meters
above sea level. It has a continental climate with an average
temperature of 20 degrees in summer and 1 degree Celsius
in winter.
According to the Croatian Tourism Strategic Plan for the
period 2010-2014, Croatia will be profiled as a high value
lifestyle destination with well-preserved natural and cultural
treasures. Accordingly, Zagreb will be presented as a ‘gate
to Croatia’, and hold the image of a meeting place, where
continental Europe connects with the Adriatic.
Cultural and historical heritage
Zagreb is a business and scientific hub, a university center, a city of culture, art and entertainment. Many reputable
scientists, artists and athletes originate from and work in
Zagreb. Zagreb offers its guests the baroque ambient of the
Uptown, picturesque outdoor marketplaces, various shops
and a wide range of craftsmen’s products, and a delicious
domestic cuisine. Zagreb is a city of green parks and promenades, with numerous excursion spots in its beautiful surroundings. Despite the rapid development of the economy
and transport, it has preserved is distinctive beauty and a
relaxed feeling, making it a city truly tailored to man.
The historical treasure is kept and exhibited in Zagreb’s
museums. In addition to items associated with the city’s
history, Zagreb’s museums and art collections feature ex-
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
hibits from all over the world of a remarkable historical and
artistic value. The Zagreb mummy with the longest Etruscan inscription in the world and the remains of the Krapina
Neanderthal (homo Krapinensis) are special rarities. The
Technical Museum holds the oldest preserved machine in
the area, dating back to 1830, which still works. The Mimara
Museum keeps the Wiltrud and Ante Topić Mimara donations and the permanent layout features over 1,500 exhibits
from the prehistoric times to the 20th century. HAZU’s (Croatian Academy of Science and Art) Strossmayer Gallery of
Old Masters has a permanent layout of European painting
from the 14th century to the 19th century, while the Meštrović
Studio holds sculptures, drawings, litographic maps and
other items donated to Croatia by the great artist. The
Klovićevi Dvori Gallery regularly puts on exhibitions of globally renowned artists. The significance of the gallery named
after a renaissance master of miniatures is confirmed by the
fact that it featured a retrospective of the greatest masters
of German expressionism entitled “The Quiet Rebellion” in
late 2008 and early 2009 ( www.galerijaklovic.hr).
The Zagreb Dance Centre opened at the end of October
2009. Zagreb is proud of its long tradition of dance and has
long been regarded as the cradle of modern dance in the
Central European region. Today Zagreb has a very colourful dance scene, ranging from ballet, folklore, contemporary
dance and social dance clubs to festivals and performances. The Croatian Institute for Movement and Dance will
create programmes for the Zagreb Dance Centre and the
Dance Week Festival, which has represented the best of the
world contemporary dance scene for the past thirty years.
The Festival includes not only current trends but also those
which have marked the history of contemporary dance. The
Zagreb Dance Centre is the first premise built for the needs
of the dance profession in Croatia since its independence.
Admirers of art will remember the year 2009 primarily by
the opening of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA),
the largest cultural investment in Croatia since the inde-
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pendence of the state. With the opening of a new building
in Novi Zagreb, the MCA will become the largest stateof-the-art museum institution in Croatia. A total display
area of 14,689.65 m2 will be open to the public, including
3,500 m2 for permanent collections, 1,500 m2 for temporary exhibitions and 700 m2 for rooftop exhibitions, a multimedia theatre, library, educational hall, museum shop
with a bookstore, coffee bars, restaurants, apartments
for visiting artists and curators and a lobby of 725 m2.
After more than fifty years of meticulous collecting, processing and presentations of only certain parts of the holdings of
the Museum, the first exhibition presented to the audience
will be the permanent collection of the MCA, ‘The Collection
in Motion’.
The authors of the collection, the MCA senior curators Nada
Beroš and Tihomir Milovac, advocate the new title ‘Collection in Motion’; instead of the usual concept of a permanent
exhibition, they wish to emphasise the essential characteristics of modern art: movement, change, volatility and uncertainty.
Artworks by Croatian and foreign authors held in the collections of MCA span different styles and expressions such as
abstract expressionism, geometric and lyrical abstraction,
informel, minimalism, proto-conceptualism, analytical and
primary painting, Fluxus, conceptual art, painted field art,
optic art, trans-avant-garde and others,; reflecting the mission of the Museum, whose core activity has always been to
actively monitor new movements in art.
The MCA has several collections: The collection of paintings, the sculpture collection, a collection of drawings,
graphics, prints and art on paper, a photography collection, film and video collection and a media art collection.
Alongside the works of a number of important Croatian
and foreign artists who have pushed the boundaries of art
and changed its course, there will be two new site specific
projects designed for the Museum, which will remain in its
permanent possession: the Toboggan by Carsten Höller
and Eyes of Purification for Zagreb by Miroslav Balke.
Entertainment & art
When the city turns on its lights and its daily hustle and bustle goes quiet, the luxurious world of Zagreb’s stages awakens. Famous masters of word, sound or motion will attract
many enthusiasts with classical or modern works. Each
theater has its own repertoire and they all together reveal
the wealth of Zagreb’s theatrical life. Comedies or dramas,
operas or musicals, classical or modern ballet, contemporary scene or the playful world of dolls… the choice is wide.
Especially during the time of the Dance Week Fastival or
the Eurokaz Festival.
Zagreb is rich in various events all year round. The theater
and concert season goes on throughout the year and the city
has numerous theater and concert stages and halls.
Every year during the International Folklore Festival, the costumes of participants adorn the streets of Zagreb. The first
Festival was organised in 1966, and it has since developed
into a traditional cultural heritage event which encourages cooperation among different nations and ethnic groups.
In summer months, the residents and visitors to the city like
to go to the Uptown. They listen to concerts within the Evenings on Grič cycle in the atrium of the Museum Premises
on Jezuitski Square, the Church of St. Catherine and the
Church of St. Mark or visit the Zagreb Cathedral for concerts
under the name of The Organs of the Zagreb Cathedral. In
winter months, the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall provides
an attractive program. Two ensembles are inevitable when
it comes to traditional music: the Zagreb Philharmonic, an
internationally reputable orchestra, and the Zagreb Quartet
of the same creative level.
The streets of Zagreb are often home to different events
and performances, particularly in the summer, when they
become a very vivid and interesting place. Street entertainers, performers, alternative theatre actors and various other
artists from more than 30 countries worldwide have been
entertaining audiences for 13 years at the street festival
Cest is d’Best. There are also several music ‘Open Air’ festivals, which attract audiences eager to hearthe latest music
trends and world-class stars.
“Autumn in Zagreb” combines several international multicultural encounters – World Theater Festival, Zagreb Film Festival, Queer Zagreb, New Circus Festival, as well as some
major exhibition projects.
Apart from the Zagreb Film Festival and Animafest – the
World Festival of Animated Film, which has a tradition of
more than thirty years - enthusiasts of the seventh art are
attracted to the ZagrebDox, the biggest international documentary film festival in the region.
Zagreb has, in recent decades, profiled itself as a European
Centre for jazz and the most famous names in jazz visit the
city year after year.
In 2009 many popular musicians and actors visited Zagreb.
The list includes U2, Beyonce, Macy Gray, David Guetta,
Boney M, Armand Van Helden, Norma Belle, Cesaria Evora, Eros Ramazzotti, Backstreet Boys, Kraftwerk, Franz
Ferdinand, Art Brut and Moby.
Zagreb was also host to Jose Careras, members of the
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, declared
by the British magazine Gramophone as ‘the first orchestra in the world’, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra
conducted by Yuri Temirkanov, the Russian Chapel Choir
and Orchestra, Orchestra La Scintilla of the Zurich Opera
House and one of today’s most distinctive singers, Cecilia
Bartoli. The famous London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the charismatic Valeri Gergiev, performed in the
Zagreb Arena.
Zagreb’s night life
Entertainment is available in numerous discotheques,
night bars, casinos, etc. Zagreb currently has five large
discotheques, around fifteen clubs, 12 pubs, a dozen beer
houses, the same number of lounge bars, night clubs and
cocktail bars, several jazz clubs and many cafés and restaurants offering, among other things, good nighttime fun.
Those who like to try their luck can have fun in one of the
fifteen casinos.
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The strict city center is the liveliest and another fun place to
go is the “Zagreb Sea” –Lake Jarun – where the nighttime
atmosphere is comparable to that in the most popular destinations thanks to its numerous clubs and cafés.
While everything takes place indoors in wintertime, summer
is the time when Zagreb shows its Mediterranean spirit and
ambience. The city’s special charm is without a doubt in its
coffee houses and their contemporary version, the cafés.
Chatting over a drink at a coffee house has a really long
tradition in Zagreb. Guests who prefer music will relax in
one of the numerous discotheques or clubs, some of which
are very popular and offer extensive programs, in jazz or
swing clubs or with candlelight to the rhythm of waltz, tango,
rumba or samba in one of the restaurants.
The Zagreb club scene has recently expanded with two new
clubs, the Sirup and the Shamballa. The Sirup Club is located
in Donje Svetice and although it is a small space for only three
hundred people, judging by the list of world class DJ stars that
perform there, it will soon be first among the best electronic
music venues. The club is futuristic in design and follows organic construction lines, almost without any corners, challenging the classic four walls and three dimensions concept.
Unlike the Sirup, club Shamballa occupies more than one
thousand square metres, on several floors. It is located
in the sports and business complex Cibona and has in a
short time acquired the status of hype venue. The club programme is aimed at a wide range of audiences, catering for
both young and old and different musical preferences.
It has been announced that a new jazz club will open in a
former casino space on the main city square.
Photo: HTZ
apples and cherries, the custard slice and various cakes.
In the center of the city or at one of the excursion spots, you
will choose the menu and ambient according to the occasion, taste, mood and the time of day, with the distinctive
sounds of tambourine or piano.
Everyone will find their favorite place here, their table to
which they will gladly return and always be welcome.
Pepper pastry – a traditional Croatian pastry
This aromatic pastry dates back to the times of the Renaissance. It is distinctive for its rectangular shape and for the
folklore motifs carved in it. The popularity of the pepper
pastry among the first residents of Gradec is described in
Šenoa’s novel ‘Zlatarevo zlato’.
Zagorje štrukli – protected cultural heritage
The Ministry of Culture has proclaimed the traditional homemade štrukli intangible cultural heritage. ‘The region of Zagorje is a veritable treasury of unusual delicacies that the
witty local women were forced to prepare for their numerous
families due to poverty’. The Ministry also explained its decision by the fact that the preparation of homemade štrukli
requires special skill of the housewives of Hrvatsko zagorje
and, with some slight differences, the entire Central Croatia. Many restaurants in Zagreb prepare štrukli, which many
people love – after you try it, you will surely be one of them.
Zagreb Gourmet Wine Festival
For all fans of good wines, the Zagreb Gourmet Wine Festival will offer plenty of reasons to enjoy the enological event
which promotes the culture of life. The festival is organized
in the elegant interior of the Museum of Arts and Crafts,
and in 2009 it brought together 110 top wine makers from
Croatia, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary and Serbia, even
though it was held for only the second time. The rich programme includes tastings, culinary presentations and workshops, together with presentations held by distinguished
speakers from abroad.
Gastro corner
The numerous restaurants in Zagreb offer various domestic
and international specialties. The domestic specialties to try
include turkey, duck or goose with mlinci, štrukli, cottage
cheese with cream and the walnut cake. Zagreb has it own
Zagreb Steak – veal generously stuffed with cheese and
Prague ham, and fried in breadcrumbs like the Viennese
Steak. If you have the opportunity, don’t miss one of the
traditional Zagreb’s lunches – wine stew or bacon and tripe.
As Zagreb is close to the sea, the fish restaurants offer fresh
seafood. The city has many fast food establishments and
the fans will not be disappointed. The tradition of Zagreb’s
coffee houses and pastry shops is long and rich, so it is certainly worth trying the Zagreb strudel stuffed with cheese,
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Photo: Damir Fabijanić
The surrounding area
The area surrounding Zagreb is attractive and rich with its
vineyards, wine roads and the highest concentration of castles after the Loire Valley. The most romantic and, according
to many, the most beautiful castle in Croatia is Trakošćan,
Maruševac is a nice example of a romantic, neo-gothic “fairytale castle”.
The recently restored Baroque castle Lužnica near Zaprešić,
owned by the Sisters of Mercy, is also interesting. Veliki Tabor is an ancient 15th century fortress owned by the Counts of
Ratkay. Many legends and tales are linked to this late GothicRenaissance building. The most famous is that of the unfortunate destiny of Veronika Desinička, from the time when the
Counts of Celje ruled the Zagorje region. Although she was
not walled into the massive walls of the castle as the legend
tells, the beautiful Veronika and her sad love story have captured the imagination of many artists who painted, drew or
put to music the tale of these ancient events.
The Baroque castle Oršić was renovated in 1973 as part of
the monumental complex in the valley of Stubica and is now
home to the Peasants’ Revolt Museum. Visitors can discover the turbulent history of the 16th century and the time of the
Gubec Mutiny. Nearby the museum is a monument to the
legendary leader of the peasant revolt, made by the sculptor
Antun Augustinčić. The Stubica area is home to many interesting events, including those connected to the Peasant Revolt, St. George’s Day and the spring events, the Croatian
Iris Garden, ‘Meetings for Rudi’ Airshow and the unique Medieval Tournament, the only event with duels of horsemen
in Croatia. The authentic ethno village in Kumrovec and the
thermal springs of our renewed spas, such as Jezerčica
Terme and Terme Tuhelj, which rightly bear the name of
our ‘Thermal Riviera’, are an attractive tourist destination.
In the vicinity of the archaeological discovery site of the
Krapina Neanderthal man, a new museum of the Krapina
Neanderthals has been built, and it opens its doors to visitors in 2010. The museum building has a spiral shape which
symbolically represents a cave, a snail shell, the human
brain, an embryo, and evolution. The museum has two
floors that are linked by a spiral ramp, providing direct access to the discovery sites via the walkway. The museum
floor is made of soil, while the entrance presents scenes
from the life of Neanderthals, projected on glass walls. The
new museum exhibition includes eye-catching multimedia
contents and a contemporary museum exposition. The
realisation of this megaproject significantly contributes to
the preservation and promotion of the world famous site of
the Neanderthal man and has therefore been termed the
Project of the Millennium.
The town of Samobor (www.tz-samobor.hr) is situated in the
fertile lowlands of Sava River, at the foot of Samobor Mountains. This is truly a museum town. Every house, square
and street has its historical story. The remains of a medieval
burg above the present town and numerous exhibits in the
Samobor Town Museum present the town’s rich history.
Samobor is a favorite excursion spot for the people of Zagreb, especially popular for its gastro offer and attractive
events, including as a highlight the carnival festivities.
The Medvednica Nature Park (www.pp-medvednica.hr), with
its highest peak Sljeme (1033 m) is one of the favorite excursion spots for the locals. Sljeme can be reached by cable car
and those who like to hike will find organized trails – the climb
takes around two hours. In wintertime, Sljeme is a favorite
destination for skiers and other winter sport fans. Janica
Kostelić, one of the best female skiers of all times, and her
brother Ivica, can sometimes be seen on the slopes here.
The medieval Zrinski mine was built in the 16th century on
the hills above Zagreb and was extended by 150 metres in
2009. In the past it was used for mining silver, but in 2006 it
was proclaimed a cultural heritage site and is today he only
medieval mine in Croatia opened to visitors.The mine is located in the Medvednica Nature Park, in a part called the
‘Mining Garden’. The mine is entirely illuminated and exhibits show the way in which silver was mined in the past, with
sound effects accompanying sculptures of miners performing
everyday activities. The Zrinksi mine attracts more and more
visitors every year. The cultural and tourist event ‘Medieval
Days on Medvednica’ is linked to the mine and revives the
spirit of the Middle Ages, chivalry and silver coin minting.
The city’s sport spirit
Like any city adapting to trends and new lifestyles, Zagreb
accepts facilities corresponding to its residents’ habits and
sport spirit. Few European metropolises have a nature park
like Medvednica in the immediate vicinity.
The ancient Medvedgrad, a medieval fort built in the 13th
century and recently reconstructed, is a special attraction
on Medvednica. It now features the Homeland Altar with
an eternal flame, where Croatia pays homage to its heroes
who have died for their Homeland through history.
Ideal for picnics, recreation and relaxation at any time of
year, Medvednica and its highest peak, Sljeme have since
2005 been host to the women’s, and later the men’s FIS Ski
Race Snow Queen Trophy (www.snowqueentrophy.com).
Zagreb also has a sports and recreational centre on the
Jarun lake – a favourite resort for the people of Zagreb and
their guests.
The famous Golden Spin of Zagreb, which regularly hosts global and local ice skating stars, has been held in Zagreb since
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1967. It is one of the oldest such events in the world and has
grown into an exciting international sports competition in ice
skating. During all those years, skaters from as many as 51
countries performed at the Golden Spin of Zagreb.
Zagreb brings together well-known names in tennis at the
ATP PBZ Zagreb Indoors tournament, which is traditionally organized in the Dom sportova. In its fourth edition in
2009 the tournament hosted not only the best Croatian tennis players Ivan Ljubičić, Mario Ančić, Marin Čilić and Ivo
Karlović, but also many world famous names. In addition
to individual competition, players compete in the doubles
event, where the tournament prize money is 450,000 euros.
The Zagreb athletic meeting is gaining in popularity. In
2009, competitors included eight gold, eight silver and five
bronze medal winners from the World Championships in
Berlin, and around 20 Beijing Olympic medallists.
A large number of professional and amateur sports clubs operate in Zagreb. Among the famous professional clubs, there
are the NK Dinamo and NK Zagreb football clubs, KK Cibona
and KK Zagreb basketball clubs, RK Zagreb handball club,
Mladost and Medveščak water polo clubs, rowing, athletics
and all the more and more popular hockey clubs. The Zagreb
Hockey Club Medveščak brought in some top hockey players
in 2009 and participated in the EBEL League, which involves
ten clubs from Austria, Slovenia and Hungary.
three hours. The programme includes a total of thirty historical sites in the Lower and Upper Town, where many significant events took place during the course of the town’s one
thousand year history.
Sightseeing
Accommodation
Zagreb’s daily tourist programs include standard guided
sightseeing and costume sightseeing on foot or wheels. In
addition to the regular bus tours, the offer includes four attractive Segway City Tour programs – a unique experience
of sightseeing around Zagreb on a Segway personal transporter (www.SegwayCityTourZagreb.com).
The accommodation offer in Zagreb is rich and diverse, and
thus suitable for everyone’s price range. The hotels range
between large premium hotels operating within renowned
chains to small private inns. The accommodation categories are marked by stars and the prices of rooms and other
services depend on the category. One of the advantages
of Zagreb is the availability of accommodation in the very
center of the city. This is where you will find the most luxurious hotels like the Sheraton and Esplanade, as well as
much more affordable ones. Generally speaking, the hotel
accommodation is at a high level, the rooms are neat and
the service is good. Most hotels offer a parking lot and some
have a garage.
Zagreb has 3 five star, 12 four star, 22 three star and 8 two
stars hotels. These include 13 small family hotels. Tourists
can also choose from a hundred rooms or apartments in
private houses, while the younger guests, who discover Zagreb ever more frequently in their journeys accross Europe,
can choose from a dozen newly opened hostels, hotels and
student hostels.
In 2009 the new four-star hotel ‘President’ opened in the
elite part of the town, Pantovčak, while thethree star hotel
‘Jarun’ opened in the vicinity of the Jarun lake.Following the
opening of the state-of-the-art congress centre, with seven
multifunctional halls and an exhibition space, and the newly
built wing of Hotel Aristos, Zagreb has also gained a new
wellness and spa centre.
In the readers’ choice of the prestigious tourism magazine
‘Conde Nast Traveller “, The Regent Esplanade Zagreb won
33rd place among hundreds of the finest hotels of southern
Europe. The hotels are rated on the basis of accommoda-
Tourist buses
On May 31st, the day of the City of Zagreb, tourist buses
of the Zagreb Electric Tram (ZET) commenced a regular
city tour service. The buses drive each day on the red and
green lines, from nine o’clock until the afternoon, starting at
Kaptol in Bakačeva Street. At 12.5 kilometres, the red line
is shorter and tourists on this route will see the immediate
centre of town, from an open bus. The green line is much
longer and, apart from the wider city area, it leads south to
lake Bundek, while northbound it goes to the 200 year old
Maksimir Park.
The buses are fully tailored to the tourists’ needs; the tours
are led by professional guides and are available in eight
languages. The tourist bus fare is 70 kuna, and one ticket
allows unlimited rides on both lines for a 24 hour period.
The Zagreb Electric Tram, which established these lines in
partnership with the Zagreb Tourist Board, announced the
introduction of three more tourist buses and one doubledecker bus.
In addition to the ZET Zagreb tours, the Tourist Board provides a minibus tour of the city sights in cooperation with
the Ibus Tours agency. The tours are organized on a daily
basis, departing at 10 AM from the Cathedral, and last for
The Zagreb Tourist Board dispatches walking tourist informers to squares and streets. Their task is to help tourists find their way around and inform them of anything they
would like to know about Zagreb from May to October. They
can be recognized for their distinctive blue outfits with a big
letter I. They provide information in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and Hebrew.
Zagreb Card with a number of benefits
By purchasing a daily (24 hours) or a 3-day (72 hours)
Zagreb Card, visitors to Zagreb have been provided with
various benefits and savings on various services of 10 to
as much as 50 percent for the past nine years. In addition
to free use of public transport, discounts are available in almost all city museums and in many theaters, concert halls,
hotels, restaurants, shops and for various services. The list
also includes providers of sporting, medical and rent-a-car
services. The card is available at over 40 points in Zagreb
– the Airport, Zagreb Fair, tourist info centers, hotels, travel
agencies, and online at www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr
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tion, services, location, quality of food and beverages, and
design, and t a total of 32,633 readers voted. The hotel,
located in the city centre, was opened as early as 1925, targeting wealthy tourists arriving in Zagreb with the legendary
Orient Express train.
Transport connections
Zagreb has very good transport connections with other
countries and other parts of Croatia. The airport is only 17
kilometers from the city center. In addition to Croatia Airlines, the national airline, the capital city is connected with
the rest of the world by international regular and charter airlines (www.croatiaairlines.com). Thanks to the modern motorway network, Zagreb also has excellent road and railway
connections. After the Zagreb-Sisak motorway is completed, Zagreb will get a new south entrance with two junctions
– Jakuševac and Sveta Klara.
What we are proud of
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
The Cathedral and Archbishop’s Court Complex
(http://zagreb.hbk.hr) – The Cathedral is the most monumental Croatian sacral building, built in the neo-gothic style.
Its exterior is 77 meters long and 48.20 wide. The height of
the towers is 108 meters. The interior area is 1617 m2 and
can accommodate 5000 people. The Cathedral is within a
medieval fort. The west part has been demolished so the
Cathedral has Kaptol Square stretching in front of it. The
south and east sides hold the Archbishop’s Court, while the
north side has the remains of the fort, well preserved towers
and walls. Priceless treasure is kept in the Cathedral’s treasury, including items dating back to the 11th to 19th centuries.
This is also the burial place for important Croatian heroes
and martyrs. The locals are especially proud of the fact that
in 1994, during the celebration of the 900th anniversary of
the Zagreb Archbishopric, Pope John Paul II conducted the
holy mass at the Cathedral.
Dolac (www.trznice-zg.hr) – Zagreb’s central marketplace
is situated in the very center of the city. The marketplace is
a colorful spot and a convincing proof that Zagreb and Croatia eat natural, fresh and tasty food. Quality tasty meat, fruits
and vegetables from the Zagreb region and other parts of
the country and the world, dairy products made by peasant
women from the surrounding area and fresh Adriatic fish are
available at colorful stands under distinctive red parasols.
There is also a wide range of souvenirs, garments and special products made of wood, wicker, etc.
Mirogoj Arcades with the domes (www.gradskagroblja.hr)
– The Mirogoj Park Cemetery is among the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe. Mirogoj is not only the final resting place for the deceased, but also a wonderful park and
an outdoor art gallery. It is also special for the fact that all
religions are respected here, not just the Christian one. Famous architect Herman Bollé designed the cemetery with
its monumental composition, a 500 meters long line of neorenaissance arcades with 20 domes. This was one of the
biggest projects in European historicism and a true gallery
for works of Croatian painters, sculptors and craftsmen.
St. Mark’s Church - In full glory after 25 years of renovation!
St. Mark’s Church, one of the symbols of Zagreb and a wellknown landmark of the city, was built in the 13th century.
The original window on the south wall and the base of the
bell tower date from that period, while the Gothic vaults and
shrines were built in the second half of the 14th century, as
was the church’s most valuable part - the sumptuous Gothic
southern portal. On the surface of the north wall is the oldest emblem of Zagreb, dating from 1499. The church was
rebuilt several times; extensive renovation took place in
the second half of the 19th century, according to the plans
of the Viennese architects Friedrich Schmidt and Herman
Bolle. During the restoration in the first half of the 20th century, the walls were painted by the distinguished painter
Jozo Kljaković, while the works of the famous sculptor Ivan
Meštrović were placed at the altar.
During the 25-year renovation – slowed down both by the
complexity of the restoration procedures and by the war –
the tower and the roof were renewed and the 15 statues
once removed for security reasons were returned to their
old places. St Mark’s Church consists of three naves, 36
metres long and 15.5 metres wide. The south side of the
roof is decorated with two coats of arms – the coat of arms
of the Croatian Kingdom, Slavonia and Dalmatia, and the
coat of arms of Zagreb. The bells used in the tower today
date from 1706.
St. Catherine - the most beautiful Baroque church in Zagreb is located in the Upper Town near the Church of St
Mark, which dominates the area. The church was built by
the Jesuits between 1620 and 1632 and has six lateral
chapels and a shrine. Five wooden Baroque altars from the
16th century and a marble altar from 1729 are situated in the
chapel. The interior of the church is richly decorated with
stucco from 1732. The sanctuary consists of a low altar,
which is located in front of the illusionist composition ‘St.
Catherine and the Philosophers of Alexandria’. Next to the
Church of St. Catherine is the complex of a former 17th century Jesuit monastery, which is now host to the Klovićevi
dvori Gallery. In addition to the exhibitions held in the atrium
of the Gallery, the monastery and the Church of St. Catherine are home to numerous classical music concerts; for
many years now the atrium has hosted the Zagreb Summer
Nights, where prominent classical musicians from Croatia
and abroad perform.
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The Stone Gate - the symbol of the Upper Town
The story of the historical centre of the Upper Town starts
from the Stone Gate, a symbol of the city. Tourists who come
to Zagreb start their sightseeing tours there, and regularly
stop at the Gate to capture the interesting scenes of the
site. The Stone Gate is the remnant of the fortress that once
walled the old city. Although it is mentioned in records since
1429, the fortress is believed to have been built as early as
1266. The fortress was frequently reconstructed throughout
history and was not spared of major fires. In the last large
fire that engulfed Gradec on 31st May 1731, the painting of
the Mother of God standing above the gate was left intact. In
gratitude, a chapel was later built, and it still stands today in
the hollow passage of the Stone Gate. The chapel houses
a painting of the Madonna and has since become the largest sanctuary of Zagreb. On the 260th anniversary of the
sanctuary celebration, where many believers burn candles
in gratitude to their patron, the Zagreb Archbishop Franjo
Kuharić declared May 31st the Day of the City of Zagreb,
and the Madonna of the Stone Gate, the patron of the city.
Lotrščak Fort (www.monel.hr/povjest/kulaLotrscak.htm) –
once the main city fort, it is now one of Zagreb’s trademarks.
This is the best preserved building within the city’s defensive system, its belvedere providing a wonderful view of Zagreb and its immediate surroundings. The fort was erected
in mid-18th century and was named Lotrščak for the bell
within it, the ‘campana latrunculorum’ or ‘the bell of thieves’,
which rang every night before the town gates closed. A cannon has been fired from Lotrščak Fort every day for over a
century to mark noon.
Photo: Tomislav Šklopan
Maksimir Park (www.park-maksimir.hr) – the largest park
in Zagreb is one of the first public gardens in Europe organized according to drawings. Making an ideal combination
of English landscape and a park forest, it was opened to
public in the late 18th century. It was the first public promenade in Southeast Europe. The city was much smaller
then and the perception of distance was different, so visitors
began to arrive in greater numbers in 1892, when the first
horse tram route was established!
The park covers an area of 316 hectares, it has improved
lakes, summer villas and sculptures, and has been systematically protected since 1940. The park area also includes
the Zoo, established in 1925.
The Zoo - Although it is one of the smaller zoos in Europe,
the Zagreb Zoo has always been a favourite destination
for many visitors, school tours and families with children.
The zoo participates in the European Endangered Species Programme through different kinds of professional
programmes. Two years ago, experts from the Zagreb Zoo
managed to breed the Channel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos
vitellinus) bird species outside its natural habitat, which is
considered a significant success on a global scale. In addition to the protection of animals and scientific research,
great attention is given to the education of children. A new
educational centre with programmes organised for children
and families has been built within the complex of the Zoo.
The centre is fun and interactive and even organises birthday celebrations for children.
Exercises in Style in Guinness - The deans of the Zagreb
and the Croatian theatre, Lela Margetić and Pero Kvrgić,
were awarded plaques by the Guinness Book of Records
for the cult show ‘Exercises in Style’ in 2009. The show was
declared the world’s longest-running theatre show with the
same cast. It has been performed in Croatian theatres for
41 year now, and the exquisite actors have been starring
together for the last 39 years.
An original gift and a nice souvenir
Croatian National Theatre building (www.hnk.hr) – The
monumental Croatian National Theater building in the middle of Maršal Tito Square was erected in 1895 according
to the concept provided by Helmer and Fellner, well known
theater builders. This is why it resembles the Viennese theater so much. The Croatian National Theater building is
among the representative historical theaters in Central and
Eastern European cities.
Meštrović Pavillion – the rotund building was built in 1938
by the world famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. Such
avant-garde project in the first half of the 20th century was a
predecessor to famous modern buildings in the world, even
the prestigious Guggenheim Museum in New York (1959). It
is now the Home of Croatian Artists and a venue for cultural
events.
A wide range of souvenirs can be bought in Zagreb. Many of
them can be used, some of them will remind you of pleasant
or unforgettable experiences, and others will be a reminder
of the achievements of modern civilization in this area.
Among the souvenirs, a mechanical pencil or pen certainly finds its place; patented by the engineer Eduard Penkala
in 1906 who, very soon after the invention, devised the first
fountain pen.
Another genuine Croatian product is the tie, now an inevitable fashion accessory for every business man; many will
buy one in Zagreb as a souvenir. The story of this globally
popular product reaches back to the 17th century, when the
Croatian soldiers’ fine knottedscarves caught the eye of the
fashion aware French.
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Zagreb expresses the values of its cultural wealth, creating
replicas of works of the great Croatian sculptor and one of
the world’s greatest artists, Ivan Mestrović, whose sculptures adorn not only Zagreb but also squares of the world’s
largest metropoles. Ivan Mestrović was the first living artist
ever to have his solo exhibition in the Metropolitan Museum
of Art in New York in 1947, and the United States President
Dwight David Eisenhower personally handed him the decree of American citizenship in the White House.
Castings of Dora, the character from the popular novel
and literary treasure ‘Goldsmith’s Gold’ by the great August
Šenoa, are a popular souvenir. Another authentic souvenir
is the Gingerbread heart, a colourfully decorated traditional cake made of honey dough, usually given to guests as a
sign of welcome, and the Umbrella of Šestine, which features folk costumes characteristic of the surroundings of Zagreb. Many tourists will find souvenirs in the local scents and
tastes. All souvenirs can be purchased in many specialised
stores, but also in regular shops in various parts of the city.
Zagreb Sweet Bunch (Croatian candied bunch) consists of
sugar-glazed flowers, manually candied and arranged into
a unique specimen. The packaging of the sweet bunch contains flowers, petals and leaves sugar-candied according to
a registered procedure. It is classified as an original Zagreb
souvenir.
Professor Balthazar – the latest Croatian product
The famous character from the animated film of the Zagreb School of Animation - Professor Balthazar - was presented at the Licensing Factory New Europe conference,
which brought together the world’s highest specialists in
the licensing industry. The amiable professor gained great
popularity among children for his rich imagination and positive energy with which he successfully solved all the problems of the citizens of Balthazar City. From 1967 to 1971, a
total of 59 animated episodes were made, and today they
are all digitized and ready for release on the world market.
Stories, legends, myths
Mando – zagrabi (Take it, Manda)
The tradition of the Ban Josip Jelačić Square (the central
city square) dates back to the 17th century when it was created. The buildings presently surrounding it were made
over a hundred years. This is why they are characterized
by a mixture of styles – from classicism and secession to
modernism. The encounter with the said square also brings
legends about the name of the city.
One of them says Zagreb got its name after an accidental
meeting where one of the Croatian governors shouted to a
girl standing next to a well: ‘Mando, ZAGRABI’ (Take it, Manda), so the well was named Manduševac and the city Zagreb.
Cannon fires at noon
The Lotrščak Fort, surely the best preserved fort in the city’s
defensive system, was erected in mid-13th century. The legend of the shot at high noon is associated with the Turkish
siege – the Turks advanced almost to Sava River in the late
16th century. As it happens, Zagreb had requested help from
Vienna and they sent one cannon. Exactly at noon, when a
servant was carrying turkey for lunch to a Turkish Pasha,
the cannon on Lotrščak fired and hit his platter. Having seen
what the cannon had done, the Turks were frightened and
they never attacked Zagreb.
Zagreb witches
According to a legend, the dark streets around the Uptown
and the nearby woods were a meeting point for witches or
sorceresses. During the witch hunt, which was very late
in Croatia compared to the rest of Europe, many stories
emerged about the hellish acts of the accused women in the
clearings on Medvednica. However, the most popular mythical resident of Medvednica is the Black Queen. Various
legends of this powerful ruler stretch through many Croatian
regions. For example, according to the stories she created
Plitvice Lakes after the oppressive heat that had tormented
the people. This mythical figure is believed to originate from
the folk stories about the evil Barbara of Celje, sister of Fridrih, the main character in the story of Veronika of Desinić
who unfortunately died in the Veliki Tabor castle. They say
Barbara used to throw her lovers off towers in the towns
where she lived, including Medvedgrad.
Blue flags are flying on the beaches of five Jarun Lakes:
• the Small Lake
• Trešnjevka Lake
• Universiade Lake
• the Rowers’ Lake
• the Big Lake - South
Useful links:
www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr; www.visiteuropeancities.com;
www.articities.de; www.tzzz.hr; www.sljeme.hr;
www.zagrebindoors.com; www.zagrebcard.fivestars.hr
www.croatiaairlines.com; www.penkala.com.hr;
www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr; ww.zagreb.hr
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Central Croatia
www.tzzz.hr, www.tzbbz.hr, www.tz-koprivnicko-krizevacka.hr, www.tz-zagorje.hr,
www.tzm.hr, www.turizam-smz.hr, www.turizam-vzz.hr
Photo: Ivo Pervan
Although not perceived as a typical tourist region, Central
Croatia is a very interesting area providing great options for
recreation, cultural tourism, sightseeing around interesting
towns, castles and natural landmarks. Central Croatia includes the area between Zagreb north to Krapina, Varaždin
and Međimurje, Podravina around Koprivnica and the eastern regions around Sisak and Bjelovar. Administratively,
it consists of the following counties: Bjelovar-Bilogora,
Koprivnica-Križevci, Krapina-Zagorje, Međimurje, SisakMoslavina, Varaždin and Zagreb.
The hilly region rich in vineyards, covered with forests and
crisscrossed with rivers, with many baroque churches, monasteries, castles, forts and museums, opens up to tourists
who will find various options there year-round. This includes
the thermal sources that have become an ideal place for
rest and recreation and health and beauty programs by reconstruction and construction of thermal rivieras, in line with
the current trends. Organized bike tracks, wine roads, tradition, old crafts and a rich gastro offer make an ideal combination for weekend packages or rest & recreation.
According to the Croatian Tourism Strategic Plan for the period 2010-2014, Croatia will be profiled as a high value lifestyle
destination with well-preserved natural and cultural values.
Accordingly, Middle Croatia will become the ‘region of short
holidays’, distinguished by the Baroque, spas and castles.
The Green Oasis of Zagreb
The Green collar, or horseshoe as it is often called, is located around the city of Zagreb and is the central part of
the Croatian and Zagreb macroregion. The region is rich
in cultural and historical heritage, customs, traditions
and hosts many different cultural, entertainment, folklore, sport and recreational events and activities throughout the year. The easily accessible and diverse Zagreb
County has much to offer; from a variety of events, to its
green surroundings, local cuisine, high-quality wine and
sparkling wine from two wine roads, to a lifestyle oriented
Photo: Nino Marccuti
towards nature and the countryside, excursion sites for
families with children, a new method of active rest, adventures in nature and a new approach to leisure time.
Natural characteristics:
River lowlands – Sava and Krapina, Lonja and Odra,
and wetlands – the ponds of Vukšinac, Pisarovina
and the biggest and most popular one, Crna mlaka
(www.crna-mlaka.htnet.hr), a special ornithological reserve
on the list of Ramsar sites. Mountainous regions – the slopes
of Mevednica, the slopes of Žumberak and Samobor Mountains, and the remote mountainous areas of Vukomeričke
gorice (255 m) and the Marija Gorica (312 m). Mountains
- Medvednica (Sljeme 1033 m), Žumberačka gora (Sveta
Gera 1178 m) and Samoborsko gorje (highest peak Japetić
with 879 m and the impressive Plešivica with 778 m).
Hrvatsko Zagorje – home of the Neanderthal,
castles and spas
North of Zagreb is the interesting Hrvatsko Zagorje
(www.tz-zagorje.hr), a hilly region bordering on Slovenia in
the west and crisscrossed with mountains and rivers, giving
the area a special atmosphere.
The cultural, political and administrative center of the region is Krapina, a town having a preserved urban core and
known as the finding site for the “Krapina Neanderthal”.
Krapina was made familiar to the world by Prof. Dragutin
Gorjanović – Krambergerin 1899, when he discovered the
remains of the diluvial man on Hušnjakovo brdo, known to
science as Homo Krapiniensis (www.krapina.hr).
The area is rich in thermal sources, so the visitors can enjoy rest and recreation in the Tuhelj Spa
(www.tuhelj.hr), Krapina Spa (www.krapinsketoplice.net),
Stubica Spa (www.stubicketoplice.hr) and Jezerčica Spa
(www.terme-jezercica.hr). This picturesque hilly region, with
many vineyards and forests, is a true delight for excursionists.
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Medieval fortresses and summer castles in the countryside, such as the Oršić Castle, Veliki Tabor, Miljana and
many others contribute to the identity of this colourful region. In addition, many of them are associated with famous
events and legends, and are part of the interesting deals
offered to visitors within the programme The legends and
tales from Zagorje castles (www.mhz.hr).
The national shrine of Marija Bistrica is a religious tourism center and the tourist programs include the churches
of Mary of Mountains in Lobor, Mary of Snow in Belec, and
Mary of Jerusalem on Trški Vrh.
Around 500 thousand Croatian and international believers
a year have visited Marija Bistrica for over 300 years – in
1998, Pope John Paul II visited too. The pilgrimages begin April, on White Sunday, and go on until late October
(www.info-marija-bistrica.hr).
In the far north of the country, on the Croatian border with
Slovenia and Hungary, lie Međimurje (www.tzm.hr) and
its touristic trademark, Spa & Golf Resort St. Martin
(www.toplicesvetimartin.hr). The region is rich in gastronomy and traditions, excellent wines, wine routes and cycle
paths. The city of Čakovec is the centre of the area. It provides great opportunities for sport and recreation and well
designed travel programmes based on tradition and lore.
East of the City of Zagreb is the interesting Podravina region bordered by Drava River and the mountains of Bilogora
and Kalnik, with rich fishing and hunting areas.
Organized bike tracks pass through magnificent landscapes
near Lake Šoderica, Hlebine, the nursery of Croatian naïve
art, and the rich hunting grounds along Drava River.
The most significant events include the Podravina Motifs
(held in the town of Koprivnica) and Picokijada, dedicated
to preservation of autochthonous folk features and focusing
on folklore, naïve art, original gastronomy and old crafts and
customs.
The Varaždin region (www.turizam-vzz.hr), situated in
the far northwest of Croatia, is a Central European urbanized area of baroque, music, art, crafts and trades,
and diverse, preserved landmarks, with the town of
Varaždin as the center. Known primarily for the cultural offer and health & recreation options (Varaždinske toplice,
www.varazdinsketoplice.hr), this region is an inevitable spot
in the itinerary for tourists who want to learn about Croatia
in all its fullness. The area contains the famous Trakošćan
Park Forest and Drava Park Forest, important to the town
of Varaždin. It also includes three exceptionally important
and valuable geological/paleontological natural monuments
confirming the continuity of man’s presence in the area
for millennia (Vindija Cave, Mačak Cave, Šincek Cave),
and the only preserved fossil volcano and finding site for
semi-precious stones in Croatia, protected as a geological
monument of nature (Gaveznica - Kameni vrh). The region
is abundant in park architecture monuments, most of them
created in the early 18th century together with construction
or reconstruction of castles (Maruševec, Križovljangrad,
Bajnski dvori, Veliki Bukovec, Vidovec, Jalkovec, Šaulovec,
Martijanec, Novi Marof, Varaždinske toplice). One should
not miss the valuable Opeka Arboretum and the famous
Varaždin Cemetery. The entire area has 354 registered cultural monuments (castles, sacral buildings, museums, galleries). The tourist offer is based on the monumental heritage, unique attractions and significant events.
Photo: Damir Fabijanić
Cultural & historical heritage
Zagreb County
The Zagreb County is proud to be home to a number of museums, galleries and other exhibition premises which serve
as a cradle for various art collections and events, important exhibits of Croatian and international art. Galleries and
museums provide a cultural and historical overview of life
in these areas. Since ancient times many a distinguished
gentleman, members of high society and world aristocracy stopped here during one of their travels and found a
place for their new home in the lush natural landscape of
the County. Silent witnesses of those times, the castles and
manors, still tell many forgotten tales to the visitors of today.
Helmet of the type Budinjak - one of the two bronze helmets found in the ducal tombs (the necropolis on the site of
Budinjak) is the only fully preserved copy of one of the six
different types of helmets from the older Iron Age in Middle
Europe.
Ancient Roman Andautonia was located in the presentday village Šćitarjevo, between Zagreb and Velika Gorica. It
once served as the commercial, economic and cultural centre of the Roman state road Siscia - Poetovio (Sisak - Ptuj).
It was destroyed in the 5th century during the Migration period. Previous excavations revealed the remains of streets,
baths, an old millstone, numerous coins, some jewellery,
vessels, oil lamps, sculptures and frescos.
Varaždin – the most Baroque town in Croatia
www.turizam-vzz.hr
The old urban core of a true Central European baroque
town, which is often compared to Vienna, is exceptionally
well preserved. The town fort, the central part of the town,
numerous museums, galleries, collections and the Varaždin
Cemetery (protected as a landscaping monument) are the
main tourist targets. One of the town’s trademarks is the
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Varaždin Guard, the so-called purgars who are present at
important festivities next to the Town Hall in their nice blue
grenadier uniforms.
Created in the early 20th century by planting of thuja, cut and
formed into screens and arcades like the French park of
Versailles, the famous Varaždin Cemetery is a magnificent
monument of garden architecture.
This is not just one of the most beautiful and oldest Croatian towns, but also one of the most distinctive ones, having
a clearly profiled identity. Custom-built for the needs of its
residents for over eight centuries, the town has preserved
its uniqueness provides a rare harmony and a special atmosphere.
Since 1755, Varaždin was the center of the administrative
and political life of the Governor Croatia, but Zagreb once
again became the Croatian capital after the 1776 fire that
destroyed a large portion of the town.
the former Yugoslavia, and a major statesman on the world
political scene in the second half of the 20th century. The
village is arranged around 40 residential, economic and
ancillary facilities. Visitors can tour permanent ethnological collections such as the Zagorje wedding, From hemp to
linen and the Life of the newly-weds, which show the everyday life of the people of Zagorje,, or other collections, which
present the traditions of rural craftsmen, from blacksmiths
and cart wrights to potters and others. The Museum organises a number of interesting events throughout the year,
including interactive workshops and live demonstrations of
traditional crafts and skills.
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
Photo: Milan Babić
The ancient town of Sisak
www.turizam-smz.hr
South of the capital city of Zagreb lies an interesting region with the old town of Sisak (www.sisakturist.com) as
its center. It consists of wetlands around the lowland flows
of the rivers Sava, Kupa, Odra, Lonja, Glina, Česma, Ilova
and Una, surrounded by the tame woody slopes of Petrova, Zrinska and Moslavačka mountains. Due to its position
at the point where Odra flows into Kupa and Kupa flows
into Sava, Sisak is among the oldest settlements in Central
Croatia as the traces of its urban inhabitation date back to
the 4th century BC. However, even before the signs of urban inhabitation, the region had been populated by people
– remains of tools and idol statuettes have been found during archeological explorations. In addition to the Siscia Archeological Park, remains of the walls of the Roman town
of Siscia, the town is dominated by an old fort from the 16th
century, under which the famous Sisak Battle took place –
the turning point that marked the end of the Turkish penetration into Europe.
Kumrovec Ethno Village
www.mhz.hr/kumrovec/
In the western part of the Krapina-Zagorje County, in the
village of Kumrovec, is the Museum “Old Village”, the only
open-air museum in Croatia, with preserved traditional
houses and an appearance unchanged since the turn of the
19th century. The central part of the village is the Broz family
farm, with the native house of Josip Broz Tito, president of
Krapina
www.mhz.hr
The popular Krapina proto-human or Dedek Kajbumščak,
scientifically known as Homo sapiens neanderthalensis,
was discovered in 1899, when geological and paleontological research began on Hušnjakovo hill in Krapina. The
excavations lasted six years, under the supervision of Professor Dragutin Gorjanović-Kramberger, a famous Croatian
geologist, palaeontologist and paleoanthropologist.
The Krapina Cave was soon listed as a rich fossil site and
is now considered the most spectacular Neanderthal find in
the world.
About nine hundred human fossil bones were found in
the strata of the eight metre cave, all of them belonging to
the fossil remains of several dozen individuals of different
genders and ages, ranging from 2 to 40 years. Numerous
fossil remains of cave bears, wolves, moose, huge deer,
rhinoceros, wild cattle and many other animals were also
found. More than a thousand pieces of stone tools from the
Palaeolithic Period, or Old Stone Age, are evidence of the
material culture of the Krapina prehistoric man. The rich
paleontological site dates to 130 000 years ago. There are
different theories that interpret the Krapina site and they are
still the subject of many discussions in palaeontology today.
After more than a century of its existence, the site is ever
more engaging because of its importance in the palaeontology world and the large number of fossil samples. The site
is under protection as the first paleontological monument
of nature in Croatia and one of the richest habitats of the
Palaeolithic Neanderthal man in the world.
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The Old Town of the Zrinski family in Čakovec
The fortress was originally built in the Middle Ages for the
family Ernušt, and was later adapted for the Zrinski family, which left the most significant mark in the history and
heritage of Čakovec. In their time, the fortress took on a
new form; the central part was transformed into a Renaissance fortress with walls all around, and a Baroque tower
was built as well, which now forms the distinctive silhouette
of Čakovec.
St. Jerome’s Church in Štrigova – a beautiful Baroque
church of the Pauline order, St. Jerome in Štrigova was built
between 1738 and 1749, and is famous for its original frescoes by Ivan Ranger, the most notable Croatian Baroque
master of frescoes.
The Mill on the Mura – on the northernmost point of Croatia,
near the small town of Žabnik, the river Mura turns the magnificent wheel of the wooden river mill, a unique proof of traditional architectural heritage in Croatia. The Miller’s Educational Route is set in an idyllic natural setting, where walking
through the intact nature you can learn something about the
traditional heritage of the river Mura.
Natural beauties
Photo: Nino Marccuti
The Medvednica Nautre Park has been protected since 1981 (www.pp-medvednica.hr), and
the
Žumberak-Samobor
mountains
since
1999
(www.pp-zumberak-samoborsko-gorje.hr). As many as
30 species of orchids found their habitat in the park! The
Turopolje grove area, with a total of 3348 hectares, was declared a protected area in 2003 because of its diversity of
plant and animal life and large oak forests. It is important
to note that in this area there are special botanical, ornithological, zoological and forest vegetation reserves, as well
as areas of protected unique landscapes. There are also
seven monuments of park architecture, mainly castles and
manors, and several forest parks.
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
Lonjsko polje
www.pp-lonjsko-polje.hr
This kingdom of oak forests and wetland meadows is known
for its distinctive wooden architecture and valuable churches. Its tourist attractions include top gastronomy and a wine
range with organized wine roads and bike tracks. Lonjsko
polje is a protected habitat for plant and animal species
such as storks, herons, white-tailed eagles, otters, beavers
and wild cats (www.pp-lonjsko-polje.hr). In the nearby villages with their distinctive wood architecture, they breed the
unique Posavina horses.
Organized bus and boat trips are available to Trebež,
Čeperlin, Kostrnja, and Krapja Ethno Village, proclaimed
the Village of Architectural Heritage in 1995 and registered
as an A category European cultural heritage monument, as
well as to the world famous Čigoć – The European Strok
Village. The folk architecture and valuable churches are
particularly interesting in the area.
If you visit Međimurje at any time of year you will be swept
away by the beautifully preserved cultivated landscapes
of the Međimurje hills, the absorbing scenery of the river
Mura, natural and recreational areas of the river Drava and
the rich plains. The river Mura is the most valuable natural preserved site in Međimurje, and environmentally one
of the best preserved segments of the Danube in Europe.
In 2001, the river Mura and the surrounding area, covering 146 square kilometres, were declared a protected landscape. The area surrounding the Drava river is the greatest ornithological and ichtiological area in the northwest of
Croatia. The Kuršanec and Prelog reservoirs on the Drava
river present the opportunity for sports and water recreation,
including sailing, water skiing, boat and pedal boat rides
and swimming.
The most ambitious cycling project in Croatia, the Drava
Route - international cycling path has been set up along
the river Drava. The construction of the route was initiated
by representatives from Italy, Austria and Slovenia. The first
marked trail along the Croatian coast of the Drava river was
opened from Legrad to Pitomača in 2002. The project is
expanding to the east and should reach its peak when the
cycling trails connect with Slovenia and Hungary in full. The
Drava route will in the future connect with the popular Danube cycling trail, which should be extended via Osijek and
Ilok all the way to the Black Sea.
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Photo: Josip Madračević
Entertainment & art
Varaždin – baroque and strolling
Thanks to its preserved baroque town core, museums, landscaped parks and numerous events such as the traditional
international baroque music festival (Varaždin Baroque
Evenings, www.vbv.hr), Varaždin is a favorite destination
for numerous tourists. Over the past years, the number of
visitors increased thanks to the street strolling festival called
Špancirfest (www.spancirfest.com). This is a town festival
in late August, which the organizers refer to as a “whirl of
music, dancing and laughter, and an exciting stroll that
is a purpose unto itself. This festival is an encounter with
the forgotten, where people give to the town, and the town
gives to the people”. During the Špancirfest, Varaždin offers
around 250 first-class programs, hundreds of artists from
across the world, presentations of old crafts, world music,
numerous performers and shows, and daylong children’s
programs. Six stages in the town are venue for ethno, rock
and classical concerts. The area also has several exceptionally valuable museum layouts, such as the “World of Insects” exhibition at the Varaždin Town Museum, unique to
this region and Europe. The Trakošćan Castle is a special
museum value – it has been completely converted into a
museum with preserved original premises from the 15th-19th
century (www.trakoscan.hr).
dience. The central event is the tournament on the horses, in
front of the noble loggia, accompanied by squires, commons,
court ladies, jugglers, fire eaters and different medieval decor. The tournament is followed by numerous other events
that present the spirit of the time and give a complete image of
the feudal society in the 16th century. www.viteski-turnir.com
Anniversary of the peasants’ revolt
The Peasants’ Revolt Museum organises a series of workshops, playrooms and costume guided tours in the Oršić
Castle, each year on the last Saturday in January, marking the beginning of the great peasants’ revolt of 1573. The
workshops bear the names of the supreme leader of the
peasants, Gubec, and the feudal lord, Tahy, and they are
held in the multimedia hall in the studio of the Museum. Outside in the open, both children and adults can try throwing
korda (a long knife) or a mace, and archery. It is also possible to tour the permanent collection of the Museum with
costumed guides and learn about life in the feudal estate in
the 16th century, shown through the display of the notorious
Franjo Tahy and his son Gabriel. www.mhz.hr
Krapina
Museum of the Krapina Neanderthals
The New Krapina Neanderthal Museum, built near the discovery sites of the Krapina prehistoric man, will open its
doors to visitors in 2010. The specificity of the museum
building is its spiral shape that symbolically resembles a
cave, a snail house, human brain, embryo, or the evolution. The museum has two floors that are connected by a
spiral ramp, and there is direct communication with the sites
through walking trails. It is covered with earth, and the entrance part consists of a glass wall with scenes from the life
of Neanderthals projected onto the wall. The new museum
exhibition includes eye-catching multimedia facilities, and
a contemporary museum exposure. The realization of this
megaproject is of extreme importance for the evaluation of
the world famous sites of the Neanderthal man, and was
therefore termed the Project of the Millennium.
Gornja Stubica
Music festival – the Music Festival ‘Summer in the Oršić
Castle - Subtilia’ is a unique musical experience which
takes place from June to August at the location of theOršić
(Gornja Stubica) and Golubovec (Donja Stubica) castles,
and also at St George’s Church (Gornja Stubica). These
priceless cultural monuments offer plenty of cultural experiences to an increasing number of tourists, but also to local
admirers of finest music. One of the goals of the festival
Subtilia is networking with the early music festivals in the
neighbouring countries of the EU, thus further reducing the
costs and increasing the mobility of European and Croatian
artists and soloists who are engaged in early music.
Summer school of geology
The Museum of the Krapina Neanderthals holds a Summer
School of Geology course for children each year in the last
week of August. Krapina thus offers children a holiday with
museum and educational work in workshops (artistry, modelling, production of clothing of the prehistoric man, dino
games), but also a school in the countryside, where with the
help of geological equipment, they look for fossils, rocks or
minerals aroud the sites. The aim of these workshops is the
popularisation of geology, palaeontology and archeology.
The school is divided into three age groups (pre-school, primary and secondaryschool) with tailor-made programmes
for each group. All participants of the Summer School of
Geology receive a diploma and a folder with all their works
at the end of the course. www.mhz.hr
Peasants’ Revolt Museum
The jubilee joust – the middle ages in the Croatian zagorje
This unique all-day medieval event encompasses different
cultural and tourist events with the aim of introducing the
customs and way of life of the late Middle Ages to a wide au-
Sisak
Sisak Knight’s Tournament - with a pleasant stroll along
the shore of the river Sava or Kupa, on a river ship sailing
down the walls of the Old City, or with the fairy-tale tour-
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ist train, thousands of visitors arrive in Sisak. Each Sisak
Knight’s tournament is unique. Old patriotic songs from ancient times fill the air, masters of old arts and crafts show their
skills, eating and drinking is done in the way of the ancient
times, and young and old are entertained. When darkness
falls, and the lights are turned on, when the trumpets and
drums howl, the Sisak Joust, in honor of all Croatian knights,
begins. Under a sky lit up by fireworks, with fanfare and
drums, and to the cheers of the audience, the winning Knight
receives the prize for his efforts and bravery, the Golden
Sword of the Mayor of Sisak. (www.sisakturist.com).
‘Celtic Night’ - in the first days of September, under a new
Moon, on the promenade by the river Kupa, a natural gathering place for the people of Sisak and their guests, the
Celtic Night takes place. Along the whole left bank of the
river, on which the centre of the town leans, between the
two bridges of Sisak, thousands of people gather to proudly
repeat a lesson from history in the open, on the river that
has always been the life of the city of Sisak. While the
rafts linked with floating candles sail down the river, carrying memories, visitors of the Celtic Night become part of
a unique performance. Beside the fire of the Druids and
with the Celtic priestesses, who distribute a “magic potion”
to passers-by, everyone participates in the ritual of summoning mystical ancient warriors, beauties, ancient bishops
and their persecutors, conquerors and defenders of life and
freedom. (www.sisakturist.com).
Đurđevac, the town of the Picoks –
a European Destination of Excellence
www.tz-djurdjevac.hr
The Podravina town of Đurđevac and its legend of the Picoks have been included in the tourist network of 20 European Destinations of Excellence cultivating intangible cultural heritage. In 2008, the Picokijada was held for the 40th
time, reminding us of the legend about the bravery and wit
of the residents of Đurđevac who came up with the idea of
how to outwit the Turkish Army after a long siege. The show
becomes more and more glorious every year. It is put on at
the authentic location where the legend was created, and
includes hundreds of extras, cultural amateurs, horsemen
and professional actors. The entire staging is intended to
present the glorious event as authentically as possible – the
cannons and rifle actually fire and swords flash with a great
deal of fireworks and light effects. However, the staging of
the Legend of the Picoks is only a part of a three-day event
called the Picokijada, containing around thirty more cultural
and sporting events. The Legend of the Picoks speaks of
the bravery and with of the residents of Đurđevac, who used
their wisdom to defend the town from the Turkish invasion.
In the 16th century, Turkish ruler Ulama Beg intended to surround the town and thus starve and defeat its defenders. After a long-term siege, the defenders had only one cock left
– a picok, which they fired from a cannon at the Turks, as
advised by an old lady. The mighty Ulama Beg thought the
locals had plenty of food, so he withdrew from further siege
of the town and admitted defeat. Ever since, the people of
Đurđevac have been proud of their name – the Picoks.
Photo: Milan Babić
Bjelovar
www.tzbbz.hr
IPEW - International Percussion Ensembles Week presents the highest achievements and the most important
percussion names and ensembles. In addition to the excellently visited evening concerts, the musicians exchange
knowledge and experience by spending time together and
attending music workshops for students. It is held every
year in January.
BOK Fest – The Bjelovar Theater Echoes is a festival of
the most significant theatrical achievements for professional
theaters of Croatia. In addition to a dozen plays for adults,
just as many plays are intended for children. Besides, children are able to meet popular actors and adopt some of their
knowledge, skill and experience through different drama
workshops. It is held every year in springtime in Bjelovar.
Terezijana is a multi-day cultural, entertainment and tourist
show presented by a series of musical, scenic, artistic and
sporting events featuring performers from across Croatia.
The event is visited by over 30,000 people from the country
and from abroad. The central event is the staging of the
arrival of Empress Mary Theresa in the town that she established by a decree in 1756.
Photo: Milan Babić
Koprivnica – Renaissance Festival
www.koprivnicatourism.com
The Rennaissance Festival
On the walls of the Old city of Koprivnica, a true historical spectacle takes place in September. Under their tents,
knights sharpen their swords in order to win the hands of
their maidens in duel, hunting hawks fly the air on commands of their respective owners, while merchants and
craftsmen shout from the top of their lungs attracting buyers
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to their booths filled with all kinds of needlework and antique
products. The only rule that applies to the Renaissance
Festival is that no one should disclose that we are actually in the 21st century. Cooks prepare dishes according to
medieval recipes and using ingredients which have existed
since times long past and the catering offer is completed
with drinks from those times, such as mead, beer and wine.
The knights’ tents, with models of tools and weapons of the
time leave no one indifferent. The knights who fight for their
‘maidens’, occasional attacks on the fort, hawks and wild
animals once used for food are only fractions of the many
delightful and, most importantly, interactive events of the
Renaissance Festival.
The Motifs of Podravina
The naïve painting style is an authentic Croatian style
which uses motifs of life in the countryside in harmony with
nature and all its beauty. It is the life of the Podravina villages, forests and vast green and ploughed fields. This is
the main reason for which, during the first weekend in July,
Koprivnica turns into a huge exhibition space dedicated exclusively to naïve art. A hundred or so prominent painters
exhibit their works under the open sky of Podravina and create art on the spot, celebrating the splendour and the range
of the Hlebine School of Art.
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
Đurđevac, the town of the Picoks
– a European Destination of Excellence
www.tz-djurdjevac.hr
The Podravina town of Đurđevac and its legend of the Picoks have been included in the tourist network of 20 European Destinations of Excellence cultivating intangible cultural heritage. Picokijada was held in 2009 for the 41st time,
recalling the legend of the courage and ingenuity of the people of Đurđevac, who outwitted the Turkish army afer a long
siege of the city. The show becomes more and more glorious every year. It is put on at the authentic location where
the legend was created, and includes hundreds of extras,
cultural amateurs, horsemen and professional actors. The
entire staging is intended to present the glorious event as
authentically as possible – the cannons and rifle actually
fire and swords flash with a great deal of fireworks and light
effects. However, the staging of the Legend of the Picoks is
only a part of a three-day event called the Picokijada, containing around thirty more cultural and sporting events. The
Legend of the Picoks speaks of the bravery and with of the
residents of Đurđevac, who used their wisdom to defend the
town from the Turkish invasion. In the 16th century, Turkish
ruler Ulama Beg intended to surround the town and thus
starve and defeat its defenders. After a long-term siege, the
defenders had only one cock left – a picok, which they fired
from a cannon at the Turks, as advised by an old lady. The
mighty Ulama Beg thought the locals had plenty of food, so
he withdrew from further siege of the town and admitted defeat. Ever since, the people of Đurđevac have been proud
of their name – the Picoks.
Križevci large meetings
Back in 1242, king Bela IV and his army found refuge from
the invasion of the Tatar conquerors under the Kalnik walls.
The persistent Tatar army, which tried to penetrate into the
interior of the slopes of Kalnik and defeat the King’s army,
was thwarted by the farmers of Kalnik who fed the brave
soldiers with local plums. The fruit gave the King’s soldiers
the strength to endure the battles and refuse the Tatar invasion. In recognition, King Bela IV awarded titles of nobility to
all the villagers who helped his army. His decision angered
the town folk of Križevci, whose anger lasted for years until
the chance marriage of a Kalnik ‘plummer’ and a city girl.
Their wedding was the key moment in the reconciliation.
The citizens of Križevci celebrate this event in early June
by performing a stage version of the events. During the performance, the keys of the city are handed to the city judge
and a three day celebration begins.
Days of the Nobility in Gornja Rijeka
With the concept of nobility, once the highest social class,
gentility and refined taste immediately come to mind. The
lives of noblemen from Gornja Rijeka have always been
sublime, and their names were associated with a refined
sense of beauty and justice. Visit Gornja Rijeka, a town
on the slopes of Kalnik, which still glows in the noble light.
Luxurious court dresses fly to the sounds of the waltz at the
noble ball, young men and women competing in elegance
capture everyone’s attention, as inside the castle, the most
beautiful nobleman, noblewoman and the princess of Kalnik
are selected at the ball. Feel the magic of the courts from
long ago, stand up straight, and enjoy a time when blue
blood opened all doors.
Čakovec - Days of the Zrinski Family and Porcijunkula
At the end of July and during the first days of August, the
centre of Čakovec turns into a large exhibition space of traditional crafts. Numerous music programmes, art colonies,
equestrian and archery tournaments also take place under
the walls of the old town. www.tourism-cakovec.hr
Štrigova - Urbanovo
During the three-day event that takes place on the wine
road in Međimurje, the wine cellars are wide open for all
guests at special promotional prices, and each host makes
a special effort with additional programmes for their visitors.
www.tzm.hr
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Sveti Martin na Muri - Mura boats sailing down the river
At the end of June, fifty traditional wooden boats sail from
Bad Radgersburg in Austria, through Slovenia, to Sveti
Martin na Muri. The three-day ecological, recreational and
tourist event is a real treat for all those who appreciate and
admire intact nature and traditional culture.
www.svetimartin.hr
Photo: HTZ
Gastro corner
The entire Central Croatian gastronomy is generally based
on meat dishes and some river fish specialties. Roast turkey, scallops, stuffed breast of veal, duck or goose with
mlinci, smoked and boiled pork shank or blood pudding
with sour cabbage and sarma. The special pastries include
salty and sweet štrukli, Zagorje pumpkin pie, Croatian pancakes and corn zlevka. Turkey with mlinci, various strudels
and pumpkin pie with poppy seed have spread throughout
Croatia. Varaždin rolls are the most common and simplest
town specialty. To make the experience complete, the meal
should be enriched with some of the region’s numerous
wines that are now able to satisfy even the most demanding
gourmets thanks to the quality enhancement. The numerous major enological ventures undertaken over the past
years are reflected in the numerous wine medals won at
exhibitions across Croatia and Europe.
The most popular Zagorje specialties include turkey with
mlinci, Zagorje štrukli and ‘zlevanka od rucleva brašna sa
sirom’ (corn flour pudding with cheese). The former dish
made of cheese, eggs and corn flour is now appreciated
as a healthy homemade meal made of domestic ingredients according to the traditional recipe. U Moslavina offers
dishes made of carp that should be accompanied by the
Graševina or Škrlet wines.
Cold hors d’oeuvres with meat from tiblica (special pot
used for salting layers of bacon), kosana mast (cold bacon,
cooked and minced), cheese Túrós, and fresh cow cheese
with sour cream are characteristic of Međimurje cuisine.
Bisk soups full of vegetables or sour cream with homemade
pasta are a mandatory part of every lunch and all kinds of
fresh river fish are also on the menu. Desert includes cakes
such as the Međimurje gibanica (special cheesecake filled
with poppy, walnuts and apples), krapci (a buckwheat dish)
and kelešice (a kind of sponge cake without filling).
The wines roads are an important part of the tourist gastro
offer – they have been opening in all parts of Central Croatia
over the past ten years, most of them in the northwest areas
and Moslavina.
The Great Walk on St. Martin’s Day
The most important patron saint for the winemakers and
vineyards of northwestern Croatia is St. Martin. The traditional gathering of merry crowds and celebrations on St.
Martin’s Day in the ‘kleti’ (traditional wooden houses usually
with a wine cellar) and inns date back to the last century.
In the traditional St. Martin’s day ritual, the heathen wine
is ‘baptised’ into young wine. In these regions, complete
books were written with precisely defined rules of conduct;
in the Križevci region, the ‘Križevački štatuti’ (Križevci
statute) is the oldest and the most precise code of conduct,
and ‘Koprivničke regule’ (Koprivnica regulations) originate from the river Drava region. Over the years, the two
codes were often the subject of ‘disputes’ between the inhabitants. The deeply rooted tradition has prevailed through
time, and has spread to other parts of northwestern Croatia
(Međimurje, Zagorje, the Zagreb foothills, Žumberak).
The cheese days in the town of cheese are held In Bjelovar every year in October. In addition to small cheese producers and family farms, the Cheese Festival will feature
the leading Croatian dairies. Besides cheese, the fair offers
other eco domestic products made according to traditional
recipes, you can see interesting handicrafts usually decorating the stands, as well as some interesting souvenirs
based on traditional items made in the traditional fashion.
‘What our old folks ate’ - a unique tourist and culinary
event and tasting-and-sale exhibition that attracts more
visitors each day. It is traditionally held every year on the
last weekend in August. This festival of culinary art is enriched by various events, ranging from creative workshops, exhibitions, theatrical performances for children
and adults, and various music programmes and sports
events, to the tasting of local dishes and fine wine, the
very reason for which ‘What our old folks ate’ has grown
out of a small show and turned into a major annual cultural event of the town of Vrbovec, attended each year by
approximately 80,000 visitors from Croatia and abroad.
Fishermen of Koprivnica for their Town
Freshwater fish are a true gourmet delight, not forgetting the
romantic atmosphere that is always linked to river fishing.
Sitting on the banks of the river and waiting for a catch is
the most treasured way to relax and have fun for many residents of central Croatia. Dishes prepared from their catch
are especially delicious, and the oppourtunity to taste the
best of the best arises during the Koprivnica event ‘From
Fishermen to their Town’. As much as 600 litres of traditional fish stew is cooked in late March in a huge cauldron,
and the most skilled chefs compete in the art of fish stew
preparation.
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Days of the Samobor Custard Slice
Few can resist them, and because of them, many travel
to Samobor. Of course, it is the famous Samobor custard
slice (kremšnita), to which a few special days are devoted
in the first half of May. The story of the Samobor custard
slice is associated with its ‘father’, Đuro Lukačić, who came
to Samobor in 1923 to learn the trade in his brother’s confectionary, and soon moved to Zagreb to learn new pastry
skills. He gained experience in Zagreb’s best pastry shops,
going on to create the distinctive flavour of the Samobor
custard slice by combining recipes from top master chefs.
The Days of the Samobor custard slice were first organised
in 2001 when a one tonne kremšnita was made!
Accommodation
The accommodation offer in Varaždin and the surrounding area, Međumurje, Zagorje, Podravina, Bjelovar, Sisak
and Moslavina is diverse and tailored to the guests’ financial abilities. You can choose between hotels, motels, inns,
mountain and hunting lodges and private accommodation.
In 2009, Varaždin County has three 4-star hotels, four 3-star
hotels and three 2-star hotels.
The Krapina-Zagorje County has nine hotels, mainly as
part of Spa complexes. The new four star Aparthotel Villa
Magdalena has opened in Krapinske Toplice, while a new
four star hotel, the Bluesun Hotel Kaj has opened in Marija
Bistrica, along with private rooms in agritourism, recognised
as the foundation of future tourism in this area.
The Međimurje region distinguishes itself with its many accommodation facilities. The most prominent is the newly
opened four star ‘Spa & Golf Resort Sveti Martin’ in the
Sveti Martin Spa. It is a unique destination in central Croatia
for relaxation, wellness, sports and active holidays, with a
superb gourmet offer and wonderful nature. In the town of
Sisak, the three star Pannonia Hotel and Hotel ‘I’ and the
Hunting Lodge Brezovica are open to guests. There are
also three private accommodation facilities, ranging from
rooms to apartments, and eleven private accommodations
complete with rural tourism facilities as well.
SPA
Varaždin Spa - Aqua Iasae (www.toplice-vz.hr): A natural
gift - a plentiful source of thermal water - has determined
the position and lent its name to the Varaždin Spa, and ensured the continuity of the residence and treatment of people across many cultural periods, from the times when the
Romans named them Aqua Iasae. The Varaždin Spa is the
oldest thermal spa in Croatia, and is home to one of the
most important continental archaeological complexes, the
ruins of the Roman thermal baths, which served their purpose for no less than four centuries. It is also the location of
a temple dedicated to the pagan god of the Sun, a sanctuary older than the Roman Empire itself.
Daruvar Spa (www.daruvarske-toplice.hr) - The Spa has
been looking after our health for two millennia now. In Daruvar, a spa town once bearing the antique name of ‘Aquae
Balissae’, the first springs of thermal water were arranged
in 288 BC. Their average temperature is 46.7 degrees Celsius. Daruvar is developping a special form of health tourism based on the Daruvar Spa, a medical facility specialised
in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, and a rehabilitation
and recreation centre. The Spa has a very long tradition of
treatment using thermal water and mineral mud.
Topusko Spa (www.ljeciliste-topusko.com) - the thermal
water in Topusko is hyperthermic (68 - 72 °C) and as such is
suitable for the treatment and rehabilitation of diseases and
injuries of the locomotor, nervous and muscular systems.
The volcanic springs emerge from a depth of 1500 metresand the composition and quality of the water has remained
unchanged for the past 200 years.
Tuhelj Spa (www.terme-tuhelj.hr) - a well-known treatment
centre, spa and resort. The Spa has been known since
Roman times and because of the specific odor of the hydrogen sulphide, the people called it the ‘smelly Spa’. Rich
sources of mineral water and temperatures of 32.5 °C allow swimming throughout the year in several outdoor and
indoor pools. The healing properties of the water aid in the
treatment of arthritis, respiratory diseases, gynecological
diseases, sciatica, neuralgia, and many other conditions. A
specificity of the spa is the peloid mud, which is also transported to other spas. Today the Tuhelj Spa is a modern
wellness complex with a hotel, newly refurbished bathing
area and natural pools with thermal water, together with a
wide range of sauna and beauty programmes.
Krapina Spa (www.krapinsketoplice.com) - the foundations
for the development of the Krapina Spa as a healing centre are its three hospitals - the Special Hospital for Medical
Rehabilitation Krapinske toplice, established in 1956 as a
hospital for rheumatic diseases and orthopaedic rehabilitation, the Special Hospital for Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, ‘Magdalena’ (founded in 1996) and the Special
Hospital for Orthopaedics and Traumatology ‘Akromion’
(2008). In addition to these hospitals, the Clinic for Internal
Medicine, ‘Vita’ (2006) is also in function. The temperature
of the thermal mineral water source is 40 - 45 °C, and the
water is chemically characterised by calcium, magnesium
and hydrogen. Medical programmes are based on the use
of natural medicinal products (hyperthermal water and medicinal mud - fango) and the application of all the latest
methods of physical medicine and rehabilitation.
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News
What we are proud of
On the feast of the Assumption in 2009, in the famous
Marian shrine Marija Bistrica, the four star Bluesun Hotel
Kaj was officially opened. It offers 66 rooms, congress
and wellness & spa facilities, a superb culinary programme based on an innovative interpretation of traditional cuisine, led by a team of professionals educated at
the Ritz Escoffier Ecole culinary academy in Paris.
The hotel has a restaurant, Bistricza, with 400 seats for
the organisation of wedding ceremonies and various receptions, the Academia restaurant with 60 seats and an
exclusive gastronomic offer, an open grill terrace and
winter garden, wine cellar with 200 labels of wine from
Croatian and world wine regions, and a cocktail bar with
outdoor terrace. The Wellness & Spa area covers 350 m2,
with saunas, a whirlpool, and a rich selection of classic
and exotic treatments. A multipurpose conference hall
with up to 150 seats provides for the comfortable organisation of conferences, seminars, team building events,
courses and similar facilities. www.bluesunhotels.com
Rudolf Steiner, the globally acclaimed philosopher, founder of anthroposophy, Waldorf pedagogy, biological-dynamic
agriculture, antroposophic medicine and organic architecture, was born in 1861 in Međimurje. His native home in
Donji Kraljevec is arranged as a museum with preserved
furniture, photos, and his works.
At the end of June 2009 the first boutique, the exclusive four star Aparthotel Villa Magdalena, opened in
Krapinske Toplice. Guests have access to eight luxury
apartments and one double room. The apartments have
unique hydro massage baths directly connected to the
healing thermal spring water. Within the hotel there is
also a restaurant based on a modern ‘fusion cuisine’,
with a panoramic view. The hotel offers a small multimedia room for meetings. During 2010, the Villa Magdalena
offer will be enriched with more wellness facilities.
In the first half of September 2009 the luxury spa golfer four
star hotel ‘Spa & Golf Resort Sveti Martin’ was opened
in Sveti Martin na Muri, a municipality which was declared
the European destination of excellence in 2008. The hotel
has 151 rooms, 6 suites, an 1800 m2 wellness centre, congress halls for up to 500 people, two-piece sports hall and a
recreation centre with a golf course, two restaurants, piano
bar, night bar, lounge bar and a kindergarten. The million
kuna investment in Sveti Martin offers a golf course with
nine holes and heated greens, tennis courts, aqua aerobics,
beach volleyball and a range of sporting facilities. The spa
hotel has saunas, baths, a Jacuzzi, massages and various
beauty treatments. Thermal water in the St. Martin Spa has
rich balneological properties of mineralisation, iodine, fluoride and a temperature, which make it extremely healing.
The ‘Spa & Golf Resort Sveti Martin’ is the largest project
in the continental tourism with a present investment of more
than 300 million and more than 200 employees. Since the
only facility on location before the beginning of the project
was a single outdoor pool, this makes it truly one of the
largest green-field investments in the whole of Croatia.
www.toplicesvetimartin.hr
The Zagreb county has increased the number of beds in
the specialised hospital ‘Naftalan’ in Ivanić Grad, while the
Garni Hotel in Velika Gorica has been awarded four stars.
Naïve Art and the Gallery Roads of Podravina
The Podravina region is the birthplace of many eminent artists of different directions - from Ivan Sabolić, a sculptor, to
painters Krsto Hegedušić, Fedor Malančec, Stjepan Kukec,
Josip Turković, Ivan Obsieger, Zlatko Kauzlarić-Atač,
Sunčanica Tuk, Darko Bakliža and Željko Muck. It is where
Croatian naïve art was born, and where its enormous rise
began in the 1930s, with artists Ivan Generalić, Franjo Mraz
and Mirko Virius. The Hlebine School of Naïve Art has
given, apart from the aforementioned, many other world
famous self taught artists, from doyens Ivan Večenaj and
Martin Mehkek from Gola, Ivan Lacković – Croata from Batinska, Mijo Kovačić from Gornja Šuma and Ivan Generalić
from Hlebine to second and third generation artists, such as
Mate Tot, Josip Gregurić, Radovan Grgec, Ivan Andrašić
and many others. The fact that this relatively small area
generated more than 150 artists of different styles and that
many run their own galleries, incited the Tourist Board of
the Koprivnica-Križevci County to implement the ‘Gallery
Roads’ project.
The ‘Miracle of Croatian Naïve Art’, has become an independent tourist brand and has added value to the cultural
tourism offer. In Koprivnica, Đurđevac and Hlebine, large
information boards in Croatian, English, German and Italian
have been unveiled, with maps of the counties and markings of the galleries for convenience and complete information in one place.
Pisanica from the heart
In the spirit of naïve art, a new project was set in motion - a
project creating large painted Easter eggs - ‘Pisanica from
the heart’. Naïve painters, members of the Hlebine Painters and Sculptors Association, the association ‘Art Circle
of Molve’ and the Art section ‘Podravka 72’ breathed life
into the old traditions and everyday customs of the Drava
region. ‘Pisanice from the heart’ decorated squares, galleries and shows in New York, Madrid, Bilbao, Budapest,
Klagenfurt, Ferrara and Vukovar. The beauty of Easter eggs
was also enjoyed by the people and visitors of Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Varaždin, Koprivnica, Đurđevac, Križevci, Molve
and Bjelovar.
Carnival
The tradition of carnivals or ‘maškare’ is a long one in central Croatia, and the Samobor Carnival is among the most
popular. In 2010, it will be held for the 184th time. The carnival is one of the most important cultural and ethnographic
events and tourist attractions of Samobor, gathering up to
two hundred thousand visitors. The main characters of the
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carnival or Fašnik are Sraka (a Magpie), the Prince of the
Carnival, a judge and Fiškal (a lawyer or ‘philosopher’).
Every year, they take over the keys to the city and the
streets of Samobor fill with people in costumes and masks,
enjoying the various entertainment programmes for children
and adults. Apart from the most popular Samobor Carnival,
the Turopolje Carnival will also mark its 101st anniversary
in Velika Gorica. This carnival combines the characteristics
and customs of the historic area from the south of the river
Sava to the town of Sisak, with carnival groups participating
from all around the Turopolje region. The Turopolje Carnival is a meeting and socialising event for local groups in
masks, which cherish the customs of their region, but also
for a growing number of guests, and it is an important part
of the continental tourism offer.
An original gift and a nice souvenir
The gingerbread heart is a colorfully decorated pastry
made of gingerbread. Its secret recipe has been kept within
the circle of family gingerbread producers of Central and
lowland Croatia for ages. It is traditionally in bold red and is
produced in different shapes and sizes. The custom of giving a gingerbread heart, by which a young man shows his
devotion and love to a girl, is deeply rooted in the Croatian
traditional culture. The gingerbread tradition dates back to
the Middle Ages.
Lepoglava lace – Miraculous Lace –the beauty and magic,
believed to have been brought to Croatia by the Paulines, is
a unique quality of Lepoglava and its surroundings. In 2009,
it was listed - along with the laces of the islands of Hvar and
Pag - on the UNESCO List of Intangible Heritage.
The art of lace making has gradually been accepted among
the village folks and remained a tradition that was never
completely abolished. Lepoglava lace flourished in the late
19th century and the first half of the 20th century thanks to
Zlata pl. Šufflay who was the first one to organize making
of laces and their decoration with folk ornaments, and her
exceptionally successful work was continued by Danica
Brossler after World War 1. Cooperation with government
institutions, she stimulated the production and launched the
appropriate courses, workshops and a lace making school.
During the period, the lace making skill became a permanent source of additional income because the lace was sold
throughout Western Europe. Lately, lace making has once
again been economically designed, organized and offered
as a unique, original, Croatian product on the local and international markets. The international lace making festivals
that have been held since 1997 are an additional stimulus
– they include regular scientific conventions and publication
of collected works from Croatian and European lace making
centers. The Secondary Lace making School once again
operates in Lepoglava after over 70 years.
Srabljivec Cup – The so-called Krapina Rock is a souvenir
intended for drinking of local wines and bearing the inscription: ’May everyone drink healthy and find the hole.’
The brim of the cup is full of holes connected by a hollow
round handle where the liquid passes into the brim pipe.
The unnecessary holes should be closed with fingers to be
able to drink out of the right one.
Sisak Jewellery Museum – Sisak jewelry is a special,
unique product. The Best Croatian Souvenir in 2005 was
designed from replicas of Roman coins found in Siscia.
Petrinja stucka – The pottery craft has been widespread in
the town of Petrinja for a long time. Stucka was once used
to carry water and milk to the field because it kept the desired temperature of the drink for a long time. It s made from
reddish baked pottery clay, decorated with white and brown
clay paint spread by a paintbrush and glazed with transparent colourless glaze. The shallow handle has a small coneshaped outlet for drinking.
It was a symbol of Petrinja pottery, representing a unique
souvenir of the town of Petrinja as a traditional product.
Žganica of the Zrinski Guard - The original Međimurje
brandy plum of the ‘Bistrica’ variety. There are four kinds
of spirits that are differently designed: ‘Garda turistica’,
‘Garda unicat’, ‘Garda historica’ and ‘Garda barrique’. Each
of these spirits has an air of history around it and each one
tells its own story, a story of times gone by, when Međimruje
was ruled by the Counts of Zrinski. In honour of the family, the Zrinski Guard, which safeguards the tradition of the
Zrinski family, was founded. (www.viliamovka-petkovic.hr)
Children’s wooden toys are a distinguished traditional
product of the Croatian Zagorje which have a long history,
and have been on the UNESCO List of Intangible Heritage
since 2009. The distinctive skills of toy making were developed in the Croatian Zagorje in the 19th century, and the
traditional way of making them is maintained in certain villages to this day, passed from one generation to the other.
Tradtionally, men carve the toys by hand, and women paint
them. There can never be two completely identical pieces
because each is handmade. The carvers use soft wood,
such as willow, linden, beech and maple as their material.
After dying the wood, they carve, cut and shape them with
the help of special wooden or cardboard templates. The
women use eco paints; as for their substrate, they commonly use red, yellow or blue. The toys are painted in floral
and geometrical ornaments. Today, fifty different kinds of
toys are produced, ranging from different types of pipes,
tambouritzas, and animal toys to items for everyday use.
www.mhz.hr
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Tambouritza - during the government of the Austria-Hungarian Empire, the Croatian Zagorje region was densely populated and extremely poor. Empress Maria Theresa sent her
emissaries to seek out a solution and save the population
from poverty. One of the emissaries, otherwise a musical instruments maker, stayed in the summer castle of Baron Hellenbach in Tugonica. The emissary’s intention was to train
the poor peasants in making musical instruments out of wood
because the area was rich in forests. His first students were
the six brothers from the Skuliber family in Tugonica. They
made string instruments, including the tamburitza and bisernica (prim), exclusively from maple wood.
After the Skulibers, the construction of instruments expanded
to other rural families, the first of which the Lacković family. With the growth of the industry, new companies which
specialised in the mass production of instruments were
founded. One of these was “Muzička naklada” from Zagreb.
Their products were substantially cheaper due to higher serial quantities and as such outsold the instruments of our local masters, eventually causing them to stop their production.
However, the tamburitza and bisernica became recognisable products of this pilgrimage area, so the traditionally
wise inhabitants of Zagorje harnessed the potential of this
trademark and started producing the instruments as souvenir toys, which many of the pilgrims bought as a souvenir of
Marija Bistrica or as toys for their children.
In 1934, ‘The First Croatian Peasant Cooperative’ was established in Tugonica where about thirty households operated. Tamburitzas were mostly produced for the company
‘Domus’ from Zagreb and ‘Dom’ from Ljubljana, and were
placed on the markets of other areas of the former Yugoslavia and in the United States.
With the introduction of plastics in the industry, the demand
for wooden toys decreased, followed by the number of producers, and the cooperative ceased to operate. Today we
have six tamburitza makers who work with love and devotion, as this is a centuries old tradition of Tugonica and
Marija Bistrica, after all.
Photo: Milan Babić
Stories, legends, myths
Ludbreg – the legend of Ludberga (www.tz-ludbreg.hr):
In addition to being a beautiful woman and a keen winegrower, Ludberga was a woman of supernatural abilities
who takes credit for chasing one other than Satan from Lud-
breg, which is why she was pronounced the town guardian.
The legend says Ludberga put the devil into the ground with
such force that ground exploded on the opposite side of the
globe, leaving only the islet of Antipodes behind. Water still
springs in this place in Ludbreg and “burns” (smokes) because it comes from the very center of the Earth.
Varaždinske toplice – Aqua Iasae (www.toplice-vz.hr):
A natural gift – an abundant source of thermal water – determined the position of Varaždinske toplice (Varaždin Spa),
named it and provided a continuity of accommodating and
treating people through all cultural era, ever since the Romans named it Aqua Iasae. Varaždinske toplice is the oldest thermal spa in Croatia, keeping one of the most significant continental archeological complexes in its center – an
excavated Roman thermal bath that has served its purpose
for four centuries. A pagan temple dedicated to the God of
Sun is in the same place. The shrine is older than the Roman Empire itself.
The legend of Veronika of Desinić: Historical sources
claim that Friedrich II of Celje, son of Herman II of Celje
and the brother of Queen Barbara, wife of King Sigismund
of Hungary, left his wife Elizabeth of the Frankopan family
with whom he had a son, Ulrik II, for the beautiful Veronika, whose family probably lived in the area of the today’s
Desinić. Friedrich’s decision to leave his wife and start a
new life with Veronika caused the discontent of his family,
especially his father Herman. Mad from love for Veronika,
Friedrich killed Elizabeth and enraged both his and her own
family, even more so because he wanted to marry Veronika,
who belonged to a lower class of the gentry, which presented an insurmountable obstacle in marriage for a member
of an aristocratic family directly linked with the royal crown.
Friedrich’s love for Veronika forced him into a pilgrimage
to Rome to seek forgiveness from the Pope, which would
allow for his marriage to Veronica and the legalisation of
their illegitimate children. However, the marriage with his
fatal lover only revealed his guilt for the murder of his first
wife and brought condemnation from King Sigismund, later
lessened by the king’s wife, Friedrich’s sister, to imprisonment. Herman II of Celje incarcerated his son in Celje and
ordered the destruction of Fridrihštajn, the city in which the
unfortunate couple lived. He captured the notorious Veronika and accused her of witchcraft, enchanting and attempting to poison his son. Although the court acquitted her,
Herman ordered that the unfortunate woman be drowned to
death on 18th October 1425 in the Ojstrica Castle in Slovenia. According to legend, she was later buried in the town
of Braslovče. After Friedrich II was freed from prison, he
buried Veronika in a monastery in Jurkloštar near Laško.
The tracks which connect Veronica to the Veliki Tabor Castle are however uncertain. The spoken rendition which tells
that she was walled into the walls of today’s castle, can by
no means be accurate because the construction of Veliki
Tabor began almost a century after Veronica’s death. Yet
there remains a strong possibility that Veronica’s family did
live in the Desinić area. The wall paintings in the chapel
of St. Ivan in Ivanić Miljanski near Veliki Tabor, which was
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built and furnished by none other than Friedrich II of Celje,
support this theory. Moreover, the analysis of the themes
of individual paintings associates them with the unfortunate
fate of Veronika and Friedrich. Thus connecting the legends
and stories about Veronika with the area of Desinić acquires
a deeper meaning.
Love legend - The Chapel of St. Rocco in Podgrađe, built
according to the projects of Bolle, at the same time as the
Church in Marija Bistrica on the site of the Baroque chapel
from 1727, captures our attention with a love legend associated with its construction. Antun Kirschhofer, a violin virtuoso, music professor, conductor and composer, is inscribed
in gold in the musical history of Zagreb and Croatia. He was
born in Budapest in 1807 and died a very young man. Kirschhofer came to Zagreb in search of work in the spring
of 1829. After the opening of the music school in Zagreb,
he was appointed as a violin teacher at the school. At that
time, the feudal lords used to live in their castles in Zagorje
from spring to autumn, and would come in early winter to
their palaces in Zagreb, where they spent their days attending concerts, parties, and theatre performances. Many of
the wealthier aristocrats occasionally organised concerts in
their salons. Antun Kirschhofer was a very well respected
musician and a popular guest in many of the finest feudal
palaces. It was not only his skill in playing the violin which
opened the doors of the aristocratic salons, but also his
good looks. For this reason, he often held concerts in the
palace of Count Donat Mauricije Sermage de Somsedvar
(town of Susedgrad) in Opatička street. Count Sermage’s
family were also owners of a large castle in Oroslavje and
estates and manors in Podgrađe. In addition to performing in the Sermage Palace, Kirschhofer taught piano to
the count’s daughter, Countess Karolina. They fell in love,
but because of the class differences between them, Count
Donat Mauricije sent his daughter into exile to Podgrađe,
hoping she would forget her piano master. However, not
even a considerable distance could keep the lovers apart,
and they continued to meet at the chapel of St. Andrew on
Laz. Countesse Karolina had to walk an hour and a half
from Podgrađe to Laz, while Kirschhofer needed quite a bit
more time, walking from Zagreb over the Zagreb mountain,
although some chroniclers claim that Kirschhofer used a
stagecoach to half way, and walked the other half.
Kirschhofer hiked to Marija Bistrica until 1844, when Count
Sermage died and the mother allowed her daughter, now an
old maid, to marry the violinist. The Countess received the
manor and a farm in Podgrađe where she spent so many
years in exile, pilgrimaging to the chapel in Laz. Nevertheless, the happiness of the young couple did not last for long,
since Kirschhofer contracted tuberculosis and died on 25th
February 1849. His widow outlived him for 34 years, and
built a memorial chapel for him in Podgrađe, where he was
buried and where his tombstone lies. Kirschhofer is remembered in our musical history not only for his romatntic love;
he was our first concert fiddler, and conducted Haydn’s oratory ‘The Seasons’ and Weber’s opera ‘The Free Archer’.
He educated a number of fine musicians: Franjo Pokorni,
Antun Švarc, Silvije Medunić, Mijo Hajko, Eduard Finko
and came to prominence as a composer for the violin and
theatre music. His most famous piece is the ‘Innocence and
Love’, believed to be an intimate confession of the enamored composer and violinist. Although born and raised in
Hungary, he adopted Croatia as his second home.
Legend of the Green Dragon of Čakovec - the very name
of Međimurje tells us that this land is situated between two
large waters, the Mura and Drava rivers, which flooded the
lowlands of Međimurje in the past. Therefore, it is no wonder at all that the land abides in dragons, newts and other
creatures of the bog and that many legends about them
still live today. Čakovec is associated with the legend of
the Green Dragon (Pozoj) whose head lies below the Old
Town of Čakovec, and whose tail is under the Church of
St. Nicholas. The city can be freed from Pozoj only by Dijak
Grabancijaš. To disturb the dragon under the old city can be
very dangerous, as doing so can lead to earthquakes and
natural disasters.
Sisak, a fairy city - legend tells that Sisak, a town on the
banks of the Sava, Kupa and Odra rivers, is built in an area
which, before history, the first records and memories, belonged to the free and happy fairy creatures. Sensing the
coming of the age of people who will want to name things
and thus own them, three fairies gave a name to the area
which, since those times, in a song in the forgotten chanting
fairy language, has been known as SSSAAAAEEEYSYYYCING! All the subsequent names like Segesta, Siscia, Szissek, Zytek, and finally Sisak are only attempts to translate
the intranslatable. The first time the human ear had heard
the fairies chanting the name of the city was when the beautiful princess of Sicily, from the city of Segesta, fleeing in the
arms of her lover before the fury of her father the king, over
seven mountains and seven seas, came to the embrace of
the Kupa, Sava, and Odra, heard the fairies and thought:
“they sing Segesta! I am destined to stay here!”
The Golden Chariot of Sisak - in Roman times, Siscia was
widely famous for its grace, luxury and beauty. However,
through the fertile plains surrounding the city, there came
from afar the mighty Huns, warriors from the distant steppe,
riders who knew no fear. Siscia was attacked, the population was killed or enslaved, and the Huns, who valued gold
above all, conquered the city. Enchanted by the mint and
gold statues, which were kept in the centre of the province
for centuries, the Hun leader requested that a chariot of gold
be welded for him as a memorial to his great victory. Blacksmiths and goldsmiths worked for days and nights, continually melting and minting precious metals and gold, and a
luxurious carriage adorned in jewels of the Roman matrons
was ready for ritual rides through the city streets. However,
the Huns were not a people of cities, they moved on, and
the precious golden chariot would be nothing more than
a burden on their journey. The leader decided to hide the
golden chariot in the city and look for it when he returned.
He never returned, and stories tell that the chariot is still
hidden on the bottom of the river, or in one of the many hills
around the city. However, if Sisak is threatened by a mortal
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danger, the Golden Chariot will emerge in the city, glowing
in its own light and save the city, remove the danger, protect
its people, and disappear again in the shadows of its secret
hiding place.
The story of the well of the Mother of God of Bistrica
- behind the chapel of St. Ladislav, on the steep of Josip
Šćuric, there is a well where, legend tells, the Mother of
God washed her feet. Around 1950, a pilgrim came to Milan
Šćuric, whose house is situated above the steep, and asked
where the well in which the Virgin Mary washed her feet
was, because he came with all of his family to wash their
faces. An old lady, who made pilgrimages to Marija Bistrica
as a child, showed him the way. She and other pilgrims
would always wash in the well, drink water from it, and all of
their ailments would then disappear.
Milan had heard that somewhere around there was a well,
but did not know the story about the well and the Mother of
God. He immediately found it burried in branches and covered with stone slabs. He cleaned the area around the well
and when he moved the stones, he saw that there was water there. Soon after the pilgrims came, drank from the well
and washed their faces. After a rest and refreshments they
set out to the Church of St. Mary Mother of God of Bistrica
with prayer and song.
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Slavonia
www.tzbpz.hr, www.tzosbarzup.hr, www.tzzps.hr,
www.tzvsz.hr, www.tzvpz.hr
Photo: Damir Rajle
Slavonia, the lowland part of East Croatia, surrounded by
the rivers Drava, Danube, Sava and Ilova, is a true oasis for
tourists who want to replace the city hustle and bustle with
the quiet of greenery and a relaxed stay in intact nature at
least for a while. Administratively, it consists of the following
counties: Vukovar–Srijem; Virovitica–Podravina; PožegaSlavonia; Osijek-Baranja; and Brod-Posavina.
Of course, Slavonia is also abundant in cultural and historical heritage, unique continental architecture, churches,
forts, castles and spas based on thermo-mineral waters.
Over the past few years, this eastern Croatian region, which
made tourism its priority within its economic development
strategy (in addition to agriculture), has invested substantial funds in reconstruction of the existing and construction
of new small family hotels, health and recreation resorts,
transport infrastructure and environmental protection.
According to the Croatian tourism Strategic Plan for the
period 2010 - 2014 Croatia will be profiled as a high value
lifestyle destination with well-preserved natural and cultural
treasures. Accordingly, the marketing position of Slavonia
will be ‘the true joy of life’, with an emphasis on gastronomy, nature, peace and the rural surroundings.
Osijek – the Slavonian metropolis
www.tzosijek.hr
Osijek lies twenty-five kilometers upstream from the place
where Drava flows into Danube in East Slavonia – a city and
a port, the economic, transport and cultural center of Slavonia. The lowland of East Croatia, surrounded by rivers, is
a true oasis for tourists who want to replace the city hustle
and bustle with the quiet of greenery and a relaxed stay in
intact nature at least for a while. It consists of the Uptown,
the Fort (Tvrđa), the Downtown and New Town (19th century), and Retfala. The important city institutions include the
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
University, the Croatian National Theater, the Museum of
Slavonia, the printery dating back to 1735, the gymnasium
dating back to 1729, the drawing school, the zoo, the Cattle
Breeding Promotion Center, the Sugar Beet Institute, etc..
A multipurpose sport hall called the City Garden was built
for the World Handball Championship and opened in late
2008, with five main halls and ancillary and supporting facilities – its exterior and interior designs will be a new urban
trademark for Osijek.
Požega is a city with a long urban, administrative, cultural,
educational, religious and economic tradition. Today it is the
seat of the Diocese of Požega, the Požega - Slavonia County, Požega Polytechnic and a series of cultural and educational institutions. The Požega - Slavonia County has a long
history. Man has lived there from the earliest times, as evidenced by numerous archaeological finds. In Roman times,
the Požega basin bore the name ‘Valis Aurea’ - the Golden
Valley. Požega is mentioned in 1227 as a fortress and the
seat of the county, and was one of the most important medieval towns of Slavonia. Along with Požega, important towns
of that time were Kaptol, Kutjevo, Pleternica, Velika and Pakrac, where the mint once was (in banovac). During the 150
years of Ottoman rule, Požega was the seat of sandžak (a
district in the Ottoman Empire) that included a large part
of Slavonia, while for a short time, Pakrac also served as
the seat of sandžak. After the expulsion of the Turks, the
Požega County, which covers a much larger area than the
medieval county, went through a period of reconstruction in
the mid XVIII century, while Požega was granted the status of a free and Royal City. As an important cultural, educational, economic and religious centre, Požega bore the
flattering title of the ‘Slavonian Athens’ in the 19th century.
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Photo: Mario Romulić
Kopački rit – the most attractive destination
www.kopacki-rit.hr
The popular Kopački rit Nature Park is an attractive tourist
destination in Slavonia. This is a great flooded area along
the right bank of Danube, in a large corner formed by Drava
and Danube. Over 2,000 biological species live there, many
of which are rare and endangered species at the global and
European levels, such as 291 bird species and 44 fish species. In 1993, Kopački rit was included in the list of internationally significant wetlands. Tourists can see the rit on
specially built tourist boats with professional guides.
We also recommend you visit the Tikveš castles located
within the Nature Park in a beautiful centuries-old oak forest, a favorite meeting point for many statesmen and celebrities from some past times.
The best prize deer in Europe
Deer and boar hunting is organized in the forests of Kopački
rit and the entire area. Five to seven thousand deer live in
Kopački rit – this is where the best prize deer in Europe
were shot. Slavonia has another Nature park - Papuk
(www.pp-papuk.hr), a mountain with numerous natural pearls, centuries-old forests and mountain lakes and
springs. There are numerous hunting grounds in Baranja,
which are rich in big and small game. Guests of the grounds
stay in hunting lodges Zlatna greda, Monjoroš, Ćošak šume
and Židopustara.
Papuk Nature park– new educational trail
The town of Ružica and the Orahovica lake are one of the
most interesting tourist destinations of the Papuk Nature
Park, which, due to its geological diversity, was recently
awarded the status of European geopark. Ružica is situated
on a hill overlooking the lake and the town of Orahovica.
In 2009, an educational trail was built from the Orahovica
lake to the medieval town of Ružica. Panels with information
about the natural, geological, cultural and historical sights
are set along the trail. Ružica is the most beautiful of the
eight medieval towns in the area surrounding the Papuk
Nature Park. The Orahovica lake offers an opportunity for a
variety of sports and recreational activities. In the vicinity of
Orahovica, there are several interesting locations, such as
Anto’s Cave (Antina špilja), the Monastery of St. Nicholas,
Peter’s Peak (Petrov vrh) lookout and the Old Town.
In the Čaglina area, in the heart of the Dilj mountain, is the
well-known and increasingly popular Sovsko lake, the only
remain of the former Paratetis (Pannonian) sea on our lands.
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
Cultural and historical heritage
Plenty of castles
Slavonia has a particularly rich architectural heritage – castles and forts. A special place is reserved for the castle with
a wine cellar in Kutjevo (www.tzzps.hr), which used to be
part of a former Jesuit estate.
Built in the early 20th century, the castle in Donji Miholjac
(www.tz-donjimiholjac.hr) represents a unique building of
the kind in Croatia and this part of Europe. The same goes
for the hunting castle in Bilje (www.tzo-bilje.hr), built in the
Viennese architectural fashion. The Pejačević Counts left
their castles in Virovitica, Našice (www.tznasice.hr) and
Osijek (www.tzosijek.hr). There is also the baroque castle
that once belonged to the Noraman-Prandau Counts with a
park in Valpovo (www.tz-valpovo.com).
The Eltz family castle in Vukovar (www.tzvsz.hr) holds museum treasure of the region, especially the remains of the
Vučedol culture with the famous Vučedol Dove.
You must not miss the Odescalchi family castle in Ilok and
its wine cellars (www.ilocki-podrumi.hr). The area around it
contains the most preserved remains of the Turkish era –
Turkish mausoleums and a Turkish bath.
The Adamović - Cseh Castle is located on the hilly part of
the settlement. The patrician castle, of horizontal composition and with a garden, was built in the mid-19th century.
Next to the castle there is an old wine cellar from 1730.
It was in this castle that the famous Erdut agreement was
signed on 12th November 1995, with which the peaceful
reintegration of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western
Srijem back into the Republic of Croatia was agreed. The
Erdut Winery is part of the castle and has the largest oak
barrel in the world, with a capacity of 75,000 litres, listed in
the Guinness Book of Records. (www.erdutski-vinogradi.hr)
Exceptionally valuable Baroque forts
The heritage of Slavonia includes two exceptionally valuable forts in Osijek (www.tzosijek.hr) and Slavonski Brod
(www.tzgsb.hr).
Osijek’s Tvrđa represents a successful combination of military, urban/administrative and sacral architectures. Its central square is dominated by the General Barracks building
from 1726 with the most luxurious stone baroque portal in
Croatia, and Kužni pil (a monument to Holy Trinity), the only
one of its kind in Croatia in addition to the one in Požega.
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Built during the Habsburg Empire era, the Brod Fort still
lives in its original form. This is the largest representative
Squire, whose defense system at the border towards the
Turkish Empire ensured permanent peace for Slavonia for
two and a half centuries.
The Erdut tower, the remains of the medieval Erdut from the
end of the 15th century, offer an unforgettable view of the
Danube and Vojvodina.
Entertainment and art
Osijek holds many events throughout the year. They include
the Croatian Tamboura Music Festival featuring tamboura
orchestras from across Croatia, and Osijek Summer Nights
– a series of outdoor culture & entertainment events with
a rich commercial and catering offer. The Osijek City Day
includes a rich culture & art program with thematic exhibitions. Numerous archeological finds and items of natural,
historical and artistic value are kept at Osijek’s Museum of
Slavonia established in 1877.
The other parts of Slavonia also have numerous cultural
events. In late July or early August, Đakovo, a bishop center of the Đakovo and Srijem Bishopric, has traditionally
organized the Đakovo Embroidery (www.tz-djakovo.hr) for
over four decades, where hundreds of culture & art associations from across Croatia and abroad show their creative
achievements. A particularly interesting feature is the procession of all participants, dressed in folk costumes and followed by horse-drawn carriages through the town center,
inevitably attracting tens of thousands of visitors.
The Bušari of Đakovo - in late January and early February,
the largest carnival in eastern Croatia and its long carnival
parade are held in Đakovo.
In early September, Vinkovci holds a folk festival – the traditional Vinkovci Autumns (www.vk-jeseni.com). Every year,
the town of Valpovo holds the Valpovo Summer, Donji Miholjac has its Miholjac Festival, while Našice celebrates the
Days of Croatian Forests in summertime.
Požega traditionally organizes the Golden Strings of Slavonia
music festival (celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2009) and
the Kulenijada – a competition for private kulen producers.
Other Slavonian towns and villages also have similar creative folk events.
In Baranja, a region famous for its quality wine and culinary specialties, the newly organised ‘Surduk Festival’ - a festival of art
and wine, unites winegrowing culture and arts through exhibits,
music and the tasting of Baranja wines. The event is held in local
towns and villages of the Kneževi Vingoradi County.
The ‘Autumn in Baranja’ event, held in Beli Manastir during the month of September, presents cultural and artistic
works of the many minorities which live in the city. A Competition in fish stew preparation is the central event of the
manifestation. (www.tzbaranje.hr).
The representative of Baranja’s gastro offer is surely the
Baranja kulen, the presentation of which is held every year
during the month of May at the Kulenijada in Jagodnjak.
The Bilje County proudly presents its tourist offer through the
Ethno Meeting in Bilje and the Fishermen Days in Kopačevo.
The Old Sports Olympics is particularly interesting – it is
held every year in late August in Brođinci near Osijek and
the participants compete in forgotten old games of Slavonian shepherds and peasants. (www.tzosbarzup.hr).
In the Erdut County, two very important events for the region are held during the year with the aim of preserving the
cultural heritage, folk culture and economic development.
The Fair of Old Customs and Trades is a two day event,
traditionally held since 2005 every year in September. The
Fair is held at a different location each year, in the towns of
Bijelo Brdo, Aljmaš, Erdut and Dalj.
Because of its diversity, the fair attracts more and more participants and visitors. The two day event provides a varied
and rich cultural programme. Since 2007, a two day International Flower Fair has been held in May in Dalj Planina. The
ample cultural and economic programme involves about
150 exhibitors from the local area, the region and abroad
(Hungary, Serbia), and is visited by around 6000 guests.
Follow the shooting star in Aljmaš - live nativity scene
Since 2007, at Christmas time, in front of the Shrine of
Our Lady of the Sanctuary in Aljmaš, the most beautiful
Christmas story takes place - a LIVE NATIVITY SCENE.
The wooden houses with the nativity scene show life in
the time of Jesus: baker families make bread and pastry,
loomer families show how they once weaved using a spinning wheel, carpenter families knit fishing nets and baskets
with willow branches, and one of the houses presents the
old Christmas Eve traditions. Residents of Bethlehem are
locals of Aljmaš and Dalj Planina, costumed in jute attires.
With tea, cooked wine and Aljmaš lepinjice (flat bread) visitors can relax and enjoy the holiday environment and a rich
programme that takes place from 24th to 26th December.
The live nativity scene programme ends on 6th January on
the feast of the Epiphany, when the three kings come to visit
baby Jesus.
SPAS
Slavonia is rich in thermal and mineral waters. Especially in Bizovac (www.tzobizovac.hr), where they found
hyper-thermal water of a temperature of as much as
96 ºC in oil wells in the early 1970s. Bizovačke toplice
(www.bizovacke.toplice.hr) is now the most modern and
best equipped spa in Croatia, its multipurpose bathing complex and the modern health resort providing a unique experience – a trip to the geological past and an encounter
with the long gone Pannonian Sea. The Bizovačke toplice
complex has around 250 hotel beds, offering its guests a
number of options and an attractive surrounding area full
of ethno heritage, such as the globally recognized colorful
Bizovac folk costume.
Lipik Spa (www.bolnica-lipik.hr) - unconfirmed sources
indicate that the medicinal springs in Lipik were in use
even at the time of the Roman Empire, but the first written records of the existence of health tourism originate
from the beginning of the 16th century, when Ivan Kapistranin mentions the healing properties of the spa in Lipik.
Records from the 18th century often speak of the heal-
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ing waters for which Lipik has become famous. Today,
in a specialised hospital, the medicinal water springs are
used to treat inflammatory rheumatic diseases and degenerative diseases of the spine and joints. Because of the
devastations of war, the Lipik Spa is still investing maximum efforts in the additional modernisation of the hospital facilities, in parallel with the restoration of the cultural
heritage and the tradition on which the spa was founded.
Active tourism, hunting and fishing
Adventure tourists can use increasingly diverse forms of active tourism. There are numerous organized marked bike
tracks, and they also designed an adventure tourism offer.
Horseback riding is available at the Đakovo Stables
with over four hundred horse of the Lipizzaner breed
(www.ergela-djakovo.hr). Baranja organizes jeep tourism and fishing in the backwaters of Danube where you
can catch a hundred-kilo catfish and a gargantuan pike
(www.tzosbarzup.hr).
The leader of adventure tourism in the Baranja region is
surely the Baranja Adventure Team; they offer SUV rides,
paintball, trekking and canoeing, with refreshments at the
‘Tri mudraca’ resort in Karanac. www.baranya-adventure.com
In the vicinity of Slavonski Brod, in Garčin, the municipal
community centre of the Garčin municipality, is the equestrian club and riding school ‘Ramarin’. Visitors can see the
studs and the beautiful grounds for show jumping, and very
soon enjoy the unique experience of Marathon riding on the
newly arranged 110 km course.www.ramarin.hr
The fishing options in Slavonia are available along Drava,
Danube and other Slavonian rivers with their respective affluents, flooded areas, natural and artificial lakes, marshes
and pools, artificial flows, channels and accumulations, and
other waters permanently or occasionally connected with
the main flows.
Borovik Lake, located near Đakovo, is an artificial lake created during the reconstruction of the Vuka river bed in 1978,
at the very beginning of its flow. The lake is up to 15 m deep,
7,000 metres long and covers an area of 160 hectares. It is
very attractive for fishing, not only in Croatia but also on a
European scale. Borovik lake is home to Carp, Largemouth
bass and many other species of fish.
Hunting has a rich tradition in Slavonia, especially big
game hunting. It still offers high-prize game in open hunting grounds (deer, boar, roebuck) and in confined hunting grounds (fallow deer, mouflon). Small game includes:
pheasant, snipe, quail, wild duck, wild goose and hare.
Beautifully decorated hunting lodges offer quality accommodation and homemade cooking. Boar is present in most
of the county’s hunting grounds. Pheasant is widely present
in the entire county and represents the main hunting game
specie in common hunting grounds.
Religious tourism
The Shrine of the Lady of Sanctuary in Aljmaš
www.svetiste-aljmas.com
The Shrine of the Lady of Sanctuary in Aljmaš represents
the most important pilgrimage center in the entire East
Croatia. Aljmaš is a well equipped tourist spot with several
catering facilities, equipped parking lots, as well as some
interpretation options relating to the shrine. Aljmaš also offers other attractive tourist options both in the town and its
immediate surroundings. This primarily includes the bank
of Danube in one of the most accessible locations in the
region and the lose proximity of Kopački rit Nature Park, as
well as the Erdut Vineyards and Erdut itself. Tourist signage
and tourist information for the shrine and the supporting religious facilities have been made available through cooperation between the County, the Municipality of Erdut and the
local tourist boards.
Aljmaš is visited by as many as 200,000 pilgrims
throughout the year, while 60,000 of them visit only at
the time of the great Marian feast of the Assumption, on
15th August.
The Shrine of the Lady on Water in Ilača is the most frequented shrine in Vukovar-Srijem County. The shrine was
created in 1865 when a well of water burst out on the way
from Nijemci to Ilača. That same night, a resident of Ilača
saw the Blessed Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus in her arms
in his sleep – she told him the well was hers and that he
should fence it and not let anyone have their cattle drink
there. The young man fenced the well, and the first pilgrims
to Ilača named it the Lady’s Water. Water still flows from the
well. They put a statue of Virgin Mary next to the well and
unusual events became more and more frequent. Therefore, in 1870 they blessed the church next to the well with a
public garden and stations of the Way of the Cross. A roofed
area with an altar has been provided for outdoor festivities
and in 1981 they built a stone chapel with a statue of the
Lady of Ilača. The shrine is visited by pilgrims from across
Croatia throughout the year.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Good Remedy in Slavonski Brod
receives pilgrims every eighth day of the month and on holidays related to Our Lady. The promotion of devotion to Our
Lady of Good Remedy was started by the Croatian Ursulines in the 1960s. The Franciscan Church of the Holy Trinity is the spiritual cradle of Slavonski Brod. The 18th century
monastery was built along the southern wall of the church
and lies along the banks of the river Sava. It is one of the
most imposing Baroque buildings in the region of Slavonia.
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Photo: Goran Vranić
Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul in Đakovo and the
Strossmayer Museum
Although Đakovo is not the county center and is only the
sixth biggest town in East Croatia, it is the clerical center of
Slavonia and was the administrator of the Catholic Church
in Bosnia for a substantial part of the Croatian history.
This is why Đakovo has the most impressive and important sacral building in the entire Slavonia and Baranja – the
Đakovo Cathedral of St. Peter. Right next to the cathedral
is a museum dedicated to the man who takes most of the
credit for its construction and one of the greatest Croatian
historical figures – Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer, which
only contributes to the importance of this locality. Due to the
foregoing, the significance of the Đakovo Cathedral of St.
Peter by far exceeds the size of Đakovo as a town.
a smoked meat specialty of selected pork meat, a premium
top-quality gourmet sausage delight. When making homemade kulen, only the best parts of pork and natural additives are used (salt, garlic, ground chilli and sweet peppers).
Gastrofest – held in Đakovo twice a year (in summer and
winter), the Gastrofest gathers chefs from all over Slavonia
and Baranja. The main aim is to promote the rich gastronomic offer of the two regions.
Fish stew has a special place among the numerous Slavonian specialties. River fish is particularly in demand in Slavonia. Especially carp on a spit, roasted over open fire, or
catfish in corn flour served with bean salad with fresh onions
and pumpkinseed oil. These dishes are perfectly accompanied by one of the Graševina wines from Slavonian cellars.
Famous Slavonian wines and wines made by small producers are equally represented in the offer.
The gastronomy of the Baranja region is represented by the
ethno restaurant “Baranjska kuća”, with a range of local culinary specialties, and the winery “Josić”, which offers an
attractive view of the Baranja vineyards.
Photo: HTZ
Photo: HTZ
Gastro corner
Few of our regions are so rich in recipes. The famous Slavonian cuisine has a touch of Dalmatia, Zagorje, Lika and
some European cuisines. Many occasions in the lives of the
Slavonians have called for great celebrations. So they came
up with specific dishes for harvests, births, engagements,
weddings, sacral holidays (Christmas, Easter, Shrove) or
the popular Slavonian pig-slaughter days. Diishes prepared
according to traditional recipes are particularly popular:
čobanac, fish stew, chicken stew and many others. They
normally prepare vegetables in the form of stew with paprika. Every true Slavonian will treat you to some homemade
kulen, homemade ham, smoked sausages and other typical
delicacies in their home. The Ministry of Culture has classified
kulen as a non-material cultural heritage of Croatia. Kulen is
Slavonian wines
slavonia has excellent conditions for winegrowing and winemaking. In the past, the wines of Slavonia were often found
on the tables of emperors and noblemen and it is this tradition that the present Slavonian vineyards derive from: Srijem, Erdut, Baranja and Đakovo in the east and Kutjevo in
the west of Slavonia. Slavonia has truly excellent capacities
for production of large amounts of premium wine, especially
white wine. It is hard to say which Slavonian vineyards are
better and more tempting: those in Srijem, Erdut and Baranja in the Danube region, those in Đakovo in East Slavonia or those in Kutjevo in Central Slavonia. The center of
development of Slavonian winemaking is the area around
Kutjevo. Enjingi, Krauthaker and PPK Kutjevo are the most
important Slavonian winemakers. Eninjgi, and especially
Krauthaker, keep experimenting with new varieties, which
definitely erases Slavonia’s Graševina monoculture image
as it was six or seven years ago.
Tourist development organized on wine roads
The vineyards of Baranja and Erdut are the first two vineyard areas to become part of the Vintour – the wine roads
of the European Union. This project is associated with the
tourist development of rural regions organized on wine
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roads. Hungary, Italy, Spain and Croatia are the members
and the project is financed by the European Union. So far,
the project includes seven wine roads from Hungary, Spain
and Italy, and Croatia partnered with the neighboring Hungary with which Osijek-Baranja County signed the General
Convention for Connection of Wine Roads. Once the necessary conditions have been fulfilled, Vintour should also
include the vineyards of Đakovo, Feričanci and Našice.
Each vineyard region will thus have its starting point. For
Baranja, it will be the Prince Eugene of Savoy in Bilje and
Kopački rit Nature Park. Aljmaš and its shrine should be
the starting point in the Erdut vineyards. Đakovo will start
with the cathedral and the National Lipizzaner Stables.
Bizovačke toplice with its castles and gardens in Donji Miholjac, Valpovo and Našice will complete the offer of the
Feričanci-Našice vineyards.
If you visit the Slavonski Brod-Posavina County, you
should not miss out on the ‘Wine Roads of the Stupnik
Hills’, well-known winegrowing highlands in the municipality of Brodski Stupnik. The superb wines from
the wineries of the Zdjelarević, Jurković, Vinković
and Čaldarević families come from these vineyards.
Accommodation
As of recently, tourist accommodation has become very
good in Osijek and Bizovac. After the reconstruction of
some 4-star hotels in Osijek, a dozen more small family
hotels have opened. They also reconstructed hotels in the
nearby Našice, Požega, Vinkovci and Vukovar. In addition
to Osijek, 4-star hotels are available in Slavonski Brod,
Valpovo and Beli Manastir, while Đakovo and Našice have
3-star hotels. Having reconstructed and redesigned a number of dedicated premises in the city’s educational and social facilities, Osijek has also become a distinctive congress
center. Agro-tourism is also becoming deeply rooted in the
Slavonian plains – several dozens of estates provide accommodation services (www.tzosbarzup.hr).
Eco-ethno
The small Slavonian eco-ethno village of Stara Kapela
(www.stara-kapela.hr) is situated on the south slopes of
Mount Požega in the Municipality of Nova Kapela where
only 17 old people reside. It is unique for its traditional architecture and the quiet of the traditional village lifestyle. The
visitors have the impression they travelled back in time a
hundred years. With no cars or mobile service, Stara Kapela offers coexistence in harmony with nature and traditional values.
The houses in the village commonly have large yard with
farm buildings, a gazebo for a pleasant afternoon rest or
chatting over coffee or tea, a outdoor baking furnace and
grill, an orchard with tables and benches, and a built-in
barbecue available to the guests. The offer also includes
ecologically grown vegetables from the garden. Couples
can ride together on a tandem bike. A 13-km biking & hiking track passes through the hills. The track has 6 resting
spots, some of them replicas of the old Turkish camps from
the Military Border era, serving as belvederes. Alongside
the track are interpretation signs with pictures and names
of the local birds and photographs of edible and inedible
mushrooms and game.
This colourful eco-ethno village provides a special Old Slavonian atmosphere and comfortable accommodation for up to one tour bus of passengers.
Recently, the development of rural tourism has become
all the more evident in the Osijek-Baranja County, where
56 farms with 192 beds have been registered. The same
number of visits, but with an increase of approximately 50
percent in overnight stays, in comparison to the same period in 2008 (first six months of the year), will definitely satisfy
a part of Baranja’s tourism employees. The Baranja region
is becoming increasingly popular, the result of the local tourist workers’ hard efforts to attract visitors by building new
infrastructure and improving their services.
The ethno village Karanac (www.karanac.com) has received a new tourist family household. Apart from the autochthonous family farm Sklepić (www.sklepic.hr), a pioneer
in ethno tourism in this region, the Baranja agritourism offer
has been enriched by the ‘Ivica i Marica’ estate (‘Hansel
and Gretel’). This property, located near the Kopački Rit Nature Park, offers plenty of delights in one place: tables full
of delicacies and a pleasant welcome to the sounds of the
tamburitza and Roma music. With many activities such as
horseback riding, carriage and bike riding or Nordic walking,
guests can take a peaceful break in the comfortable accommodation of this ethno-oasis of Baranja.
www.ivica-marica.com
Novelties
According to the categorization of the Ministry of Tourism
(October 2009), this region has nine available hotels with
four stars and twenty hotels with three stars. The first four
star hotel in the city of Vinkovci, the ‘Villa Lenije’, opened in
June 2009. It is the second in this category in the VukovarSrijem County. In addition to a coffee bar and restaurant,
the hotel has a spa complex with indoor pool and saunas,
beauty treatment and massage rooms, and a private spa
suite. The hotel also has a conference hall and offers tourist
activities such as cycling, horseback riding and canoeing.
Vinkovci received their first hostel in 2009; Hostel ‘Plus’ has
84 beds and is located in the vicinity of the town centre.
www.hostel-plus.hr
The Cellars of Ilok opened the doors of the Principovac resort estate, situated in the middle of a large plantation of
vineyards spread over 87 hectares, while the grassy area
around the resort house itself covers about 15,000 square
metres. The estate has an attractive restaurant which can
accommodate 60 guests. It has two terraces (northern and
southern), and a panoramic elevator that takes guests to a
lookout which offers a view of the entire Ilok and a good part
of Srijem and Bačka. The estate has six four star suites,
one of which is a luxury presidential 120 square metre suite.
Guests can use tennis and badminton courts, four kilometres of paved roads for bike rides and a walking path through
the vineyards, take a tourist train ride and participate in the
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harvest of grapes, and the tasting of premium wines.
The first Baranja Golf and Country Club has opened in
Zmajevac. In addition to a golf school and recreational play,
guests can enjoy saunas and taste the produce of many of
Baranja’s winemakers. www.golfklub-zmajevac.hr
The ‘Ipša’ farm in Čeminac has broadened the tourist offer
of Baranja’s rural estates. The offer includes accommodation, horseback riding, and a rich gastronomic offer of oldfashioned home dishes. www.salas-ipsa.hr
Transport connections
although located 200 to 300 kilometers from the capital city
of Zagreb, Slavonia, and especially Osijek, have good connections with the metropolis. Several dozen comfortable
trains and buses operate between Zagreb and Osijek on
a daily basis – the ride takes around four hours. If you use
the modern motorway from Zagreb, you will reach Slavonski
Brod in 1.5 hours and Osijek in 2.5 hours.
Osijek also has an international airport accepting even the
biggest of airplanes. In summertime, regular flights to Adriatic airports are available, while winter is reserved for charter flights. Receptive port facilities for large tourist cruisers
operating on Danube between Vienna and the Black Sea
are being built in Vukovar, Ilok, Batina and Osijek. Vukovar
and Osijek are Croatian river ports that are not only freight
but also passenger ports, and thousands of tourists enter
through the ports each year. There is a growing interest in
passenger ships docking during the season, from March to
October, when ships dock in Vukovar almost on a daily basis. These are typically the luxurious ships of foreign shipping companies, carrying tourists mostly from the United
States, Germany and other European countries, usually
sailing between Hungary and Romania and vice versa.
In the summer of 2009, the first modern passenger river
ship, a cruiser with 150 passengers from the United States,
sailed into Osijek. In 2010, an estimated 50 cruisers with
about 7,000 tourists are expected to sail into Osijek.
With the Centratour agency alone, more than 59,000 guests
arrived in Vukovar on cruise ships. Cruise ships began sailing on the Danube in April 2004, when the first such ship
with 6,704 guests sailed into Vukovar. After that, 9,700
guests arrived in 2005, no less than 11,300 in 2006, 15,000
in 2007 and 17,135 in 2008.
What we are proud of
the annual spring procession of Ljelje/Kraljice (Queens)
from Gorjani has been on the UNESCO List of Intangible
Cultural Heritage since 2009. Legend has it that the custom
derives from Turkish times, when the Turks captured all the
men in the village. However, their wives devised a plan and
disguised themselves in strange-looking clothes, took sabres and scythes into their hands and walked towards the
Turks. The Turks thought they were ghosts, were scared
and ran away, leaving the women to free their husbands,
brothers, and sons. Scientists who studied this custom think
that it dates back to even older times, the times of the Pro-
toslavic state, and that it is a remnant of the ancient rite
of inititation. The custom is held on the Catholic holiday of
All Saints, when a procession of girls goes around the village and visits the courtyards. The girls play the roles of
kings and queens, accompanied by young men carrying
baskets for presents, together with beggars and a bagpiper. The hosts greet them in their courtyards, the ‘Ljelje’
sing them their holiday songs, perform their ritual play and
wheel dance to bagpipe music. The hosts then give them
presents. The Queens proceed to the following house and
tour the whole village. Since 2009, the folklore parade ‘The
Legend of the Ljelje’ is held on All Saints Day.
Tamboura music – They say Osijek is a nursery of tamboura music. The first tamboura choir in Osijek was formed
in 1847 by Pajo Kolarić, making tamboura the most popular
folk instrument. Osijek thus became the tamboura center,
not only of Croatia but the entire Slavic south.
Golden embroidery – one of the highest achievements
of our folk art and probably the highest achievement in
the activities of rural women of Slavonia and Baranja. The
technique has produced the most luxurious Slavonian costumes that are still made in their original form, as well as
items decorating our homes and enriching our tourist offer.
www.zlatovez.com
Lipizzaner Stallion Stables in Đakovo – Đakovo’s horse
breeding tradition can be experienced at the stallion stables
situated on the east edge of Đakovo. In addition to passionate horse enthusiasts, the facility is visited by regular
tourists and its exceptional significance makes it a special
attraction. In addition to its breeding and selective tasks the
National Lipizzaner Stables initiates a number of activities
focused on the tourist market, the most important among
them being the construction of the riding range and the
overall renovation of the Ivan dvor area.
Bela IV in Virovitica – In 1242, the Croatian-Hungarian
King Bela IV issued the Golden Bulla – a document by which
the present Zagreb acquired its free royal town status.
The first sparkling wine in Croatia – in 1896, they produced the first Croatian sparkling wine in Slatina.
Rupnica – the first geological natural monument in Croatia.
It was pronounced protected in 1948 for the exceptionally
rare morphological volcanic rock phenomenon. It is located
within Papuk Nature Park. Thanks to this and other geological phenomena, in 2007 it has become the only Croatian
member of the European Geoparks Network and UNESCO’s Geoparks Association.
The biggest barrel – the winery within the former AdamovićCseh manor in Erdut is known for an oak barrel having a
volume of 75,000 liters, which is why it has been included
in the Guinness Book of Records. The old medieval fort in
Erdut, considered to be the key sightseeing point, provides
a view of Danube.
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Brod Wheel is a folklore festival that has been held in
Slavonski Brod for over 40 years. It was established in
1963 and is the oldest folklore festival in Croatia. Through
a series of various folklore shows, the Brod Wheel presents
the folklore heritage of Brodsko Posavlje: from the Original
Brod-Posavina County Folklore Festival ‘Šokadijo sve ti je
na glasu’, the County Folklore Singing ensembles Festival
‘Kad zapjevam i malo zagudim’, the Children’s Folklore
Festival ‘Igra kolo maleno’, the Sacral Folk Singing Festival,
Choreographed Folklore Festival, Croatian Single Tamboura Players Festival, Culture & Art Associations procession
and performance to ethnographic exhibitions.
Supporting shows: horse carriage shows, hurdle and twohorse team races and pastry fair. The Brod Wheel is a form
of permanent cultivation of the traditional culture and live
folk creation, a powerful incentive to conscientious preservation and development of the inherited cultural wealth.
www.brodsko-kolo.com
An original gift and a fine souvenir
Steam mill – Driving down the international road that connects Karanac and Kneževi Vinogradi to the border crossing
with Hungary, the famous (and only) Baranja potter, Daniel
Astaloš, spotted an uncommon building in Suza, halfway
between Piroš čizma and Kovač čarda, a former steam mill
with which he immediately fell in love. He set up a workshop
in the mill and a gallery of pottery and arts. His desire is to
show tourists how work was done on the wheel, let them try
it out for themselves and arrange the mill for various meetings and gatherings. He has already acquired an old Petroff
piano from the 19th century, and set up a wheel made by
the famous ceramics manufacturer Zsolnai in the interior of
the mill. For the realisation of the project, Astaloš counted
on the proximity of the mill to the wine road, Kopački Rit, the
Batina memorial complex and the increasing number of accommodation facilities in this part of Baranja.
www.tzbaranje.hr
Stories, legends, myths
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
from traditional embroideries to universal timber pots –
the weaving patterns and traditional embroidery of the rich
Slavonian folklore, applied to decorative or everyday use
items, are an attractive souvenir.
The traditional wooden dish ‘struganka’ - a universal
dish made by chiseling of willow or alder wood has been
an inevitable item in Slavonian houses for ages. They differ
in shape, size and purpose. They used to eat and drink out
of them… they washed in them… they kneaded dough in
them… filled with fruits of hardworking hands, they were an
inevitable part of everyday and holiday tables.
The Traces and Memories souvenir series - weaving patterns and traditional embroidery of the rich Podravina and Slavonian folklore applied on decorative and utility glass coasters
on which they float as a slight trace or a wonderful memory …
A rarity – the Croatian ethno hairstyle – the Slavonian
traditional hairstyle that used to be popular among young
girls was a very complex structure of thin braids intertwined
into one flat braid, which was then laid up around the head,
sometimes to the forehead. Hairstyles were decorated with
real or artificial flowers, decorative ribbon, jewelry or a string
of coins laid on the crown of the head. This hairstyle was
noticed on female portraits dating from the late Roman
Empire, from the mid third to the end of the fifth century.
The preservation of this hairstyle to this day shows that the
Croats, having arrived in this area, made contact with the
Roman natives and continued to use this special hairstyle.
Series of ceramic souvenirs presenting the Mikeš – the
natives of Virovitica. Mikeš is the name denoting the natives of Virovitica. In the text accompanying the souvenir,
Mikeš is presented as a person that received and fed King
Bela IV when he signed the Golden Bulla in 1242, by which
Zagreb became a free royal town.
The summer residence of Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić, Brodsko Vinogorje – A legend says that the world renowned children’s writer Ivana Brlić- Mažuranić saw a little boy chasing
a cat by the red rain barrel in her summer residence (the
barrel is still there), and a gloomy shoemaker standing behind him. This is how she got the idea for the favorite children’s novel “Čudnovate zgode šegrta Hlapića” – according
to the writer, he was “as good as the Sun and as wise as
a book” and became a role model to all children. Access
to the Brlićevac summer residence is only allowed to organized tourist groups of children and adults, subject to prior
notice to the Tourist Board.
Wine cellar of the Brod Fort commander – while his father Ivan was commander of the Brod Fort in the 1820s, the
legendary Franjo Trenk often stayed in Brod. He demonstrated his restless military spirit and particular interest in
weapons even in his early youth. In addition to begin described as a good soldier, a good strategist, commander
and duelist, Franjo Trenk was also known as a gambler,
adventurer and lover of beautiful women and a good drink.
Live historical programs are performed for organized tourist groups in the wine cellar of the Brod Fort commander,
featuring, in addition to Franjo Trenk, other Fort characters
in costumes, while the tourist can try the old Brod wine, the
so-called bermet.
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The Legend of Ružica – according to legend, the town of
Ružica used to be a gathering place for fairies in ancient
times. They would gather in the woodland clearing, preparing
herbal potions, singing and dancing into the night. It was at
that very spot that a wealthy landlord decided to build a fortified town. Once when the fairies gathered in the usual place,
they found mud instead of silky grass and great stones piled
where bushes and flowers used to be. The fairies cried in anger and rage, and used spells to push all the stone downhill
into the valley, making the powerful landlord furious.
He searched everywhere to find the perpetrators, but without any success. He was left with no other choice but to
start building again. One morning the construction site was
devastated again. The walls were destroyed, the pits filled,
planks and beams broken, and stones rolled down into the
valley. The event repeated itself several times: what was
built during the day, the fairies would destroy at night... Finally, the nobleman organised an ambush and the guards
discovered that the mountain fairies destroyed the town
night after night. The nobleman decided to catch them and
punish them brutally. Finally, despite all the fairies’ powers and sorcery, in a net that he spread around the site,
he caught the most beautiful fairy - Ružica. Her hair was
caught in the net, and other fairies were unable to release
their companion.
Horrified, they watched the cruel landlord pull Ružica by her
hair, which held all her power, and heartlessly bury her under the tower walls. The fairies ran away, never to come
back to the forest clearing. The cruel landlord built his town,
but a fairy curse was cast on it: the moment the trumpets
announced the end of construction, a stone fell off the highest tower and crushed the nobleman. His name was forgotten after his death and the town was named after the
fairy he buried within its foundations: Ružica. The legend
is remembered by the Order of the Knights of the town of
Ružica, which revives the story each year.
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Lika - Karlovac
www.tzkz.hr, www.lickosenjska.com
Photo: Josip Madračević
The very heart of Croatia, where the lowland and mountainous regions meet, is an area of preserved nature, clean
rivers and the most valuable karstic national parks in Europe a little farther to the south in Lika. Karlovac County and
Lika-Senj County are destinations for true lovers of natural
beauties and almost intact wilderness – the great transport
connections now brings this region closer to them than ever.
In addition to the motorway connecting Zagreb with Dalmatia, there is an older road going through Karlovac and Lika,
ideal for visiting small towns with rich historical heritage.
The offer of healthy homemade food has also become an
asset attracting more and more tourists to the area.
The national parks in Lika, the beauties of the rivers Kupa,
Korana, Mrežnica and Dobra, the woody mountains of
Velika Kapela and Mala Kapela, and the greenery of Lika
and Kordun karst have determined the tourist offer of the
region with activities such as mountaineering, swimming
in clean waters, rowing, fishing on lakes, rivers and their
mountain affluents, rafting and canoeing. There is also
hunting in forests from Draganić to Klek and Modruš, various winter sports and skiing on the slopes of Bjelolasica
(www.bjelolasica.hr). Mountain trails and paths, bike tracks,
carstic caves, a thermal spa and many other natural values
of the region provide endless rest & recreation options.
According to the Croatian tourism Strategic Plan for the
period 2010 – 2014, Croatia will be profiled as a high value
lifestyle destination with well-preserved natural and cultural
treasures. Accordingly, the Karlovac region of the LikaKarlovac County will be presented as the ‘green heart of
Croatia’, where the coast meets a particularly preserved
continental landscape.
This sparsely populated landscape, which combines
the healthytraditional way of living with intact nature,
was marked by a long-term military presence on the
border of the Ottoman and Habsburg empires. Almost
every suitable position in the hills near the rivers was
utilised for fortifications, the reason for which many
stone forts and castles fill the region’s horizon. Even
more impressive are the numerous ruins, with hidden
pathways leading to the caves the local population
used as hiding places. The so-called Krajina, or the military border, was initially created within the framework
of the military alliances of Croatian noblemen and the
Hungarian-Croatian crown. The crown was taken from
the Arpadović family by the Habsburg dynasty after the
Battle of Mohács (1526). The Habsburgs founded the
city of Karlovac, which later became its new command
centre, previously in the town of Senj.
Karlovac – the city on four rivers
www.karlovac-touristinfo.hr
Its ideal position on four rivers and a junction of major routes
makes the town of Karlovac suitable for a short stop-by, but
it is also an attractive holiday and entertainment destination.
Make sure you visit Old Town Dubovac from the 13th century where they have a permanent exhibition and the belvedere provides a view of the entire town and the surrounding area. You should also see the Karlovac Star – this is a
familiar name for the renaissance urban core in the place
of the former fort surrounded by moats in the shape of a
regular six-pointed star. The town was erected in the 16th
century for defense against the Turkish conquerors. Only
two other towns in Europe have such six-pointed star layout – Palmanova, Italy and Novy Zamky, Slovakia. Karlovac
later developed into a baroque town with numerous examples of “folk baroque” that still gives this part of the town a
unique atmosphere. A full view of Karlovac is provided from
Old Town Dubovac where the Frankopan and Zrniski Dukes
rules in the 15th and the 16th centuries, and Karlovac generals after them.
Along the river valleys of the Black Sea basin, historic
routes passed between the Mediterranean and Pannonia,
and at their meeting point, the town of Karlovac was built
in 1579. Named after Archduke Charles, the anti-Osmanic
defense forces commander, the city-fortress is situated at
the confluence of the rivers Kupa and Korana, into which
the rivers Dobra and Retina flow on the outskirts of today’s
city. Karlovac was built in the shape of a six-pointed star;
its peaks were formed by (still partly preserved) bastions,
large artillery positions, and its sides by city walls. This was
the most advanced technology of the time for the defense
against artillery, developed by Italian Renaissance architects commissioned by the war council in Graz, Austria.
The character of the city of Karlovac is determined by its
rectangular streets, squares and blocks, over time filled with
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monumental Baroque churches and barracks, aristocratic
and officer’s palaces, craft and trade houses. After the border with the Ottoman Empire moved from the river Korana
to the river Una in 1699, the so-called ‘grain highway’ was
opened. Karlovac, as the southernmost port of the Black
Sea basin, became an important trading centre where grain
and other goods were loaded from ships to horse-drawn
carriages and transported to the Bakar, Rijeka and Senj
ports via the Karolina and Lujzijana roads. The economic
prosperity of Karlovac gave rise to the middle class; the
economic strength of wheat traders, usually of common folk
origin, was equal to that of the nobility.
This class also longed for its cultural and political affirmation, thus Karlovac became one of the leading centres of
so-called ‘national revival’, popularised through political
writings of Count Drašković (and not a common man after
all), paintings by Vjekoslav Karas, songs of the ‘Zora’ choir,
diaries of Dragojlo Jarnević, verses by Ivan Mažuranić... Today there is growing awareness of Karlovac as a champion
in Renaissance city planning, as the first completely symmetric realization of the ‘ideal city’ and as the most suitable
for fostering the idea of ‘green’ living within cultural and natural heritage. A view of the entire city unravels from the Old
Town of Dubovac, which was ruled by the Frankopan and
Zrinski counts in the 15th and 16th centuries, followed by
the Karlovac generals. Located on a prehistoric hill above
the river Kupa, it testifies to the continuous habitation of this
part of Pokuplje. Its highest tower is home to an exhibition
and is also a stunning viewpoint.
Historical forces of Karlovac
Like many Croatian towns, Karlovac presents the abundance of its military and cultural heritage by bringing history
to life. The Karlovac Civil Guard and Karlovac Hussars attend important events in the city, all over the country, and
sometimes abroad. Dressed in picturesque historic uniforms and armed with firearms and edged weapons, these
proud horsemen and infantry preserve the memory of the
glory of military units established in 1778 and 1746, which
guarded the city, or in the case of the Hussars, glorified Croatian weapons on battlefields across Europe. The revival of
the list of famous military units in this area, which includes
the Ogulin-Frankopan guard and Uskoks of Senj, has only
begun. Newcomers are expected to join this striking ‘family’.
The gatherings of the historical forces of Karlovac provide
a unique historical experience of cities as theatre stages.
The Zora choir
The Zora choir, which has proudly borne the title of ‘first
Croatian singing society’ for over 150 years, is among the
most significant emissaries of Karlovac on the national and
world stages. The choir’s own anniversaries are always a
first class cultural event in the ‘beloved city’. Zora’s biography, with, inevitably, Ivan pl. Zajc as the composer, and
Leonija Brücke and Draginja Hauptfeld as the divas of the
European scene, is an important chapter in the history of
Croatian music. The Karlovac singers’ repertoire combines
world classical music and patriotic songs. Today, Zorin-dom
is the town theatre, and a historic ‘temple of culture’; it is a
witness to the history of the social life, dramas and exhibitions once held there.
Ozalj
The ancient city of Ozalj, recently listed among the 100
most important archaeological sites in Croatia, is one of
the most impressive testimonies of a continuously inhabited area. In the long history of construction, we must single
out the entry tower, built by Count Juraj Zrinski, which is
accessed through an ancient moveable bridge dating from
1821. Nikola Zrinski, the ‘Siget hero’, built the palace ‘Palas’
on the very cliff of Ozalj, in which the Gothic and Renaissance styles merge, and the writings in the interior testify to
the longevity of the Glagolitic alphabet. An ideally shaped
Romanesque defense tower, also called the Babonić-tower,
is by far unique, and leans on its Baroque style north wing.
The modern era has left its mark on Ozalj, which boasts the
first power plant of continental Croatia, built by the citizens
of the neighbouring Karlovac. It was designed nonetheless
in a very romantic manner by the famous Herman Bollé,
an architect whose buildings transformed Zagreb and many
other places in Croatia. The ‘green’ and airy ideal of Ozalj
was captured by the famous watercolor painter, the deafmute Slava Raškaj, who on many levels guaranteed the
city’s place in the history of art.
Slunj
The arms of the Slunjčica and Korana rivers guaranteed
safety to the Slunj citadel; water from the Slunjčica powered fifty water mills in the unique village of Rastoke, where
flour was ground for the whole region. Today tourists can
experience bliss inside the sound wall created by the numerous waterfalls and rhythms of the old mills, walk among
the walls, and swim in the potable water!
Duga resa
Rivers have contributed to the development of the industrial
landscape; today clean again in all of its flow, the Mrežnica river was once crucial to the industrialization of Duga Resa. Back
in 1884, a concept had already been outlined for a so-called
garden city with workers’ houses with yards for the area, and
so the spinning and weaving factory determined the measure
of the economic, but also the private and social life.
Situated on Dobra River at the foot of Mount Klek within the Velika kapela massif, the small town of Ogulin
(www.tz-grada-ogulina.hr) is also interesting. The shape
of Klek has always been an inspiration for the folk imagination, so it is associated with many stories and legends.
The fairytale nature of the Ogulin region, its national costumes and in particular its legends, were the inspiration
for the ‘Tales of Long Ago’ by the famous Croatian writer,
Ivana Brlić Mažuranić, born in Ogulin. This is why Ogulin is known as the homeland of the fairytale. One of the
tales is the legend of the Witches of Klek, which tells that
during stormy nights, at around midnight, all the witches,
fairies and elves from around the world gather in Klek,
and their wheel dance and screams reach all the way to
Ogulin. Today, tourists experience a unique moment
when, driving around in the ecological tourist train Karlek, they come across the costumed Witches of Klek.
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Photo: Ivo Pervan
Lika – the beauty of intact nature
www.lickosenjska.com
There are few places where man is so connected with the
mountain and the sea and they are so deeply embedded in
him as the case is in Lika-Senj County. How else could it be
in an area where the sea and Velebit, the largest and most
beautiful Croatian mountain, intermingle dynamically along
150 kilometers. In addition to the huge attractive power of
Velebit and the sea, the traditional connection between the
locals and nature is a result of the special natural energy
circulating between the mountainous and Mediterranean
ecological systems in a mixture of karts, sun and bora. Areas of preserved natural sources, like Lika-Senj County, are
becoming increasingly attractive travel destinations.
The natural characteristics of Lika-Senj County place it in
mountainous Croatia. The entire area has the characteristics of covered karts, its landscape consisting of darker and
lighter shades of forests and meadows, beautifully supplemented with the blue of the surface waters, while the karstic
underground is abundant in speleological objects.
Central Lika has numerous speleological objects. This is
where a quarter of the total number of caves protected as
geo-morphological natural monuments in Croatia is located. More specific areas of speleological wealth include the
Grabovača Cave Park with Samogradska Cave near Perušić.
On the Velebit mountain is one of the deepest pits in the
world. The pit is part of the cave system Lukina jama–Trojama, which reaches depths of 1392 metres.
Before you start a real journey on Gacka, through its landmarks and history, we should mention that Gacka is currently
restoring its identity, both physically and historically, as one
of the oldest Croatian regions. It is very interesting to see
Gacka because of the wealth it offers. The roots date back
to the times of the Lapyds. The turbulent history confirmed
by the remains from the Roman and Turkish eras provides
Gacka with a respectable place in the Croatian heritage.
The healthy climate and intact nature, quality water and rich
hunting grounds, provide excellent options for a pleasant
holiday away from the urban hustle and bustle and are a
reason to revisit. Separated from the sea with the impressive Velebit massif, it fascinates with its karstic plain, the
river valley, the karts valleys and caves. Gacka River is a
unique natural phenomenon, with other interesting features
and rarities of the plant and animal world alongside it. The
idyll next to the sea, unforgettable for the intensity of the
experience and nature, is also a place of the most beautiful
artwork created by nature through a game played between
water an rock four thousand years ago.
Photo: Josip Madračević
Podgorje – where the sea and the mountains meet
The term Podgorje refers to the littoral slope of Velebit,
between Senj and Zrmanja. This is the place where the
mountain and the sea meet, which has always been one
of the most fascinating natural elements to man. The Velebit slope is intermingled with numerous coves, their bottom
parts transformed by sinking into sea bays with shallow
pebble beaches. The most illustrative example of this is the
kilometer-long and up to 150-meters wide bay of Zavratnica
near Jablanac. Senj has always been the most significant
settlement of Podgorje, connecting the Kvarner islands
and the West Pannonian area. Thanks to the intermediary
function between them, Senj developed into on of the most
prominent national cultural centers as early as the Middle
Ages. Hidden beneath Velebit by the sea, there are quiet
towns, ideal for holidays and particularly attracting tourists
from big noisy cities who can take a real break from their
daily routines here. They include Sveti Juraj, Lukovo, Klada,
Starigrad, Stinica, Jablanac and Prizna.
Karlobag is the second significant settlement in Podgorje,
situated beneath the central Velebit pass connecting the
Lika hinterland and the island of Pag. It developed as the
ancient Vegium and the medieval Scrissa or Bag. In addition to Karlobag, which is also the municipal center, the biggest towns on the Riviera are: Ribarica, Cesarica, Lukovo
Šugarje, Barić Draga, Sv. Marija Magdalena, and Baške
Oštarije on Velebit. The northwest part of the island of Pag
is also within Lika-Senj County.
Novalja
www.tz-novalja.hr
Situated in a warm bay between pinewoods, Novalja has
retained its traditional Mediterranean ambient adorned by
the magnificent beaches Zrće, Caska, Straško and Trinčel.
Novalja has become an important tourist center. Its offer includes hotels, camps, modern houses, the Gajac residential
and tourist resort, sport & recreation facilities (the sport center in Camp Straško), gastro delicacies (Pag cheese, lamb,
local wine), cultural events (attractive local dance), valuable
heritage, and boat excursions.
The very attractive beaches Zrće and Straško feature many
sport & recreation options. They include an aquagan, tennis
courts and courts for the increasingly popular volley ball. In
summertime, they have football, bowling, beach volley and
underwater fishing competitions, and they organize mini
marathons, as well as other sporting activities.
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One of the most wonderful sites in Novalja is the Roman
underground water system, built in the first century AD,
which is why the locals call it ‘Talijanova buža’ (‘The Italians’
Hole’). The underground water system was entirely carved
by human hand in living rock, and spans 1042 metres in
length, with an average width of about 60 centimetres, and
a variable height. It has nine aboveground openings and
the highest opening reaches a height of 44 metres. The
water supply was used to supply Novalja with drinking water, for the ceramic workshops, fabric painting workshops
and to supply ships that visited the port. At the end of the
Roman period, the water supply line lost its function and
remained unknown until the 19th century, when it was rediscovered. In the early 20th century, it was used for three
shorter periods of time. Today, the water supply is primarily a tourist attraction and 150 metres of the system are
open for sightseeing, with steady effort invested in further
refurbishments to make it available to visitors in greater
length. The entrance to the water supply is in Zvonimirova
Street (3 metres away from the sidewalks) in front of the
City Hall, where an Ethnographic Museum is being built.
Starigrad, Jablanac, Stinica, Prizna) and hidden coves waiting to be discovered. The hinterland holds pearls of intact
karst: Velebit Nature Park, National Park Northern Velebit,
the strict nature reserves Hajdučki kukovi and Rožanski kukovi, the Velebit botanical garden, the picturesque mountain village of Krasno and Krivi Put, and hiking trails – the
most famous of which is Premužićeva – that will lead you to
mountain cabins and beautiful mountain peaks.
The third story is that of a modern Senj, a city of tourism
and carnivals. Senj proudly preserves the memory of an exceptional history, but also develops hand in hand with time,
offering a modern visitor many reasons to come and stay in
the city. For lovers of active holidays, it offers a variety of activities on the sea and in the mountains. Culture enthusiasts
can enjoy events and festivals such as the Uskok Days, the
Choir Festival, the Senj Concert Evenings, Senj Summer
Games, the Samba Festival and many others. The carnival
is very special here – in addition to a winter carnival, which
celebrates the end of winter and the arrival of spring, Senj
traditionally holds an international summer carnival too! It’s
a Bora-type experience for the locals and their guests!
Senj – a stormy experience (www.tz-senj.hr)
On the coast of the Velebit Channel, at the very edge of the
wooded Senj creek, at the foot of the craggy slopes of the
Velebit and Kapela mountains and the lowest Velebit mountain pass of Vratnik (698 m), lies the city of Senj, where the
glorious past merges with the dynamics of modern life. Senj
is the heart of the riviera which includes a number of villages
on the coast, under the Velebit slopes, and on the mountain
heights in the hinterland. It is a place that offers visitors a
number of seemingly different, yet surprisingly interconnected stories. The first is a story about the rich history of Senj,
which began more than three thousand years ago, when a
settlement was founded on the nearby Kuk mountain. Lying
in a favourable geographic position, on the shortest route
to the hinterland, the town soon became an important centre for trade. There followed the period of the Illyrian tribes
and the Romans, when the city was named Senia and was
penned in the famous Tabula Peutingeriana (a 4th century
Roman road map). The history of the town was later marked
by the Frankopan counts, the Glagolitic alphabet, the Uskoks
(Croatian guerilla warriors from the times of the Habsburgs)
and battles against the Turks and Venetians. There are
many reminders of the past: well-preserved archaeological
finds, churches and chapels, palaces, forts and Glagolitic
monuments. The most famous building of Senj is the Nehaj
tower , built by the Uskokgeneral, Ivan Lenković, today the
symbol of the city and the main destination for every visitor.
The fourth story is for you to find out. This is your personal
story, one you will start to write the first time you visit the city,
and continue to write every time you come back… Because
we are sure you will find enough good reasons to do so.
The second is a story of breathtaking nature. Senj is well
known for the bora, a northern wind which is said to be born
in Senj, live in Rijeka, and die in Trieste. The bora does not
just signify cold - it cleanses the air and the sea, bringing
clarity and good humor. The entire Senj Riviera abounds
in beautiful coastal villages (Sveti Juraj, Lukovo, Klada,
Photo: Juraj Kopač
National parks
National Park Plitvice Lakes (www.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr)
is a special geological and hydro-geological karstic phenomenon. The lake complex was proclaimed a national park
in 1949 – this is a woody mountainous region with a string
of 16 smaller and larger lakes of a crystal blue and green
color. They are supplied with water from numerous rivulets
and streams and interconnected with foamy cascades and
forest falls. They are separated by gypsum barriers, for
which the past ten thousand years was the critical period.
The spacious forest complexes, the exceptional beauty of
the lakes and falls, the wealth of flora and fauna, the mountain air, the contrasts of autumn colors, the forest paths and
little wooden bridges and many other things are part of the
unique whole UNESCO proclaimed world natural heritage.
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National Park North Velebit (www.np-sjeverni-velebit.hr)
is a part of the mountain UNESCO proclaimed a World
Biosphere Reserve. The diversity of karstic phenomena,
flora and fauna are just a part of this natural unit’s special
image. The park contains the strict reserve Hajdučki kukovi
and Rožanski kukovi, Luka’s Pit (one of the deepest pits discovered in 1999), the Visibaba botanical reserve with a finding site for the endemic Croatian sibirea (Sibiraea altaiensis
ssp. croatica), botanical reserve Zavižan-Balinovac-Velika
kosa, and the famous Velebit Botanical Garden. The park is
crisscrossed with numerous mountain trails, the Premužić
Trail being the most popular one.
The North Velebit National Park received the award for the
European destination of excellence-EDEN (European destination of excellence) in Brussels, in 2009.
Velebit Nature Park (www.pp-velebit.hr) – Although two
separate national parks – the Paklenica and Northern Velebit National Parks –are located on Velebit, the largest of
Croatian mountains, the remaining and bigger part of the
mountain still holds a number of natural attractions that are
among the most valuable natural heritage in Croatia. For
this reason, the entire 150 km long Velebit mountain, with
both national parks and a series of other smaller specially
protected areas, is protected as a nature park and as a
UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Covering more than
2000 km2, the Velebit Nature Park is by far the largest protected area in Croatia and larger than all other protected
areas put together. This majestic mountain is formed by
harsh and barren land on the coastal part and vast forests
on the continental side. It boasts a myriad of beauties, such
as unusual rocks, wild canyons, deep pits, caves and many
other karst formations.
Photo: Milan Babić
Cultural and historical heritage
When in Karlovac, visit the Town Museum, the Church of
Holy Trinity and the Franciscan Monastery with its gallery,
Zorin dom Town Theater or one of the art galleries.
The Karlovac Municipal Museum witnesses to the continued inhabitation and the diversity of heritage (archaeological, ethnographic, cultural and historical) of the area, while
the newly opened museum of the Franciscans nurtures 350
years of spiritual, cultural and educational contributions of
this religious community to the city.
The Žunac Ethno Gallery is in Rečica near Karlovac. Situated in a house over 200 years old, it offers plenty of ethnological items from the folk tradition, old crafts and customs.
The Seljan Brothers Center for Expeditions, Explorations
and Culture was established on 19 August 1997, on Stjepan
Seljan’s birthday. This is the first Croatian exploration club
inspired by brothers Mirko and Stjepan Seljan of Karlovac,
world travelers and explorers. The Center for Expeditions
in Villa Anzić brings together enthusiasts who follow in the
footsteps of the Seljan brothers.
Rastoke – a watermill village
Rastoke is a watermill village situated where the blue-green
waters of the river Slunjčica flow into the Korana river. Most
of the village houses were built at the end of the 19th and
the beginning o­f the 20th century. Because of its extraordinary natural beauties and historical tradition, in 1962 Rastoke village fell under the protection of the State Directorate
for Cultural and Historical Heritage. Many ancient civilisations, as well as contemporary urban centres confirm, that
water has always attracted people to settle on its banks and
seek prosperity.
For thousands of years, the waters of the Korana and
Slunjčica, and their flora and fauna, fought the laws of nature, and as a result of this struggle in the limestone plateau,
a canyon of remarkable natural wealth was carved. Rastoke
is a village with a wonderful atmosphere and authentic heritage when it comes to architecture, and according to some
records, it was built in the 17th century, possibly even earlier.
In the vicinity of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, near the
town of Rakovica, lies Drežnik Grad - a medieval village
and the castle of the Frankopans on the river Korana. The
first records of the name Drežnik are found in 12th century
church documents. Drežnik Grad was built for strategic and
not economic reasons. During the 16th and 17th centuries,
this area was under Turkish rule, and after the last big war
with the Ottoman Empire, it was freed in 1788 and included
in the Croatian Military Frontier, known as Krajina.
East of Rakovica are the Barać Caves. The Gornja, Donja,
and Nova Baraćeva caves form a 12 km long cave system.
The halls and tunnels of the Gornja cave are open to visitors.
They were mapped on topographic maps as early as 1699,
and have been open for visitors since 1892. At that time, gentlemen drove in carriages from Karlovac and Plitvice to the
caves, through which they were led by guides with torches.
The broader area of Gospić contains two park forests (Jasikovac and Vujnovića brdo) and the Lika Museum with the
most complete collection of exhibits from the traditional Dinara culture in Croatia. The birth house of Nikola Tesla is
situated in the picturesque sub-Velebit village of Smiljan,
around 3 kilometers from the town. Only 4 kilometers away
is the village of Veliki Žitnik where Dr. Ante Starčević, the
Father of the Homeland, was born.
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The attractiveness of West Lika’s landscapes is enhanced
by numerous other significant sites and cultural & historical monuments. Perušić has the only remaining Turkish
fort from the 16th century. Not far from Perušić is Kosinj, in
which, it is assumed, the oldest printer in the Slavic south
used to operate. Shortly after the printing press was invented, the Frankopan counts founded the first Croatian printing
house in Kosinj.
Most of the history and monumental heritage of the town
of Otočac is associated with the late 15th century and the
destiny of the Military Border, when the Otočac Regiment
was formed in the area. Many forts and fortified towns date
back to the era.
If you come to Senj, you will not be able to miss its past when
you walk through the old town core, its squares and streets
representing a live museum. The Town Museum situated in
the Vukasović noble family’s palace has a heritage layout
revealing all secrets from the past, from the Stone Age to
recent history. Senj became the center of Glagolitic literracy very early. The Senj Tablet found from the 12th century
found in the Nehaj Fort is one of the dozen oldest Glagolitic
inscriptions in the old Slavic language. In 1494 in Senj, they
printed the important Glagolitic Missal, the first edition of the
Senj Glagolitic Printery. The town is distinctive from afar for
the Nehaj Fort – Senj’s captain Ivan Lenković had it built in
1558 during the Turkish invasion and Venetian power.
Novalja has a long, turbulent and interesting history, confirmed by the numerous archeological finds at different sites
in the town and its surrounding area. They include 3 earlyChristian basilicas from the 4th and 5th centuries and the remains of a floor mosaic in one of them can be seen in the
gothic Church of Virgin Mary of Rosary in the town center.
Architectural heritage of military genealogy
Croatia, whose position on the crossroads of many civilizations is witnessed in its highly indented boarder (it possibly
has the world’s longest border), in places also has one of
the world’s largest concentration of historic fortififications. It
is especially so in the Lika-Senj and Karlovac counties, that
is, the historical area of the Military Frontier. The old towns
and castles of Senj, Brinje, Slunj, Modruš, Ogulin, Dubovac,
Bosiljevo, Novigrad, Ozalj and Ribnik fill the horizon, whether you take the highway or any local road. A new chapter
in history began with the construction of the Renaissance
lowland fortress, Karlovac, while Baroque towers marked
Slavonski Brod and Osijek. Mediterranean panoramas, especially those from the sea, are characterised not only by
ports, but also by the many impressive ruins of bastions
such as the one in Šibenik. Whether it is a memorable walk
down Dubrovnik’s city walls, or a theatre performance on a
marvellous stage, such as the one in Brijuni, this part of the
heritage embraces all travellers in its protective arms.
Peace and meditation - rich religious heritage
Occasional detachment from the daily hustle and bustle and
looking deep into one’s own soul are a precondition to maintaining mental balance and harmony in the ever increasing
pace of life. This search for spiritual knowledge and selfawareness inevitably takes us to the world of nature, the
treasure of the sacred secret of life. The enigmatic signs of
nature stir up adventurous spirits; one only needs to recognise and read them. The Lika-Senj County is full of signs of
the sacred mystery. The people here recognised them long
ago and marked them with a number of sacred buildings;
from cathedrals and churches to lovely miniature churches
on mountain peaks. Many of these shrines are now ruins,
wrapped in the secrets of the unattainable past. The most
valuable ones are protected as part of the national cultural
heritage and are a shining example of the creative forces of
their times. The Velebit mountain holds a special place in
the religious landscape; known as the ‘holy mountain’, it is
adorned by ‘bells under the stars’ and other similar symbolic
toponyms. From the famous shrine of Our Lady of Krasno
(16th century) on northern Velebit, to a prominent peak of
the Holy Mount (1751 m) in the southern part of the mountain, from all sides, from Primorje, Gacka and Lika, paths
lead to the temple of nature, a special place for meditation
and self discovery.
Among the many ruins that mark the robust landscape of
the city of Ogulin, the remains of the church in Oštarije
are symbolic. They show that even in difficult times, after
the battle of Krbavsko polje (1493), there were attempts in
monumental building. In this case, unfortunately, the efforts
were not completed. However, the elegant Gothic portal
survived the turbulent centuries.
A spacious Pauline monastery (1626) is located in the
Ogulin surroundings, in Svetice, whose patron was Count
Frankopan. Behind the massive white walls of the Church of
the Blessed Virgin Mary there is a Baroque altar.
The church of the national patron saint, St. Joseph, is located in Karlovac. The 1968 church, together with a recently
completed pastoral centre, sees a growing number of pilgrims every year.
www.tzkz.hr; www.lickosenjska.com
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Photo: Milan Babić
Entertainment and art
In June, the Karlovac Tourist Board organizes the Ethno
Jazz Festival, and in July the International Folklore Festival.
Masters of good sound from Ireland, Macedonia, Slovenia
and Croatia were guests at the Ethno Jazz Festival. Top
artists will continue to be a guarantee of superior musical
expression and good entertainment on the open air stage at
Šanci and in the streets of Karlovac. From mid-June to early
July, they have the Dubovac Estate Fair with a rich cultural
& educational program associated with the Middle Ages and
presentations of old crafts, knightly games and food. The
young ones can visit the Four River Film Festival, a festival
of Croatian youth’s film and video creations.
Christmas Fair in Karlovac
In December, the historical centre of Karlovac lives its
own Christmas story; for a few weeks, the Matija Gubec
square, the Franjo Tuđman promenade and the neighbouring streets become a true little Christmas town. The central
part of the event is the Christmas fair. Many organisations,
craftsmen, businesses, cooperatives and family farms from
Karlovac and the Karlovac County exhibit at the fair. The
wooden stands are full of greeting cards, illustrated books,
other small gifts, handicrafts and traditional products. There
is no lack of food, Christmas cakes or hot drinks!
Days of Beer
The Days of Beer in Karlovac are the largest beer brewers’
event in Croatia, annually visited by over 200,000 fans of
beer. The event, held in late August and early September,
is a trademark of Karlovac. The event has a rich and diverse
programme, with an accompanying crafts fair, stands with
handicrafts and traditional beer gastronomy. This is a feast
for all ages and all tastes; at the Karlovac Days of Beer
Everyone, finds a favourite song, dance, game or other form
of entertainment.
Midsummer bonfire
On the eve of June 23rd – St. John’s Eve – thousands of
visitors impatiently await the lighting of two large bonfires
on opposite banks of the river Kupa. The combination of
fire and water gives a unique charm to the Karlovac bonfire.
The programme, which takes place on the two banks of the
river, is always different. On one bank, the festivities are led
by folklore groups, and on the other, urban culture is celebrated with fun concerts. The festival lasts into the night,
until the last sparks are smoldering in the bonfire.
Richard Gere made a film in Karlovac based on a true story
of the American journalist Scott Anderson who wrote about
his journalistic experiences from the war in Bosnia in the
article entitled “Holiday in Bosnia”. The film was not made
in Bosnia but in Karlovac because of the exceptional landscape and the magnificent rivers surrounding it.
Ogulin fairytale festival – This is a cultural event where
the artistic and cultural production intended for children,
young people and adults is demonstrated through celebration of fairytales and fairytale creation. The heritage left by
the most translated, favorite Croatian children’s writer Ivana
Brlić Mažuranić, born in Ogulin, stimulated the launching of
the festival. The natural beauties of the Ogulin region, the
unique cultural potential of Ivana’s stories full of old Slavic
legends and the deep wisdom of verbal folk tradition embedded in the fairytales make an ideal basis for stimulation
of cultural cooperation and artistic and especially theatrical
amateurism. The festival is held every year in early June
and receives respectable representatives of the literary,
theatrical, puppet, musical and acting domains.
The Ogulin Fairytale Festival has featured many popular
Croatian actors and children’s theaters from Zagreb, Osijek,
Samobor, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and Germany.
County Festival of Authentic Folklore – At the beginning
of June, the Authentic Folklore Festival of Karlovac is traditionally held in Ogulin. During the few days of the festival,
various artists and groups from all over Croatia participate
in concerts and exhibitions.
Croatian Ibiza – The long pebble beach Zrće on the island
of Pag is a synonym for wild summer entertainment so they
refer to it as the Croatian Ibiza. During the high season,
Zrće can receive several thousand bathers. The beach offers various sport & recreation and entertainment facilities,
as well as quality catering establishments. The young ones
have fun day and night at the Aquarius, Calypso and Papaya discotheques and numerous smaller bars. Zrće flies the
Blue Flag, which means that the bathers have clean sea,
showers, toilets and a lifeguard services.
International Senj Summer Carnival – the Senj Carnival
has been held since 1967, and from 1988, it has taken on an
international character. For one week in August, masquerade
groups compete in carnival games such as the carnival motorcycle alka and dance and street performances. The high
point of the week is Saturday, when about three thousand
masked performers join a great carnival parade through the
streets, greeted by about 12 thousand spectators.
Days of the Uskoks – during the three day event in July,
Senj travels back a few centuries in time. Groups of knights
and uskoci (Uskoks) participate in tournaments, parades
and day and night sieges of the city. Visitors can learn about
archery and fencing at interesting workshops, and taste medieval food in the knights’ camps, while Renaissance musicians, medieval jesters and performers entertain guests.
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Senj Summer Games - Adriatic meetings - During July,
contestants compete in various disciplines such as jumping
in potato sacks, transporting water in a hose, rowing in an
inflatable tube ring, stacking fish crates, football in buckets,
the caterpillar, swimming with a water polo ball, diving with
balloons, tug of war and the like.
In July, visitors to Senj can enjoy the Festival of North
Adriatic Klape (Harmony singing groups) and the Festival
of Samba (Samastico). Music and dance workshops and
performances by local and foreign samba groups are organised during the festival. Top young Croatian and foreign musicians play select music pieces by renowned composers in
small squares and churches, adding to the charm of the city.
Fishing
If you come to Karlovac, its surrounding area or Lika with
the intention of going for some nice fishing, make sure you
take your full fishing gear and you will not be disappointed.
This region really has something to offer. Regardless of
whether you prefer carp, pike, catfish or just white fish perhaps, everyone will find something to their liking.
The nature around Karlovac and its rivers can charm you
even more and bind you to come back. If you decide on
one of the four Karlovac rivers (Kupa, Korana, Mrežnica and
Dobra), their green seductive waters providing tremendous
fishing delights, choose the Šumbar Complex. The largest
carp caught in these waters weighed 25 kg, and the largest
grass carp weighed 25.5 kg.
The beauty of Gacka River is impassable and that is why
even those who only se it once fall in love with it. A special
pleasure is provided by the intact nature of the European
Beauty, at the same time offering active, quiet and healthy
holiday in nature, with clean mountain air, strolling, hunting
and fishing for the autochthonous stream trout. The stream
trout in Gacka grows around five times faster than in other
karstic rivers thanks to the optimal water temperature with
very little oscillations over the year, plenty of oxygen and the
mild alkaline chemical structure of the water.
Lika watercolour
Lika is exceptional for its abundance of spring water. The
basins of Zavala, Gacka and Krbava, between Velebit,
Kapela and Plješivica, are a natural reservoir of particularly high quality drinking water. Springs of different sizes
emerge from the depths of the underground karst. Water in
karst is more than a symbol of life; it is literally the life itself.
There, the paths of Man, stone and water intertwined and
left distinct traces in space and time. The karst water is thus
not only a monument of nature, but also a significant cultural
and historical site.
The most prominent such site in the continental part of the
county is Vrila Gacke (Gacka springs), on the southeastern
edge of Gacko polje (Gacka field). There the karst base flows
into nine springs, of which three are larger – Veliko and Malo
Tonković vrilo (springs) and Majerovo vrilo. They are sewn
together by the Gacka river which meanders on grassy fields
and tames the landscape between Velebit and Mala Kapela.
The Gacka springs are also a valuable ethnographic site.
The crystal clear waters of the famous ‘Lika watercolour’
are complete with other larger karst springs such as Una
spring in Ličko Pounje, Koreničko spring on Krbava, and
Vrilo mudrosti (the spring of wisdom) in Sveti Rok.
Active tourism
www.lickosenjska.com, www.tzkz.hr;
www.aktivni-odmor.com.hr; cikloturizam.tzkz.hr
Central Lika is characterised by many underground phenomena, and is rightly called the speleological paradise.
A quarter of the total number of caves protected as geomorphologic monuments of nature in Croatia are found in
this region. In the category of narrow caves, the Grabovača
cave park with the Samogradska špilja (cave) near Perušić
is valued the most.
Premužić trail on Velebit – The stone trail is 50 kilometres long, has an average height of 1000 metres, and
passes from Zavižan through North Velebit National
Park and Middle Velebit to the Baška Oštarije pass.
The views of the coastline, islands and continental regions of the mountain from the trail are breathtaking.
Pathways - Paths of shepherds, mowers and suitors - Krasno (www.tz-senj.hr). Every resident of Krasno has passed
them many a time in their life. As soon as they learned to
walk, they would take their sheep to pasture down them.
The bigger boys would use them to get to school; even bigger ones used them to go mowing, farming or to reach the
forest. However, the pastoral routes were not used only for
work! Young boys and girls hurried along them to meetings
and festivities. There are still stories about young girls from
Krasno accompanying their ‘intrepid’ suitors home in the
early hours following an adventurous night. Anyone who
accepts the challenge or any of the above roles and goes
for a walk along these trails, will see many different scenes
unravel before them; one moment walking through fields,
the other through karst sinkholes and the forest, they will
reach a clearing, and finally a wonderful viewpoint of the
nearby village. Our stroller will find rest in the many forests
that dominate the landscape.
In addition to wonderful walks and enjoying nature, the Plitvice Lakes National Park offers the most beautiful cycling
paths in the whole of Europe.
Bicycle lanes exist on North (5 trails), Middle (2 tracks) and
South Velebit (1 track). They pass through beautiful intact
nature and most offer a wonderful view of the sea and the
islands.
(http://www.pp-velebit.hr/turponuda.php?p=28).
Every year, the attractive bike race Senj – Zavižan is in held
in June (0-1594 m).
Diving - The east coast of the Adriatic has been used as a
waterway from East to West since the Middle Ages. These
ancient maritime routes can be traced even today by remains on both the land and the sea. Long ago, the inhabitants built a system of fortresses above the sea which controlled the waterway, while ships that never reached their
destinations lie in a graveyard under sea. Nature, on the
other hand, took care of the numerous interesting visual attractions that the underwater world provides, natural walls
full life. Senj has wonderful diving locations and dive centres
that provide a full experience (www.tz-senj.hr).
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Sailing is very popular in Croatia because you can enjoy
the beautiful weather while exploring the magic Adriatic
coast. The impressive landscape along the coast offers
many opportunities for your vacation, a chance to explore
the crystalline sea, the sand and pebble beaches, hidden
coves, colourful ports and many other places. You will experience the intact nature with all your senses. In the area
around Senj, there are many delightful bays that you can
explore by boat, and there is the Senj Sailing Regatta, held
in June (www.tz-senj.hr).
Hunting - There are many hunting grounds in and around
Senj. The coastal area at the foot of the Velebit mountain
abounds in various kinds of wildlife, from bears and lynx, to
roe deer, chamois, fallow deer, wild boar, capercaillie and
mouflon. The mouflon, woodcock and quail are the most
popular game. The mountain hunting grounds ‘Ričičko bilo’
and ‘Sjeverni Velebit’ are inhabited by brown bears, wolves,
lynx, deer, roe deer, chamois, wild boar, wood grouse
(very rare in other European countries), woodcock, grouse,
rock partridge and rabbit. Well organised and rich hunting
grounds and accommodation in hunting lodges or households on the coast, along with the sea, contribute to lengthening the tourist season. The hunting society that operates
in Senj is called ‘Jarebica’ ( www.tz-senj.hr).
The
websites
www.aktivni-odmor.com.hr
and
www.cikloturizam.tzkz.hr list various possibilities for active
holidays in beautiful destinations of the Karlovac County.
To the tired it offers rest, to the tense relaxation and release,
challenges to the curious and to everyone, numerous reasons to visit, and to return!
You can choose from hunting and photo-hunting in the forests of Ozalj and Draganić or on Klek, Modruš and Petrova
Gora; fishing at one of four green, clear rivers or lakes, or
take a quad or a bike ride in the incredible nature. Perhaps
you would like to go horse riding, or have fun doing archery
or paint-ball? You may also enjoy hiking and speleo-tourism, or skiing and sledding on the slopes of Bjelolasica.
Perhaps you enjoy rafting, canoeing, rowing or just love to
swim - among water lilies!
Gastro corner
The natural beauties and cultural & historical monuments
are certainly supplemented by the delicacies of the region.
The health food production trend has found its fans here.
The biodynamic production cottage cheese curdled with
natural salt is very tasty, as well as the popular cheese
served to visitors to the old shrine of Krasno on Velebit with
the famous Lika brandy. Just imagine how domestic corn
smells while it is milled in a water mill among stone mill
wheels. Or freshly baked polenta made of such flour and
supplemented with fresh cow milk or sour milk, or even with
some cold boiled sour cabbage.
Photo: HTZ
The Ogulin region is known for the Ogulin masnica and
mošnje, smisan bread and Ogulin sour cabbage. Masnica is
leavened dough filled with a stuffing of stewed onion, eggs
and cream. Smisan bread is aromatic homemade bread of
the kind our grandmothers used to make, baked from five
sorts of flour wheat, millet, maize, barley and rye. Ogulin
sour cabbage is widely popular – this is an autochthonous
variety of cabbage that is very suitable for pickling and has
a special taste.
The wide range of products the region has to offer includes
honey and honey products, pine brandy, apple vinegar, etc.
The dominant gastro specialties of the Lika cuisine, known
for their mild tastes, include lamb, cabbage, potatoes and
dairy products, as well as the old and still very popular lamb
baked under a lid and spit roast lamb.
The coastal area cultivates the traditional Mediterranean
cuisine, including the quality white fish and shrimp from
Velebit Channel. The special quality of the seafood is provided by the rocky sea bottom, underwater springs and
wells, Velebit bora and strong sea currents.
In the last five years, in the Karlovac and Lika-Senj counties, there has been systematic work with cheese manufacturers on family farms, with the aim of including the rich
traditions of this region into the tourist offer and facilitating
the promotion of traditional native cheese.
Today the number of consumers who want exclusive
cheese products produced in small batches using the ‘old’
technology is on the rise. The entire area of the Karlovac
County traditionally produces cooked cheese and Škripavac
cheese. These cheeses have been produced for more than
a hundred years, and the method of production is passed
on from generation to generation. In some parts, the wellknown native Tounj cheese is also produced.
www.hzpss.hr/?page=associations, 9.27
This type of offer guarantees that the cheese was produced
in the traditional way in a limited and ecologically preserved
area, which certainly increases the demand for the product.
The Vivodinska area has long been known for grape growing, and wine production is the main branch of economic
activity in the area. www.vinari-vocari-ozalj.hr
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Accommodation
In Karlovac, Ogulin, Gospić and Otočac in Lika, Novalja
on Pag, Senj and Karlobag, tourists can choose between
hotels of various categories and a number of rooms, tourist resorts, camps and apartments. Plitvice Lakes are the
tourist center of the region, also offering a wide range of
private accommodation options. Most of the inns have recently been opened or renovated and the offer also includes
motor-camps and motels. More and more rural estates have
turned to tourism, especially in Gacka Valley and areas focused on hunting, fishing and mountaineering.
Situated in the valley of the river Korana, at the source of
the Plitvice Lakes, Rakovica is graced with the numerous
catering and accommodation facilities of this region (car
campsites, hotels, family run guesthouses and private accommodation), which provide great opportunities for the
further development of tourism.
Tourist campsite “Slapić”, owned by the Mataković family, has 48 accommodation units and is located on the right
bank of Mrežnica, one of Croatia’s most beautiful rivers,
about ten kilometres away from Karlovac. It is an ideal place
to relax or get some exercise. Within the campsite there
are modern toilet facilities, attractive tourist facilities with
a kitchen, a playground and various sports activities. The
”Slapić” campsite has been chosen as one of the best and
most comfortable campsites in Europe by the French tour
operators Camping Cheque.
Hotel Korana – Srakovčić
Hotel Korana – Srakovčić, built in 1906 on the bank of the
river Korana, in the heart of the most beautiful Croatian park
- Vrbanić Park is one of Croatia’s finest hotels. Wishing to
continue the rich tradition of the hotel, the Srakovčić family
took over the concession building ruins at the beginning of
the third millennium and renovated the hotel in 2003.
The hotel has 15 double rooms and 3 business suites with a
view of the Korana and the park, with its own guarded parking lot. Rooms and suites are air conditioned and luxuriously furnished (toilet / shower / hair dryer, mini-bar, telephone,
Internet, SAT/TV, safe...).
The hotel’s summer terrace is a traditional social gathering
venue for the locals and their guests.
In the past 5 years, the hotel Korana - Srakovčić has won a
number of awards in the small hotels of continental Croatia
category, including the “Quality for Croatia” award – third
place in 2005, first place in 2006, second place in 2007 and
first place in 2008 and 2009. www.hotelkorana.hr
Transport connections
On the way from the north to the south, this area is an inevitable Croatian transport corridor. Close to Zagreb and continental Croatia, as well as the Adriatic coast, it has great
transport connection, especially since the southbound motorway, the so-called Dalmatina, has been put into service.
The main railway route also runs through Lika and the entire
region has excellent bus connections.
Thanks to its transit, traffic and geographically strategic position, Karlovac County is on the intersection of major roads
and the junction which connects Europe to the Adriatic coast.
What we are proud of
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
Kuterevo – the home of abandoned bear cubs
Due to its geographic position next to an area of North Velebit densely populated with bears, Kuterevo has established
the first Shelter for Bear Cubs in Croatia. The Velebitski
medo shelter employs a team of nature’s friends comprising experts in biology and ecology, as well as volunteers,
motivated by their great love for bears. They all look after
the bears of Kuterevo selflessly and with plenty of effort, in
order to provide the bear cubs not only with a safer future,
but with living conditions closest to the natural ones. The
Velebit shelter for bear cubs in Kuterevo will also be used as
part of the visitor center and as an attractive spot for promotion of Velebit Nature Park.
Nikola Tesla Memorial Center – in the village of Smiljan,
six kilometers from Gospić, they renovated the birth house
of one of the most famous scientists and inventors of the
20th century.
The Memorial Centre combines science, art and tourism,
and exhibits Tesla’s inventions, some of which changed
the course of world history, including Tesla’s test cells from
Colorado Springs, turbines and a remote controlled ship.
There is also a multimedia educational centre.
Gacka still keeps some of its special features that have
been slightly forgotten because few people known they still
mill wheat in mills situated at the very river spring and that
fabric is still rolled in mortar. Also, few people know that this
area has several temples dedicated to the god Mitra and
that this area was populated as early as the late Bronze
Age.
The fairy tale route in Ogulin
The route combines the beauty of the Ogulin region and
the fairy tales of Ivana Brlić - Mažuranić. The entire region
is interpreted through 12 characters from the collection of
fairy tales ‘Priče iz davnina’ (Tales of Long Ago), combining
real facts with the imagination of the famous writer, leaving
every visitor with their own creative experience.
Rakovica uprising in 1871
Eugen Kvaternik, Ante Rakijaš and Ante Rade Čuić intensively worked on the preparation of the uprising against
the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy during 1870, in the hope
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of forming an independent Croatian state. On October 8th
insurgents entered Rakovica, and Kvaternik managed to
establish a temporary national government. The uprising
was quickly crushed and the leaders were executed, but the
Rakovica uprising deeply impacted the history of the Croats
and their desire for an independent state.
Barać caves
The Barać caves in New Kršlja near Rakovica were the first
caves in Croatia to open for tourist visits, in 1892. They are
rich in beautiful calcareous formations and are home to valuable prehistoric archaeological sites, dating from the Stone
Age. Near the upper Barać cave, renovated in 2004, the first
Croatian Speleological Institution was opened. The cave is
a natural geomorphologic monument, of which 520 metres
can be explored. This is the first cave in Croatia which can
be visited and which uses eco-lighting that does not disturb
the micro-climate and eco-system of the cave.
Mrežnica- a pearl necklace
Mrežnica is one of Europe’s most beautiful rivers carved
through limestone. It flows through numerous travertine
dams which convert the river into a series of rounded lakes,
like pearls on a necklace. Over the course of the 64 kilometre flow, there are 93 magical waterfalls and dozens of
small cascades. The Mrežnica river lures canoeists where
it flows through rocky gorges and flowery meadows, and
with its emerald colour, islands and backwaters. With a few
old mills, it has the longest wooden bridge in Croatia (208
metres), located in auto-camp ‘Slapić’ in Belavići. From
Primišlje to Karlovac there are dozens of beaches, often
with waterfalls and mills.
Lika cap – This is an integral part of the Lika folk costume
and its traditional symbol of identity. The red cap is hemmed
with a black stripe and decorated with a bunch of silver
threads on the back or the side of the cap.
Jalba lace miniatures date from the time of the Frankopans.
Trg, the oldest Croatian village, next to Ozalj, has nurtured
this art throughout the years. Jalba has recently been listed
as one of the highly valued types of lace. Along with Lepoglava, Pag, Hvar and Međimurje lace, it has been added
as one of the most famous authentic Croatian handicrafts
and was awarded a Croatian souvenir certificate. Jalba lace
is used to decorate cushions, canvas bags, and can also be
purchased as a framed wall souvenir.
‘The Plane Leaf’ was declared the best souvenir in 2009 at
the Days of Croatian Tourism, held in Bol on the island of
Brač. This is a unique souvenir, and all those who saw it, including the panel of judges, were delighted to know that each
leaf is made according to the leaf template of Marmont Alley.
The small ceramic river boat, a replica of the real river
boat, is one of the symbols of the City of Karlovac, which
was built on four rivers.
Stories, legends, myths
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
Senj –over 3000 years old, a living museum town with one
of the most beautiful Renaissance castles in Croatia - fort
Nehaj, where there are several museum displays.
Printing - some 30 years after Gutenberg’s Bible was
printed, the first Glagolitic printing shops were established
in Senj and Kosinj. The shops printed several incunabula
(Senj Glagolitic Missal, etc.), an indication of the high level
of literacy in this region.
Permission to use the national language in church liturgy
- Pope Innocent IV gave permission to Bishop Philip of
Senj to use Glagolitic and old Slavic in liturgy in 1248, even
though for many years after this, using national languages
in liturgy was not permitted anywhere in Europe.
Protected nature - a large percentage of the territory (especially in the Lika-Senj County) is protected natural reserves,
which means that we have very clean air, fresh water and
clean seas.
An original gift and a nice souvenir
Wool socks – almost all parts of the Lika costume were
made from wool or fur. The Lika Sock has become a distinctive souvenir – it is still made from homespun wool, obtained
from the sheep of Lika in the same way they made it several
hundred years ago.
Klek witches - The shape of Klek has always been an inspiration for the folk imagination, so it is associated with
many horror stories and legends. One of them is the legend
of the Klek witches. According to the legend, witches and
fairies from the entire world gather on Klek around midnight
on stormy nights, their dancing and screaming resounding
all the way to Ogulin. To provide tourists with a special experience, they can encounter Klek witches in costumes in
Ogulin while the Karlek eco-train operates.
The legend of Klek - Klek was one of the old Slavonic
gods. When he disobeyed the supreme god Perun he ran
in fear until he collapsed in the Ogulin region and turned
to stone before Perun. That is the legend of the miraculous Klek mountain, which seen from a distance looks like
a sleeping giant.
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The legend of Klek cave – The two hundred metre high
Klek cliff is vertical. People recount the legend of a treasure
within the rock, guarded by a large snake, once a beautiful
princess. The rock opens every 100 years. If at that time a
brave young man kisses the snake, it is said that it will immediately turn back into the princess, who will then marry
the courageous young man, with the treasure as the dowry.
Prošćansko Lake (Plitvice Lakes) – A legend says
Prošćansko Lake was after stakes (prošće) or it was named
after the legend of the Black Queen that people used to beg
(prositi) to send rain and water the thirsty soil during great
droughts. The Queen took mercy on them, put black clouds
and rain fell for as long as enough water has fallen to form
the lakes. This lake is the second biggest and darker than
the other lakes because of the great depth.
Đula’s Pit – The pit on Dobra River was named after a young
girl called Đula or Zulejka, who had chosen this spot to be her
final resting place because of unfortunate love. The legend
originates from the 16th century. Zulejka was of a noble origin
and her parents promised her to an older nobleman, as this
was customary at the time. However, after a battle with the
Turks, the young border captain Milan Juraić came to Ogulin to defend the Frankopan fort in Tounj. When Zulejka saw
him, she fell in love at first sight, but Milan was killed in the
battle against the Turks. Having heard that, Zulejka or Đula
plummeted into the pit of the river Dobra. Thus the abyss
was named the Abyss of Đula. If you look carefully at the cliff
above the abyss, you can see the profile of a man facing the
abyss. The people of Ogulin say that this is Milan, trying to
see where his beloved Đula had dissappeared.
A maiden’s jump – if you listen carefully to the story of
Dora, who took her life by jumping into the river Kupa at the
village Kamanje, not far from Vrlovka cave, and the story of
Đula, the girl who jumped into the abyss of the river Dobra,
you will notice a similarity in the two stories. In Đula’s tragic
love, and Dora’s despair over treason when she extradited
her fellow villagers to the Turks, the core of the story is the
jump of the girl into a river, a symbol of the underworld (an
abyss or a cave). It is assumed that these tales have been
preserved in memory of the location of human sacrifice,
which is always the right bank of the river. As early as 1931,
Ivo Pilar, a lawyer, historian and founder of Croatian geopolitics, demonstrated in his work ‘O dualizmu u vjeri starih
Slovjena i o njegovu podrijetlu i značenju’ (Dualism in
the belief of the Old Slavic peoples, its origin and meaning)
that the legend is widespread in Europe. Its widely accepted
name is ‘A maiden’s jump’.
The legend of the fairies in Rastoke is as old as the village of Rastoke itself - while the mills ground corn and
wheat, the men and women would sit by the lamp in the mill
and recount various life stories long into the night. The Rastoke fairies would take the miller’s horses, which were left to
rest, for the journey back home. At dawn, the horses would
return - breathless, tired, sweaty, with braided manes, while
the fairies washed their clothes in the Slunjčica river, dancing around and playing, inviting the millers to join them...
They still gather today, and can be seen by all those who
really want to and who spend time at Vilina kosa waterfall...
The Legend of Metuluma, the Croatian Masada - On the hill
at Viničica near Josipdol and Oštarija, is one of the most
important archaeological sites in the Karlovac County. Research, which began in 2002, revealed a fort that extended
over some 30 acres of land. It seems Viničica is hiding a secret of one of the largest pre-Roman towns in Croatian territory – the Japodian capital, Metuluma. Legend has it that
the Roman general Octavius, upon conquering Metuluma,
became the first Roman Emperor Augustus.
Lady in a flower - The Legend of the Lady of Krasno dates
from 1219. An old story tells that some shepherds in the forest of Krasno found a wonderful flower growing out of a tree
stump. In the flower there was picture of the Mother of God.
The shepherds picked the flower and took it to Krasnarsko
field, where there had been a chapel since ancient times.
However, the flower went missing from the chapel, but the
shepherds saw it again on the same spot where they originally found it. This miracle was repeated several times: they
would transfer the flower, and it would again be returned to
the stump in the woods. This stump, chosen by the Mother
of God was neither a viewpoint, nor did anyone live there.
It was simply a stump. People understood the desire of Our
Lady, built a chapel on the site, and above the stump, where
the flower appeared, raised an altar in her name. Throughout the centuries, Krasno became known as Mary’s pilgrimage shrine, famous for miraculous healings.
Blue flag beaches in the Lika-Senj County
• ‘Trincel-Planjka’ Beach
• ‘Zrće’ Beach
• A/C ‘Straško’ Beach
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Kvarner
www.kvarner.hr
Photo: Damir Fabijanić
Thanks to its close proximity by land, sea and air, Kvarner
is a tourist destination with a very favorable geo-transport
position. The littoral, the islands and the mountains, three
naturally different areas relatively close to each other, make
the Kvarner tourist offer exceptionally diverse.
All this is reflected in numerous high quality tourist products
which are based on a rich hotel, tourism, historical and cultural tradition and heritage. The diversity and abundance of
natural resources and cultural and historical heritage along
with the numerous tourist-oriented attractions are motivation for new tourist research, insights and discoveries. The
Kvarner tourist region includes the islands of Rab, Krk, Cres
and Lošinj, the Opatija Riviera and the Hrvatsko primorje
Riviera, the city of Rijeka, the Rijeka ring and Gorski Kotar.
According to the Croatian Tourism Strategic Plan for the
period 2010-2014, Croatia will specialise as a high value
lifestyle destination with preserved natural and cultural values. Accordingly, the market position for Kvarner will be lifestyle, health and relaxation, and it will project the image
of ‘Adriatic lifestyle destination’. The special values of the
Kvarner region include a sophisticated holiday experience
and rejuvenation in a cheerful atmosphere.
According to the new strategic tourism marketing plan for
Kvarner for the period 2009-2015, the Kvarner tourist region, which accounts for a fifth of Croatian tourism, will be
described and developed in accordance with its wealth of
diversity:
Photo: Ivo Pervan
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Opatija Riviera - an intoxicating combination of
luxury, refinement, culture and the ‘good life’
Rijeka and the Rijeka ring - Pulsating, open and
sometimes unconventional, the heart of Kvarner
with a comfortable atmosphere (“Rijeka rocks”)
Gorski kotar – inner peace and balance inspired by
untouched nature
Croatian Primorje Riviera - high energy, healthy,
athletic and young spirit
Island of Krk – the fun ‘heart’ of Kvarner that will
‘feed’ the mind, body and soul
Island of Rab – the emerald island
Island of Lošinj –island of vitality
Island of Cres – the eco island of Kvarner
Rijeka – the largest Croatian port
www.tz-rijeka.hr
Rijeka is a center of Central European culture and tradition,
the biggest Croatian port and the capital city of the region,
where 51 percent of Kvarner’s population lives. As of recently, they have begun to foster industrial heritage as a
great tourist potential. This is a city of luxurious architecture
(baroque palaces, monumental buildings from the eras of
historicism and secession to modern urban architecture) art
galleries, museums, theaters, restaurants, cafés and beer
houses. All this creates an atmosphere of fascinating tradition combined with urban hustle and bustle. Rijeka is known
for one of the oldest shrines in the world, the famous Franciscan monastery in Trsat with its precious treasury and art
gallery with a chapel of votive presents. (The pilgrimage
season begins on 10 May with the main holiday of the Lady
of Mercy of the Holy Nazareth Cottage and goes on until the
holiday of the Christ the King.)
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Photo: Sergio Gobbo
Rijeka Carnival – one of the biggest ones in Europe
www.ri-karneval.com.hr
One of the biggest and most distinctive European carnivals
is a special combination of European urban carnivals, relying primarily on Venetian and Austrian folklore elements
and old Slavic mythology. Starting with only three local
carnival groups and a hundred participants in 1982, Rijeka
Carnival has developed into an international event that now
attracts over ten thousand participants from a dozen countries. Plunged into a centuries-old tradition, the International
Rijeka Carnival has recently provided Rijeka, the region
and Croatia with a distinctive event and an impressive happening frequented by many maskers, organized carnival
groups, participants, spectators, media, and numerous invited guests from the country and abroad.
Photo: Juraj Kopač
sidered to be endangered at the European level, as many
as 83 come to Kvarner. The ‘Caput Insulae’ Eco center established on the island of Cres in the town of Beli in 1993
ensures the long-term protection of Eurasian griffons, one
of the four species of flying vultures still living in Europe.
Brown bears live in the forests of Gorski Kotar. The special
marine attractions include the monk seal and the famous
Kvarner shrimp. The sea around the islands of Cres and
Lošinj is a protected dolphin habitat – guests and visitors
can adopt them, thus directly contributing to their protection that has been systematically applied since 1987. At that
time, they started a campaign for research and monitoring
of dolphins and the sea in general to protect all endangered
species (www.blue-world.org).
Photo: Renco Kosinožić
Littoral and island small towns
The towns of Kvarner make a unique string of urban jewels. Aristocratic spirit is immediately felt in some of them,
while others reflect their medieval roots and folk lifestyles.
Some of them are dominated by elegant villas and gardens
bringing a touch of Central Europe to the Mediterranean,
such as Opatija, Crikvenica, Lovran and Mali Lošinj, while
others show they have developed around old fishing ports
or climbed to the nearby elevations - Volosko, Mosćenička
Draga, Mošćenice, Veprinac, Valun, Baška, Kastav and
Vrbnik. These places are the essence of the Mediterranean.
Natural heritage
National parks, nature parks, reserves
The diversity and wealth of flora and fauna are Kvarner’s
well-known and recognized assets. With around 2,700 plant
species, including numerous rare and endemic ones, Kvarner is one of the richest Croatian regions in terms of flora.
The island of Krk has around 1,500 registered plant species,
with the islands of Cres and Lošinj having approximately the
same numbers. All this enables the guests and accidental
travelers to enjoy the wealth of pine forests, especially the
aromatic effects of pines, the scents of sage, rosemary, basil, laurel and myrtle, as well as delicacies prepared from
maroons, figs, olives, berries and numerous edible mushrooms. 73 percent of the entire Croatia’s amphibians and
around 87 percent of reptiles live in Kvarner. With 30 percent of autochthonous amphibian and reptile species, the
island of Krk has the largest number of these animal species in the Mediterranean. Out of the 114 bird species con-
National Park Risnjak (www.risnjak.hr) based in Crni Lug
near Delnice has 6,400 hectares of forest areas. With over
thirty specific plant communities, a 4.2-kilometers long trail,
a mountain lodge, a restaurant and accommodation capacities, it represents a special attraction and value of Kvarner.
The Učka mountain massif (www.pp-ucka.hr) stretching
over Istria and Kvarner and dominating the region with the
highest peak in Istria (Vojak, 1,396 meters), hides a real
treasure in protected plant and animal species. It has been
proclaimed a nature park. With alpine and sub-Mediterranean plants, including herbs, the peaks of Učka are a true
flora Mecca. The Učka Ridge is the only habitat for the Učka
Bellflower in the world. Colorful butterflies, various insects
and amphibians, eagles, chamois, deer, roe, fox, hare and
an occasional bear are just some of the animals inhabiting
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the mountain. Učka also has over a hundred speleological
objects – most of them pits and caverns. The natural reserves include Bijele stijene and Samarske stijene, Mrkopalj, the geo-morphological reserves Vražji prolaz and Zeleni vir, Skrad, Debela Lipa-Veliki Rebar, Lokve, the holm oak
forest in Glavotok on the island of Krk and the Dundo, while
ornithological reserves have been provided on the islands
of Cres, Krk and Prvić.
Cultural offer
The cultural & historical heritage of Kvarner is very interesting and substantial, especially in the areas of ethno-tourism,
sacral and cultural tourism. Kvarner has 278 registered protected cultural sites, 117 of which are historical wholes and
161 are historical buildings and complexes. The highlight
among them is the Baška Tablet, a stone-carved monument
to the Croatian language dating back to circa 1100 and written in a transitional script from round to angular Glagolitic
script. In addition to sacral ceremonious manuscripts and
texts, the Glagolitic script was used to record events from
daily social life, as well as legal documents such as the
Vinodol, Vrbnik and Krk Laws. The offer also includes the
Marian shrines – the Shrine of Virgin Mary on Trsat above
Rijeka is one of the oldest shrines in the world where the
holy cottage of Nazareth was kept between 1291 and 1294
(http://www.rijeka-nadbiskupija.com/).
The Croatian Museum of Tourism in Opatija is a specialised museum institution which researches tourism history and heritage. It was founded by the Republic of Croatia
and the City of Opatija at the end of 2007. The museum
explores, collects, stores, communicates and presents tangible and non-material tourist heritage from across Croatia.
The exhibition is organised in several collections of tourist
items (guides, brochures, postcards and photographs, hotel
inventory, beach equipment, personal travel items, documents, manuscripts, audio and video material etc.) and the
museum presents Croatian tourist history through topics in
the permanent exhibition: The history of Croatian hotels and
guest houses, Development of the hospitality industry, Spa
and health tourism, Public baths and bathing infrastructure,
Development of travel agencies, Nautical tourism, Pilgrimage tourism, Hiking tourism and Tourist traffic, among others. Permanent exhibitions will be displayed in other places
and eminent tourist destinations as separate centres of the
museum. The headquarters are in Villa Angiolina in Opatija
and include the Juraj Šporer Arts Pavilion. The Villa Angiolina is a historicist villa constructed in the Palladian style,
with a characteristically decorated ground floor.
www.opatija-tourism.hr; www.hrmt.hr
Entertainment and art
Kvarner has a series of events enhancing the tourist offer
and extending the season. These include events relating to
culture (music festivals, concerts, exhibitions, contests) sport
(regattas, rallies, motorcycle races, water skiing, parachuting), tradition (carnivals, folklore, crossbow, gastro), and
events relating to fruits of nature such as the Maroon Festival, Cherry Days, Asparagus Days and Mountain Fruit Days.
The towns of Rijeka, Opatija and the Municipality of Matulji
are members of the International Association of Carnival
Cities, which clearly demonstrates the tourist significance
of these events based on tradition and including a number of supporting events such as the bell festivities in the
Kastav area, Matulji, Mune, Žejane, Opatija’s Balinjerada,
International Carnival Day and Children’s Carnival Promenade. They are followed by other entertainment & music,
gastro and sporting events, growing in number as Easter,
preseason and especially the high season approach, turning into fireworks of attractive tourist events during the summer months. In addition to folk fishermen’s nights, most
tourist spots have events and festivals such as the Osor
Music Evenings, Summer Shows, Krk Festival, Rab Music
Evenings, Rijeka Summer Nights, ‘Summer on Gradina’
(Rijeka), Lubenice Music Evenings, Frankopan Summers in
Kraljevica, International Summer Carnival in Novi Vinodolski, Liburnia Jazz Festival in Opatija, Kastav Cultural Summer, Rab Knightly Games, Mountain Fruits in Gorski Kotar,
and Music Days in Mali Lošinj. During the last four days of
every year, Mali Lošinj has traditionally organized international underwater fishing competitions.
Kvarner lives at night throughout the year. From urban entertainment in Rijeka and Opatija like concerts or clubbing
to summer fun in coastal tourist spots with musicians and
entertainers visiting the Adriatic in summertime.
Photo: HTZ
Gastro corner
The diversity of the Kvarner region and the tourist tradition
have significantly affected the development and quality of
gastronomy, including a mixture of dishes and specialties
from the littoral, islands and mountains – the best fish, seashells and crabs, mountain and hunter-style delicacies. The
folk gastro offer is particularly represented, highlighting the
dishes from a specific area. In addition to seafood like oily
fish and calamari, they include meat dishes like žgvacet,
whether from beef or venison from Kvarner’s forests.
Žgvacet goes well with macaroni or šurlice, while popular
dishes also include cheese bread and prisnac. They also
have popular gastro events relying on harvests and days of
maroons, cherries and asparagus in Lovran or olives in Punat on the island of Krk. Local taverns, inns and restaurants
have increasingly encouraged and offered the local cuisine.
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Personalised Espresso
The coffee culture of Opatija’s restaurant Bevanda took a
‘step forward’ in autumn 2009. Coffee lovers can enjoy the
‘personalised Espresso’, whose taste is changed according to the season. Creating the perfect cup of coffee took
a whole team of experts - from barmen and sommeliers to
coffee tasting and roasting experts. The result is coffee prepared from the world’s top bean varieties; different types of
coffee from Mexico, Haiti, Honduras, Puerto Rico and Burundi give the mixture an almost perfect character. Strong
hazelnut, chestnut and honey aromas with a hint of dried
plums make the fragrant impression seductive, while the
strong flavour, with a perfect harmony of sweet, bitter and
sour notes, makes the entire experience of drinking this Espresso a pleasure to be long remembered. Superb ‘coffee
with a story’ is another in a series of projects from Opatija’s
extravagant restaurant Bevanda. Starting with a rich offer of
top quality wines and dishes prepared in the popular creative cuisine, the restaurant boasts the first Champagne &
Caviar bar on the Adriatic, with a unique range of champagne, vodka and caviar from around the world.
Famous wines
In Kvarner, they still grow certain varieties that you cannot
find elsewhere and they are claimed to be autochthonous,
self-grown in the region. The highlights among the local
wines of Kvarner are: Vrbnička žlahtina, Trojišćina and Istrian Malvasia.
Photo: Ivo Pervan
gion as the “gate to the Adriatic nautical paradise” considering all the beauties and diversities of the Kvarner littoral,
islands and their landscapes.
The new nautical-tourist centre ACI Sailing Centre Cres,
in the ACI Marina Cres, will certainly appeal to those who
enjoy sailing. ACI has a fleet of 12 Jeanneau One Design
35 yachts, which have been sailed by the biggest match
racers in world, including Couttsa Russell, Dean Barker,
Chris Dickson and Paolo Ciana. These sailing yachts will
be used for fleet and match race sailing courses, along with
match race regattas, in the waters of the island of Cres.
The centre also offers a variety of sailing and other activities on and around the island - exploring the island, visiting
the griffon vulture centre, exploring the islands of Zeč, Silba
and Olib, visiting the Cres sights, gatherings in the world
famous village of Lubenice, and many others ... The centre
is designed to provide sailing teams from European countries with the opportunity to train during all seasons. The
uniqueness of the island, its flora and fauna, guarantee the
success of the project. There are plans to build a botanical
garden as part of the centre so that students can enjoy and
learn about the flora of the Adriatic.
www.aci-club.hr
Diving
Divers who like to explore the underwater reefs will find the
northernmost islands of the Adriatic the most attractive. The
areas around the islands of Cres and Lošinj, and especially
those facing open water, are famous for the clarity of the
sea and rich underwater life. The areas are full of reefs and
caves such as the Katedrala on Premuda and Ćutin on the
east coast of Lošinj and are suitable for all types and levels
of diving.
Photo: Ivo Pervan
Nautical tourism
the largest number of nautical tourism ports (32) are located
in the Primorje-Gorski kotar County, of which 16 marinas
with 3,134 sea moorings and 1,821 dry moorings represent
the infrastructure of Kvarner’s nautical tourism offer based
on fun and education. The fun part pertains to charter services, organized cruises, nautical tourist regattas and competitions, while the education part relies on well-organized
sailing and vessel operating schools.
Marinas are available along the north coastal part of Kvarner (Ičići, Opatija) and on every island (Punat, Cres, Mali
Lošinj, Supetarska Draga and Rab). These are modern,
well-equipped marinas. When it comes to equipment, services and diversity of facilities, Marina Punat (the oldest and
one of the largest in Croatia) and ACI Marina Ičići specializing in larger and more luxurious vessels are the leaders.
The nautical offer of Kvarner is at the very top of Kvarner’s
overall tourist offer, so it is no wonder they refer to this re-
Wellness and health tourism
Thanks to the exceptionally favorable climatic characteristics, ideal geographic position and discovery of the healing
effect of the sea, Kvarner made its first tourist steps (late
19th century and early 20th century) by building health resorts. Opatija (Abbazia ate the time) soon transformed from
a quiet fishermen’s settlement into a European health resort
of global significance. It was followed by the health & tourist
development of Crikvenica, Veli Lošinj and Mali Lošinj, Rab
and Gorski Kotar (Skrad and Delnice). Building on its tradi-
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tion in line with the tourist demand trends, the wellness offer
had the biggest investment boom over the past two years.
That is why Kvaner now offers various wellness facilities
including indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, bio-saunas,
steam baths, numerous massage and beauty parlors, and
healing mud sites. What makes the entire range more serious are the two medical rehabilitation hospitals – the one in
Crikvenica and Thalassotherapia in Opatija. Opatija’s Thalassotherapia contains the newly opened Wellness Center
– one of the main elements of the wellness offer in Opatija
and the entire Kvarner. Last year, Hotel Chorintia in Baška
on the island of Krk joined the family of new hotels with numerous wellness facilities. In Lovran, is opened the first Spa
Wellness Academy in Croatia where they train staff for this
special segment of the tourist offer. Anti-stress programs,
vital programs, massages, natural aromatherapies, herb
picking and strolls through nature are good for every guest’s
body and soul .
“Terme Selce”, a clinic in Selce, Kvarner, known for its programmes for the prevention and treatment of sports injuries
and many other ‘health and wellness’ facilities is famous for
its clientele, which includes Olympic and world medallists
and Croatian sports stars (Davor Šuker, Luka Modrić, Stipe
Pletikosa, Vladimir Šola, Janica Kostelić, Ivica Kostelić, Kalle Palander) who use it for rehabilitation after sports events.
Hotel Aurora and Hotel Punta, Mali Lošinj – Spa & Wellness Center - unique facilities in ample areas with a sea
view and carefully selected wellness options rely on autochthonous herbs and essential oils of Lošinj. The island
of Lošinj also has the Veli Lošinj Health Resort specializing
in healthcare services and allergic and respiratory disease
diagnostics.
Family Hotel Vespera, Mali Lošinj – An outdoor swimming
pool complex covering over 3,000 m2 and cascading toward
the sea on three levels. The large pool is 25 m long and
1.35 m deep and has massages and falls, counter-current
swimming and a Jacuzzi with a sea view. The deck-shaped
sunbathing areas provide a sea view. There are also two
children’s swimming pools with a water falls and a slide.
Five elements Wellness & Spa Ambasador, Opatija – the
first one within the new wellness & spa concept of Liburnia
Riviera Hoteli based on 5 elements: water, ground, wood,
fire and metal. Its 1,300 square meters are arranged on two
levels. This wellness & spa center carries the element of
water and the rich aquatic facilities are available on the first
floor of the hotel: a large indoor pool with heated seawater,
whirlpool and a view of nature. This section also contains
saunas and a large modern bar. The sophisticated treatment and massage rooms are on the upper level. The interior is designed in a very modern fashion, thus creating
unforgettable impressions.
Grand Hotel 4 Opatijska cvijeta, Opatija – the spacious
and rich wellness oasis enables you to keep your vitality,
achieve a harmony of body and spirit, relieve yourself of
stress and restore your energy through a range of therapeutic and cosmetic body and face treatments.
“Cosmetic Studio Mozart” in the Mozart Hotel, Opatija is the
most up to date wellness centre. Its offer includes a beauty
studio and Jacuzzi, Finnish and Turkish saunas and the
only Japanese sauna in Croatia.
Since 2009. wellnes offer in the Kvarner region is stronger
by the Kvarnera od 2009. Novi Spa Hotels & Resort in
Novi Vinodolski. It is the biggest Spa centre in Europe on
more than 10.000 m2 of indoor and 3.500 m2 of outdoor
space. Through personalized lifestyle programmes, rituals
and individual treatments, authentic elements of mediterranean climate have been implemented with egzotic tradition
from the far East. Huge number of private Spa Suites represents a true challenge for all Spa lovers who wish to enjoy
all the luxury and attention.
Bike tours and promenades
The bike tour segment has intensively developed since
the implementation of the “Bavarian Radio and Television
Spring Bike Tour of the Kvarner Islands” mega-project in
Kvarner in 2000. Since then, the number of bike tracks and
tours has been on a constant rise and included more and
more areas in Kvarner. This is reflected in the names of the
bike tracks – Old Towns of Liburnia, Bell Ringers Tracks,
Opatija Riviera Hill Tour, Around the Kastav Region, Around
the Spring of Riječina, Around the Hinterland of Crikvenica
Riviera, Around the Vinodol Region, Around the Frankopan
Castles, Around Lošinj and Cres, In the Empireof the Eurasian Griffon, Following the Trails of Krk Shepherds and
Farmers, Around Kalifront and Lopar on Rab, Great Tour of
Gorski Kotar, Lakes of Gorski Kotar and the Intimate Track.
As the Kvarner region has around thirty protected areas and
over a hundred areas intended for a protection category,
the tracks and promenades are a special tourist value and
attraction because of the rich habitats for rare and endemic
animal and plant life. Running through the forests, they often touch the underground world. The seaside promenades
such as the famous 12 kilometre Lungomare on Opatija Riviera are particularly popular.
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Photo: Nino Marccuti
Winter programmes
The proximity of the sea, coast and islands on one side and
mountains on the other side, Kvarner is able to provide its
guests with a typical winter offer.
Hotel pools with heated seawater on the coast and snow in
Gorski Kotar 20-30 kilometers away are a special feature
of the offer, including the Platak skiing resort situated 26
kilometers from Rijeka and the sea, with 9,000 meters long
organized ski tracks, 4 T-bar lifts and one double chairlift
(http://76.163.23.87/ - skijalište Platak). The Mrkopalj region
and its slopes on Begovo Razdolje offer a 400 meters long
T-bar lift and a 1,000 meters long track. Skiers can also use
the Čelimbaša skiing resort with a 2,850 meters long track
and a 720 meters long T-bar lift.
The Zagmajna Biathlon Center is currently improving an additional 4 kilometers of tracks.
The Rudnik Ski Center in Tršće has two alpine skiing tracks
(800 and 1,300 meters), Nordic skiing options and areas for
sleds and children.
Delnice, located on the mountain plain of Polane, has organized Nordic skiing tracks, while the Petehovac Moutain
Center has a 400 meters long T-bar lift and an alpine skiing
tracks, as well as night skiing and skiing lessons options.
Ravna Gora has Nordic skiing tracks. On Bjelolasica, 800
meters below the highest peak of Gorski Kotar, is the
Croatian Olympic Center, the largest winter sport center in
Croatia. It offers 6,000 of ski tracks and a system of lifts
consisting of three double chairlifts and three T-bar lifts
(www.gorskikotar.hr).
Religious tourism
Areas of faith and inspiration are the basis of the offer and
promotion of religious tourism in Kvarner – the pilgrimage of
Pope John Paul II to the Lady of Trsat during his third visit
to Croatia has a special place. Trsat, with its votive presents of many generations of our sailors and their families
to the Shrine of Virgin Mary on Trsat, is a mythical place for
the residents of Kvarner and visitors. Mary’s Trsat, Virgin
Mary of Holy Mountain, Sad Lady, Mary’s churches across
Kvarner, cathedrals in Rijeka, Krk, Osor and Rab and other
religious facilities serve the purpose of religious and cultural
tourism.
Congress tourism
kvarner is one of the prominent business centres of Croatian
tourism. Easy access to this naturally beautiful area and a
multitude of hotels and supporting services attract congressional customers to Kvarner throughout the year. The congress halls of Kvarner are very similar to almost all major
European business, professional, educational and scientific centres, and they provide all the necessary technical
equipment and means for organising business events, conferences and meetings. Most business tourism facilities in
Kvarner, such as congress and conference halls, are found
within high quality four and five star hotels, while there are
also a number of smaller capacity facilities found in other
commercial and cultural buildings. In total, there are about
one hundred halls, together covering an area of nearly
20,000 square metres.
Accommodation
Every town in Kvarner will offer you clean sea, magnificent
beaches, numerous apartments and rooms in family houses
and villas, hotels and campsites.
Kvarner pays a lot of attention to improving its tourist facilities. Currently, the region has 4 five star and 38 four star
hotels. The high number of top quality hotels is due primarily
to its pearl of tourism - Opatija.
Kvarner also invests in rural tourism: Vinodolska municipality has increased its accommodation capacity with 10 new
rural villas with pools. It also invests in small family hotels,
which are beautifully designed and have a high quality of
service.
Novelties
The Villa Royal in Opatija has been renovated. It is located
next to Grand Hotel 4 Opatijska Cvijeta where a further 30
rooms are being renovated. The four star hotel offers a
range of services including a wellness centre, which is due
to be expanded. This investment is worth about 2.7 million
euro.
Our first boutique hotel, Kaštel, will open in Kastav in 2010.
It will be a four star hotel located in the old town centre. The
hotel will offer five suites and ten luxury rooms, and will include a wellness centre with Turkish and Finnish saunas, a
restaurant, cafe and wine cellar.
The project NOVI SPA HOTELS & RESORT should be
completed in 2010 and will achieve a five star status.
Hikers, and all other visitors to the Croatian Riviera, will be
pleased with the design of six new observation points in
the area of Novi Vinodolski and the Vinodolska municipality. Positioned in the middle of untouched nature, they offer
unforgettable views.
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The marina Opatija in Ičići now has 290 berths. The expansion and extension of the pier and the construction of
floating breakwaters will allow for the mooring of 80 mega
yachts, 30 to 50 metres long. A heliport within the marina
in is also planned because of its proximity to the airports
in Grobnik and Krk. The marina Punat, which this year
celebrates 45 years of nautics and was voted ‘Marina of
2009’, should in the near future become a leading Croatian
nautical centre, with excellent service, quality, innovation
and investment, always one step ahead of the competition.
www.marina-punat.hr. From 2009, the marina offers clients
an 800 square metre hall in which their vessels can be kept
safe and protected from adverse weather conditions.
Astronomy Centre Rijeka
The Astronomy Centre Rijeka opened in April 2009 and offers visitors an interesting, popular science programme that
reveals the universe through the night sky. The view of the
starry sky – the one above the Opatija Riviera possibly being the most romantic - takes on a whole new dimension.
The new programmes ‘Night Sky Guide’ and ‘Universe: it’s
up to you to discover it’ are designed for a wide audience
and are a novelty; along with the projection in the planetarium, visitors will hear professional commentary about the
Universe. The closest similar centres are located in Milan
and Vienna and a visit to the Kvarner region is an ideal opportunity to discover this interesting world of astronomy.
The centre covers an indoor area of 500 square metres as
well as 325 square metres of open space and is perfectly
equipped and presented. In a short time it has become an
attraction for all those who want to learn more about the
secrets of the universe and the stars.
http://www.tz-rijeka.hr/english/culture_astro.asp
Transport connections
As most of Kvarner is situated on the coast, the transport
system relies on maritime transport with Rijeka and its terminals for cargo and passenger reloading as the center.
The Mali Lošinj Port also has international significance,
while the other ports are mostly local. In terms of tourism,
the ferry ports such as Brestova - Porozina and Valbiska Merag, connecting the mainland and the island of Krk with
the islands of Cres and Lošinj are the most important ones,
as well as the busiest one, Jablanac - Mišnjak by which you
can reach the island of Rab via Jadranska magistrala. The
daily government-subsidized ferry route Lopar (Rab) – Valbiska (Krk) connects Lopar on the island of Rab with the
island of Krk and vice versa, twice a day in winter and five
times a day in summer.
A maritime passenger terminal worth 95 million kuna was
opened in the Port of Rijeka on 6th October 2009. The
terminal, equipped with the most up-to-date port supervisory centre on the Adriatic sea, restaurants and other travel
amenities, forms a part of the Rijeka Gateway project, which
includes the modernisation of ports and port facilities and
the construction of supporting infrastructure, including road
and rail networks with the Rijeka inland.
The railway transport is based on two international railways
toward Ljubljana and Zagreb. The Zagreb – Rijeka railway
is part of the international transport corridor Budapest - Zagreb - Rijeka. The air transport relies on two international
airports (one on the island of Krk and the other on Lošinj),
the sport airport in Grobnik and the airport on Unije.
A 5.2 kilometre long section of the Rijeka Bypass from intersection Škurinje to intersection Diračje, was opened to
traffic on 18th June 2009 and it includes the brand new intersection Rujevica. The last 4.5 kilometres of the Rijeka
Bypass will open to traffic by the end of 2009.
The Rijeka – Zagreb motorway is a part of European route
E65 and part of the pan-European traffic corridor Vb. It is
extremely important for the development of tourism and
economy and, considering the amount of traffic, it is the
most profitable Croatian motorway. Upon completion of the
expansion of section A6 of the motorway Rijeka-Zagreb, the
last section A4 of the motorway Zagreb-Goričan and the M7
motorway Budapest-Letenye, the construction of the motorway Rijeka-Zagreb-Budapest on the Pan-European Transport Corridor Vb, spanning 496.2 kilometres, was fully completed. The Hungarian part of the motorway covers 232.5
kilometres and the Croatian part spans 263.7 kilometres.
The duration of travel has been reduced to 5 hours.
What we are proud of
The Kastav Halubian bell-ringers have featured on the
UNESCO List of Intangible Heritage since 2009. These unmissable ‘Carnival’ participants, without whom the world famous Rijeka Carnival certainly would not be the same, are
among the seven most recent Croatian intangible cultural
assets on UNESCO’s list.
During the Carnival celebrations, the large group of Halubian bell-ringers traditionally begin their famous procession and visit the villages of the Kastav region, following a
long-established tradition. The bell-ringers are regular and
indispensable participants of the famous Carnival in Rijeka,
where their impressive stage performances are a first rate
tourist attraction. During their Shrovetide procession, they
are traditionally one of the loudest carnival groups, as the
sounds of their bells regularly overpower all the carnival
noise in Rijeka. The bell-ringers are draped in sheepskin
and huge bells hang from the lower part of their back. They
also wear enormous masks - strange animal heads with
protruding red tongues and horns. Dressed in white sailor’s
trousers and striped sailor T-shirts, they carry a so-called
‘balta’ or ‘bacuka’ - a stylized mace. As the origins of the Halubian bell-ringers date back to prehistoric times, they are
called “the keepers of folk traditions and regional identities
of Halubje and Kastav”.
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Torpedo was invented in Rijeka – The torpedo as we
known it was invented in 1860 by the retired Croatian officer of the Austro-Hungarian military navy, Rijeka’s own
Ivan Lupis. It was presented to the public that same year
in Rijeka, while the operating demonstration took place in
1866. The first factory to manufacture torpedoes was built
in Rijeka and established by the English industrialist Robert
Whitehead for the requirements of the Austro-Hungarian
military navy.
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
Rab cake – the recipe for this centuries-old and unique delicacy made of almonds, lemon, sugar, eggs and Maraschino
has been preserved as precious heritage in the art of making gentle fluffy dough with an aromatic center. The secret
recipe dates back to 1177 when it was first served to Pope
Alexander III when he blessed the Cathedral of the Assumption of Virgin Mary on the island of Rab. It used to serve as
a delicacy way back during the Venetian era and over 300
years ago in the houses of Rab’s wealthy patricians.
Milenij Choco – is a chocolate brand of the Milenij Hotel,
the only Croatian hotel chain which produces its own handmade chocolates. Guests of the ‘Wagner’ and ‘Grand’ coffee shops can buy and taste these handmade pralines and
chocolate tablets. Pralines come in a variety of fillings, with
more than thirty flavours including Pistaccio, French cognac, Moet & Chandon champagne, 24-carat gold, apricot,
whole cherries and many others. Milenij Choco pralines and
chocolates are a unique gift and the sweetest souvenir from
Opatija.
Stories, legends, myths
Baška Tablet – the old Croatian monument was written in
the Glagolitic script in circa 1100 and originates from the
Church of St. Lucy in Jurandvor near Baška on the island
of Krk. One of the oldest stone-carved monuments of the
Croatian language contains information about the construction of the Church of St. Lucy and a record of Croatian King
Zvonimir’s donation. It represents a significant source for
the history of the Croatian people, language and development of the Croatian Glagolitic script. It shows the sovereignty of Croatian King Zvonimir as the donor of land on the
island; in addition to its linguistic and literary significance,
the tablet is historically significant because of the first mention of the ruler’s name in the folk language.
Eurasian griffon – one of the four different types of vulture
still living in Europe has retained its habitat on the island
of Cres. It nests on steep cliffs overlooking the sea, sometimes at a height of juts 10 meters where they can easily be
observed. As this is an endangered species, scientists from
the eco center mark the young birds to be able to identify
them later. The eco center has a special role in the rescue
of young griffons that fall into the sea or that they find sick
or wounded. That is why they built a rehabilitation facility
where injured griffons recover until they are released into
nature again. The eco center is frequented by many visitors as a specially cultivated part of the north section of the
island of Cres. An original gift and a nice souvenir
Morčići earrings – In memory of the escape of the Turkish Army on Grobnik Plain above Rijeka, they make Morčići
earrings - at first the made them as folk jewelry and later as
a stats symbol that even adorned Austrian Empress Mary
Anna. To this day, Morčić has been a symbol of protection
against evil for fishermen and sailors and it has eventually become the guardian of Croatian littoral’s identity as a
unique and favorite piece of jewelry.
The legend of Morčići
The legends of Morčići derive from the need to explain how
an unusual character of a black man with a turban found its
place on valuable jewelry of the Rijeka region. One of the
legends explaining the creation of Morčići dates back to the
16th century when the Turks fled from Grobnik Plain after
their Pasha was suddenly killed and left white turbans all
around. Rijeka’s men had Morčići earrings with white turbans made for their wives in memory of the victory.
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
Caroline of Rijeka
The most famous character in Rijeka’s history is Caroline of
Rijeka who saved the City of Rijeka from devastation during
the Napoleon Wars by negotiating with the English Admiral
John Leard. Caroline’s historical role began in 1813 thanks
to the difficult situation at the entrance to Rijeka Port. As it
happens, English ships were preparing to bomb Rijeka and
thus prevent the survival of napoleon’s army (the exterior
wall of St. Vittus cathedral has a cannonball incorporated
in the façade as a testimony of the event). Determined to
help the city, young Caroline went to the admiral’s ship and
convinced the British fleet commander to stop the cannon
fire, using her feminine charms in the negotiations with the
English admiral.
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The legend of the creation of the islands of Cres and
Lošinj
In ancient times, the islands of Cres and Lošinj had the
common name Apsyrtides. According to a legend, they
were named after the Greek hero Apsyrtes, known from the
treasury of stories about the Argonaut navigators on our islands. Apsyrtes, son of King Aetes, was killed by Jason who
stole the Golden Fleece from King Aetes because sorceress Medea, King’s daughter who was in love with Jason
tricked him. Although Apsyrtes caught up with Jason on
his ship Argo, Medea tricked him into negotiations where
Jason killed him. Medea then cut up Apsyrtes’ dead body
and tossed his limbs into the sea. The Apsyrtes islands
(Apsyrtides) were created from Apsyrtes’s cut up body.
Blue Flags are flying on 34 beaches and 3 marinas of
the Primorje-Gorski kotar County:
1. ACI MARINA CRES
2. ACI MARINA OPATIJA
3. Main town beach Lišanj, Novi Vinodolski
4. Marina Punat, Krk
5. ‘Dražica’ beach, Krk
6. ‘Dunat’ beach, Krk
7. ‘Jadran’ beach, Omišalj
8. ‘Jert’ beach, Krk
9. ‘Kvarner’ beach, Lovran
10. ‘Lido’ beach, Opatija
11. ‘Pećine’ beach, Dobrinj
12. ‘Peharovo’ beach, Lovran
13. ‘Pesja’ beach, Omišalj
14. ‘Poljana’ beach, Mali Lošinj
15. ‘Punta Debij’ beach, Punat
16. ‘Rokan’ beach, Crikvenica
17. ‘Slatina’ beach, Martinščica, Cres
18. ‘Svežanj’ beach, Kostrena
19. ‘Tomaševac’ beach, Opatija
20. ‘Veli žal - Sunčana uvala’ beach, Mali Lošinj
21. ‘Zgribnica’ beach, Vrbnik
22. A/C FKK Konobe beach
23. A/C FKK Politin beach
24. A/C Kovačine, Cres beach
25. Balustrada beach, Crikvenica
26. Kamping Ježevac beach
27. Gradsko kupalište Crikvenica beach
28. Hotel ‘Varaždin’ beach, Crikvenica
29. Ičići beach
30. ‘Slatina’ campsite beach, Opatija
31. Poli mora beach, Crikvenica
32. Porporela Ježevac beach, Krk
33. Punta –Veli Lošinj beach, Mali Lošinj
34. Rupa, Malinska-Dubašnica beach
35. Suha Punta Karolina beach, Rab
36. Rajska Plaža – Crnika beach, Lopar
37. Vela Plaža beach, Baška
Useful links:
www.kvarner.hr; www.opatija-tourism.hr; www.tz-rijeka.hr;
www.kastav-touristinfo.hr; www.kraljevica.hr;
www.tzg-crikvenice.hr; www.tz-novi-vinodolski.hr;
www.tz-krk.hr; www.tzg-cres.hr; www.tz-malilosinj.hr;
www.tzg-rab.hr; www.gorskikotar.hr; www.tz-cabar.hr;
www.tz-delnice.hr; www.tz-vrbovsko.hr; www.tz-lovran.hr;
www.tzmatulji.hr; www.tz-moscenicka.hr; www.tzo-kostrena.hr;
www.tz-cavle.hr; www.jelenje.hr; www.tz-vinodol.hr;
www.tz-baska.hr; www.tzo-dobrinj.hr; www.tz-malinska.hr;
www.tz-njivice-omisalj.hr; www.tzpunat.hr; www.vrbnik.hr;
www.tz-fuzine.hr; www.tz-lokve.hr; www.tz-ravnagora.hr;
www.tz-skrad.hr; www.tz-mrkopalj.hr;
www.tz-brodmoravice.hr; www.lopar.hr; www.tourism-icici.hr;
www.tzm-dramalj.hr; www.tzm-jadranovo.hr; www.tzselce.hr;
www.pp-ucka.hr; www.supovi.hr; www.risnjak.hr;
www.ri-karneval.com.hr; www.gorskikotar.hr;
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Istria
www.istra.hr
Photo: Milan Babić
Istria – tame and unobtrusive, warm and hospitable, green
and blue, always on the crossroads of historical European
and regional events. This is a region of dinosaurs and legends of legionnaires, gladiators, sailors, admirals, writers
and charismatic world leaders who often determined the
destiny of mankind in this ambient.
Aware of the differences and the intensive development, the
Istrians pay special attention to sustainable development.
Staying in Istria is pleasant throughout the year. The bathing season goes on for five months and the sunbathing season even longer. Spring in Istria is ideal for recreation like
biking, hiking, horseback riding, mountaineering, free climbing or paragliding, while autumn in Istria invites you to pick
mushrooms, maroons and grapes.
According to the Croatian Tourism Strategic Plan for the
period 2010-2014, Croatia will be profiled as a high value
lifestyle destination with well-preserved natural and cultural
treasures. Within the Strategic Plan, Istria has already begun establishing itself as a ‘green Mediterranean refuge’,
a year-round tourist destination with historic towns and villages which offer romantic and relaxing holidays.
Along the coast of the Adriatic Sea we find Umag, Novigrad, Poreč, Funtana, Vrsar, Rovinj, Fažana, Pula, Medulin,
Rabac, and in the interior, are recognisable settlements on
plateaus on hills populated a long time ago: na pradavno
naseljenim zaravnatim platoima brežuljaka: Sv. Lovreč,
Oprtalj, Završje, Hum, Roč, Grožnjan, Motovun. Numerous
vineyards in the interior of Istria and towns like Motovun,
Pazin, Buzet, Momjan, Brtonigla and their famous winegrowers will not leave indifferent. Livade and Buzet are the
places to try the truffles, supposedly the best aphrodisiac.
The inevitable National Park Brijuni in the south of Istria is
one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the Mediterranean.
In addition to quality accommodation and hospitality, Istria
has developed nautical tourism, congress tourism, agrotourism, cultural, sports and recreation, diving and equestrian tourism as well as excursion tourism, hunting tourism,
fishing tourism, agro-tourism, cultural tourism, sport & recreation tourism, diving tourism and equestrian tourism.
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
Natural heritage
the largest Croatian peninsula is abundant in green oases
and romantic bays, but it also has numerous unexplored
corners. Along the sea you will find grass, pebble, rocky
and paved beaches, while the shade of the pines is often
available right on the shore. The interior fascinates with its
river affluents, lakes, falls, rich forests full of fruits, hills and
mountains. The animal world is also colorful, both beneath
the sea and ashore.
Brijuni Islands and the surrounding submarine world enjoy
the status of the only Istrian national park (www.brijuni.hr).
Thanks to the abundant flora and fauna and the cultural &
historical heritage, it is among the most beautiful archipelagos in the Mediterranean. Brijuni consists of two big and
12 smaller islands. The mild climate, many sunny days and
a pleasant air temperature have stimulated the growth of
several hundred plant species. A hundred years back, they
began to populate the botanical gardens on Brijuni with
animals from different parts of the world and formed the zoo
in 1912. Brijuni is presently a habitat for many bird species,
deer, mouflon and other game. The island of Veliki Brijun
is adorned by a millennium-old olive tree, Roman excavations, a safari park and tracks of dinosaur feet.
An abundant plant cover, a diverse animal world, speleological objects, mountain trails, a lodge, an inn and catering
facilities can be found in Učka Nature Park stretching between Istria and Kvarner (www.pp-ucka.hr).
The
protected
landscape
of
Cape
Kamenjak
(www.kamenjak.hr), the unusually indented, southernmost
Istrian cape, is interesting not only for the 500 plant species but also for the beautiful bays, natural beaches, clean
sea and an attractive submarine world. Palud Swamp is an
ornithological reserve next to Rovinj where over 200 bird
species live, making it an ideal place for bird-watching lovers. Thanks to its attractive 11 kilometers long canyon going into the mainland, Lim Fjord is one of the most beauti-
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ful protected landscapes in Istria. Its submarine part was
proclaimed a special marine reserve because of its rich
marine fauna. They also have the well-known seashell and
fish farm in Istria. The Pazin Pit is also impressive with its
caves, lakes and rocks rising a hundred meters up, which
the great Jules Verne described in one of his novels.
www.natura-histrica.hr
Photo: Damir Fabijanić
festival with a 50-year tradition. Its underground premises
offer the Ancient Olive Growing and Winegrowing in Istria
exhibition, including tools for production of oil and wine and
a number of amphorae.
The Euphrasius Basilica bears the name of the Poreč
bishop who had it built in the 6th century. Although older
floor mosaics have been preserved, its most valuable part
are the mosaics in the apse. The entire complex (3-nave
church, baptistery, atrium and the former bishop palace)
was included in the UNESCO list of protected world cultural
heritage.
Situated on an elevation within Limska draga not far from
Kanfanar, Dvigrad is the largest town/ruin. Although there
used to be two castles nearby (hence the name), only the
remains of one of them have been preserved. Abandoned
in the 17th century due to the plague epidemic, it is now
an impressive cultural monument covering 16,000 square
meters. The restoration of Dvigrad began in the autumn of
2009 and 270,000 kuna has been invested in the project.
Cultural and historical heritage
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
Istria is full of archeological and cultural & historic monuments, confirmed by the evidence of Paleolithic prehistoric
people in Istrian caves, over 400 forts from the Bronze Age
and the Iron Age, fascinating urban monuments built by the
Romans, and the Euphrasius Basilica, one of the most
beautiful early-Byzantine churches in Europe as a prominent mark of the Byzantine reign in Istria.
Istria’s tame interior is spotted with medieval towns and
first on hilltops, and numerous chapels with old medieval
frescoes.
History wherever you go
Photo: Renco Kosinožić
The Pula Amphitheater or Arena is one of the six largest
Roman amphitheaters in the world. Erected in the 1st century during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, it was primarily
used for gladiator fights in front of 20,000 spectators. Elliptic in shape (132 x 105 meters and 32 meters in height),
the largest ancient building in Istria is open for sightseeing
during the day and becomes a perfect place for pop rock
concerts, operas and ballets in nighttime, as well as the film
Nezakcij, an ancient town four kilometers from Pula, used
to be the metropolis of the Istrians who were defeated by
the Romans in 177 B.C. The Church of St. Blaž in Vodnjan is the largest Istrian church with a 62-meter bell tower,
the highest one in Istria. It holds mummified bodies of three
saints and the richest Istrian collection of sacral art with 730
works and objects of art.
You should not miss the Glagolitic Alley, a series of stone
landmarks mounted along the road from Roč to Hum in
memory of the oldest Slavic script (Glagolitic script), the
ancient residential complex Verige Bay on Brijuni, the Sergian Arch, the Augustus Temple, Small Roman Theatre
and the Castle in Pula, the Church of St. Euphemia in
Rovinj, the largest Istrian Paulist Monastery in Sv. Petar
u Šumi, the frescoes in the Church of St. Mary in Beram
and the Chruch of St. Jacob in Vižinada or the kažuns –
small field shelters made of dry stone walls, the most familiar symbol of Istria.
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Photo: Milan Babić
Entertainment and art
The historically rich ambient is ideal for a series of entertainment, culture & art and folklore events throughout the year.
Istria is the venue for two major film festivals; the Motovun
Film Festival (www.motovunfilmfestival.com), held on the
squares and streets of Motovun, a medieval fortified town
on a hill next to the river Mirna, and the Pula Film Festival
(www.pulafilmfestival.hr), held within a Roman Amphitheatre Arena, the largest open-air stage in Croatia. The Arena
also hosts numerous summer concerts featuring the world’s
biggest stars of classical and pop music. The international
stage and music festival Histria (www.histriafestival.com)
brings world famous musicians such as Elton John, Michael
Bolton, Eric Clapton, Placido Domingo, Sting, Zucchero and
James Brown to Pula. All these events are a great reason to
visit and enjoy Istria and its culture.
Other well known cultural events outside the borders of
Istria include the international organ festival, Organum
histriae, the Festival of Dance and Nonverbal Theatre in
Svetvinčenat, the Mediterranean Sculpting Symposium in
Labin, the international theatre festivals MKMF and PUF in
Pula and Golden Lion in Umag, the Festival of Early Music
in Dvigrad and the Book Fair in Pula. Regular events include concerts held in the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč, the
Meeting of Choirs ‘Naš Kanat je Lip’, the Mundial fotofestival in the city of Rovinj, the Pula International Accordion
Competition, and the modern art exhibition Annale in Poreč,
among many others. Grožnjan, a charming and well known
artist town hosts classical music concerts, as well as the
‘Jazz Is Back’ Festival (www.hgm.hr). Blues and jazz are
played at the Music Nights Festival in Novigrad; hardcore
punk enthusiasts visit the Monte Paradiso Festival in Pula,
while fans of electronic music enjoy parties around Istria.
The Ulysses Theatre on the Brijuni islands stages productions of intriguing and avant-garde summer plays
(www.ulysses.hr). In December each year, the Book Fair
in Istria gathers a wide range of publishers and authors
from around the world, and in February, the carnival season gets underway. The best known carnival is that of the
Buzet masks. Istria strives to continue the development of
culture and to affirm the region as the pride of culture, in
the memory of Zvane Črnja, Andrea Antica di Montona,
Luigi Dallapiccola, Slavko Zlatić, Fulvio Tomizza, Mate Balota, Antonio Smareglia, Matija Vlačić Ilirik, Carlotta Grisi,
Giuseppina Martinuzzi ... and all others who created culture
and knowledge and those who, through their artistic, scientific and cultural work, still create an atmosphere of tolerance, understanding and acceptance of diversity so necessary in today’s world. Calendar of events: www.istra.hr
Active tourism
Istria’s mild climate and relaxing landscapes provide numerous sporting options throughout the year, both in fresh air
and indoors. The hotels normally include sport courts, while
the beaches offer water sport centers. The wilderness of
Central Istria is an ideal place for adventure and extreme
sports.
The rise of golf
Although Brijuni Islands had one of the largest golf courses
in the early 20th century, golf develops slowly in Istria.
A new golf course with 18 holes opened in 2009 in Crveni Vrh near Savudrija as part of the Kempinski Resort
(www.kempinski-adriatic.com). The golf course covers an
area of 6,360 square metres. The Par 72 golf course has
5 starting field positions and is challenging for golfers of
all levels, giving them the opportunity to enjoy magnificent
views of the Adriatic Sea from every starting position, green
and fairway. Wide ponds, water and land habitats, a mixture
of evergreen forests and picturesque century-old trees are
only a few of the elements which make the Kempinski Adriatic Golf Course a unique and visually attractive environment, providing golf enthusiasts the opportunity to play with
all their senses and enjoy the resort throughout the year.
The new Molindrio golf course (www.golfporec.com) in
Poreč is located at the entrance to the Green Lagoon. Drive
markers for practicing long game are positioned 250 metres apart along a winding stream and a little further, in the
shade, by the fountain, is a 120 square metre pitching green
and a large, 300 square metre putting green with 18 holes,
ideal for practicing all the elements of the short game. The
practice area offers the possibility to rent equipment and attend a golf school that provides a license to play.
In addition to the newly opened golf courses in Savudrija
and Poreč, there is another golf course with 18 holes on the
Brijuni Islands. (www.brijuni.hr).
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Photo: Renco Kosinožić
Tennis and biking – two dominant Istrian sport elements
Istria has achieved the biggest progress in the development of bike tourism. There are more than 3,000 kilometres
of cycle paths and Istria is the first region outside of Italy
where a part of the international Giro d ‘Italia race was held.
(www.istria-bike.com).
You can play tennis throughout the year on one of Istria’s
430 clay courts. The most famous tournament and Istria’s
best known sport brand is the ATP Tour - Croatia Open
(www.croatiaopen.hr), held on a court next to the sea in
Umag, where some of the world’s biggest tennis names
have participated for years.
Photo: Juraj Kopač
endary German submarine U-81.
Water skiing is a unique attraction for beginners and experts.
Windsurfing enthusiasts are attracted to the strong currents
and winds of southern Istria. Ćićarija is known for caving
and there are nine climbing tracks for free climbing, located
mainly in the Limski Canal in northern Istria. Paragliding is
available throughout the year thanks to good weather conditions and there are five starting points throughout the region.
Paintball, a top entertainment activity full of adrenaline, is
played in almost all coastal cities.
Photo: HTZ
Numerous hiking trails can be found throughout Istria; most
are along the sea coast or pass through wooded areas.
Hiking on these trails is also recommended for rehabilitation purposes. A series of equestrian centres and ranches
enable horse lovers to ride through untouched nature and
there are also riding schools for beginners.
Adrenaline activities
Diving has enjoyed a long tradition in Istria. Diving centres
and clubs throughout the region organise training courses
and experienced divers are taken to attractive underwater
locations.
There are 22 hydro-archaeological sites in Istria. The wreck
of the Austro-Hungarian Baron Gautsch passenger ship is
one of the most famous diving sites of the area and is popular with inexperienced divers as it lies in shallow waters.
The 85 metre long wreck of a ship struck by a mine back
in 1914 lies at depths ranging from 11 to 25 metres and is
often explored by members of the diving centres and tourists. Some of the other major wrecks are Coriolanus, a British ship sunk in 1945, the Austro-Hungarian torpedo boat
Flamingo, which ran into its own mine just off the coast of
Premantura, the Italian war torpedo boat Giuseppe Dezza,
blown up by English torpedoes, and the remains of the leg-
Gastro corner
Istrian cuisine, as a combination of various intermingled
traditions of the Mediterranean and continental gastronomies, is distinctive, healthy and ecologically based. You
can start your meal with some homemade prosciutto and
sheep cheese, continue with a plate of homemade jota or
maneštra, and finish with fuži in a game or chicken sauce or
roast ombolo (loin of pork) and homemade sausages with
boiled sour cabbage. One Istrian specialty is the wild asparagus, picked in the spring. Although it has a somewhat bitter
taste, it is great eaten with eggs, as a salad or a side dish.
Asparagus is very healthy and recognised as an excellent
antioxidant. The seafood specialties include shrimp, roast
gilthead, boiled Dory, mixed seashells a la buzara, Coquille
St. Jacques in cheese and olive oil, grilled calamari or cala-
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mari risotto, cod a la Istria or blue crab and octopus salads.
The Istrian truffles represent the top of the local gastronomy – they go excellently with pasta, meat and fish fillets or
just some scrambled eggs. The Istrian white truffle is one of
the most appreciated truffle varieties in the world. In the hills
along the river Mirna, more and more black, white and other
types of truffles can be found. (www.istria-gourmet.com).
The Truffle Days begin as early as September in North Istria and thy have various truffle fairs, festivals and exhibitions almost every week for the next three months. . ‘Dani
Švoja’ (Days of the Sole fish) is an event held in the area
of Umag and Novigrad in November. They are dedicated to
the sole fish presented in numerous ways in October in the
selected restaurants available at the Istrian County website
www.istra.hr
Traditional Brandy Festival
Every year on the last Sunday in October, Hum, the smallest town in the world, holds a festival of homemade Istrian
brandies under the slogan “Homemade Brandy is Our Medicine”. The election of the best brandies like biska, medenica, ruda, plain homemade brandies with local herbs and
berries, plum brandy (krekovica, brnjevača), smrička and
fruits in brandy is followed by the tasting of all brandies for a
wider audience, including an entertainment and music program with a gastro offer. The night before is reserved for a
poetic evening entitled “The Brandy Verses”. Recognized
Istrian poets read their poetry on the subject of brandy.
Istrian towns organize many gastro events such as the Istrian Maneštra Festival in Gračišće, Maneštra Festival and
Sardine Salting School in Fažana, Poreč’s festival of the
best wines Vinistra (www.vinistra.com) including an oil and
brandy festival, and the International Prosciutto Fair in Tinjan in October.
Borgonja Crna (red), Hrvatica Crna (red) and a few lesserknown varieties. Many high-quality and well known varieties such as white Pinot blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and
Black Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Refosco are also
successful in the area.
IQ - Istrian Malvasia designed a system of quality control for
Istrian Malvasia wine. With an IQ label on a bottle of Istrian
Malvasia, the manufacturer guarantees that the wine is of
good quality and can be drunk and enjoyed with confidence.
Quality accommodation
and exclusive service
Reduction of accommodation capacities with improvement
of quality has been a real trend in Istria over the past few
years. There are more and more premium hotels, the luxury
stone villas with swimming pools and agro-tourism facilities in
the interior of Istria are raising the quality level, and even the
camps and private accommodation facilities have significantly enhanced the service level. The wellness centers – various
therapies, baths, solariums, saunas and beauty treatments –
have become a part of Istrian tourist daily routine.
“Domus Bonus” - a guarantee of quality accommodation
The “Domus Bonus” Project was launched by the Istrian
Tourist Board in early 2006 with an aim to increase the quality of private accommodation in Istria. The “Domus Bonus”
certificate is an important recommendation for guests to
consider when choosing accommodation and owners who
have the certificate can count on higher occupancy. A total
of 385 apartments with 1,563 beds throughout Istria were
awarded the “Domus Bonus” certificate by 2009. Apart from
apartments, the “Domus Bonus” certificate will be awarded
to studio-apartments as a further attempt to increase the
Photo: Juraj Kopač
Excellent wines and extra virgin olive oil
Istrian olive oil normally has the extra virgin quality. All
meals are accompanied by excellent Istrian wines. Istrian
Malvasia is recommended with seafood, Motovun Teran
goes well with meat and pasta, while Momjan Muškat is ideal for dessert. Istrian soup is a special delicacy. In November, they hold the International Olive Oil Days in Vodnjan
and Tar is another popular olive oil destination.
The wine roads, included in the map of Istria
(www.istria-gourmet.com), with wine cellars and small taverns, combine the offer of 107 winemakers. They have separate identifications for cellars with larger selections of wine,
modern technology and awards and for village taverns with
traditional winemaking.
There are two dominant types of soil suitable for growing
grape vines on the Istrian peninsula: ruddle (terra rossa)
and marl or flysch, known as white soil. Experts say that
ruddle is great for creating high quality red wine varieties,
while flysh is suitable for the white varieties. From a multitude of varieties found in the area, the most important are
the Istrian Malvasia white wine, and the Teran, a strongly
coloured purple to ruby-red wine. They are followed by
number of high quality private accommodation units.
Wellness
The famous Istarske toplice spa (www.istarske-toplice.hr),
situated in the middle of the Motovun Forest, was a predecessor of health tourism in Istria and they have been known
as thermal health resort with healing water ever since the
Roman era.
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They treat respiratory and locomotor diseases here, postsurgery conditions in bones and joints and some chronic
throat and skin diseases, as well as gynecological diseases.
Over the past few years, the region has experienced a
true boom in well equipped wellness center offering a wide
range of services – anti-stress therapies with music, colors
or aromatherapy, various baths, ice pools, solariums, saunas and medical and beauty treatments.
The philosophy of wellness in Umag focuses on quality of
life, which includes healthy foods, a view of the sea and
fresh scents. The wellness range of Istraturist from Umag
can be found in a number of hotels; the Hotel Sol Coral Coral Fusion Spa, offers exotic healing treatments and ancient Eastern massage techniques; Hotel Sol Umag offers
an attractive whirlpool, themed saunas and beauty massages in the elegant, relaxing wellness centre Istrian Relax
Village, and the ‘The Body Holiday’ wellness centre at the
Hotel Sol Garden Istra provides a series of stimulating and
revitalising treatments that aim to revive and revitalise your
body and mind.
Wellness facilities form an integral part of any quality hotel,
such as the Valmar Diamant Poreč, Hotel Croatia in Duga
Uvala and Valsabbion in Pješčana Uvala near Pula. The
opening of new five and four star hotels in Istria has enriched the region’s wellness offer.
50 metres in length. The total investment amounts to 190
million euros.
Hotel Istra 5*, Rovinj, Crveni otok (Red Island):
www.maistra.hr
The first Croatian all-suite hotel opened in early September
2009 on Crveni otok, just fifteen minutes away from Rovinj
by small boat. Within the hotel there are 32 apartments with
a distinctive design and high quality equipment.Each of the
apartments has a view of the sea and the beautiful Rovinj
archipelago. The value of this investment is 30 million kuna
(more than 4 million euros). Within the hotel, there is a luxurious wellness centre ‘Otok’ as well as top restaurants, numerous sports facilities and a congress hall.
Hotel Palazzo 4*, Poreč: www.hotel-palazzo.hr
The Hotel Palazzo (formerly Riviera) in Poreč opened in
July 2009, totalling an investment of five million euros for
its reconstruction. Located on the Poreč seafront, this is the
city’s oldest hotel, built in 1910. The Hotel Palazzo is a blend
of the traditional and contemporary. It has 70 rooms and
four presidential suites, the largest spanning 400 square
metres. The outdoor swimming pool can be used in the
winter, and there is also a superb restaurant, spa facilities
and sports activities such as golf, tennis and horse riding.
Novelties in the Hotel Offer
Congress tourism
Monte Mulini 5*, Rovinj: www.montemulinihotel.com
This exclusive boutique hotel opened in 2009 and is adapted to the highest standards of luxury and leisure. The total
investment amounted to nearly 200 million kuna. The Monte
Mulini has 119 modern furnished rooms and suites which
have stunning views of the crystal clear sea. The opening of
this hotel has enriched Rovinj’s tourist offer with two top dining restaurants: the Mediterraneo, and the Wine Vault restaurant, which offers its guests a focussed eno-gastronomic
experience by blending traditional French cuisine and a rich
wine card with over 560 different labels from Croatia and
the world.
The Istrian hotels in Umag, Poreč, Novigrad, Rovinj, Pula
and Brijuni have provided top service for business conventions, congresses, seminars workshops and encounters for
many years.
The congress hall facilities in the newly renovated hotels will
certainly contribute to this ample offer. The Kempinski Hotel
Adriatic has a Congress Centre building, located along the
coast, which offers spacious, flexible and easily partitioned
areas equipped with top quality equipment and wireless internet. It also has a conference hall with 250 seats in the
theatre layout, and 150 seats in the parliament layout. The
hall can be divided into two to three isolated, soundproof
sections and can accommodate banquets for up to 200 people, or be transformed into several meeting halls for up to
20 people.
Within Monte Mulini there is a luxurious wellness centre
thatspans over three floors and 1,000 square meters. It is
thematically divided into three zones – the ART BEAUTY
ZONE, ART SPA ZONE and ART ACTIVE ZONE.
Kempinski Adriatic Resort 5*, Savudrija:
www.kempinski-adriatic.com
The first Kempinski Hotel in Croatia, the Kempinski Hotel
Adriatic in Savudrija, officially opened in August 2009. It
is also the first Croatian Golf & Spa Five Star Resort. The
former Skipper residence has now been given a luxury hotel with 22 exclusive villas, heated pools and a golf course.
The hotel has 186 rooms and suites (two presidential suites,
650 square metres, with swimming pools on the terrace)
a 3,000 square metre spa area, outdoor and indoor swimming pools and numerous restaurants and bars. The villas
range from 500-1000 square metres and the largest ones
have a wine cellar, sauna and small wellness area, and two
smaller apartments for staff. The resort has its own marina
with 38 berths which can accommodate mega-yachts up to
Rural tourism, more and more popular
The unique profile and organisational diversities of households emerged through the development of tourist services
in the rural households of Istria. These specifics depend on
resources, the occasional or permanent residence of the
household owner at the service site, the structure of services, organisational model and agricultural production. Starting from these factors, the following types of rural households were profiled in Istria:
•
•
•
Agritourism (15 households)
Rural holiday home (143 households)
Rural B&B (17 households)
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•
•
Rural family-run hotel (10 households)
Holiday on wine road (5 households)
Agritourism is tourism where there is domestic agricultural
production. In addition to accommodation services, these
households offer short day trips and visitors can enjoy the culinary delicacies prepared with the household’s own produce.
of Olive Oil, The Route of Wild Asparagus, The Route of the
White Truffle, The Route of the Sea Scent and The Route
of Agritourism and Local Cuisine, along with restaurant recommendations, taverns, wine roads and highways of olive
Photo: Juraj Kopač
Rural holiday homes are traditional Istrian houses, completely renovated, whilst still showing respect for the ambience and the use of natural materials. Guests can rent
the whole house with the appropriate outbuildings, and although they have complete privacy, contact with the host
still exists.
Rural B & B (bed & breakfast) is a household which, along
with sleeping arrangements, offers breakfast, made from
the household’s own produce. The customer is accommodated in the host’s own house but has privacy as his quarters are separated from those of the host.
Rural family hotels are small, intimate hotels, set up in period buildings, with a capacity of up to 35 beds. As they are
run by the owners themselves, there is interaction between
guest and host. The services are tailor-made, and there are
many additional features. The sites in the area are pointed
out to the customer and the hotels produce their own individual products.
Holidays on the wine road include households specialised
in wine production. The customer is able to view the production and consume the products. Since the wine cellar and
the guests’ bedrooms are situated very close to each other,
there is no need to drive, and a few more units of alcohol
are allowed.
Investments for 2010
In the next two years, the Maistra hotel company plans to
continue with its ambitious investments in order to provide
a broader range of opportunities and a higher level of quality which will change the perception of the city of Rovinj
and place it among the must see luxury tourist destinations
with year-round business. The construction of a new hotel,
the ‘Lone’, which will be the first interior designed hotel in
Croatia (the investment is worth around 300 million kuna)
started in 2009. The already initiated investments in the resort Amarin are soon to be resumed and include the construction of a wellness hotel with a total value of 160 million
kuna.
In Novigrad, 500,000 kuna is being invested in religious
tourism, namely in the restoration of the Church of St.
Mary of Karmela. Among other novelties of the town are
panoramic evening boat rides with views of the medieval
walls of Novigrad, and the Gourmet Guide of the Cluster
- a new brochure with the gastronomic itineraries of the
Umag-Novigrad tourist region, which includes: The Route
of Walled Towns, The Route of Istrian Teran, The Route of
Istrian Malvazija, The Route of Momjan Muscat, The Route
oil. Every description of the itinerary is accompanied by a
corresponding map marked with the routes.
Camping
istria is a camping destination with a longstanding tradition,
recognized by many lovers of this type of tourism. Large
investments in raising the quality of service and accommodation in campsites are planned for 2010. Guests will be
happy to hear that all campsites are abolishing reservation
fees for 2010. The amount paid for reservations will be calculated and refunded on the check-out invoice.
Istrian campsites have won numerous Croatian and international awards for quality, such as the German automobile
club award ADAC, the ANWB, Alan Rogers and Confedercampeggio. In 2009, the Camping Park Umag was awarded
ADAC’s prestigious European award, Superplatz camping,
especially significant because tourists from Germany account for 31% of all campers visiting Croatia.
The Croatian Camping Union (www.camping.hr), with more
than 160 members, notes as many as 18 campsites in Istria
as the best Croatian sea side campsites.
Stars of Istrian campsites
Camping Park Umag is the biggest and best Istrian campsite, situated in the beautiful countryside with excellent,
well maintained sandy and rocky beaches and a variety of
amenities like swimming pools with waterfalls and castles
as well as a botanical eco-park of indigenous vegetation.
Close by is the famous Stella Maris, with an abundance
of restaurants, shops and sports facilities which can be
used by campers as well as guests of the Stella Maris resort. Between Umag and Lovrečica lies the quiet and intimate campsite Finida, with hidden coves, sandy and rocky
beaches and a paved sundeck. Campsite Pineta is situated in nearby Savudrija, in the western part of the Croatian
coast. Its 1.5 kilometre long sea front has rocky and sandy
beaches, a restaurant, and terrace for evening entertainment with live music, pizzeria and several cafes. Campsite
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Lanterna, between Novigrad and Poreč, stretches along
three kilometres of sandy beach in a pine and oak forest,
and has two swimming pools with hydromassage, and an
abundance of other associated services. The best campsites in the vicinity of Poreč include Bijela Uvala and Zelena
Laguna whose sports, entertainment and gastronomic facilities are some of the most comprehensive on the Adriatic.
Both campsites have separate parts for naturists on their
beaches. Close to Vrsar are campsites Valkanela, Porto
Sole and Orsera, which is situated very close to the Dušan
Džamonja sculpture park. Opposite Brijuni, near Fažana,
is the most recently completed tourist centre in Istria, the
Bi Village, fully equipped with a variety of accommodation
units and a large apartment village.
Nudist campsites
The best and most popular Croatian naturist campsites
along the coast are found in Istria. In the opinion of the
International Naturist Federation (INF), Rovinj Valalta deserves the best ratings. In order to monitor and follow trends
in naturism and tourism in general, Valalta is equipped with
a wellness centre and a marina, it has beer from its own
brewery, constant regulation of sanitary facilities, apartments and bungalows as well as the first man-made sandy
beach in Istria. The Croatian Naturist Society has named
two more, out of 11 naturist campsites, as the best: Solaris in Poreč and Kanegra in Umag. The oldest and largest
nudist campsite in Europe, Koversada near Vrsar, situated
on 120 hectares, with more than five kilometres of coast, is
also found in Istria.
Nautical tourism
the 445 kilometers long Istrian coastline offers 15 marinas
with a total of 3,400 moorings. Umag has one marina, Novigrad has two, Poreč has three, Funtana and Vrsar have one
each, Rovinj has two, Pula has three and Medulin has two.
They are open year-round. Most of them have organized
fuel distribution and services.
Transport connections
The need for a quality transport infrastructure arises from
the demands of international trade and an accelerated economic development, especially in tourism, one of the pillars
of the development of the County of Istria. Therefore, great
efforts are invested in inter-regional connectivity within
Croatia and involvement in the broader European area. The
most developed in this sense is road transport, which covers internal needs well and contributes to a more harmonious development of the coastal area and inland Istria. In
recent years, increasing investments have been made in
the maintenance and construction of port infrastructure.
Istrian Y Motorway
The expansion of the Istrian Y motorway began in October 2008. It was planned in stages so that all the work on
the duplication of the road network is completed as soon as
possible. Completion of works is expected within the next
two and a half years, and the investment is around 313 million euros. The expansion of the motorway will introduce a
new tariff system; a closed toll system where the user will
pay only for the part of the motorway he has travelled on.
As a part of the expansion, the concessionaire Bina-Istra
will build two roads which will not be a part of the concession area and for which there will be no toll, but they will
be submitted to the management of Croatian Roads or the
County Road Administration. The roads in question are
link roads; one of them is 1.5 kilometres long and links the
Umag intersection to the state road D200 heading towards
the border crossings Kaštel and Plovanija and the other is
an 8 kilometre long link road from the Pula intersection (Istrian Y) to Pomer (Medulin) and should unload traffic entering the city of Pula.
Air traffic
Pula airport in the County of Istria has been open for international and domestic air traffic since 1967, relying mainly
on tourism development. The airport capacity is 1,000,000
passengers annually and the capacity of the terminal building built in 1989 is based on the maximum expected turnover of 10 aircraft and 5,000 passengers at a time. The
airport is able to receive larger aircraft due to favourable
weather and technological conditions and as such serves
as an alternative port in Croatia and for airports of neighbouring countries. Fifty percent of visitors from Russia and
Ukraine visit Croatia via Pula airport. There is a smaller airport in Vrsar, which is also open to international flights in
summertime, while Medulin has a tourist airport.Locations
in Karigador and Buzet are used for sport gliding and kite
flying (paragliding).
Maritime Transport
Istria County has 445 kilometres of coastline. A significant
development in maritime affairs occurred in 1850 when an
Austro-Hungarian Empire war port was built in Pula. The
construction of the entire port of Pula, its coast, shipyards
and breakwaters dates from this period. Due to the breakwater and its natural characteristics and geographical location (it is naturally shielded and has sufficient depth), the
port of Pula is considered to be one of the best natural harbours on the Adriatic coast. The County of Istria encompasses seven important ports: Pula, Brijuni, Rovinj, Poreč,
Novigrad, Umag and Plomin.
Istria has a permanent ferry connection with the island of
Cres via the ferry route Brestova – Porozina. Among other
maritime travel links, there is a connection from Pula to Mali
Lošinj and Zadar during the high season, and several tourist boat links from tourist centres (Poreč, Rovinj, Umag and
Pula) to Venice and Trieste, also during the high season.
What we are proud of
Famous guests
Istria has been adored and visited by some of the world’s
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most famous personalities: from the writer of ‘The Divine
Comedy’, Dante Alighieri, and the famous bacteriologist
Robert Koch, who worked on suppressing malaria in the
early 20th century, to the German writer Thomas Mann.
Irish writer James Joyce resided in Pula for a period of time.
Josip Broz Tito, who managed to retain Istria as a part of
new Yugoslavia after the Second World War, liked to come
here on holiday. He usually resided on the Brijuni islands,
where he entertained various statesmen and members of
the jet-set and regularly visited the Pula Film Festival.
In recent years, the Brijuni islands have been visited by Princess Caroline of Monaco and her family, as well as Naomi
Campbell, John Malkovich and many others. Brothers Ralf
and Michael Schumacher bought villas worth several million
euros near Buje and Umag, and Austrian baron, Friedrich
Mayer Meinhof from Salzburg settled down near Tinjan.
In February 2009, the famous American actor Nicolas Cage
filmed scenes for his new film ‘Seasons of the Witch’ in the
nature park Kamenjak. Although most of the scenes were
filmed in Austria and Hungary, the film crew also picked one
location in Istria. Cage filmed the scene in which he appears
as a castaway on the tip of cape Kamenjak in Premantura,
near Pula. The waves on the day of filming were high, which
was nature’s way of making sure that the scenes remain
convincing. The story takes place in the 14th century, and in
addition to Cage, the cast includes Ron Perlman, Stephen
Campbell Moore, Robbie Sheehan, Claire Foy and Stephen
Graham. Directed by Dominic Sena, the film should be in
the cinemas by 2010.
singing or playing ‘roženice’ (a type of sopila), specific to
Istria, the northern Croatian Coast and some of the northern
Adriatic islands. The most authentic ‘thin and fat’ singing
is performed by two male voices, where one voice sings in
the normal register (fat) and the other in a falsetto, imitating
‘roženice’ (thin). It can also be sung by combining a male
and a female voice or by two female voices.
An original gift and a nice souvenir
the story of the Istrian souvenir
Original Istrian souvenirs are objects that, despite all their
simplicity, say a lot about Istria and the people of the region.
They attract great interest because they represent a blend
of traditional and contemporary culture. The manufacturers
of these souvenirs are mostly turning to traditional heritage,
while seeking the way to best express Istrian uniqueness
– kažun (a tiny stone cottage), national dress, bukaleta
(earthenware jug), cottages, sopele, various types of medals, goats and Boškarin are just some of the many themes
that have, in the form of souvenirs, migrated from fields,
taverns and coffers to fairs and market stalls, and become
available to everyone.
Film crews also visited Motovun, Grožnjan, Buje and
Draguć, shooting scenes for the latest film directed by
George Lucas, ‘Red Tails’. The new movie is the famous
director’s first project after capturing the world with ‘Star
Wars’. Although the studio scenes are being filmed in the
Czech Republic, Istria and Croatia are the main locations
for authentic outdoor scenes which depict the southern Italy
of 60 years ago.
Dry stone walls and ‘kažun’
People who lived in this area a hundred years ago worked
the land daily. They often had to scramble stone, which
they collected to partition their allotments. The larger stones
would be placed on the bottom as firm foundations and
smaller stones would be laid on top. By doing so, they created long dry stone walls often measuring kilometres. Their
harmonious patterns still inspire admiration today. Kažun
is a little field shelter built in dry stone - stone without any
mortar. As well as for shelter, it was used for monitoring the
fields and vineyards before the harvest. The origin of the
kažun cannot be linked to a single ethnic group as the buildings are older than any known colonies of the Istrian peninsula. They can be found mostly in the southern and western
part of Istria and are the region’s most famous symbol.
In 2009, Istria hosted a number of big names from the
music industry, including Elton John, Michael Bolton and
Sinead O’Connor, who performed in the Pula Arena, and
Paul Young, who appeared in Rovinj to celebrate the end of
the summer season. In Umag, the ATP gathered top world
class tennis players like Nikolay Davydenko, David Ferrer,
Novak Djoković and Mario Ančić. Jazz concerts in Grožnjan
featured more world-class names such as Georgia Fame
and blues master Ian Seagal, while Sam Paglia, the ‘Godfather of Italian lounge’, performed at the Pula Jazzbina.
Bukaleta (earthenware jug) with a soul
Pottery in Istria was produced in the Buzet and Labin regions. Small barrels, jugs, pumpkins and bukaleta were
used for drinking. Bukaleta were rare and expensive, and
were ordered from craftsmen for weddings and celebrations. The bukaleta has not significantly changed its appearance throughout history- its paunchy lower part, created on
a potter’s wheel, narrows towards the top and then spreads
in a fan opening. The bukaleta has a handle for holding the
jug and a stem for pouring liquid.
Singing in the ‘thin and fat’ manner on the UNESCO list
The UNESCO list of cultural heritage contains hundreds
of natural and cultural monuments, and in 2009, singing in
the ‘thin and fat manner’ was added to the UNESCO List
of Intangible Cultural Heritage. ‘Thin and Fat’ is two part
singing in narrow intervals, a peculiar way of traditional folk
Red Wine Soup
Istrian red wine soup (supa) has long been an important
part of the Istrian miza (meze). To prepare ‘supa’, pour 9
decilitres of warmed red wine- Borgonja or Teran- in a bukaleta (earthenware jug), add a teaspoon of sugar, olive oil,
a little black pepper and warm, toasted slices of bread. Take
a long spoon and serve the supa to your friends who can, if
they want, drink it in a traditional friendly Istrian manner – by
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sharing with others at the table!
somewhere else in this part of Istria?
Tales, legends, myths
Blue flags fly on 43 beaches and three marinas in Istria
The Crown of King Tomislav
According to legend, the royal regalia of the Croatian King
Tomislav remain hidden in the tame Blaz bay, abundant
in springs. Striving to gain the Croatian-Hungarian throne
during the 15th century, different aristocratic parties each
supported their own candidates, and as the king of both
states had to be crowned by both the Hungarian crown of
St. Stephen and the Croatian crown of King Tomislav, it was
crucial for the winner to seize both crowns. In the 15th century, a fleet set sail towards the Kingdom of Naples carrying
the Croatian royal regalia for the coronation of their king,
but the opposing party also sent their ships with different
regalia. The two fleets clashed in the bay of Kvarner but
the vessel which carried the regalia of King Tomislav hid
in Blaz bay, where all the regalia were then hidden. What
happened to the regalia thereafter is not recorded in any
documents, but a strange event took place three hundred
years later in the nearby village of Belavići. A Venetian governor touring the Istrian villages and towns collecting tax
stopped, as usual, for a banquet at the house of the village mayor, Grga Belavić. When everyone was drunk, the
host briefly disappeared and reappeared again before the
distinguished guests with the royal crown on his head, the
sceptre, robe and other regalia. When the guests sobered
up the next day, the governor vaguely remembered seeing
something strange and asked the host what it was. The host
firmly denied everything. Could this mean that the crown of
King Tomislav is still hidden in Belavići, in the Blaz bay, or
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ACI MARINA PULA
A/C Polari beach, Rovinj
A/C Sirena beach, Novigrad
Borik beach, Poreč
Brulo beach, Poreč
Katoro beach, Umag
Marina Parentium
A/C Bijela Uvala beach, Poreč
A/C Istria Funtana beach, Vrsar
A/C Koversada beach, Vrsar
A/C Mareda beach, Novigrad
A/C Porto Sole beach, Vrsar
A/C Ulika beach, Poreč
A/C Vestar beach, Rovinj
A/C Zelena Laguna beach, Poreč
Amarin beach, Rovinj
Ambrela beach, Pula
Bi val beach, Fažana
Brioni beach, Pula
Crnika AC Lanterna beach, Poreč
Djećje Igralište beach, Fažana
Donji Špadići beach, Poreč
Galeb AC Solaris beach, Poreč
Girandella beach, Rabac
Gradsko kupaliste beach, Poreč
Histria beach, Pula
HN Bellevue beach, Poreč
Lanterna beach, Rabac
Maslinica beach, Rabac
Olivia beach, Poreč
Skipper beach, Umag
Špadići - Materada beach, Poreč
St. Andrija beach, Rovinj
TN Belvedere beach, Vrsar
Vala beach, Vrsar
Valeta beach, Poreč
Hotel Delfin beach, Vrsar
Hotel Galijot beach, Poreč
Hotel PC Lotosi beach, Poreč
Hotel Mistral beach, Novigrad
Hotel Parentium beach, Poreč
Kanova beach, Umag
St. Andrea beach, Rabac
Tehnomont Marina Veruda, Pula
A/C Valkanela beach, Vrsar
T.N. Villas Rubin beach, Rovinj
Useful links:
www.istra.hr; www.istra.com; www.istria-gourmet.com;
www.istria-bike.com; www.istra-istria.hr;
http://more.istra-istria.hr; www.airport-pula.com;
www.bina-istra.hr; www.hak.hr; www.autotrans.hr;
www.brioni.hr; www.fils.hr; www.pulapromet.hr;
www.venezialines.com; www.usticalines.it;
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Dalmatia - Zadar
www.zadar.hr
Photo: Romeo Ibrišević
www.jadrolinija.hr; www.dialysisholiday.org;
Natural heritage
The Zadar region, situated in the north part of the Dalmatian
coast, and the three-millennia old City of Zadar as its urban
center are referred to as the “gate to national parks”. Its
unique geographic position literally opens the door to five
national parks - Paklenica, Krka Falls, Plitvice Lakes, North
Velebit and Kornati – you can see all of them in just one day
and each one of them reveals breathtaking beauties.
According to the Croatian Tourism Strategic Plan for the period 2010-2014, Croatia will be profiled as a high value lifestyle
destination with well-preserved natural and cultural treasures. Accordingly, the region of Zadar, Dalmatia will seek to
position itself on the international market as the “enchanting
Adriatic“, building its image on the multitude of islands and
nature parks. In comparison to other parts of Dalmatia, it will
offer the unique atmosphere of Robinson tourism.
Let us present the most beautiful parts of the Zadar region.
Canyons of Velika and Mala Paklenica, with a number of
hiking trails and cliffs ideal for rock-climbing are situated just
a few kilometres from the coastline, and pose a challenge
for all nature lovers, hikers and adventurers. The flora of this
area is specific to the rock vegetation and there are more
than 4,000 different animal species. Built of limestone and
dolomite, Paklenica is characterized by the abundance of
karst phenomena, especially caves, amongst which the biggest and most abundantly decorated is the cave Manita Peć
(www.paklenica.hr). Paklenica National Park covers only a
part of the Velebit Nature Park, the largest Croatian mountain, declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO
(www.velebit.hr).
Kornati – a phenomenon that goes on (www.kornati.hr)
The intact nature of the protected area, plant and animal
species, caves and pits on the woody mountain and its
slopes is in complete contrast with the view from the heights
reaching the lacy network of islands within National Park
Kornati, stretching through Zadar and Šibenik Counties.
Photo: Milan Babić
The Zadar archipelago has a total of 365 islands. Around
150 smaller and larger islands and reefs form National Park
Kornati, consisting mostly of bare rock, special blue sea
and vertical cliffs plunging into its depths. This true nautical
paradise full of bays, tame little ports and hidden beaches
is an inevitable part of the itinerary for every navigator that
comes to the Adriatic, as well as modern Robinson Crusoes
looking for solitude and wanting to enjoy the intact coast
and crystal clear sea.
NP Paklenica (www.paklenica.hr) is an area of unusual
contact between the sea and the mountain, rich in natural
forests of beech, black pine and mountain pine. This is a
habitat for the endemic plant called pjeskarica in Croatian
(Arenaria orbicularis) and other plant and animal rarities,
filled with karstic forms. It is famous for some parts of Mala
Paklenica and Velika Paklenica. NP Paklenica covers an
area of 96 km2. Vaganski vrh is the highest peak (1,757 m)
and the area was declared a national park in 1949. A unique
event has been held in the park for the last 10 years - Big
Wall Speed Climbing - a traditional meeting of climbers with
an international competition in speed climbing on big rocks,
held annually in May.
Nature Park Telašćica (www.telascica.hr) is the woody
part of Kornati and one of the safest natural bays for navigators in the Adriatic. The salt lake of Mir, having a temperature higher than that of the sea, is an intriguing natural
phenomenon. The Mediterranean vegetation in the tame
karstic plains is a habitat for mouflon and has been a place
for rest and hunting since the Roman era.
Vrana Lake (www.vransko-jezero.hr), only 800 meters from
the sea in some places and including an ornithological reserve, is the largest natural lake in Croatia, abundant with
freshwater fish and, thanks to the mixing with the sea, with
eels as well. This is the only egret habitat in the coastal part
of Croatia. Visitors to the reserve can obtain a license for
fishing on Vrana Lake and rent a rowboat for the purpose.
There are few such landscapes, including mountain peaks
and island bays, providing active holiday options organized
by agencies or individually through numerous bike tracks
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Photo: Ivo Pervan
by the sea or in the mountains, trekking, paragliding, free
climbing and speleological activities.
Cultural and historical heritage
Just like nature, the culture and history have been generous
in the Zadar tourist region that has been populated for three
millennia.
Zadar
www.tzzadar.hr/ www.visitzadar.net
Capital of Dalmatia for centuries and presently the center
of the region, Zadar is a city with rich monumental heritage
of global significance that is still present everywhere you
go. What makes the city particularly attractive is its natural
position in the middle of the Adriatic coast, surrounded by
four national parks. Zadar is the urban, administrative, economic, academic, cultural and political centre of northern
Dalmatia and has a population of around 90,000. Thanks to
its geographic position, it has a mild Mediterranean climate
– the average air temperature is 25°C in summer and 7°C in
winter, while the mean sea temperature in summer is 23°C.
Zadar became the capital of Dalmatia in the 7th century and
remained so until 1918. Along with the cobbled streets of
the peninsula and the centre of the old part of town, the
city boasts the stone church of St. Donat from the 9th century, the biggest known Roman Forum on the Adriatic,
the Romanesque pearls, the churches of St. Anastasia
(Sv. Stošija) from the 13th century and St. Grisogono (Sv.
Krševan) from the 12th century, the Church of St. Simon
(Sv. Šime) with the gilded silver chest of St. Simon from
1380 – a gold work of great value and an exquisite part of
Zadar’s medieval goldsmithery, where the saint’s relics are
stored. The oldest university on Croatian soil was founded
in Zadar in 1396, making it one of the oldest university cities
in Europe. The Sea Organ has become a modern icon of
the city. This unique architectural marvel was built recently
in the underwater part of the city’s waterfront. By passing
through the musical pipes set under the sea, the waves and
Photo: Ivo Pervan
currents create an incredible sound, the so-called ‘sea music’, which can be heard over a wide area along the promenade. ‘Greeting to the Sun’ is another work by the architect
Nikola Bašić, situated at the very top of the Zadar peninsula. It consists of three hundred multi-layered glass plates
placed on the same level as the stone-paved waterfront in a
circle 22 metres in diameter. It is conceived as a spatial installation in the form of an amphitheatre around which there
is a stylish display of all the planets in the solar system and
their orbits.
According to the words of the famous Alfred Hitchock, this
is the exact part of the waterfront from which one can view
the most beautiful sunsets in the world.
The town of Nin (www.nin.hr), the oldest Croatian royal
town where the Croatian state was born, located 18 kilometers from Zadar, has preserved the old Church of St. Cross,
the smallest cathedral in the world, for 12 centuries. Only
36 steps long, the small church in Nin was built according
to the positions of the Sun throughout the year, so it serves
both as a clock and calendar and as a place for prayer.
Biograd na moru (www.tzg-biograd.hr), was a prominent
Croatian town between the 10th and the 12th centuries when
the first Croatian king Koloman was crowned there. Today,
it is a typical small tourist town that has developed into a
significant nautical center attracting navigators from across
Europe thanks its excellent position in the middle of Pašman
Channel.
The town has four art collections: Archaeological, Ethnographic, a collection of paintings and a historical department. The most interesting display is the content of the
cargo ship from the 16th century. It is a part of a unique collection on the Adriatic and contains over 10,000 unique and
invaluable items. A themed trail called ‘Through the Medieval Sidraga and Luka’ starts in Biograd and leads through
the Biograd and Benkovac areas for a duration of 7 hours,
bringing visitors closer to the historical values and natural
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Photo: Juraj Kopač
features of this region.
Cultural offer
The historical part of Zadar is irresistible to all lovers of historical monuments and cultural heritage. One of the most
important sites to visit in Zadar is the Church of St. Donat,
the symbol of the city. Zadar is also home to numerous museums and collections; the Permanent Ecclesiastical Art
Exhibition “Zadar’s Gold and Silver “, situated in the Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary; the Archaeological Museum of Zadar (established in 1830), one of the oldest and
most important in Croatia, with 80,000 items dating from the
Stone Age to the late Middle Ages; the National Museum
with the Art Gallery and the Natural Sciences Department;
the Maritime Museum, which displays the development of
nauticsin northern Dalmatia, and the newly opened Museum of Antique Glass, home to the largest collection of glass
objects from ancient history in this part of Europe, dating
from the early period of the Roman Empire to Late Antiquity
(1st -5th century).
The treasury of the Parish Church “Gold and Silver of
the Town of Nin” , located on the historic islet next to the
parish church of st. Anselmo. It preserves the oldest and
most valuable relics from the Croatian church history. Museum of Nin’s Antiques – the present layout arranged in
seven different rooms includes all important historical eras
relating to development of Nin and each of the eras is divided into several thematic units, supported by numerous
archeological materials, thematic legends, reconstructions,
models, photographs and layouts. The museums contains a
reconstruction of two old Croatian ships - Condura Croatica
found in Nin and Serilia Liburnica, a Liburnian ship found in
the port of old Aenona (Nin) where the Zaton Tourist Resort
is currently located.
The numerous islands around Zadar also have a valuable
historical heritage. The entire area is very indented, which is
why it is particularly popular among navigators. The island
of Pašman has a special place among them with its two
valuable monasteries – the Franciscan one from the 14th18th century and the Benedictine one from the 12th-15th century. The latter is important as the only active Benedictine
monastery in Croatia and has a valuable collection of old
painting and an attractive position. There is another beautiful Franciscan monastery on the islet of Galevac next to the
island of Ugljan. The islands around Zadar also have old
forts such as Kaštelina on Vir and Sveti Mihovil on Ugljan,
towers like Toreta on Silba and one of the most beautiful
Croatian lighthouses in Veli rat on Dugi otok. However, the
most valuable cultural heritage of Zadar’s islands is found
on the largest island of Pag, the island of salt, cheese and
lace, connected with the mainland by a bridge with another old tower next to it. The town core of Pag from the 15th
century is known for its regular streets planned by the famous Croatian architect George the Dalmatian. The center
features the Church of Assumption of Virgin Mary from the
same period.
The regions of Ravni kotari and Bukovica in Zadar’s hinterland are also abundant in valuable cultural and historic
monuments. The monuments associated with the Templar
knights and Ivanovci in Croatia. Their center was in the town
of Vrana and the famous Vrana Priors played a key role in
the governance of the medieval Croatian state until the town
fell in Turkish hands in the 16th century.
Entertainment and art
numerous festivals, including the ‘Zadar Theatre Summer’,
the Pag Summer, Dream Zadar, Musical Evenings in St.
Donat, the Mitra Zonata – a festival of the sea organ, Kalelargat – a festival of street artists, The Garden Festival
- festival of electronic music, Millennium Jump - a host of
activities related to the sea and Zadar, of which the most
famous is the head dive into the sea from the Zadar waterfront, and many other cultural events, complement the
summer months entertainment programme which fills the
streets with traditional Dalmatian songs and customs. One
of the most attractive events is the Night of the Full Moon, a
festival of traditional, fishermen’s and gastro customs of the
Zadar region, islands and hinterland. The public lighting in
the center of Zadar is turned off and people rejoice, sing and
dance under the light of the Moon, torches and lanterns.
During the winter carnival, summer carnival and the season,
Pag offers a rich culture, entertainment and art program.
Zrće is a long pebble beach near Novalja on the island of
Pag, a synonym for wild summer fun, often referred to as
the Croatian Ibiza. During the high season, Zrće can receive
several thousand bathers. The beach offers various sport&
recreation and entertainment facilities, as well as quality catering establishments. The young ones have fun day and
night at the Aquarius, Calypso and Papaya discotheques
and numerous smaller bars. Zrće flies the Blue Flag, which
means that the bathers have clean sea, showers, toilets and
a lifeguard services.
In Kali on the island of Ugljan, they hold the traditional event
called the Kali Fishermen’s Nights – Tunuara in summertime when the Moon in full, where guests are told about the
lives and customs of the people in this small island town,
which has also been the biggest fishing center on this side
of the Adriatic for over 50 years.
The town of Biograd is home to a number of events: the festival of native food, drink, gastro-delicacies, souvenirs and
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Photo: HTZ
folklore, the ‘ Biograd Summer Games’, the ‘Biograd Night’
and the ‘Biograd Boat and Charter Show’.
Gastro corner
Pag cheese – a trademark of the island of Pag
Pag cheese is one of the trademarks of the island of Pag,
well known outside the Croatian borders. What makes Pag
cheese special and different than any other cheese is its
firmness and saltiness, rather than the production technology. Pag sheep are bred on hills and the grass there is exposed to salt due to frequent bora winds and full of essential
oils. Such sheep food gives Pag cheese a distinctive aroma.
The young cheese is much softer and lighter in taste and is
available during the winter months and the first months of
spring. The mature cheese is very suitable for grating.
Pag lamb – a rare delicacy
One of the true traditional delicacies found on tables in the
Zadar region are dishes made of lamb, especially lamb from
the island of Pag where sheep graze on herbs covered with
salt brought by bora winds and full of essential oils, providing the meat and milk with a special taste.
If you supplement this symbol of top gastronomy with an appetizer like Pag sheep cheese, the winner of many awards
at European contests, and some Posedarje prosciutto, the
gastro experience will be complete. All this should be accompanied with some fruits of the fields of Ravni kotari, fertile thanks to the tame hinterland and four rows of islands,
protecting the coast from strong winds.
The centuries-old tradition of Posedarje Dalmatian prosciutto
Posedarje prosciutto is made in the Posedarje Prosciutto
Plant, relying on centuries of tradition in production of Dalmatian cured- meat products. The traditional production,
and especially the drying on Velebit bora carrying a herbal
aroma, give the prosciutto unique taste and aroma.
Homemade olive oil – a production tradition of 2 thousand
years
The Zadar region has hundreds of thousands of olive trees
used for production of homemade oil of exceptional quality and aroma. The olive growing tradition in the region is
over 2000 years long, which is confirmed by the remains
of processing devices in the town of Muline on the island of
Ugljan. Olive oil is primarily used a condiment for seafood
delicacies and boiled vegetables.
The secret of the liqueur for emperors and kings
Desert liquer Maraschino, has been produced in Zadar for
centuries from native varieties of the maraska cherry and its
original recipe has never been disclosed. Zadar’s famous
beverage factory keeps many interesting stories from the
history of this drink in its archives. Maraschino has been
exported to all European imperial and royal palaces since
the 18th century, and was drunk by the most powerful rulers
of the world, won over one of the greatest conquerors of the
19th century, Napoleon Bonaparte, who especially enjoyed
it after lunch or dinner, it was worshipped by the French
kings Louis XVII, Charles X and Louis Philippe as well as
the Russian Tsar, Nikolai I. The British King, George IV,
sent his ships to Zadar to collect hundreds of crates of Maraschino for the royal court in London and the governors of
Malta and Corfu. In 1871, on the orders of Queen Victoria,
Maraschino was loaded onto the British ships in the port of
Zadar. On 26th September 1887, the Prince of Wales - later
King George V - was travelling through Zadar, and on that
occasion personally visited the Zadar liqueur factory and
presented an order for a large number of bottles of Zadar’s
famous specialty. Maraschino was drunk on the first and
last voyage of the legendary Titanic and Honoré de Balzac
wrote about it in his novel ‘Un début dans la vie’ in 1842.
Šokol is an original product that has been prepared in Nin
and the surrounding area since ancient times. The preparation method is a secret of each family preparing it. The
beginnings of šokol date back to the 17th century. Šokol is a
cured-meat product obtained from pork neck. It is prepared
in a similar way as prosciutto – it lies in sea salt for three to
seven days, put in red wine and covered and stuffed with
condiments – pepper, cloves and nutmegs. Such meat is
put in a special cover and tied with a string in a special way,
then left in smoke for a few days, and then exposed to bora
wind. After a few months of drying in an airy room, šokol is
ready to be tasted. It is interesting to know that each šokol is
different, depending on the meat processing secrets, while
the winter bora is the most critical factor for šokol quality.
Quality and diverse accommodation
in the wider area of Zadar (Borik, Puntamika, Diklo and
Petrčane) there are numerous hotels and recreational centres. Hotels in Zadar are fully equipped and offer additional
facilities, from swimming pools and tennis courts to beach
volleyball. Hotel Bastion is the first hotel to have opened in
the historic centre of Zadar and the Zadar peninsula in the
last twenty years. It is a four star boutique hotel with exclusive interiors, a restaurant, conference rooms, and 28 contemporary rooms and suites. It boasts an exclusive location
within the city; it is built on the remains of the Kaštel fortress,
near the picturesque square of three wells, the Arsenal and
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The Garden, a lounge bar owned by UB 40 drummer, Nick
Colgan.
Zadar is a great tourist destination with numerous accommodation facilities, from villas and apartments, to rooms,
B&Bs and campsites. The city has eight marinas which are
well equipped and each will provide a safe haven and the
highest quality service. Zadar is the only town on the Adriatic coast where it is possible to moor large cruisers in the
city centre, close to the major tourist attractions – the Sea
Organ and Greeting to the Sun.
Visiting rural areas of the Zadar County, Primorje, Ravni Kotar and Lika, tourists can experience the ambiance of family
farms and stone houses, live the rural ideal, taste the local
food and stay in the accommodation.
Congress tourism in the Zadar region provides excellent
possibilities in Hotel ‘Kolovare’, ‘Pinija’ in Petrčane and the
Hotel Borik complex that has 3-star and 4-star facilities and
receives over 2 thousand visitors, completely renovated
over the past years and transformed into one of the most
beautiful hotel resorts in Dalmatia.
Novelties
The Austrian Falkensteiner group, which owns the tourist
complex Borik in Zadar, opened the first of three hotels in
their new resort in Petrčane in the summer of 2009. The Diadora Hotel has 250 rooms from 33 to 47 square metres. All
rooms have a separate sleeping area for children, a living
area, bathroom with bath and shower, internet connection,
minibar and flatscreen TV. The hotel also has interconnecting rooms and rooms suitable for people in wheelchairs. Diadora is exceptional in that all activities designed for adults
are offered to children as well. This means for example that
both adults and children can enjoy the benefits of spa programmes. Falky-Land spreads over 1,000 square metres
and is intended exclusively for children. It is equipped with
a day nursery for infants, baby area, cinema, TV room and
children’s disco.
The family Hotel Diadora is the first major investment on the
Punta Skala peninsula to have opened its doors. Works are
planned to continue on two further hotels – the Aparthotel
Senia and Hotel Jadera, at the end of the tourist season in
early November. Hotel Jadera will be the first five star hotel
in the Zadar County and will be aimed mostly at adults without children. Guests who decide to vacation in Aparhotel
Senia will be able to use the services of the hotel at an additional cost. The entire resort can welcome 1,000 people,
and the total investment will amount to 220 million euros.
The award winning Holiday Village Zaton near Nin is the
largest holiday campsite in Dalmatia. It is fully renovated
and lies on land covered with pine trees. Next to the campsite, there is a holiday resort with a sports centre and a
beach particularly suitable for children and non-swimmers.
The Park Soline Campsite received major investments
and is proud to present its four star and ADAC Super-
platz and ‘Simpathy and Quality’-Federcampeggio awards.
A new four star hotel has opened in Biograd. Hotel “In” is located on the edge of the urban part of town, overlooking the
marina, only 300 metres from the sand and pebble beach. It
has 44 rooms, of which 3 are for people with special needs,
parking for hotel guests, a relaxation zone, wellness centre
with indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Turkish and Finnish
saunas, gym, showers with cold water and massage rooms,
a sun deck with a cocktail bar, showers and whirlpool, a
tavern with a terrace, an aperitif bar with a terrace and business centre with a congress hall and 2 elevators.
The Museum of Antique Glass is located in the beautiful
Cosmacendi Palace on the “muraj” in Zadar and it opened
in May 2009. The museum exhibits glass materials dating
from the period of the early Roman Empire to Late Antiquity, that is, early Christian examples from the 1st-5th century. Apart from exhibits unearthed in the Zadar region, the
museum will be home to ancient glass from the whole of
Croatia. With this museum, Zadar will become a focal point
for the study of ancient glass.
International Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar UNESCO Category II Centre - Underwater Archaeology in
Croatia has in recent years made significant progress and is
implementing a quality system of recognition, research and
protection of underwater archaeological sites. The centre
of these activities will now be the International Centre for
Underwater Archaeology in Zadar (MCPA). This new centre
was opened in September 2007 as part of the Croatian Conservation Institute, the scientific and professional institution
founded by the Republic of Croatia. In January 2009, the
centre received its legal independence. Croatia was among
the first countries to ratify the 2001 UNESCO Convention on
the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage; the reason
for which the centre was established. Following the ratification, UNESCO accepted the Croatian initiative and declared
the MCPA a regional category II centre under the auspices
of UNESCO. The MCPA will have a significant role in terms
of training and sharing knowledge and research in the region, with focus placed on the countries of southeast Europe and the wider Mediterranean region. Given the nature
of archaeological artefacts and sites, intensive cooperation
with other countries in the region is predicted.
The ‘Ways of Petar Zoranić Ninanjin’ project dedicated
to the first Croatian renaissance poet and author of the
first Croatian novel (‘Planine’, 1536) provides for functional
renovation of the Nin Park in memory of the great author,
including informative signage, children’s playgrounds, etc.
The ultimate goal of project is to design and organize a thematic journey covering the area of three counties, where
tourists would be taken to see all the places described in
Planine. This thematic journey is supposed to offer tourists
a new interesting experience of learning about the natural,
cultural and historical attraction of Zadar County, Lika-Senj
County and Šibenik-Knin County. The idea is to enrich this
journey with actors who will tell stories from the novel at
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Photo: Milan Babić
important sites.
Active tourism
Anića Kuk in Velika Paklenica - among the abundance of
rocks in the Croatian karst, the massive 350 metre rock
Anica Kuk in the Paklenica National Park poses a special
challenge for climbers, with over four hundred climbing
routes, some of which are among the toughest in Europe.
Climbing meetings, competitions, schools and camps are
regularly held there.
The entire basin of Mala Paklenica is not easily accessible
and is therefore less visited, the reason for which it is
defined as a ‘wilderness zone’, where the griffon vulture
nests. Of several large speleological caves in the National
Park, the most beautiful is Manita Peć, situated in the
lower part of Velika Paklenica. The explored length of the
cave is 175 m, and there are impressive huge underground
chambers, the largest one measuring 65 metres in lenght
and 32 metres in height.
The first Škraping, a combination of climbing, jumping, running, walking and orienteering in the countryside, whose
name comes from the word for Dalmatian sharp stones
or rocks ‘škrape’, was organised in 2006 on the island of
Pašman. The creator of the race is a sports coach and top
expert in athletic running, Josip Tomić from Biograd, and
the project was designed and created by the members
of the island’s association called ‘Trs’. For three years in
a row, Škraping was held on the island of Pašman and
in 2009, it was organised on the island of Ugljan. These
islands, along with Pag and Dugi Otok boast a network
of well maintained trekking and mountain bike trails.
Primošten.
Winnetou tourism in Starigrad Paklenica
www.rivijera-paklenica.hr
An exhibition dedicated to the German writer Karl May,
based on whose novels a series of movies about the Indian chief Winnetou were filmed in Croatia in the 1960s, has
opened in Starigrad Paklenica. Triggered by the continuous
interest of tourists wanting to visit the locations on which
as many as eleven films were shot, the local Tourist Board
formed a thematic route called The Winnetou Trail, which
takes visitors on a tour of the most beautiful natural sites,
the most famous of which are in the Paklenica, Krka and
Plitvice Lakes National Parks, Velebit Nature Park and the
canyon of the river Zrmanja. During the past few years, a
Winnetou Trail event has been held in Starigrad Paklenica.
It gathers fans of Karl May, Winnetou movies and nature
and includes organised tours of the filming sites in the company of the film crew, activities such as riding, archery, film
and literary evenings and entertainment programmes in the
country style. The event is held from 29th May – 5th June.
The capacity of Zadar’s Gaženica Port grows
The new Gaženica Port in Zadar will be completed by 2013
and will receive three million passengers. The investment
is worth 220 million euros. It will be financed by EIB (European Investment Bank) and KfW (German Development
Bank). Its construction, including all internal roads, terminal
buildings and car waiting areas, will provide the conditions
for loading and unloading of a substantial number of passengers and cars, including 6 local ferries between 50 and
150 meters in length, 3 international ships between 150 and
200 meters in length, and 3 cruisers between 250 and 300
meters in length. The New Gaženica Port is expected to
become the homeport to many cruiser companies.
The Novigrad Port has eleven yacht cabinets (220 V and
380 V power and drinking water). Novigrad offers archery,
biking, canoeing, rafting, beach volley, grass volleyball,
handball, basketball, small court and regular football, boc-
Underwater treasures
The Zadar region counts numerous islands, so divers can
find locations sheltered from waves and winds throughout
the year. The area abounds with many walls, caves and
reefs often teeming with fish, especially on the outside of
the so-called Kornati wall. It is characterized by countless
slopes, underwater crevices, caves and exceptional visibility, but an experienced diving instructor is needed to dive
many of the sites. A special scuba diving license is required
for diving in the Telašćica and the Kornati National Parks,
so those trips are organised through authorised diving centres based in Murter and in the area between Biograd and
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Photo: Andrija Carli
beliefs.
Transport connections
cie and chess.
Eco tourism
Nin Salt Plant Park
In addition to discovering history, Nin enables you to see the
traditional and natural sea salt production method. There is
an info center at the entrance to the Salt Plant and professional guides will tell you all about the history and methods
of sea salt production, as well as salt processing. You will
also learn more about the wetland habitats in Nin Lagoon
and the wealth of the bird species living there. The Nin Salt
Plant also produces special flower salt, which is a natural
source of magnesium and calcium. Flower salt is obtained
naturally and represents an ideal therapy for stress situations as it refreshes and revitalizes the organism.
Donkey Farm
The farm is situated in Poljice, 9.7 km from the sea and the
old town Nin. The visitors, especially children, will be delighted with the tour and donkey riding, while the adults will
surely be interested in donkey milk – according to folk tales,
it has various healing and aphrodisiac properties.
Ljubotić - one of the few remaining hamlets of Velebit
can be reached by a 5 kilometre long mountain road from
Tribanj-Kruščica near Starigrad Paklenica. The local site,
the ‘Gates of Velebit’, contains an ethno house with an
exhibition on the development of beekeeping in Dalmatia
and the Mediterranean, and if pre-arranged, it is possible to
taste the authentic, local specialities (ham, cheese, honey,
brandy). Nearby are Mirila stone monuments, in memory of
deceased nomad farmers who lost their lives on the slopes
of Velebit (17th-20th centuries). They represent unique funeral rituals which have been lost in the contemporary way
of living but their presence still testifies to past lifestyles and
The new motorway from Zagreb to Zadar connects Zadar
with most locations in Croatia within only 2 hours. Zadar’s
international airport, Zemunik, is only 8 kilometres from the
city centre and connects Zadar with Zagreb and a number
of other European cities. During the summer months, lowcost airlines fly to Zadar from London, Dublin, Vienna, Edinburgh, Stockholm, Pisa, Cologne, Berlin, Frankfurt and
Düsseldorf.
International ship routes connect Zadar with Ancona, Italy,
on a daily basis.
The coastal route will take you from Zadar to Pula and all
the surrounding islands.
Trains will get you to Zagreb and further to Europe.
The bus routes connect Zadar with almost all major European cities on a daily basis.
What we are proud of
Maraschino liqueur was a favorite at the English court.
King George IV used to send his war ships for hundreds
of crates of Maraschino for the royal court in London and
for the governors of Malta and Corfu. In 1871, ships carrying Maraschino for Queen Victoria sailed from Zadar Port
and in 1887, the Prince of Galles (who later became King
George V), accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, visited
the liqueur factory in Zadar and ordered large amounts of liqueur. Maraschino seduced Napoleon and his military leaders (for example, Marshall Marmonte) and it was inevitable
at the Russian, French, Viennese and Italian courts.
Zadar is the first Croatian city to have a university, way back
in 1396. It was established by the Dominicans within the
Monastery of St. Dominic.
The island of Ugljan has 200,000 olive trees.
The British Vogue magazine placed Zadar and its Sea Organ
on the list of 25 Must See Locations in 2009. The city was described as a ‘dream place that offers true pleasure’ alongside
the beauty of the Greek islands, the charms of New Zealand
beaches – where the movie ‘Piano’ was shot, and the colourful streets of Rio. The magazine, which has always been
the creator of trends, was generous in the praise of the new
Zadar trademark; the Sea Organ was described as a magical place, where it sounds as though Neptune were playing
the accordion. By including the creation of the recognised
Zadar architect, Nikola Bašić, in the world’s ‘in’ places of the
‘Fashion Bible’, Zadar received another award, which has
placed it among the elite of interesting tourist destinations,
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Photo: Damir Fabijanić
clergy and all people of Croatia.
The appearance of the Lady of Zečevo
Every year on 5 May and 5 August, pilgrims traditionally visit
the islet of Zečevo – the place of appearance of the Lady of
Zečevo. The perimeter of the islet is only 6 km. It is separated from the mainland by a gully that you can walk over
when the tide is low. Hermit monks populated the island and
built a chapel in honor of the Lady of Zečevo.
where it rightfully belongs with its beauty and attractiveness.
An original gift and a nice souvenir
pag Lace - on the UNESCO List of Intangible Heritage
Lace is the ‘white gold’ of Pag and the fondest memory that
one can take from it – an original Croatian souvenir. Together with Hvar and Lepoglava lace, Pag lace has been
under protection on the UNESCO List of Intangible Heritage
since 2009.
Created in ancient Mycenae, it was commercially transported to Pag and remained there to date. This is beautiful embroidery, a handicraft suitable as a souvenir or gift.
We recommend you put the lace on a dark background and
frame it. There are several forms and types of Pag lace. It is
different than other types of lace for being sewn with a narrow thread and for being firm. Empress Mary Theresa kept
a Pag lace maker at her court, who sewed lace for court
requirements. Pag lace was first exhibited in 1880 and was
Photo: Andrija Carli
Holiday in a lighthouse made of egg whites
One of the special offers of the Zadar archipelago includes
holidays in the Veli Rat lighthouse on Dugi Otok. Surrounded by pinewoods and pebble beaches, it accommodated
up to seven persons. An interesting legend says that thousands of egg whites are incorporated in the thick walls of the
40 meters high lighthouse to make the walls more resistant
to the sea and winds. The paved yard of the lighthouse is
adorned by an old chapel under a centuries-old pine tree.
Blue flags fly on nine beaches
and three marinas in the Zadar region.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Dražica beach, Biograd na moru
Marina Dalmacija, Bibinje-Sukošan Marina Kornati, Biograd na Moru
AC Šimuni beach, Pag
Borik beach, Zadar
Bosana beach, Biograd na moru
Iza banja beach, Sveti Filip i Jakov
Jaz beach, Preko
Mala mandra beach,Kolan
Prosika, beach Pag
TN Zaton beach, Nin Tankerkomerc Marina Zadar
Useful links
www.nin.hr ;www.grad-nin.hr ;www.zaton.hr ;
www.zaton-zd.hr; www.zadar.hr; www.tzzadar.hr;
www.paklenica.hr; www.np-sjeverni-velebit.hr;
www.kornati.hr; www.telascica.hr; www.vransko-jezero.hr;
also presented at the World Exhibition in New York in 1939.
Stories, legends, myths
The foundations of the Croatian state in Nin
Croatia was first recognized as a state in 879 in Nin. Encouraged by Croats’ loyalty to the Catholic Church and
Rome, Pope John VIII sent three letters to the new Croatian
ruler Branimir on 7 June 879, blessing the Croatian state
and people. The first letter was addressed to Duke Branimir,
the second to Nin Bishop Theodosius, and the third to the
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Dalmatia - Šibenik
www.sibenikregion.com
Photo: Damir Fabijanić
www.pag-tourism.hr
Šibenik, the best shielded natural harbour of the central
Adriatic, is situated not far from the estuary of the river Krka
and is the centre of a tourist region with two national parks
and a green hinterland that naturally blends with the coast,
a rich cultural and historical heritage and the surrounding
sea, which encompasses some 300 islands, islets and
cliffs. Of all these islands, only six are inhabited: Žirje, Zlarin
(coral island), Prvić (the birthplace of Faust Vrančić, inventor of the parachute) Kaprije, Krapanj (island of sponges,
and the lowest and smallest populated Croatian island) and
Murter (the largest island of the region, connected with the
mainland by a bridge). According to ADAC’s analysis of sea
purity, the Adriatic has been one of the cleanest seas in
the Mediterranean for years, particularly the islands and offshore parts of Dalmatia which are still untouched by pollution – a paradise for boaters. According to the Croatian
Tourism Strategic Plan for the period 2010-2014, Croatia
will be profiled as a high value lifestyle destination with wellpreserved natural and cultural treasures. Accordingly, the
Šibenik part of Dalmatia will be “the crown of the Adriatic”
and will present itself as a “nautical paradise”. The advantages of this area, according to the marketing plan, are picturesque islands and preserved authentic places.
Natural heritage
Kornati – tears, stars and breath (www.kornati.hr)
The unspoiled nature of the protected areas, plant and
animal species, and the caves and holes on the slopes of
the woody mountains are in complete contrast to the unobstructed view of the lacy network of islands in the Kornati National Park which partly stretches through the Zadar
region and is a part of the Šibenik County. The National
Park consists of about 150 small and large islands and reefs
Photo: Damir Fabijanić
which are mostly bare rock, surrounded by an extraordinarily blue sea above which huge vertical cliffs rise from depths
of up to several hundred metres. The charm of the hidden
coves will leave every sea enthusiast breathless. It was
named after the biggest island, Kornat. Fascinated by the
beauty of the densest group of islands in the European part
of the Mediterranean, George Bernard Shaw wrote: “A legend says that, on the last days of the creation, God wanted
to crown his work and made Kornati out tears, stars and
Photo: Milan Babić
breath”.
National Park Krka (www.npkrka.hr), the empire of Krka
River, the magnificent karstic beauty traveling two thirds of
its way to the sea through canyons, is a complete opposite
of Kornati. On its green path, it has seven falls, the last one
being Skradinski buk with an average flow of 55 cubic meters of water per second. National Park Krka is rich in flora
and fauna. 222 bird species live there, making it one of the
most valuable ornithological areas in Europe.
You can visit it by boat, car or on foot. Make sure you visit
the ethno museum on one of the old mills. National Park
Krka also has the only hawk training center in Croatia where
you can se presentations of hunting with hawks and hawk
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trainers’ skills (www.npkrka.hr).
Each of the islands within the Šibenik archipelago, arranged
across the vast area of the open sea, hides an interesting
feature.
Zlarin has the most famous coral divers on the Adriatic; Krapanj, a town on the lowest and smallest populated Croatian
island, is known for its sponge divers, and the island of
Prvić, near the town of Vodice, boasts two places protected
as cultural heritage by the Croatian Ministry of Culture –
Prvić Luka and Prvić Šepurine. Prvić is known as the birth
place of Faust Vrančić, inventor of the first usable parachute
in the history of mankind, who spent his childhood on the
small island (his family’s holiday mansion can still be seen
in Prvić Šepurine). He was buried in the Church of St. Mary
of Mercy in Prvić Luka according to his wish. A museum
dedicated to Faust Vrančić is also under construction. It
will include, among other things, a permanent exhibition of
some 50 models of inventions made according to sketches
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
from the inventor’s book “Macchinae Novae”.
Cultural and historical heritage
The cultural & historical monuments still demonstrate the
long-term human presence and the wealth of the local architectural skill.
The most prominent ancient sites are Bribirska glavica and
the Roman Skardona, as well as four of Šibenik’s fortifications: Sv. Mihovil, Sv. Ivan, Šubićevac and Sv. Nikola. The
Knin fortress in the town of Knin is also of paramount importance for the tourist offer.
Šibenik Fort was created in the 9th century. The city itself
was first mentioned in 1066 in the deed of donation of the
Croatian King Petar Krešimir. Established by the Croats
over a millennium ago, the city keeps some of the most
valuable works of Dalmatian art on its streets and squares,
such as the city hall, a masterpiece of Croatian architecture,
or the Cathedral of St. Jacob, a magnificent world of George
the Dalmatian from the 15th century. The cathedral is on the
list of World Historical Heritage protected by the UNESCO.
The cathedral was completed after 105 years, built solely
with stone from the islands of Brač, Rab and Korčula and
it is the only building in the whole of Europe created using
a traditional tongue and groove technique to connect the
stone tiles, which means that there is no bonding agent between the tiles. Šibenik is also known as a Dalmatian town
with the largest number of churches in the old town centre. Once there were 24 churches, and today 13 have been
preserved and can be visited during a walk through the old
town centre.
Šibenik was the first Croatian town that made its own money under the Venetians. The Šibenik Museum was established on 20 December 1925 at the thousandth anniversary
of the Croatian Kingdom and is situated in the former Ducal
Palace right next to the Cathedral. It consists of an archeological and cultural & historical section dealing with more recent history and an ethnographic section. A restoration and
conservation workshop operates within the Museum. They
engage in collection, keeping, treatment and presentation of
the cultural & historical heritage of the Šibenik region.
National Park Krka hides two special historical and cultural
pearls – the Monastery of St. Archangel of Krka and the
fairytale-like Visovac Monastery.
The Franciscan Monastery of Visovac is located on an
islet in the middle of a green lake formed by Krka River.
Since 1400, it has been populated by hospitable Franciscans keeping precious items, old paintings and artwork.
The area around Krka has many remains of old settlements,
prehistoric sites and remains of Roman waterworks, which
are protected as a cultural monument.
The town of Skradin, which was first mentioned way back
in 339 B.C., still keeps traces of the old Illyric settlement.
Primošten, a picturesque town built on a small island during the Turkish threat, used to be protected by a wall, towers and a drawbridge connecting it with the mainland. The
channel between the island and the mainland was later
filled up and the Primošten Island became a peninsula.
Situated at a crossroads, Knin has always been very important strategically. The Croatian Kings Trpimir, Držislav,
Zvonimir and Petar occasionally had their seats there and it
was also the seat of the archbishopric stretching all the way
to Drava River.
Bribirska glavica, an attractive archeological site, is referred to as the Croatian Troy for its mystical combination
of nature and wooden buildings. Because of its strategic
position, it was the central settlement of the entire region
for six thousand years. An old Liburnian settlement, Roman
Municipality of Varvaria or mythical Bribir under the reign of
the powerful Croatian feudal ruler, Governor Pavle Šubić
of Bribir – all civilizations recognized the importance of this
seemingly unimportant hill. Stroll around and find ancient
sarcophagi, tanks and “ceramic refrigerators” (two meters
thick Liburnian and ancient walls), remains of sacral buildings, and a rich collection of of exhibits from the prehistoric
era to the late Middle Ages. The Tureta Forrt on Kornat
dates back to the late ancient or early medieval era. It was
within the fortification system controlling navigation through
the Adriatic. It is assumed to have been created as part of a
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Photo: Šime Strikoman
submarine archeological sites and dating back to periods
between the 3rd century B.C. to the Middle Ages. The exhibits include ancient ships, German warships and historical Croatian ships including falkuša, kondura, strijela and
galleys from Dubrovnik and Hvar. The aquariums offer 150
kinds of seashells, crabs and fishes, including some rare
species like the green wrasse and lake char that have not
Photo: HTZ
Templar monastery from the Illyric era.
Entertainment and art
The International Children’s Festival, the only one of its kind
in the world, takes place every summer on countless stages
such as Šibenik’s streets, steps and squares, the coast, the
park, the cathedral and the theater.
They put on children’s shows from across the world in city’s
outdoor areas and only the youngest ones are allowed to
rule the city’s areas at the time (www.mdf-si.org).
The Dalmatian Chanson Festival, a music event presenting authentic and warm Dalmatian songs, has become one
of the trademarks and a special summer event in Šibenik.
(www.sansona-sibenik.com)
Music lives in every corner of Šibenik, which now has 6 historical organs and 4 modern ones, making it the leader in
the number of the instrument in Croatia.
This is the reason why organ lovers come together in
Šibenik every year and research sacral music.
The Medieval Fair in Šibenik, an event that takes place every year in late July, is aimed to preserve the folklore and
ethno heritage of the region, especially handicrafts, souvenirs and original products made of wood and metal.
(www.sibenik-tourism.hr)
Šibenik is known for its long tradition of klapa singing, which
dates back to the late Middle Ages, the time of old Dalmatian brotherhoods. Juraj Šižgorić, the famous humanist,
describes his first impressions of folk singers in Šibenik as
early as 1487 in his work ‘De situ et IIlyriae Civitate Sibenici’. He also mentions the singing of lamentations, which
proves that female singing was widespread on our coast.
Songs were developed alongside folk poetry as a reflection
of the way life. In order to preserve the priceless tradition of
klapa singing, the “Evenings of Šibenik Klapa Songs” are
held every year in July and August.
Hacienda in Vodice and Aurora in Primošten are two most
popular discotheques in Dalmatia. In summertime, thousands of young people from Zadar to Makarska come together in the open air every night. Vodice has the first open
private Maritime Museum and Aquarium. The museum
contains old fishing tools, ship models and items found in
been caught in the past forty years.
Gastro corner
The cuisine of the Šibenik region is a typical Dalmatian cuisine with plenty of fish and seashells.
The specialties include Šibenik mussels, well known for their
taste and size, especially those picked in the area where
Krka River flows into the sea not far from Šibenik Bridge.
The Šibenik area is well known for its high quality mature
Dalmatian smoked ham. The prosciuttos from Miljevci, Pakovo Selo and Drniš have won numerous awards and are
especially valued. Brudet (fish broth) is one of the oldest
and most loved Dalmatian dishes. Other specialities include
salted anchovies in olive oil and lamb cooked under a lid.
The wines of Šibenik’s coastal area and the islands are
widely known, especially the autochthonous Babić variety
from the vineyards of Primošten – thanks to their beauty,
the unusual geographic position and the barren land on
which they grow, they have become a true monument to
hardworking peasants. It is no wonder their painting adorns
the lobby of the United Nations building in New York.
Rural tourism
Etnoland Dalmati is the first theme park of its kind in Croatia, which opened its doors to visitors in mid-May of 2007.
It is situated in Central Dalmatia, only 10 minutes from National Park Krka in Pakovo Selo (15 km from Šibenik). With
an area of 15,000 square meters and a capacity for 500
people, it acquaints the visitors with the life of the Dalmatian
hinterland as it once was. The complex consists of an old
Dalmatian house, a coral for the animals, a wheat thrashing facility, an old crafts workshop, a wagon-making area (a
unique venue for shows), a roofed restaurant and a small
Dalmatian marketplace as a souvenir shop. The workshops
presenting old, somewhat forgotten crafts, the visitors can
meet a stone carver, a seamstress or woodworker and learn
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about how they lived and worked in the barren rocky land.
The highlights among them are the Dinner and Dancing,
including a guided tour of the ETNOLAND, wine and Drniš
prosciutto tasting, a traditional dinner with guitars and mandolins, and an authentic folklore show.
Jurlinovi dvori, a place of preserved and restored autochthonous stone architecture of rural estates where guests
can stay and see the ethno heritage, hear some traditional
and historical stories and try the local delicacies, is situated
in Primošten Burna, only eight kilometers from Primošten.
The ‘Vukovića Dvori’ farm is situated on a wooded hill overlooking the Prokljansko lake. A pedestrian path leads us to
the Prokljansko sea, where the river Krka merges with the
Adriatic Sea. After swimming and relaxation one can take
an easy walk towards the Vuković estate where a master
chef will prepare refreshments. The Vuković court was built
more than 200 years ago and has recently been renovated
in accordance with tradition and the natural surroundings.
Dubrava Hawk Training Center is a must-see for those
who want to experience of touch of wilderness and adventure in the heart of the Mediterranean. They have bred
various species of birds of prey for many years. The visitors
can enjoy watching the hawks fly or close proximity of these
skillful hunters. Numerous professionals will tend to injured
or otherwise endangered birds at the bird clinic to enable
them further flying.
A network of hiking and biking tracks intensifies the systematic and permanent enriching of the rural estate offer in the
Šibenik & Knin region, as well as the implementation of the
boats. The’Bird of Prey’ paintball club is situated in the village of Jadrtovac and is open throughout the year.
The ‘Solaris’ resort has clay tennis courts, volleyball courts
and a mini golf course. The hotels ‘Punta’ and ‘Olympia’ in
Vodice offer diving as part of the diving club, tennis and cycling. Thanks to the extremely large number of islands, bays
and cosy coves that provide safe berths for sailors, there
are particularly great opportunities for nautical tourism.
Falcon Centre Dubrava is a must for those who want to
feel a touch of wilderness and adventure in the heart of the
Mediterranean. Numerous species of birds of prey have
been bred here for many years. Visitors can enjoy watching
falcons fly and be in the extreme vicinity of these master
hunters. In the shelter for injured and endangered birds, numerous experts work in the rehabilitation programme.
Jumping from Šibenik Bridge - Legend has it that bungee
jumping originated on the Pentecost islands in the South
Pacific. Since July 2000, bungee jumping is available in
Croatia, from the bridge on the main coastal road, 4 km from
Šibenik. The bridge is 40 metres high, and the jump safety
system is 19 times stronger than the maximum load.
wine road and olive road projects.
In the Jadrija district of Šibenik, there is a whole range
of pleasant winds for surfing: the Bora and moderate
Scirocco (south wind) in spring and autumn, and Tramontane (northern wind) and Mistral in the summer.
Several of the islands close to the coast provide safe surfing regardless of the skill and knowledge of the surfer.
In addition to numerous smaller archaeological sites (Kornati, Lavsa, Žirje, Smokvica, Muljica) and various geological
formations of the Kornati southern belt, the Šibenik archipelago is interesting to divers because the northern and southern Adriatic sea beds connect in this location. The clear sea,
cliffs and reefs, caves and deep valleys hide many undiscovered wrecks. The area is relatively unexplored because
diving was prohibited by military strategic systems implemented during Yugoslavia. In addition to shipwrecks close
to the islands of Kapri and Mala Smokvica, tourists can see
underwater cascades, reefs and caves along the coast of
the island of Drvenik. More underwater walls and caves can
be found around Primošten, and there is a cave near the
island of Tmara, where divers have named one of the reefs
“the Cathedral”.
Active tourism
A quality and diverse offer
The Šibenik region has organized bike tracks around
Šibenik, Vodice and Primošten.
On Murter, they hold underwater fishing competitions ever year.
The largest wellness center in Croatia can be found within
the Solaris hotel complex in Šibenik. It consists of six pools
(two of them with seawater) heated to a temperature of 28
degrees Celsius. The indoor freshwater pools and underwater massages are heated to 30 degrees and provide,
among other things, massages by underwater geysers,
counter-current swimming and falls. The hotel also has the
Dalmatian Village, a replica of a typical Dalmatian hinterland village with an offer of autochthonous Dalmatian food
and beverage and an extensive daily folklore and harmony
Photo: Sergio Gobbo
In the Mattiazzi Arboretum in Brodarica, the Association for Therapeutic Riding and Equestrian Club Pegasus
organise therapeutic and recreational riding in a beautiful
green environment with access to the sea. The lakes have
become the destination for international competitions in Big
Game Fishing. Enthusiasts of the sport enable guests to
participate in the exciting hunt for tuna in specially equipped
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singing program.
Hotel Punta is located in a pinewood on the Punta peninsula, 100 m from the beach. The complex is a separate
entity, situated only 10 minutes on foot from the center of
Vodice. The sea is crystal clear and the beach is protected
from the open sea by several islands. Only a few hundred
meters farther is a sandy beach suitable for children and
non-swimmers. The complex comprises Hotel Punta and
the Arausa, Arausana and Antonina annexes. Hotel Punta
is classified as four stars and has quality rooms, suites and
a state-of-the-art wellness center on 150 m2.
Opposite the centre of Vodice is the island of Prvić, where
the private hotel “Mistral” can be found. It has a capacity
of only 12 rooms and is the base for the British swimmers’
group ‘Swimm treck’, who come to the island every year and
swim between the islands of the Šibenik archipelago.
The islet of Prišnjak, only 300 meters from Murter, has had a
lighthouse since 1886, surrounded by pinewood and offering
an apartment for rent. Those who prefer absolute quiet, peace
and privacy are recommended to spend their holidays here.
The newly built Hotel Spongiola on the very shore of the
picturesque little island of Krapanj is surrounded by magnificent pinewoods. Built in the place of the former sponge
diving cooperative, it fits perfectly into the town with its autochthonous architecture. Hotel Spongiola is the only hotel in Krapanj, which has traditionally been populated with
sponge divers, and its location is in the very center of the
town. Diving is an integral part of the hotel’s offer and the
owners, diving enthusiasts, prefer to call it a diving center
for its structure and top diving equipment.
Novelties
The visitor centre ‘Bunari-tajne Šibenika’ (Wells – secrets
of Šibenik) reopened in June 2009. It is located in the medieval water tank of the town, next to the cathedral, and
tells the story of Šibenik. New artefacts testifying to the history of the city will complement the existing exhibition. The
centre was closed for three years, but now, in addition to
the exhibition space on the upper floor, there is a furnished
modern internet cafe on the lower floor, which will host various events, promotions and concerts throughout the year.
A four star hotel, Villa Radin, has opened in Vodice on the Punta peninsula. It has twelve luxury rooms and one apartment,
outdoor pool, conference room and a high quality gastronomic
offer. The four star Hotel Duje opened in 2009 and is the first
hotel in Srima. www.hotel-villa.radin.hr; www.hotelduje.com
Hotel Olympia 4* in Vodice offers accommodation in newly
refurbished Superior rooms, and boasts a new wellness
centre, three conference halls equipped with the most advanced AV technology and a multi-purpose sports hall.
Transport connections
The Šibenik region is reachable by the modern motorway
coming from Rijeka, Zagreb and Zadar and going further
to Split and Dubrovnik, as well as by train from Zagreb. Airplanes land in Split and Zadar airports, which are both 45
away from Šibenik.
Ferry routes run to all islands of the archipelago.
What we are proud of
Latin Sail
Every year on the Holiday of St. Michael, guardian of the
Murter Parish, they hold the Latin Sail regatta. It always
starts in Hramina Bay and the contestants only use Latin
sails on traditional boats classified into three categories:
leut, gajeta and kaić. This is an opportunity to revive memories of the time when the residents of Murter only had one of
the traditional types of boats and oars to reach their estates
on Kornati and Modrave. If the wind was good, they also
used Latin sails. Thanks to their numerous estates on the
mainland (Modrave) and the neighboring islands (Kornat,
Žut, Sit), the ancient trademark of the Mediterranean – the
Latin sail - has survived longer on Murter and is more deeply rooted than on other islands of the Adriatic.
The Murter Latin sail is different than others for its sharp top
part. This made it easier to navigate around the little islands
near Murter.
In terms of the number of vessels and contestants, the
regatta has eventually developed to such extent that it required its own organizational body, so they established the
Murter-Betina Latin Sail Association. The Latin Sail event
always includes a rich culture/entertainment/education program. They demonstrate maritime skills and have lectures,
exhibitions, evenings of the native language in the authentic
ambient of a Kornati house, and a traditional grilled sardine
brunch on the Old Quay. The regatta concludes the week
and they always sail on the peasant routes of the old resident of Murter.
The awards for the best contestants must be original and
serve the basic purposes of Latin Sail – originality, youth,
experience and honor. The awards include the sail, mast,
oar, rudder and ropes.
Lady of Tarac
The area around the Tarac plain is without a doubt the
first colonized place on the islands of Kornati. In Željkovci,
a neighboring plain, they found a Neolithic axe and both
plains are surrounded by numerous Liburnian tumuli. Apparently, the Tureta Fort was built in the 6th century on a hill
above Tarac, its military crew ensuring safe sailing through
the Kornati Channel. Tureta is the only fort in the Adriatic
from the era that has not been destroyed.
At the same time, they built the Church of St. Mary at the
foot of the hill, between a small cove and the plain – it
served as a shelter for sailors waiting for more favorable
sailing conditions in the protected coves of Šipnat, Levrnaka
or Telaščica. In the late Middle Ages, they built a chapel
dedicated to the Lady of Visitation in the main nave of the
church, which the locals refer to as the Lady of Tarac. On
the first Sunday of July, they hold a mass there to bless the
plain and the sea. Hundreds of boats participate in the vo-
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tive procession. This is one of the most beautiful and most
interesting religious events in Croatia.
red corals from Zlarin, they make beautiful necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
Wells – the secrets of Šibenik
In the very center of Šibenik, only 50 meters from the Cathedral of St. Jacob, hides a plateau with an old water supply
facility referred to as the 4 Wells, its entrance opposite the
entrance to the Cathedral, behind high stone walls. It was
used until the middle of the 20th century. After a few decades
during which it was forgotten and abandoned, conservators
reconstructed all four stone well crowns, renovated the floor
and gave it its former appearance. The area can receive several hundred people and is ideal as a summer stage for small
concerts, shows, etc. The well crowns on the terrace were
carved by Juraj Mihajlov of Zadar and Marko Petrov of Apulia. Squeezed between the stone fronts of the surrounding
palaces, the crowns and the area around them have been
out of tourists’ reach for a long time, although this is one of
the most beautiful areas in the historical part of the city. The
reservoir complex now offers an interactive multimedia exhibition telling the story of Šibenik through 7 pictures.
Once representing the main line of business, the red corals from Zlarin are now available as jewelry in the ethno
museum and the Zlarin Coral Shop where they present the
traditional jewelry-making methods.
‘Vodicke žudije’ (Roman soldiers)
The unique feature which distinguishes the Easter celebrations in Vodice from celebrations in other cities are
the Vodice ‘žudije’ (Roman soldiers). They participate in a
special way in the Easter liturgy from Holy Thursday to the
Great Sabbath. ‘Žudije’ are young men dressed in uniforms
of Roman soldiers who represent their role in Jesus’ passion. The ‘žudija’ tradition has been nurtured in Vodice for
more than a hundred years and there are strict rules which
prescribe who can be a ‘žudija’ and how they must be.
‘Žudija’
begin
their
service
on
Holy
Thursday towards the end of the Lord’s Supper mass.
Dressed as Roman soldiers, with a mace and arrows, they
approach the altar and continue to guard the tomb of Jesus until his resurrection. On Good Friday, they join the
procession through the town, following Jesus who bears a
heavy cross. Their mission ends on Holy Saturday, when,
during the mass, they fall down and flee while two angels
announce Jesus’ resurrection.
An original gift and a nice souvenir
Šibenik bagatin (traditional silver coin) - Šibenik was the
first city which forged its own money during the Venetian
rule. The nine-man Council of Venice approved the development and the introduction of small money in the city of
Šibenik – the Šibenik bagatin, which was the twelfth part
of the Venetian solda, the value of which was 30 Venetian
ducats. Bagatin was a means of payment in the city for more
than two centuries. As determined by the decree on forging,
on one side of the coin was the figure of St. Mark, the patron
saint of Venice, and on the other, the figure of St. Mihovil,
the patron saint of Šibenik. Immediately after Šibenik, other
cities began forging their own money: Split from 1490, Zadar from 1491, Trogir from 1492 and Hvar from 1493.
The people of Krapanj have extracted the Krapanj sponge,
well known and appreciated on the European market, since
the 17th century. The people of Krapanj adopted the sponge
diving skill from the Greeks and the tradition has survived
to date.
The red coral of Zlarin, whose extraction was once the
main profession of Zlarinians, is now available in the form of
jewellery in the museum and ethno-coral shop Zlarin, where
the traditional way of making jewellery can also be seen.
Krapanj sponge, known and respected on the European
market, has been extracted by the people of Krapanj since
the 17th century. They learned the skill of sponge extraction
from the Greeks in the 13th century and have kept the tradition to this day.
Stories, legends, myths
How Šibenik was created – in the year 1066, Croatian
King Petar Krešimir IV mentioned a fort in one of his documents. It was situated in the most indented part of the Adriatic coast, hidden between islands and channels, right next
to the estuary of Krka. In addition to the fort, the document
mentions a settlement under its walls. Unlike other towns
in the Adriatic that were created by the Illyrians, Romans
or Greeks, this was the first settlement on the coast established by the Croats. The fort mentioned by the King has
eventually become as the Fort of St. Michael, while the settlement was later named Šibenik.
George the Dalmatian – His era represents the golden age
of the Croatian medieval art and his most beautiful creation
is the Cathedral of St. Jacob in Šibenik, reflecting the urban life of the time and being a masterpiece of sculpture.
The entire building consists of stone elements only (with no
wood or brick) and features 74 surprisingly realistic portraits
of his fellow citizens carved in stone.
Blue flags in the Šibenik–Knin County can be found on
three beaches and six marinas
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
ACI MARINA JEZERA, Tisno ACI MARINA VODICE
Bijela plaža Solaris, Šibenik
Danuvius marina Tribunj Marina Betina, Tisno
Marina Frapa, Rogoznica Marina Kremik, Primošten
Šibenik buttons once adorned the local folk costumes.
They are now available in jewelry shops. Combined with
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Dalmatia - Split
www.dalmatia-cen.com; www.dalmatia.hr
Photo: Romeo Ibrišević
8. Plava plaža, Vodice
9. Plaža Lolić, Pirovac
Central Dalmatia with its culture, heritage and lifestyle is an
inevitable place to visit, have fun, relax and enjoy a tradition
of 1,700 years!
Way back in the year 305, Roman Emperor Diocletian, who
literally had the entire world under his feet, chose the center
of Dalmatia to build his villa in and enjoy the last ten years
of his life.
The former imperial Diocletian Palace is now the populated
historical core of Split, the second largest city in Croatia, the
permanently young, noisy and hectic tourist and economic
center of the region, surrounded by smaller tourist towns
and islands and providing them with its sea gate.
According to the Croatian Tourism Strategic Plan for the
period 2010-2014, Croatia will be profiled as a high value
lifestyle destination with well-preserved natural and cultural treasures. Accordingly, the Split part of Dalmatia will
become the ‘Adriatic inspiration’, presenting the Dalmatian
way of life and culture.
Cultural and historical heritage
No other place has two cities with monumental heritage under UNESCO’s protection registered in the World Cultural
Heritage within just 30 km like Central Dalmatia does. They
are the Diocletian Palace in Split and the historical core of
the town of Trogir. Salona, the former center of the Roman
province of Dalmatia, is situated between them.
Works of stone, marble and wood, created by inspired artists in Central Dalmatia from ancient times to modern days,
have not been confined to churches and museums – they
Photo: Damir Fabijanić
can be found on houses, facades and in historical urban
wholes, most of them true urban masterpieces of Romanic
and gothic styles.
These small towns and urban wholes provide their guests
with peace and solitude, as well and wild nights with a touch
of the Mediterranean south.
Artistic creations in stone like the portal of the Trogir Cathedral made by Master Radovan in 1240 are truly spectacular,
while Bonino of Milan, George the Dalmatian, Andrija Aleši
and Nicholas of Florence created their best works here. The
walnut tree doors to the Split Cathedral, the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world, a part of which was build on the
Emperor Diocletian’s mausoleum, were made by Andrija
Buvina in 1214 and recorded in the history of the European
Romanic wood sculpture.
The inspired region rich in tradition has produced great
painters like Emanuel Vidović, one of the most famous Croatian painters from the late 19th century and the early 20th
century, and Ivan Meštrović, originally from Otavice near
Drniš, whose works adorn museums and galleries across
the world. In addition to the series of his artworks exhibited in the Meštrović Gallery, his monument to Bishop Grgur
Ninski situated next to the north entrance to the Diocletian
Palace is particularly impressive. According to a legend, if
you touch his big toe, your wishes will come true.
Several theaters are active in Split, including the Croatian
National Theater built in 1893 and organizing the Split Summer and Marulić Days theater festivals. They also have the
Youth Theater and the Split Puppet Theater.
The Museum of Croatian Archeological Monuments, a capital Croatian cultural project, was established in 1893 in Knin,
while the Archeological Museum from 1820 is one of the
oldest museums in Croatia. Split also has the Split Cathedral Treasury containing a valuable collection of sacral art,
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Photo: Sergio Gobbo
the Ethnographic Museum established in 1910, the Historical & Maritime Museum and the Museum of Natural History.
‘The most beautiful city in the world’
www.visitsplit.com
Split is a city living a slowly paced life, which you will soon
get used to. The feeling that every day is a holiday here, the
squares, restaurants and cafés full of people and the inevitable quay refreshed by mistral in summertime and protected from the cold by the Mediterranean sun and the palace in
wintertime – to put it in a nutshell, you will feel right at home. Many of the 200 thousand residents refer to the largest Croatian coastal city as the most beautiful city in the world. Its
mild climate with 2,700 sunny hours a year makes it an oasis
where you can enjoy the sun even in wintertime. The ancient
city that has lived in the warmest part of the north coast of the
Mediterranean for 1,700 years is the industrial, university and
economic center of Dalmatia. In addition to many archeological, historical and cultural monuments, it has the attractiveness and warmth of a contemporary Mediterranean city.
Photo: Josip Madračević
Photo: Milan Babić
The Klis Fort was built on a cliff. The Uskoks prevented
Turks from passing to Split from there – the Turkish Army
never got past the Klis Fort.
Brač stone in buildings around the world
www.otok-brac.info
Brač, the biggest island of the Split archipelago, is slowly
becoming a suburb of Split. It is very well connected with the
center of the region by boat. This is the place of the most
glorious white stone carving tradition – the stone is still collected in the local quarries. Brač stone was used to make
the Parliament and the New Court in Vienna, the Parliament in Budapest, the Diocletian Palace and the cathedrals
in Trogir and Šibenik. On Brač is situated the fascinating
hermit monastery Pustinja Blaca, built by Glagolitic monks
fleeing from the Turks in 1550. With its telescope and a concert piano shipped in from Vienna, the monastery still tells
stories of the culturally rich medieval life on the island.
The Dragon šilja (cave) is equally interesting; the monastery
carved in solid rock with monumental reliefs dates from the
15th century.
Brač is the island of stone, olive oil, Brač cheese, lamb,
wine, natural beauty and cultural heritage that does not
Photo: Juraj Kopač
Within the former imperial palace, Split has the smallest
and narrowest street in the world called Let Me Through
because two people cannot pass each other by on it.
A museum town of 750 steps
It is a special experience to visit the museum town of Trogir
that has throbbed with life here since the 3rd century. Its central part is only 750 steps long!
In the millennia-old Monastery of St. Nicholas, they keep a
relief of the Kairos god, the god of the fleeting moment dating back to the 4th century B.C.
Only fifteen kilometers away is Salona, the largest complex
of ancient monuments in Croatia that used to be a true cosmopolitan metropolis of Dalmatia in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, having a population of 62 thousand. The area was later
the seat of the first Croatian kings.
leave anyone indifferent.
Be sure to visit the Museum of the Island of Brač in Škrip,
which keeps all the island’s secrets, even to this day.
Hvar on the list of the most beautiful islands in the world
www.tzhvar.hr
The sunny island of Hvar is proud to be one of the most
beautiful islands in the world. It is hard to tell whether it
captures more with the harmony of history, art and natural
beauties or the luring aroma of lavender. It is worth taking a
stroll down the stone streets worn out by centuries and the
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Photo: Ivo Pervan
largest island square on both sides of the Adriatic, see the
Arsenal and visit the first municipal theater in Europe, built
way back in 1612.
cave is accessible through a narrow sea passage between
the rocks. Sunlight comes in through an underwater opening,
flooding the sea and the visitors with silver and blue colors.
The only known habitat for the monk seal is right next to it.
The Red Lake and the Blue Lake near Imotski are the best
examples of the special hydrography and morphology of
Dalmatian karst. Both lakes are characterized by a special
shape. These are cave lakes, which means they were created by collapsing of large caves.
The Kokorići Ethno Eco Village is situated in a valley southwest of Vrgorac, at the foot of Rilić and an altitude of just
85 meters. The village is only 5 kilometers from the center of Vrgorac. This is a typical Dalmatian settlement, both
for the interesting living options and the natural landmarks
and architecture dominated by stone. There is an organized
ethnographic collection in Kokorići. It reflects the rural lifePhoto: Sergio Gobbo
Natural heritage
Regions that boast as much natural diversity as the SplitDalmatia County are rare.
The chain of mountains, among which is one of the highest
in Croatia, which divides the continental hinterland from the
Mediterranean beach ambience is among the most beautiful
in the world; sea shallows and the open sea, wild rapids and
quiet riverbeds, the most beautiful islands of the Mediterranean and harsh rocks with endemic species in the middle
of the sea, deep lakes and a wealth of unexplored subterranean caves. Central Dalmatia represents a harmony of urban areas in an exceptionally well preserved environment of
the populated coast with the longest natural pebble beaches,
Dalmatian pine trees on the mainland and a series of green
islands. This particularly applies to Makarska Riviera and
Brela – many people agree this is an area of the most beautiful natural beaches in the Adriatic and crystal clear sea.
The Biokovo Nature Park massif is directly above these
beaches and they say its feet are in the sea and its head
is in lightning. On sunny days, it speak Sveti Jure at 1762
meters above the sea provides a view reaching even the
remotest islands in the Adriatic. Biokovo is a habitat for
many endemic plant and animal species. Roaming its
sparse pastures are chamois, mouflon, eagles, wild boars,
wolves and many animals. It is well known for the phenomenon of the spectacular sunrise in the summer dawn
(www.biokovo.com), as well as for the unique
view which opens up on the central islands
of
the
Adriatic
and
the
Dalmatian
Zagora.
Adriatic waters are some of the most beautiful in the world,
with a highly indented coastline and over a thousand islands
and islets. A large part of the country’s natural riches are in
the region of Central Dalmatia - the heart of the Adriatic, so
the increasing interest from boaters from around the world
is not surprising.
Bol on Brač is marked by the popular Zlatni Rat Beach, its
appearance changing depending on the direction of the
wind and waves.
The Blue Cave, one of the most attractive natural phenomena in the Adriatic, is located on the small island of Biševo
near Vis. It is only 17 meters wide and 31 meters long. The
style and the special combination of man and his tools and
equipment he used throughout his history. 250 exhibits are
available.
Entertainment and art
The tradition of cultural events in the region is centuries-old.
Don’t miss the Split Summer – a festival of opera, drama,
music and ballet on city squares, streets and ancient area,
featuring world famous opera artists and conductors. They
also have a pop music festival, a street performers festival,
the Flower Holiday (an attractive contest between florists
held in the attractive cellars of the Diocletian Palace, the
Art Summer and harmony singing and folklore events. The
Marulić Days and the Book of the Mediterranean are held
outside the season, while the traditional events include the
Holiday of St. Cross, the Flower Fair, the Split Ball, the wine
fair, etc. The City Day is celebrated on 7 May, on the Holiday of St. Duje, the city’s guardian.
The pop music festival in Split is one of the central regional entertainment events in Central Dalmatia, known for its
noisy nights filled with music. The cellars in the Diocletian
Palace have recently become a venue for Dalmatian chanson evening concerts.
Trogir has the unique Trogir Cultural Summer. The First
House of Dalmatian Music is situated in the Fort of St. Mark
from the 15th century – a venue for all those who want to
learn about the musical heritage of Dalmatia.
Sinj’s knightly game called Alka originates from the histori-
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cal victory of the people of Cetinska Krajina over the Turks
on 15 August 1715 and is held every year in early August.
Sinj’s Alka men compete in hitting the Alka (ring) riding
horses decorated with silver and wearing original costumes
preserved in memory of the victory (www.alka.hr).
Omiš is known as a traditional venue for lovers of authentic
Dalmatian harmony singing and the organizer of the Dalmatian Harmony Singing Festival that has been held in early
July for forty years, while the town of Kaštela and its Evenings of Dalmatian Song has been a place where harmony
singers have met and presented their modern harmony
singing achievements for ten years.
Pirate Battle – Omiš’, a traditional summer event held in the
city of Omiš on the river Cetina. The unique event is based
on historical facts and reconstructs the original Pirates’ battle
that occurred in the 13th century, thus building on the brand
of Omiš as the city of pirates and developing cultural tourism.
Photo: HTZ
The battle involves members of ‘Kumpanija’ from Korčula,
Dubrovnik trombonists, Omiš pirates, and as special guests,
the Klis uskoks (16th century pirates from Klis).
Gastro corner
On Brač, they will offer you Brač lamb of a distinctive taste,
the Vitalac, an island specialty made of lamb offal, and Brač
sheep cheese in oil.
The Cetina region is known for rive crabs and frog delicacies, including frog legs in prosciutto. The range of delicacies includes the Sinj arambašiči made in wintertime from
thin slices of meat wrapped in sour cabbage leaves and
boiled with pieces of smoked meat. In summertime, the
same meat is wrapped in vine leaves!
The popular desserts include the Kaštela cake, the Makarana
cake, Vis kroštule, Dalmatian fritule and Hvar pepper cake.
Grape and wine are integral parts of the Dalmatian gastro
offer. It has recently been discovered that the most appreciated American grape variety Zinfandel originates from
Kaštela near Split. It has been a trademark of California’s
vineyards for over a century and was brought their by Croatian immigrants from Kaštela, where they still grow it under
the name of kaštelanski crljenak.
Due to the abundance of grape varieties grown in Central
Dalmatia through history and brought by the local voyagers
from across the world, they still hold the Wine Roads here
within the tourist offer. This wine event includes winemakers
both from the mainland and the islands, offering their guests
the opportunity to taste the wine in their wine cellars.
The popular wine varieties of the region include maraština,
pošip, vugava, kujundžuša, žilavka and plavac mali.
In Central Dalmatia, you can take an organized tour of forty
olive growers on the so-called Olive Roads, taste and purchase oil and visit the Olive Growing Museum in Mirca on
the island of Brač.
Agrotourism
Agrotourism is becoming a highly appreciated and recognisable form of tourist attraction. Well organised accommodation and local culinary specialties are an excellent
basis for a quality holiday. Lately, more and more rural
households recognise the need for weary tourists to relax
in a natural environment, take a peek into the remnants of
ancient customs and rediscover their farming and herding
roots. Or quite simply, enjoy the unspoiled gifts of nature.
Zagora
The journey begins in Omiš, at the very entrance of the river
into the sea. Following the magnificent canyon of the river
Cetina, a real adventure unfolds from the very start. One
can choose from rafting, canyoning or bathing in the river
rapids, and walking further on, discover numerous villages,
each telling its own story. Rural roads lead through woods
and along the river, and are ideal for walking or cycling, and
whilst working in a field or vineyard, or feeding domestic
animals, the everyday rush is soon forgotten. The rustic Zagora cuisine leaves no one indifferent and the refreshing
mountain air stirs the appetite.
Coast and Islands
If you become bored of trying to find a spot on a crowded
beach, you can head for the wooded slopes and small picturesque villages of the island. Although the villages are not
very remote, life seems to have stopped there. Old rural
households are mostly historical buildings, a real treasure
for those who like the old Mediterranean architecture. The
tavern, the pride of the host, is the most interesting part of
the household. There you can taste wine, brandy, cheese or
meat products. Sheep, goat, lamb, chicken, eggs, vegetables, olive oil and wine form the base of the cuisine.
Dalmatian zagora and rural tourism are very important for
the strategic development in the Split-Dalmatian County.
This strategic document predicts 20 million overnight stays,
an increase in the daily spend from the current 45 to 75
Euros, a total value of tourist spending of 1.5 billion, an increase in tourism employment by 20,000 people, and two
billion Euros of investment by the end of the decade.
Active tourism
Central Dalmatia is an ideal place to enjoy active tourism
and the sporting options. Bol, on the island of Brač, is an
internationally known destination for windsurfers and is the
best place for surfing on the Adriatic. The Mistral is the perfect wind for windsurfing and blows every afternoon in the
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channel between the islands of Brač and Hvar. The light
morning wind is suitable for beginners, making Bol ideal for
those who are just discovering the sport.
Adventure tourism has a great potential here thanks to the
close proximity of the Dalmatian hinterland, the green heart
of Dalmatia 30 km from the sea, with the rivers Cetina,
Jadro and Žrnovnica running through it. The tame parts and
rapids of these mighty rivers attract many lovers of canyoning, canoe-safaris, rafting and climbing on cliffs above the
rivers every day.
The entire mainland part of the region and all the islands of
central Dalmatia have bike paths. Hvar’s most interesting
sites can be seen in one day on a 45 kilometre long bicycle
tour (Vrboska - Pitve – Sv. Nedjelja - Uvala Dubovica Starigrad - Vrboska) and there will still be time for a swim in
some of the bays. The island of Vis can be discovered on a
one day tour (about 40 kilometres long) starting in the town
Vis, then going across Visko polje and over beaches and
coves of the eastern coast, towards Komiža and Podspilje,
and back.
Dalmatian Zagora is known for its long and gentle equestrian slopes. There are a number of equestrian clubs in Sinj
and the surrounding area, where experienced riders and
complete beginners can enjoy themselves, while children
can learn how to ride studs in private riding schools or on
agri-tourism farms.
Parachuting is available in Baška Voda and Brela and paragliding is available on the mountains of Dinara, Biokovo
and Vidova Gora on Brač. Biokovo Mountain has numerous
endemic plant species and is visited by a large number of
climbers, hikers, cyclists and other visitors because of its
exceptional beauty and diversity.
There are numerous diving centres on the large islands of
central Dalmatia, especially in the areas around the most
interesting sites of Čiovo, the southern coast of Šolta and
Brač, Hvar and Vis. The island of Vis is rich in attractive diving sites and wrecks among which are the caves on Biševo
and Vis (Modra, Medvjeđa and Zelena Špilja). A variety of
archaeological sites places Vis among the inevitable diving
destinations. In the Lučice bay on Brač, there is a cave which
vertically descends to 25 metres and its entrance is at a depth
of 3 metres. Greater amberjacks swim alongside divers in
the cave. The whole cave can be dived in natural light, except in the tunnel where underwater torches are required.
Religious tourism
Central Dalmatia has several major shrines, including the
Shrine of the Lady of Sinj in Sinj, Vepric near Makarska and
the Shrine of the Lady of Otok in Solin. Međugorje, the famous place of appearance of Virgin Mary is around a hundred kilometers southeast of Makarska, in the neighboring
Bosnia and Herzegovina. Another thing that makes Central
Dalmatia special is the tradition of preserving old folk and
religious customs through processions, wakes and vows,
most often associated with Catholic holidays and town
guardians. They include the spectacular nighttime processions on Great Friday on Hvar and the 34-km nighttime votive hikes from Split to the center of the Lady of Sinj in Sinj
with tens of thousands people from all over Dalmatia joining
in a few days before 15 August.
The procession ‘Za krizen’ (following the cross) on the island of Hvar has since 2009 featured on the UNESCO List
of Intangible Heritage, along with seven other such heritage treasures from Croatia. The procession is a unique rite
of special devotion and expression of religious and cultural
identity of the inhabitants of the central part of the island
of Hvar, and has been taking place uninterruptedly for five
centuries. On the night between Holy Thursday and Good
Friday, the procession links six villages on the island: Jelsa,
Pitve, Vrisnik, Svirče, Vrbanj and Vrboska.
All tourist spots, even the smallest ones, have outdoor huge
celebrations of their guardian saints for both the locals and
their guests. On 7 May of every year, they have a festival
dedicated to St. Duje, the guardian of Split, a priest whom
Emperor Diocletian had killed, defending the expansion of
Christianity in his empire. Many years later, the believers of
Split laid the bones of their saint in the mausoleum of the
Roman Emperor Diocletian.
Congress tourism
Hotels of the Split-Dalmatia County recognised the importance of business tourism and today each of the county’s
elite hotels offers several congress halls. The hotels organise both domestic and international conferences, seminars
and presentations, supported by the necessary technical
equipment of the highest standards. High quality teambuilding programmes are also on offer as well as banquets,
luxury accommodation and services which enable business
people to work but also enjoy a relaxed atmosphere.
With the construction of new hotels, Split is becoming a serious competitor to the most famous tourist destinations in
the world; along with its famously hospitable locals, great
climate and perfect geographical location, it is emerging
as the strongest congressional business centre. The construction of a new congress centre with a capacity of about
1,500 seats is planned on the site of the former barracks in
Dračevac, donated to Split by the government.
Quality and diverse accommodation
Split-Dalmatia County made the highest investments in
accommodation capacities, which is confirmed by several
awards presented to Hotel Le Meridien Lav in Split, which
has been pronounced the Leading European Conference
Hotel, the Leading Croatian Hotel and the Leading Croatian
Spa Hotel. The City of Split will have its first globally branded hotel – the present Hotel Split will be named Radisson
Resort Split after a thorough reconstruction that is under
way, and will be classified as four stars. Hotel Marjan, which
will open ahead of the 2009 season, is also being recon-
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structed. It will be classified as five stars and will contain:
320 rooms, 27 suites, a presidential suite, restaurants, a
pub, a piano bar, a wellness center, casino pools, congress
halls and other facilities.
Agro-tourism has intensively developed in the interior of
Central Dalmatian islands that used to be abandoned places on mountain slopes, and in the hinterland of Dalmatia. In
addition to the exceptional nature and the autochthonous
ambient of stone houses as they were several centuries
ago in Gornja Brela, Gornji Tučepi, Podstrana, Slime, Gati,
Tugari, Vrgorac, Brnaze, Vis and Pražnice, the guests will
be able to try the fruits and vegetables freshly picked from
the garden and the local delicacies.
Central Dalmatia also offers accommodation in three
lighthouses – on Sveti Petar in Makarska, on Sušac and
Palagruža, the remotest island. The lighthouse on this
island was built 130 years ago on a 90 meters high cliff.
Sacral sources recorded that Pope Alexander III stayed on
Palagruža in 1177 while traveling with his fleet of ten galleys. Impressed by the beauty of the island and the archipelago, he wanted to stop here and have dinner, so they
have called the area the Pope’s Field ever since.
Biokovka in Makarska is one of the most popular health
resorts in Central Dalmatia with its professional physical
therapy and the possibility of bathing in the sea in summer
months, while the Split Spa has a natural source of hot sulfuric water.
Novelties
The Split region has in recent years made the greatest step forward in improving its hotel accommodation by opening, alongside several exclusive facilities, a significant number of small, luxury family hotels.
In 2009, the owner of Hotel Marjan signed a 22-year
franchise agreement with the global chain Hilton, which
means that this completely refurbished hotel in Split will be
called Hilton Hotel Marjan Split (on the Adriatic, the Hilton
chain has so far only featured in Dubrovnik). The opening
of the hotel was postponed to the middle of 2010. Once
fully completed, the hotel will have 254 rooms, 27 luxury
suites and one presidential suite on the 11th (top) floor.
The first phase will see the completion of 220 rooms, restaurants and bars, the wellness centre, and three smaller
conference rooms. The rest of the rooms and suites and
the main conference hall should be completed the following year. The total investment in the reconstruction and renovation of the hotel will be 135 million euros.
A new Radisson Hotel has been built on the ruins of the old
Split Hotel. The first phase, worth 40 million euros, which
should be completed by the end of 2009, sees the completion of 250 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a large
conference hall, wellness and fitness centre on two thousand square metres, and an underground garage with 200
parking spaces. The second phase, worth 20 million euros,
encompasses the construction of a five star apart-hotel with
110 units and an annex with 50 rooms. The hotel is expected to open at the beginning of 2010.
The President Group built a luxury five star hotel near Gospin Otok in Solin, on the banks of the river Jadro in June
2009. The hotel is the second built by the President Group
in this area; the first is in the heart of Split, bears the same
name and has four stars. Accommodation comprises 80
single and double rooms and four suites, meaning a total of
around 160 guests can be accommodated. Along with the
restaurant and cafe, we should mention the four separate
conference rooms with capacities of 50 to 200 participants.
As the halls are constructed as amphitheatres, they will be
able to host theatre performances. Congress tourism is only
a part of the offer; the other is healthcare tourism. The hotel
has three swimming pools and a total of 10 million euros
have been invested in its construction.
Katarina is a newly built four star hotel with 74 accommodation units and 170 beds, located in Dugopolje at the exit of
the motorway to Split. This is the first hotel in Dugopolje and
its excellent location guarantees fast connections to the city
of Split as well as to the fast-growing business zone Dugopolje. The wellness centre is located on the highest, 7th
floor. The hotel is primarily designed as a business hotel,
and guests will be able to use a private Jacuzzi and sauna.
The investment is valued at 10 million euros.
Transport connections
Split is the largest travel center on both sides of the Adriatic
Sea and the third biggest port in the Mediterranean in terms
of passenger and vehicle traffic. It is equally well connected
with the world by sea, land and air.
Boats connecting the Split region with the nearby islands
and Rijeka, Korčula and Dubrovnik operate on a daily basis.
Overseas connections with Ancona and Pescara connect
the two coasts throughout the year by ferries and fast catamarans, getting you from Italy to Split in only 3.5 hours.
Split has the biggest international airport in the Adriatic and
is directly connected with dozens of European cities.
Since 2005, the low-cost airline Germanwings has connected Split with several German cities. From March 2006,
the low-cost company Wizz Air has been flying direct to and
from the city to London and Budapest four times a week,
and from 2008 also from Geneva. The island of Brač also
has an airport. Split is, moreover, a railway centre, with daily
connections to Zagreb and further connections to Europe.
Upon the completion of the motorway, Zagreb will be reachable in only 3.5 hours. The Split bypass, worth 200 million
euros, is currently under construction. Its completion will
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provide a solution for the stretch Trogir-Split-Omiš, the most
frequently used parts of the motorway in Croatia, with average daily transits of 40,000 vehicles.
lotments from the time of the Greek city of Pharos and is
the best preserved ancient allotment (HORA, AGER) in the
world. It was included on the UNESCO List of World Heritage in July 2008.
What we are proud of
An original gift and a nice souvenir
As the center of the region, Split has received kings and
rulers from the entire world for centuries. Because of its
openness and simplicity, it has been visited by film, theater,
music and entertainment stars. However, Split itself has
produced world famous names, primarily in sports, the most
famous among them being Goran Ivanišević, a Wimbledon
champion, and Nikola Pilić, coach for the Croatian national
tennis team that won the Davis Cup in 2005 and also featured Mario Ančić.
Split has 66 participants in the Olympics. It has produced
Dino Rađa and Toni Kukoč, world famous basketball stars
of the NBA. Split is also the hometown of Ivano Balić, the
best European and world handball player. Split’s sport spirit
is confirmed by the members of the Croatian national bobsled team – although they come from a seaside city with no
snow, they were an important part of the team that competed at the Winter Olympics in Turin.
The young hope of Split’s sport is Blanka Vlašić, the best
Croatian athlete and the current high jump world champion.
Raised in an athletic family, she was named after the Moroccan city of Casablanca where her father had won a gold
medal in 1983 at the Mediterranean Games. She began to
practice athletics with her father who worked as a coach
for an athletic club at the age of seven. Her above-average
height and leanness were critical for her decision to specialize in high jump. Over the past year, Blanka became the
outdoor world champion (Osaka, 2 September 2007 - 205
cm), the indoor world champion (Valencia, 9 March 2008
- 203 cm), and the Olympic vice champion (Beijing, 23 August 2008 - 205 cm). In 2007, she jumped 2007 cm in Stockholm, which was the second best result of all times and the
Croatian record.
After the sculpture of Orson Welles was uncovered in the
part of the city called Brodarica in the early 2008, Citizen
Kane has become a new citizen of Split. As it happens, Orson Welles enjoyed spending time in the city and other Dalmatian towns during the last two decades of his life. In the
late 1960s, Orson Welles met Oja Kodar, Croatian actress
and sculptress, with whom he spent 20 years before he died
in 1985. Welles made the Process in Croatia and starred in
several Croatian films like the Secret of Nikola Tesla and
Battle on Neretva. He launched several projects in Split and
the nearby island of Hvar, but never completed them.
The Old Olive Tree in Kaštel Štafilić is a protected natural
monument. It has a very attractive habitat and its age is
estimated at 1500 years. It probably originates from Italy or
Greece because this variety does not exist in this region,
which makes it particularly interesting.
Starogradsko Polje, the largest and most productive field
on the Adriatic islands, extends six miles east to Vrboska,
and on its southern slopes are the picturesque villages of
Dol and Vrbanj. This landscape, shaped by a millennia of
human work, has preserved the system of roads and al-
Hvar lace made from agave is protected by UNESCO as a
non-material heritage.
The Benedictine Convent on Hvar, established in 1664, is
now well known across the world for the agave lace – the
tradition has been exclusively cultivated here since 100 to
120 years ago and passed on from generation to generation. The work regarding the preparation of the threads is
very grueling. They take threads from fresh agave leaves,
process them and prepare them for further use in a special
way. These skills were recognised by UNESCO’s experts
for intangible heritage, and in 2009 were included on its list
of protected goods, along with Lepoglava and Pag lace.
Brač fine olive oil soaps
Brač fine olive oil soaps are made exclusively from virgin
olive oil from the island of Brač. The soap foam is made of
special plants.
Naturally obtained essential oils provide each piece of soap
with specific therapeutic properties. All this makes the skin
soft and there is no need to additionally treat it with body
milk after showering. The soaps, which can also be used
in aromatherapy, are all handmade and hand-cut and each
piece of soap is unique.
Croatian lavender – the highest quality
Croatia is one of the biggest lavender producers – thanks to
the ideal climatic conditions and soil, it grows mostly on hills
and rocky slopes of the Central Dalmatian island of Hvar.
The production is ecological and the plants are harvested
manually. Distilling of lavender flower provides essential oil
used for warm baths, aromatic candles and as oil for face
or body massage. It has always been appreciated for its
therapeutic properties and the intoxicating aroma. It is recommended for immunity boosting, stress, headache, high
blood pressure, flu, rheumatic diseases, some skin diseases, burns and insect stings. Seeing it in bloom in late June
and early July, when the lavender fields fascinate with their
aroma and the intensive purple and blue color, is a special
experience for visitors. Compared to the other European
countries where lavender is grown, Hvar’s lavender has the
highest quality. Colorful aromatic bags containing leaves
of Hvar lavender are available in souvenir shops, stores,
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hotels, pharmacies and perfume shops across Croatia. Six
years ago, Croatian lavender was pronounced one of the
main original Croatian souvenirs.
and the 900-year curse on those who killed him because
they did not want to go to war to liberate Jerusalem.
Stories, legends, myths
Blue Flags fly on 12 beaches and three marinas of the
Split-Dalmatia County .
Diocletian – The Roman emperor, a glorious military
leader, but also a haunter of Christians, retreated from his
throne in 305 and moved to his residence on the Dalmatian
coast – a palace that later developed into a city. In his villa
of around 30 thousand square meters, Diocletian mostly
practiced gardening. However, the turbulent centuries following his death turned the villa into a shelter for the residents of nearby Salona.
Legend of Miljenko and Dobrila – In the second half of
the 17th century, the noble family Vitturi of Kaštel Lukšić
had a daughter named Dobrila, while the nobleman Adalberto Rušinić had a son named Miljenko. The handsome
young man and the gentle girl fell madly in love, but a feud
between their families stood between them, so they were
forced to keep their love a secret. Their parents tried to keep
them apart and the lovers went through many troubles in
their attempt to finally be happy together. Eventually, when
it seemed the parents would accept their relationship and
allowed them to get married, Dobrila’s father killed his sonin-law Miljenko. He could not face the fact that Miljenko
would be the ultimate winner and take his daughter Dobrila
to their new home as his wife. A few months later, Dobrila
lost her senses from the great grief, fell ill and killed herself.
Her last wish was that she be buried in the same grave as
Miljenko in St. John Chapel on Rušinac from the 16th century and the tombstone still stands their with the inscription:
Peace for the Lovers.
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ACI MARINA MILNA
ACI MARINA SPLIT ACI MARINA VRBOSKA, Jelsa Plaža Apartmani Medena, Seget (beach)
Plaža Bačvice, Split (beach)
Plaža Berulia, Brela (beach)
Plaža Donja luka, Makarska (beach)
Plaža Dugi rat, Brela (beach)
Plaža Gospa gusarica, Komiža (beach)
Plaža Nikolina, Baška Voda (beach)
Plaža Punta Omiš (beach)
Plaža Slatina, Tučepi (beach)
Solin: the shrine of Croatian kings – the Church of the
Lady of Otok in Solin contains the sarcophagus of the Croatian Queen Jelena, wife of King Mihajlo Krešimir and mother of Stjepan Držislav, over a thousand years old. Queen
Jelena comes from a Patrician family, she was raised in
the Christian spirit at the turn of the millennium and was
remembered as a great spiritual and moral figurehead of the
time. Croatian King Zvonimir, who had good relations with
the great Pope Gregory VII, was crowned in the same town.
There is a popular legend about the death of King Zvonimir
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Dalmatia - Dubrovnik
Photo: Josip Madračević
Photo: Juraj Kopač
13. Plaža Stomarica, Brela (beach)
14. Plaža hotel Le meridien Lav, Podstrana (beach)
15. Vela plaža Amfore, Hvar (beach)
tural treasures. Accordingly, the extreme south, the “Dubrovnik Riviera and islands’, will be offered to guests as
an elegant tourist destination of culture and heritage.
Dubrovnik, the center of the Dubrovnik region in the southernmost part of the Croatian coast, deserves to be called
the Pearl of the Adriatic. The harmony of its centuries-old
buildings and the walls surrounding it seems to come from
a fairytale. Anyone who fails to visit this piece of heaven on
Earth will be deprived of enjoying the second most beautiful place in the world. Because one’s birthplace is always
number one.
Natural heritage
It is hard to express what makes Dubrovnik interesting in
one word – its history with the word Libertas (liberty) proudly
standing on its flag for centuries or its present as a modern
tourist riviera composed of a number of picturesque places
on the coast and islands, with plenty of legends and myths.
History still lives in this fascinating area – the beauty of the
buildings and luxurious works of art left behind by famous
sculptors, painters and architects, equally in the smallest
towns like Ston on Pelješac, Korčula, Župa dubrovačka,
Konavle and Trsteno and in Dubrovnik itself. Building villas and summer residences, man and nature went hand in
hand, intermingling with each other. This fortunate relationship resulted in one of the most impressive areas in the
Mediterranean today.(www.tzdubrovnik.hr).
According to the Croatian Tourism Strategic Plan for the
period 2010-2014, Croatia will be profiled as a high value
lifestyle destination with well-preserved natural and cul-
the natural characteristics of the area are marked by a mild
and warm Mediterranean climate of the south. This is why
it is abundant in Mediterranean and subtropical vegetation
and attractive plantations of lemons, oranges, palm trees
and agave. The coastal part of the relatively narrow area is
very diverse – from the steep rocky coastline and deep bays
to sandy beaches, fertile plains and high hills descending
all the way down to the sea. The submarine part reveals a
wonderful world of the most beautiful red corals.
National Park Mljet (www.np-mljet.hr) in the far south of
Croatia is often referred to as the most beautiful Adriatic
island because it has some truly rare sites – a lake in the
middle of the island and an island in the lake with a castle on
the island, a Benedictine monastery from the 12th century.
This almost surreal image seems to have been extracted
from the most beautiful stories. According to one of them,
Mljet was part of Odysseus’ route and nymph Calypso kept
him in captivity there.
The island of Lastovo (www.lastovo.org) belongs to the
South Dalmatian island group. It looks lonely because of its
distance from the coast, so it seems to be plunging into the
blue sky and sea. The Romans called it the Imperial Island
because of its many plains, thick forests, the beautiful string
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of islets and reefs surrounding it, countless hidden bays and
plenty of fish. In 2006, Lastovo has become the eleventh
nature park in Croatia.
The Elaphite Islands are a group of three islands situated
west of Dubrovnik. Šipan is the largest one and the group
also includes Lopud and Koločep. They attract numerous
tourists with their beautiful landscapes and sandy beaches.
Daily boat connections with Dubrovnik are available.
Trsteno is the oldest organized public garden in Dalmatia
(1502) and presently the only arboretum in the entire coastal part of Croatia. It is rich in exotic plants like eucalyptus
and camphor. Two giant plane trees over 400 years old are
unique specimens of the plant in Europe. The garden is
adorned by a quaint baroque fountain with figures of Neptune and nymphs.
The mighty Neretva River, coming from nearby Bosnia and
Herzegovina, flows into the sea in a fertile delta near the
towns of Ploče, Opuzen and Metković, creating an area of
very fertile agricultural land covered with tangerine trees
and fields of watermelon. The river is a habitat for excellent eels and mullet because freshwater mixes with the sea
here. Neretva Safari will take you through the backwaters
of Neretva overgrown with rush on traditional Neretva boats
they call trupice. The special quiet of the area is occasionally interrupted by the sound of the birds above the wetlands.
The areas around the towns of Vid, Prud and Orepak have
ornithological reserves where birds spend winters, while the
southeast part of Neretva Delta is a hatching place for many
fish species.
Mali Ston Bay, and inevitable place presented to the Dubrovnik littoral by nature, is a well known seashell farm
Photo: Damir Fabijanić
thanks to the natural nutritive salts flowing in from the mainland. Ston oysters, served in the nearby restaurants and
shipped to major urban centers, are world famous.
Cultural and historical heritage
Dubrovnik is referred to as the Pearl of the Adriatic mostly
because of its cultural and historical heritage. Even the famous George Bernard Shaw wrote that ‘those who are looking for heaven on Earth should come to Dubrovnik’.
Every historical story and legend has left its mark on the
stone facades of the historical core and the stone block of
Stradun, the surrounding streets, the Church of St. Vlaho
the patron, and the forts including Lovrijenac on a steep 37
meters high cliff that caused troubles for the Venetians who
posed a threat to the liberty of the Dubrovnik Republic, the
monuments, Dubrovnik’s knights, dukes and nobility.
One of the most beautiful fortification systems in the Mediterranean
The most distinctive element of the historical city protected
by the UNESCO are its walls, surrounding the city in an
uninterrupted chain of 1940 meters. Full of forts, bastions,
towers and separate fortifications, the walls of Dubrovnik
are one of the most beautiful and most solid fortification systems in the Mediterranean. A stroll around them provides a
true picture of all stone beauties of the city dominated by the
most popular street in Dubrovnik called Stradun, the shortest route from the east city gate to the west city gate. The
pure stone blocks of the largest street in the historical part
of the city are a venue for major city events, including the
famous Dubrovnik Summer Games, as well as a place for
entertainment and fun events, like the spectacular out door
New Year’s Eve parties.
Over the past few years, newly built Dubrovnik karakas,
replicas of wooden passenger and commercial ships from
the times of glory and entrepreneurial sprit of the Dubrovnik
Republic, have begun to sail around the city. In the late 16th
century, the Dubrovnik karaka was among the biggest ships
in the world. It now takes tourists to se hidden bays and islets around Dubrovnik and on the Pirate Tour of the Adriatic.
The peninsula of Pelješac, an inevitable place for rest and
pleasure, is the second largest peninsula in Croatia and
was once part of the former Dubrovnik Republic.
The Ston walls, the longest fortification system in Europe,
opened to the public in October 2009, after many years
of renovation. The project was financed by the Society of
Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities who, with the co-operation
and supervision of the curators of Dubrovnik, have invested
three to five million kuna annually. Further deterioration of
the walls has been prevented by erecting a fence, and placing the entrance in the fortress Arcimun and the booking
office in the Gothic tower. The slow restoration is due to the
authentic method of building used – by carving the stone.
An entrance fee of 20 to 30 kuna will be charged for admission to the Ston walls, which will enable the maintenance of
this extraordinary tourist attraction.
The walls were built in the 14th century, after the Dubrovnik
Republic acquired the Pelješac peninsula in 1334. This
monumental defence system was built for protection and
was the largest fortification in the urban Europe of the time.
It took around thirty years to build a defence wall from one
side of the peninsula to the other. Two towns were then
established: Ston in the south, and Mali Ston in the north.
Pelješac is separated from the mainland by the Great Wall,
which spans 5.5 kilometres. The walls are reinforced with
forty towers and five fortresses. The Ministry of Culture announced that they will submit this cultural historical heritage
site as a candidate for the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The interesting town of Orebić on the Pelješac peninsula
was the maritime centre in the 18th century. The facades of
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Orebić houses reflect the wealth of the mariners who sailed
the world and invested their money in their luxurious villas
and palaces.
Đurović cave - Speleological attraction
in Dubrovnik Airport
This unique speleological and tourist attraction in Dubrovnik
Airport is around 156 metres long, and the lowest level of
the cave is 25 metres below the runway. Archaeological remains (bones and ceramics) found during excavations date
from the Bronze and the Iron Ages. The cave was visited
by local villagers who used it to get their water supplies and
as shelter during the wars, until 1962 when the construction
of the airport closed the entrance to the cave. The cave is
open to visitors every day from 10am to 6pm. Thanks to optimum cellar conditions, with constant temperatures of 16˚C
within the cave, a cooperation with the Konavle winemakers is planned whereby all recognised and geographically
protected Konavle wines will soon be permanently exhibited
in the cave, and the public will be able to see and taste a
whole array of wines from that particular region. Following
Photo: Josip Madračević
the idea, the cave has appropriately been named ‘Skycellar’,
and acquired an impressive visual identity through the designs of the renowned Croatian designer, Orsat Franković.
Korčula – the birthplace of Marco Polo
www.visitkorcula.com
Ever since the time the great explorer Marco Polo sailed
away from his hometown of Korčula (the house where he
was born is available to visitors), an island in the Dubrovnik
archipelago, the knightly town of Korčula, fully preserved
and rich in history, has developed into a sort of an urban
sculpture of regular lines. What makes it special is the architecture, the architects wanted to have the fishbone-designed streets bathe in the sun in the morning and in the
afternoon, but not during the noon heat.
From Moreška to the Neretva Boat Marathon to Narona
Korčula is also the venue for the Knightly Games Festival
presenting the traditional swordsmen’s dances moreška,
kumpanija and moštra, featuring original costumes from the
16th century. Moreška presents a battle between the white
king and the black king over a princess captivated by the
black king. The battle is accompanied by music played by a
brass orchestra.
Only 3 km from Metković in the town of Vid, you will find the
remains of the ancient town of Narona, a Roman colony and
an emporium that based its wealth on trade. This is the most
precious historical heritage of the Croatian south and the
most significant archeological site outside Rome with over
30 Roman monuments.
Every year in early August they have a boat marathon on
Neretva not far from this historical place, a sporting competition on traditional autochthonous vessels of the region, on
a 22.5-kilometer stretch.
Entertainment and art
Dubrovnik is a famous cultural centre. Many churches and
other sacral buildings, city walls, fortresses and museums
enchant the visitors of this ancient city with their exceptional
historical value. Numerous culture & entertainment events
that are found in every tourist town, preserving the tradition
of folklore, knightly competitions, processions, singing and
dancing, were created on the basis of this region’s rich and
turbulent history.
The Dubrovnik Summer Games are the cultural event of the
year, not just in Dubrovnik, but in the entire Croatia. The
long tradition, the unique stone setting of Dubrovnik’s old
town, numerous premieres and previews and world’s most
famous directors, actors and musicians make this cultural
festival unique in Croatia and the world
(www.dubrovnik-festival.hr).
Libertas Film Festival will be staged for the sixth time in
July 2010. Since 2005, Libertas has established itself as a
national festival with top Oscar-winning independent films
and an internationally acclaimed programme. The Medieval
city of Dubrovnik, with its stunning locations and exceptional
festival programme, is becoming more and more attractive
for film enthusiasts and visitors in search of culture, but also
for those looking for a good time. Each year, through the
‘Focus’ programme, Libertas presents cinematographies
from Portugal, Norway, exotic Cuba or rarely shown Hungarian films which are new to Croatian audiences. Over the
years, the festival has been visited by various film experts
and international stars such as Chris Cooper, Woody Harrelson, Owen Wilson, David Dinerstein (Lakeshore Ent.),
Michael Ohoven (producer of Oscar-winning film ‘Capote’),
Trevor Groth (Sundance), Peter Bowen (Filmmaker Magazine) and many others.
For the fifth consecutive year, the group ‘Adriatic Luxury Hotels’ will present an exclusive summer programme of events
called ‘Stars Under the Stars’.
During the summer months, the spectacular locations of the
Excelsior, Dubrovnik Palace and Bellevue hotels become
the beautiful natural settings where the best Croatian and international musicians can be heard. ‘Stars Under the Stars’
2009 was opened on 3rd July in Vala Club in Hotel Dubrovnik
Palace by the young Portuguese singer-songwriter Lura,
who according to many is the successor of Cesaria Evora.
As part of this programme, the residents of Dubrovnik and
their guests were entertained by the theatre group ‘Music of
the Night’ from London’s West End, the city’s centre of performing arts. The group performed themes from the world’s
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most famous musicals of all time, such as Phantom of the
Opera, Cats, Chicago, The Sound of Music, Les Misérables
and Jesus Christ Superstar.
The ‘Adriatic Luxury Hotels’ group are responsible for another film event – the ‘Dubrovnik Film Meeting’. For the
fourth year in a row, the group, together with the most influential and prestigious regional film festival – the ‘Sarajevo Film Festival’, has brought world renowned film stars
to Dubrovnik. This summer, the stars of the ‘Dubrovnik Film
Meeting’ were Mickey Rourke and the famous agent Scully,
Gillian Anderson. Film director Darren Aronofasky, most responsible for the comeback of Mickey Rourke to the silver
screen, attended the screening of his new film ‘The Wrestler’ in the open space of the historic core.
From the end of August to mid September, the Chamber
Music Festival is held in the beautiful surroundings of the
Duke’s Palace in Dubrovnik. It includes performances by
world renowned artists gathered around violinist Julian
Rachlin.
Photo: HTZ
Useful links:
www.dubrovnikevents.com;
www.dubrovnik-festival.hr;
www.libertasfilmfestival.com; http://www.rachlinandfriends.com
(sugar-coated orange, grapefruit and lemon peel), kontonjata (quince pastry), rožata, etc.
Every year, Neretva Valley is the venue for organized tangerine harvests, involving tourists as well.
Active holidays
the Dubrovnik littoral and islands are an ideal place for active holidays.
Bicycle routes are marked on the islands of Korčula, Mljet
and Lastovo as well as on the whole of the coastal region.
Hiking trails are marked in Konavle, Korčula and Orebić.
The adventure race ‘Cro Challenge’ is held every year in
Dubrovnik, Konavle and the islands of Lokrum and Koločep.
An adventure mountain bike race – MTB Challenge is held
on the mountain and field paths of the island of Šipan. Bicycle routes are marked on the whole of the coastal region, as
well as on the islands of Korčula, Mljet and Lastovo.
Viganj on the Pelješac peninsula, and Bol on the island of
Brač, are popular summer destinations for surfers, with the
Mistral and Sirocco blowing every day. Due to the moderate
waves, Viganj is particularly suitable for beginners.
Sea kayaking takes place below the city walls of Dubrovnik
and is a unique opportunity to view the city from the sea,
with more views opening up towards the Elafiti islands.
All-day jeep safari tours through the green surroundings of
Dubrovnik provide a special pleasure in the Konavle hills
close to the city.
This area is limited for divers because the great depths
leave only a small number of diving locations, which are
mainly close to the shore, while there are a whole range of
islands, reefs and rocks (Vrhovnjaci) between the islands of
Lastovo and Mljet. The area is rich in fish and it is possible
to record some species which are rare in the northern parts
of the Adriatic (grouper, lobster). The warming of the sea in
the past five years has resulted in the appearance of tropical species of fish in the waters surrounding the island of
Mljet. Korčula and Mljet offer several attractive underwater
Gastro corner
The most beautiful summer residences and villas of the Dubrovnik region have had the most skillful chefs in their kitchens for centuries, discovering the best of the gastro offer
and providing wealthy people and their guests from across
the world with delights.
Mali Ston Bay provides the unique pleasure of picking oysters grown practically in front of every house.
The peninsula of Pelješac is a kingdom of Dingač, the most
esteemed Croatian wine. The black truffle was discovered
on the Pelješac peninsula, in the small village of Bilopolje
above Orebić, causing a real sensation among mushroom
experts. Dr. Roman Božac, the best Croatian mycologist,
was especially enthusiastic because the discovery confirmed his theory that truffles grow throughout Croatia.
The wine roads of the peninsula of Pelješac are appreciated
in Croatia for the quality of wine produced and tasted here.
In addition to seafood specialties, eels and frogs from
Neretva Rover are special delicacies, as well as the sweets
from the Neretva, Korčula and Dubrovnik regions - arancini
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Photo: Milan Babić
caves, while the largest stony coral reef in the Mediterranean can be found in the area around Mljet, in the vicinity of
the small island Glavat and in Veliko Jezero (Large Lake).
Diving in Odysseus’ cave is another special experience.
Quality accomodation and unique service
Of a total of almost five hundred thousand visitors to Dubrovnik in the nine months of 2009, the most were from
Great Britain, France, Croatia, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Sweden, Japan, Norway, Ireland and Australia, of which
there were twenty percent more British, four percent more
German, ten percent more Spanish and two percent more
Italian guests. Significant increases in traffic from the Turkish, Greek, Romanian, Bulgarian, Swiss and Ukrainian markets were also recorded. The biggest drop in tourist arrivals
was from the USA, Ireland, Slovenia and Russia. Financial
realisations of the tourist sector, according to information
from the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, will be somewhat lower
because of the global crisis and the recession which will
result in reduced spending from our visitors.
Two newly opened hotels with a total of around 1800 beds
have contributed to good results in Dubrovnik’s tourist sector, and have also significantly contributed to congress tourism.The first Croatian hotel of the prestigious international
hotel chain Radisson BLU opened in Orašac in July 2009
within the tourist resort ‘Dubrovački Vrtovi Sunca’ (‘Dubrovnik Sun Gardens’). This new five star tourist centre has
201 rooms and 207 luxury apartments, a modern spa complex, a sports centre and a convention centre which occupies more than 1,100 square metres and which can accommodate up to 900 participants. In early September 2009, the
Valamar Lacroma Resort officially opened in Dubrovnik. It is
the largest congress and spa hotel in the city under mount
Srđ. The hotel has 385 comfortable, spacious and contemporary furnished double rooms and 16 suites, of which as
many as 13 are duplexes. Especially notable are the 140
square metre presidential suite with a private wellness zone
of 70 square metres, a large conference hall with the capacity of a 1,000 people, seven smaller halls, and a spa
area covering 1,000 square metres. The great advantage
of the Valamar Lacroma Resort is that, as a part of Valamar
group, which owns five hotels in Babin Kuk, it can provide
additional congress facilities and accommodation for large
business meeting
As the leading Croatian convention centre, Dubrovnik hosted a number of international and national congresses, conventions, and various professional conferences in September and October of 2009, an important contribution to the
overall achievements of tourist traffic during the low season.
Dubrovnik hotels, in a structure dominated by high quality
hotel facilities, offer modern premises and equipment for
meetings and gatherings of more than 5,000 participants,
while providing a very pleasant and stimulating working
atmosphere marked by excellent service. An additional attraction for participants of conferences and congresses is
the possibility of organising business meetings in inspiring
historical locations, Renaissance palaces and medieval
fortresses such as the fortresses Revelin and Lovrijenac,
the Sponza Palace, Knežev dvor and Marin Držić Theatre.
Health tourism
in the past, visitors to the coast enjoyed a mild climate, sun,
fresh air and the curative effects of sea water. Today in the
modern medical facilities, they are able to receive superior
medical services. In the 19th century, the discovery of healing properties of water from thermal and mineral springs
drew attention to a small mineral spring in Mokošica (current suburb of Dubrovnik), on a site which earned the name
‘Smrdečevo’ (‘Stinker’) because of the unpleasant smell
of sulphur from the spring. A spa was built on that location under the name of Health Spa of Iodine and Sulphuric
Icy Water, for the treatment of rheumatisms, skin diseases
and chronic diseases of the digestive system. The ‘Thermotheparia’ Spa was very famous and popular in its time,
and it is interesting to point out that it was connected by
steam ferry from the port of Gruž. It functioned successfully
up until the First World War and was the first organised form
of health tourism in the Dubrovnik region.
With the aim of placing Dubrovnik on the map of important
centres of medical health tourism, the Dubrovnik General Hospital promotes its centre of excellence for minimally invasive spinal surgery. The international team of
physicians uses innovative medical techniques to solve
the patient’s problems within a short period of time and
to relieve chronic neck and back pain through minimally
invasive surgical procedures. For more information on
these and other procedures offered at medical institutions in Dubrovnik, go to: www.dubrovnikspinecenter.com
Novelties
Golf
On 13th November 2009, the world’s most famous golf
course designer Greg Norman and the Razvoj Golf Ltd.
company presented an exclusive golf course project on
Mount Srđ called Golf Park Dubrovnik. The project and its
advantages were presented before the city council, headed
by the Mayor of Dubrovnik Andro Vlahušić, and numerous
other guests. A group of international investors including
Greg Norman plan to invest around 6.5 billion kuna through
the golf project development company Razvoj Golf.
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In line with spatial planning, the construction of two golf
courses of the highest professional PGA standards, one
18-hole and one 6-hole, together with a prestigious Greg
Norman Golf Academy with a practice golf course is envisaged on 310 acres of abandoned land on a plateau on
Mount Srđ, above the city. In addition, the construction of
numerous sports and recreational facilities, such as an
equestrian club, outdoor amphitheatre, wellness centre, bicycle and pedestrian paths and associated accommodation
is planned. The project envisages a complete refurbishment
of the heavily damaged fortress Imperial on Srđ, for which
Razvoj Golf Ltd. received a concession in March 2009. The
renovation will be made in accordance with the guidelines
of the Conservation Department of the Croatian Ministry of
Culture and the original appearance of the old fortress on
the basis of old drafts that have been found in the military
archives of the former Austro-Hungarian Army in Vienna.
The development of the entire golf centre with numerous
accompanying facilities creates a new, competitive tourist
product which guarantees exclusivity, high consumption,
the revitalisation of rural areas and a maximum extension
of the tourist season.
The largest investment in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County,
and one of the largest in tourism in Croatia, having been
presented, is awaiting the scheduled Srđ Urban Planning
Document, followed by the legal procedures and public debate on the project.
The participation of Greg Norman as an investor and an
established golf course designer guarantees the positive
response of top professional and amateur golfers who will
promote the city as the new exclusive golf destination. Greg
Norman, who designed more than 70 golf courses across
all continents, is known for designing each course uniquely,
with minimal spatial intervention and with respect for the
natural features of the environment.
‘I believe that in two years time Mount Srđ could hold its first
golf tournament. The view from Srđ cannot be found in any
other golf course and Dubrovnik is the pearl of the Mediterranean. Believe me, this will be one of the three most beautiful courses in the world, and Dubrovnik will be an exclusive
golf destination where golfers will regularly return’ said Greg
Norman. www.razvoj-golf.hr
Dubrovnik riviera info
A new promotional material entitled DUBROVNIK RIVIERA
INFO was developed through the cooperation of three tourist offices - Dubrovnik, the Parish of Dubrovnik and Konavle.
The wider region of Dubrovnik is presented on 128 pages,
along with maps of the old city core, the city of Dubrovnik,
the county, Cavtat, Konavle and the Parish of Dubrovnik.
The material contains useful services information and data,
as well as short stories about the history, most important
monuments, natural attractions, souvenirs, events, beaches, shopping, excursions and recreation in Dubrovnik, the
Parish of Dubrovnik and Konavle. The page edges are
marked in different colours for ease of reference, and important information is highlighted in yellow columns and at
the end of the leaflet on the yellow pages. The question
mark on the cover suggests the concept of the edition in
which the tourist agents try to answer the basic questions Where? How? What? Why? – to help guests cope as well
as possible in this destination and maximise the time they
set aside for visiting Dubrovnik and the region.
50 Percent savings with the tourist card
In order to further promote cultural events and simultaneously offer a 50 percent discount, the City of Dubrovnik will
introduce a new tourist product – a travel card which will be
available to tourists and visitors from 1st August. The new
Dubrovnik Tourist Card includes admission to museums,
galleries and visits to the city walls and the fortress Lovrijenac. In short, the new Dubrovnik Tourist Card offers the
very best of Dubrovnik at a high discount.
Every major European city offers a city card which helps
tourists visit the maximum number of cultural heritage sites
in the shortest possible time and which also offers discounts
on attractions. Dubrovnik also offers a daily and weekly tourist card to its guests. Day cards will be sold at a price of 100
kuna and will include: the City walls, Knežev Dvor (the Ducal Palace), the Rupe Museum, the Maritime Museum, Revelin, the Arts Gallery and the House of Marin Držić. The total
price of tickets purchased for all these attractions individually is 215 kn, and by purchasing the daily travel card, users
will save more than 50 percent. In the future, this project
will include a weekly tourist card which will, in addition to
the already mentioned, include more attractions, such as
the Jewish Council (visit to the synagogue), the Catholic
Church (with its museums), the virtual Museum Sv. Klara,
Institute for Marine and Coastal Research of the University
of Dubrovnik (aquarium), the Museum of the Homeland War
and Nature Reserve Lokrum. Moreover, the weekly cards
will enable the use of buses from the city’s transportation
company, Libertas and the use of public toilets. A list of retail outlets where the tourist card can be purchased from 1st
August will be published on the website of the Dubrovnik
Tourist Board: www.tzdubrovnik.hr
Transport links
Although the recession significantly affected air traffic in
the whole world, the announcement of new flights for the
season 2010 confirmed Dubrovnik as one of the most attractive destinations in the Mediterranean. Dubrovnik is
connected with many European cities by numerous large
and low-budget airlines. It is an attractive airline destination
and good results achieved by airlines will allow a wholeyear connection of this Mediterranean Pearl with the rest
of the world.
So far, airlines which have shown interest in coming to Dubrovnik would connect this tourist pearl with Moscow, Budapest, Rome, Amsterdam, Istanbul, Leeds, Athens, Edinburgh, Manchester and many more. The new season sees
the opening of a new passenger terminal, an investment
worth around 160 million kuna, which establishes Dubrovnik
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airport as the only Croatian airport with aerobridges or ‘dry
transition’ from the aircraft. The millionth passenger landed in Dubrovnik Airport on 6th October 2009 – Miss Veerle
Mommaerts arrived at the airport with Croatia Airlines from
Frankfurt.
The ferry port of Gruž recorded the arrival of its millionth
passenger in late October – Guliamu Gaetanu from Milan
arrived in Dubrovnik with the cruiser MSC Poesia. The
millionth passenger arrived in the port of Dubrovnik thirty
days earlier than last year, which shows that traffic in the
Port of Gruž is increasing. By the end of September 2009,
Dubrovnik was visited by 513 cruise ships, with a total of
676,000 passengers. By the end of the year, around 845,000
passengers are expected on around 580 cruise ships. According to the magazine Dream World Cruise Destinations,
Dubrovnik holds an envious tenth place among the 50 busiest ports of the world, and third place in the Mediterranean
(after Naples and Livorno).
Regular shipping lines from Dubrovnik sail directly to Bari,
Italy, Korčula has direct connections with Ancona, while the
local shippers connect all islands within the Dubrovnik archipelago with the region’s center. Korčula is reachable by
ferry from Split to Vela Luka and from Dubrovnik, Orebić
and Drvenik near Makarska, while the ferry to Lastovo departs from Split.
What we are proud of
Dubrovnik is the birth city of many great Croatian figures.
They include Ruđer Bošković (Dubrovnik, 18 May 1711 Milan, 13 February 1787), a physician, mathematician,
astronomer, philosopher and diplomat. His most important
work called Theoria philosophiae (1758) built the original
theory of forces that affected British chemists and physicians until the early 20th century. He represented relativity of
human knowledge and developed a special study of space
and time. He has achieved remarkable results in synthetic
geometry and mathematics. He has built various optical, astronomic and geodetic instruments. He was also successful
in astronomy, geophysics, music, neurology and archeology. He wrote poems and travelogues and helped with the
diplomatic affairs of his native Dubrovnik Republic.
The story of famous persons who have visited Dubrovnik
goes way back in history and includes Richard the Lion
Heart, Wallise Simpson and Prince Edward, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Micheal Douglas and Catharine
Zete Jones, Richard Gere and Nick Nolte, Tom Cruise, as
well as kings, sport stars and musical virtuosos.
Almost every summer, the polished stone slabs of Stradun
reflect the faces of the world’s celebrities. This summer
season was no different and some of the most charismatic
people from the world of film, music and fashion took a walk
through the town.
The famous Mickey Rourke and Gillian Anderson (agent
Scully), strolled down the red carpet set on the city’s impressive stage in front of the Ducal Palace. In 2008, double Oscar winner Kevin Spacey promised to return to Dubrovnik, which he did, celebrating his 50th birthday with
some forty friends in one of the world’s most impressive cities, as he called it. The world famous American singer and
former member of Destiny’s Child, Beyonce, took a walk
through town this summer with her husband, rapper Jay-Z,
and enjoyed cruising the Adriatic coast on a yacht. U2 bassist Adam Clayton could not resist the charms of this magic
city, and neither could George Lucas, famous director of the
popular ‘Star Wars’, ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘American Graffiti’. The king of fashion, Giorgio Armani, sipped a cocktail
in front of ‘Hemingway’, while the festival ‘Julian Rachlin &
friends’ was again honoured by the presence of the most
famous 007 – Roger Moore.
The Feast of St. Blaise on the UNESCO List of Intangible Heritage
The Dubrovnik Feast of St. Blaise has featured on the prestigious UNESCO list since 2009, along with six of the 16
other candidacies submitted by Croatia. Dubrovnik chose
St. Blaise as its patron after the events that occurred in 971.
According to legend, a Venetian fleet sailed into Dubrovnik
waters with 112 ships. They had previously won against
the Neretljans and forced them to pay a tax. The fleet intended to conquer Dubrovnik through dupery. The citizens
of Dubrovnik did not suspect foul play and welcomed the
Venetian fleet. The devout father Stojko prayed long into
the night in the Cathedral of St. Stephen, which was later
destroyed in an earthquake. Suddenly he saw a church full
of armed soldiers, among whom stood a white-bearded old
man with a cane in his hand, who explained that he was a
bishop, the martyr St. Blaise sent from heaven to defend
Dubrovnik. St. Blaise and the soldiers from heaven spent
the whole night defending the city walls from the Venetians
who wanted to conquer it, and succeeded. From that day,
the citizens of Dubrovnik decided to better fortify their city
and took St. Blaise as their protector and built him a church.
The Feast of St. Blaise, held on 3rd February, was a national
holiday during the time of the Dubrovnik Republic. The oldest written document testifies to St. Blaise being celebrated
since 1190. Every year on 3rd February, the bishop and
priests carry the relics of St. Blaise in a procession, while
the awed believers kiss their hand and gently touch the relics while praying for themselves and their city. At the end of
the procession, the flag bearers return to their villages with
the flags to take the blessing of the saint to all those who
could not come to the city on that day.
An original gift and a nice souvenir
Konavle embroidery (www.tzcavtat-konavle.hr) – it represents the fundamental decorative element of the women’s
costume from Konavle. It is made by a background dyeing technique where the strictly symmetrical decoration follows the base of the canvass on which it is embroidered
and becomes a geometrical ornament with countless decorative motifs repeating. It was originally made by domestic
silk thread dyed with natural dye and featuring prominent
red, black or dark green motifs, separated by white transitions and decorated with golden flower bunches. The motifs
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Press 2010
depend on the material used, the sophistication of production and possibilities of application. This is why the original Konavle embroidery is easily and frequently applied on
tablecloths, coasters, curtains, house decorations or suits.
Konavle embroidery is known for its prominent colors and a
mainland. In the 12th century, the two settlements were
completely integrated and protected by a common fortification wall system that covered the north suburb in the 13th
century, while the regulation of the streets integrated Dubrovnik in its present scope.
Photo: Renco Kosinožić
sophisticated effect provided by the silk thread, as well as
the perfect finish that leaves no room for error. It has carried
and preserved all layers of cultural and artistic handicraft of
the region it originates from to date.
Stories, legends and myths
Legend of the creation of Dubrovnik
The creation of Dubrovnik is wrapped in a mystery of ancient legends.
Historically, the most authentic theory associates the creation of the new city with the destruction and decline of the
Roman town of Epidaur in the place of the present Cavtat
in the 7th century. Epidaur, a very old settlement, was a
developed urban center during the Roman era and an important maritime/commercial emporium. In 614, Epidaur
was conquered and destroyed by the Avars and Slavs and
the surviving residents found shelter in the nearby wooded area and on the small rocky island of Laus. The island
was separated from the mainland by a narrow channel, so
the settlement on it was protected both from the sea and
the mainland. In the meantime, a Croatian settlement developed on the mainland across from Ragusa, which they
named Dubrovnik, probably after to the Mediterranean oak
(dubrava) forest. The relations between the two neighboring settlements eventually began to grow stronger and the
Croatian and Roman populations began to mix. During the
10th and 11th centuries, the strait between the island and the
mainland became increasingly shallow, so they filled it up in
the late 11th century.
Stradun, the broadest and most famous street in Dubrovnik
is now in the place where the island connected with the
The Dubrovnik Republic, a state in the area of the City
of Dubrovnik and its immediate mainland and island surroundings, developed from a medieval Dubrovnik commune. Since the early 15th century to the 19th century, it had
its internationally recognized name Dubrovnik Republic. It
covered 1092 square kilometers and had a population of
35000-45000. Dubrovnik was an independent state for 450
years and managed to become an important economic factor in the Balkans and a maritime power of the Mediterranean. Although territorially small, the Dubrovnik Republic
had a strong merchant navy and an extensive network of
consular and diplomatic representatives, especially in Mediterranean countries. Their number ranges between 30 and
50, depending on the economic power of the Republic. In
the late 18th century, the Republic had 50 consuls in Mediterranean and Atlantic countries. During the period of great
economic development, it was also a great maritime power.
It had 280 ships. The Dubrovnik Republic participated in the
battle near Lepant with 50 of its ships. The basic idea behind the Dubrovnik Republic is best reflected in the slogan
at the entrance to the Lovrijenac Fort: Liberty is not sold
for any amount of gold. Public interest and welfare of the
community were above any individual interest. The skillful
foreign policy management was focused on preservation of
freedom and territorial integrity. Under Turkish protection
(paid by an annual contribution of 12,500 ducats), the entrepreneurs of Dubrovnik traded freely across the Balkans,
all the way to areas around Sava and Danube and some
Central European countries. The Republic finally ended in
1806 when Napoleon’s troops seized the city. It continued
to exist until formal abolition carried out by the French administrators on 31 January 1808.
Blue Flags in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County fly on four
beaches and two marinas.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
ACI MARINA DUBROVNIK
ACI MARINA KORČULA
Plaža hotela Valamar Dubrovnik - President, Dubrovnik
Plaža hotela Croatia, Konavle
Plaža hotela Osmine, Slano
Plaža hotela Importanne Resort, Dubrovnik
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Useful links:
www.dubrovnik.hr; www.tzdubrovnik.hr;
www.visitdubrovnik.hr; www.np-mljet.hr;
www.visitkorcula.com; www.dubrovnik-festival.hr;
www.tzcavtat-konavle.hr
OVERNIGHTS AND ARRIVALS OF REGISTERED TOURISTS PER COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE
I-XI 2008 / I-XI 2009
Arrivals
I.-XI.
2008
Total
Overnights
I.-XI.
2009
Index
I.-XI.
2009
I.-XI.
2008
I.-XI.
2008
I.-XI.
2009
Index
I.-XI.
2009
I.-XI.
2008
I. – XI. 2009.
Structure
of
overnights, %
Average
number of
overnights
upon arrival
11 089 566
10 786 365
97
56 703 487
55 970 870
99
100,0
5,2
Domestic tourists
1 761 038
1 528 082
87
6 301 801
5 648 911
90
10,1
3,7
Foreign tourists
9 328 528
9 258 283
99
50 401 686
50 321 959
100
89,9
5,4
Austria
806 635
874 372
108
4 144 971
4 496 088
108
8,9
5,1
Belgium
97 394
99 127
102
512 889
519 334
101
1,0
5,2
Belarus
3 851
3 627
94
23 628
20 076
85
0,0
5,5
232 050
208 368
90
1 179 224
1 066 582
90
2,1
5,1
Bulgaria
Bosnia and Herzegovina
29 103
33 973
117
56 946
69 491
122
0,1
2,0
Cyprus
2 064
1 236
60
5 519
3 833
69
0,0
3,1
Montenegro
9 760
9 453
97
41 262
32 066
78
0,1
3,4
621 054
606 963
98
4 114 419
4 019 074
98
8,0
6,6
81 651
77 698
95
593 665
565 752
95
1,1
7,3
9 621
7 588
79
30 466
24 628
81
0,0
3,2
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
25 368
26 556
105
108 642
97 469
90
0,2
3,7
France
436 805
404 033
92
1 628 965
1 528 145
94
3,0
3,8
Greece
12 658
18 483
146
28 329
42 389
150
0,1
2,3
Ireland
36 391
31 258
86
168 046
130 045
77
0,3
4,2
Iceland
2 604
1 789
69
14 750
5 413
37
0,0
3,0
1 147 369
1 179 906
103
5 023 585
5 092 753
101
10,1
4,3
Latvia
Italy
13 417
7 839
58
40 399
24 788
61
0,0
3,2
Lithuania
35 076
24 173
69
110 572
83 499
76
0,2
3,5
3 406
3 970
117
13 830
15 894
115
0,0
4,0
368 853
322 213
87
1 929 976
1 641 569
85
3,3
5,1
29 100
30 194
104
146 550
138 293
94
0,3
4,6
1 317
1 496
114
4 333
6 249
144
0,0
4,2
296 383
306 919
104
2 331 789
2 443 094
105
4,9
8,0
5,5
Luxembourg
Hungary
Macedonia
Malta
The Netherlands
Norway
Germany
Poland
77 635
71 981
93
428 201
394 809
92
0,8
1 539 026
1 573 204
102
10 961 274
11 432 480
104
22,7
7,3
416 081
453 892
109
2 506 019
2 736 412
109
5,4
6,0
2,2
Portugal
32 147
26 287
82
75 715
58 441
77
0,1
Romania
67 088
65 004
97
309 224
294 399
95
0,6
4,5
174 416
132 543
76
1 444 056
1 065 982
74
2,1
8,0
Russia
Slovakia
297 880
306 388
103
1 919 114
1 999 633
104
4,0
6,5
Slovenia
1 032 270
1 003 382
97
5 777 086
5 616 317
97
11,2
5,6
Serbia
84 135
85 845
102
378 567
434 865
115
0,9
5,1
Spain
167 384
181 545
108
338 674
360 668
106
0,7
2,0
Sweden
133 946
122 685
92
720 764
643 452
89
1,3
5,2
Switzerland
131 171
136 525
104
554 034
561 866
101
1,1
4,1
Turkey
United Kingdom
Ukraine
17 178
20 619
120
48 111
61 094
127
0,1
3,0
259 340
247 413
95
1 218 148
1 223 536
100
2,4
4,9
31 473
37 135
118
226 476
249 511
110
0,5
6,7
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23 165
16 536
71
62 774
52 883
84
0,1
3,2
South Africa
Other European countries
6 610
5 529
84
14 764
15 062
102
0,0
2,7
Other African countries
5 084
5 165
102
20 249
22 487
111
0,0
4,4
37 994
35 860
94
104 326
100 581
96
0,2
2,8
156 603
122 558
78
393 297
319 040
81
0,6
2,6
Other North American countries
3 466
1 476
43
9 109
4 167
46
0,0
2,8
Brazil
8 023
9 986
124
20 522
25 386
124
0,1
2,5
15 242
15 333
101
40 257
38 925
97
0,1
2,5
Canada
USA
Other South and Central American
countries
Israel
34 553
29 813
86
72 778
68 340
94
0,1
2,3
Japan
139 371
159 531
114
196 038
216 790
111
0,4
1,4
China
6 235
7 477
120
11 666
15 346
132
0,0
2,1
Korea, Republic
11 832
10 268
87
16 960
14 479
85
0,0
1,4
Other Asian countries
20 111
24 862
124
53 784
61 197
114
0,1
2,5
Australia
79 894
53 840
67
188 260
132 323
70
0,3
2,5
New Zealand
14 386
11 377
79
32 045
28 635
89
0,1
2,5
2 859
2 990
105
6 639
6 329
95
0,0
2,1
Other Oceania countries
Source: Central Bureau of Statistics
154
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Contact
Hrvatska turistička zajednica
Iblerov trg 10/4, 10 000 ZAGREB, HRVATSKA
tel. + 385 1 4699 333
fax. + 385 1 4557 827
e-mail: [email protected]
Horvát Idegenforgalmi Közösség
Magyar u. 36, 1053 BUDAPEST, MAGYARORSZÁG
tel/fax: +36 1 266 65 05; +36 1 266 65 33
e-mail: [email protected]
Kroatische Zentrale für Tourismus
Rumfordstr. 7, 80469 MÜNCHEN, DEUTSCHLAND
tel: +49 89 22 33 44
fax: +49 89 22 33 77
e-mail: [email protected]
Kroatische Zentrale für Tourismus
Am Hof 13, 1010 WIEN, ÖSTERREICH
tel: +43 1 585 38 84
fax: +43 1 585 38 84 20
e-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
Kroatische Zentrale für Tourismus
Hochstraße 43, 60311 FRANKFURT, DEUTSCHLAND
tel: +49 69 23 85 350
fax: +49 69 23 85 35 20
e-mail: [email protected]
Chorvátske turistické združenie
Trenčianska 5, 821 09 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
tel: +421 2 55 562 054
fax: +421 2 55 422 619
e-mail: [email protected]
Ente Nazionale Croato per il Turismo
Piazzetta Pattari 1/3, 20122 MILANO, ITALIA
tel: +39 02 86 45 44 97
fax: +39 02 86 45 45 74
e-mail: [email protected]
Croatian National Tourist Office
350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4003,
NEW YORK 10118, U.S.A.
tel: +1 212 279 8672
fax: +1 212 279 8683
e-mail: [email protected]
Ente Nazionale Croato per il Turismo
Via Dell’Oca 48, 00186 ROMA, ITALIA
tel: +39 06 32 11 0396
fax: +39 06 32 11 1462
e-mail: [email protected]
Chorvatské turistické sdružení
Krakovská 25, 110 00 PRAHA 1, ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA
tel: +420 2 2221 1812
fax: +420 2 2221 0793
e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
Office National Croate de Tourisme
48, Avenue Victor Hugo, 75116 PARIS, FRANCE
tel: +33 1 45 00 99 55
fax: +33 1 45 00 99 56
e-mail: [email protected]
Office National Croate du Tourisme,
Vieille Halle aux Bles 38, 1000 BRUXELLES, BELGIUM
tel: +32 255 018 88
fax: +32 251 381 60
e-mail: [email protected]
Oficina de Turismo de Croacia
Calle Claudio Coello 22, esc. B, 1°C,
28001 MADRID, ESPAÑA
tel.: +34 91 781 5514
fax.: +34 91 431 8443
e-mail: [email protected]
Croatian National Tourist Office
2 Lanchesters, 162-164 Fulham Palace Road
LONDON W6 9ER, UNITED KINGDOM
tel: +44 208 563 79 79
fax: +44 208 563 26 16
e-mail: [email protected]
Narodowy Ośrodek Informacji Turystycznej, Republiki
Chorwacji
IPC Business Center, ul. Koszykowa 54,
00-675 WARSZAWA, POLSKA
tel: +48 22 828 51 93
fax: +48 22 828 51 90
e-mail: [email protected]
Kroatiska Turistbyrån
Kungsgatan 24, 11135 STOCKHOLM, SVERIGE
tel: +46 853 482 080
fax: +46 820 24 60
e-mail: [email protected]
Kroatisch Nationaal Bureau Voor Toerisme
Nijenburg 2F, 1081 GG AMSTERDAM,
NETHERLANDS
tel: +31 20 661 64 22
fax: +31 20 661 64 27
e-mail: [email protected]
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