HALLOWIND 2005 (28.10-1.11)– 6th annual extreme sports happening
Kamp Stupice, Premantura. Summer is long past when this event comes our way. Still, autumn is the peak time for the summer joys of wind surfing, and also partying, in Premantura. The varied sports events include the finals of the European championship in windsurfing free style, everyday competitions in windsurfing formula for Adria Cup and Croatian Cup, as well as competitions in mountain biking, free climbing and skate boarding. As for the music part, the order of events is somewhat different this year. The first night will be a party till early morning with the living legend (or rather daddy:) of the Italian electro scene, Francesco Farfa. The second night will be dedicated to a very interesting event, the Night of Black Wind. The crew will make a fashion show and a free surprise concert to show that they enjoy a good party too. This year's final evening will welcome the great Radikal Dub Kolektiv and the excellent T.B.F.
Friday 28.10.
11:00 skipper's meeting - freestyle competition
20:00 Opening – 6th annual extreme sports happening
Saturday 29.10.
10:00 skipper's meeting, freestyle competition, formula windsurfing, slalom
13:00 mountain bike dual
22:00 party: Francesco Farfa, Italia, Serial Killer Vinyl – Break For Love, Alen Sforzina, Crazy Lemon,Bebeto - End 07,00
Entrance: 70,00 kn till midnight - 80,00 kn after midnight
Sunday 30.10.
10:00 skipper's meeting, freestyle competition, formula windsurfing, slalom
11:00 free climbing - qualfication
17:00 free climbing - final
22:00 Black Wind Night, fashion parade + surprise concert, (Shoe be do, Diesel, Scorpion bay, Americanino, Optika D & A),Entrance: free
Monday 31.10.
10:00 skipper's meeting, freestyle competition, formula windsurfing, slalom
22:00 Concert + announcement of the winners, THE BEAT FLEET, RADIKAL DUB KOLEKTIV, Entrance: 50,00 kn
Tuesday 01.11. - Reserve day
free stlyle windsurfing(finale EFPT.NET)
formula windsurfing (finale adria cupa)
windsurfing slalom (drzavno prvenstvo)
slobodno penjanje
dual mountain bike
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Monday, September 05, 2005
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Monday, July 25, 2005
The New York Times - About Croatia
The New York Times - About Croatia
In Croatia, A New Riviera Beckons
By STEVE DOUGHERTY
''YOU will cry when you see it. Bring tissues. You will need them.''
We are finishing a marathon meal at Macondo, a seafood restaurant on a nameless back alley in Hvar. My dinner companion, a local painter, writer and actor named Niksa Barisic, was talking about a historic theater built in 1612 during the Dalmatian Renaissance and still in use half a millennium later. But he could just as well have been describing his feelings for Hvar itself, a mountainous, lavender-scented isle set in the blue, sun-blasted Adriatic Sea off the Dalmatian coast of Croatia.
For centuries, the island has lured visitors and inspired poets. ''I know paradise now, I know Hvar,'' a lyric local saying goes. Now, 10 years after the end of a bloody civil war that devastated much of Croatia, it still struggles as it sees hope for its future in ancient tourist meccas like Hvar, sister islands like Korcula and Mljet, and Dubrovnik -- Croatia's, and, arguably, Europe's, most beautiful city.
Recently rediscovered as an off-the-radar haven by the international celebrity set and their media-camp followers, Dubrovnik and Dalmatia's many romantic islands and hidden coves provided backdrops for lavish photo layouts in magazines like GQ, which this year proclaimed the Croatia ''the Next Riviera, '' and Sports Illustrated. In May, Croatia, a scythe-shaped country that sits astride the star-crossed, blood-drenched Balkans, was named the world's hottest travel destination in the new edition of the Lonely Planet guide to Croatia, which cited its ''rich diversity of attractions,'' accessibility and ''relative affordability'' (its currency, the kuna, is far friendlier to the dollar than the euro is) as well as its ''stunning beaches and islands'' and ''magnificent food.''
That's a surprising turnaround for a country that saw its most fabled city, Dubrovnik, nearly destroyed by artillery bombardments during a months-long siege in the 1991-95 war. With eight million visitors expected in Croatia this summer, the government-run national tourist board has begun a campaign to restore tourism to its prewar levels, when upward of 10 million visitors annually flocked to the beaches of Dalmatia and Istria, the neighboring coastal province to the north. Back then, the tourist industry accounted for a full third of Croatia's national income. Tourism officials say that the number of visitors has grown 6 to 10 percent in each of the past several years.
Nowhere is the tourist board's touted ''Magical Croatia'' brand more fitting than on Hvar, where they give names to the wind but not the streets, where children are said to fly and the richest man in the world has to wait for his latte during fjaka, when the island tucks in for its afternoon siesta.
Holding court at Macondo, Mr. Barisic, a burly, bearded cross between Jerry Garcia and Zorba the Greek, is quick to cackle at his own stories and eager to share his knowledge and love for Hvar and its bounty. ''You must be careful,'' he cautioned as he poured me a glass of the rich local red, strong as it is delicious. ''One glass you won't feel; have two, you won't feel a thing.''
Describing Hvar (awkward in English, it's pronounced hwahr) as a ''hideaway for the creative poor and the very rich,'' Mr. Barisic said, ''Celebrities like to come here because they're left alone. Bill Gates sails in on his yacht and no one pays any attention. No one cares. There are no paparazzi, no fans, no autographs. I was in a cafe with my daughter and a lady sat down at the next table. My daughter said, 'Dad, that's the lady from ''Shakespeare in Love.'''''
Gwyneth Paltrow is among the many red-carpet faces seen blending in with the crowds in recent summers. ''It gets to be like 42nd Street around here in July and August,'' Mr. Barisic said the next afternoon as he sipped a whiskey-laced coffee in one of Hvar's outdoor cafes. ''No one sleeps during the season. Everyone is jumping around, singing and roaming the streets until dawn.''
The scene is hard to imagine during a visit in late March, when the sun-drenched square, a wide piazza from the 13th century paved with polished white stone mined on Hvar and its sister island, Brac (the same stone was used in Split to build the palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian and, 16 centuries later, the White House) is deserted during fjaka.
Toddlers chase pigeons across the square, squealing with delight. Elderly men smoke in the cool shadows cast by the bell tower of the 16th-century Cathedral of St. Stephen, which forms the picturesque west face of the square.
A three-legged dog, a red scarf tied at its neck, trots as best it can behind its master who, like most dog owners here, carries a leash but seldom has use for it. Dogs here are a well-trained lot who obey voice commands and stroll in and out of the open-air cafes as they please. Their owners don't bother scooping up after them. That work is left to professionals, street cleaners who do an excellent job keeping tourists' Manolo sandals unsoiled during the raucous high season.
My friend Buga Novak, a Hvar-born translator and interpreter who lives in Zagreb, took me on a walking tour of Hvar town. Strolling the riva, the long waterfront promenade that winds around the harbor, she pointed out a hilltop fortress and the remains of city walls that were built in the 13th century to defend against Turkish pirates. Far above, another fortress, built by Napoleon, one in a long list of invaders, today bristles not with cannon but with instruments to record seismological and meteorological data.
On summer nights, when the fortifications above are illuminated and fishing boats bob at anchor in the harbor, films are shown in an open-air theater where audiences sit at tables, drinks are served and, Ms. Novak says, the chatter and action off screen can be as entertaining as the film.
In front of the Hotel Palace, children play at the base of the Pillar of Shame, where in the Middle Ages sinners were tied up for display, jeered at and spat upon. Nearby, water taxis line up along the riva to ferry summer hordes of beer-cooler toting ''naturists'' -- the guidebook euphemism for those who like to perform their sun worshiping naked -- to the island's highly popular offshore nudist beaches.
''The ancient Greeks and the Romans were growing grapes and producing wine on Hvar 300 years before Christ,'' said Andro Tomic, a local vintner, as he toured his vineyards high on the windward face of the near vertical mountain ridge that runs the length of Hvar. Mr. Tomic was one of only a handful of Croatians I met who did not speak English.
With Ms. Novak translating, Mr. Tomic said that Hvar's abundance of sun and strong winds -- which he called ''ideal conditions for producing the highest quality grapes'' -- had kept the vineyards insect and disease free. Those same winds blow with such force off the Adriatic that workers tending the vines have to be tethered by ropes to prevent them from being swept from the mountainside and cast out to sea, Mr. Tomic said.
Mythologized by islanders' ancestors, the winds are known by name throughout Dalmatia, explained Ms. Novak, who swears her Hvar-born mother ''flew'' as a child, lifted off her feet by a gust and blown the length of her family's backyard. ''Bura, the good north wind, blows clouds and bad weather away,'' she said. ''It is said that the evil south wind, Jugo, awakens the existing demons within you.''
From the Iron Age to the Iron Curtain and beyond, war has been a fact of life in a country that sits at the bloody crossroads between Europe and Asia Minor. Ten years after fighting ceased in the latest installment -- the five-year civil war that left more than 10,000 dead and hundreds of thousands homeless, caused more than $20 billion in damages and left much of the country in ruin -- the scars are not often visible, but the effects remain profoundly felt.
In the Dalmatian port city of Split, physical damage suffered during the war has long since been repaired. But the city, with its terraced homes and its Lido-like riva of outdoor cafes, is awash in unemployment, drugs and crime that arose in the aftermath of the war. Good hotels are few. Many more are in disrepair, having only recently been vacated by thousands of homeless war refugees who were given temporary housing in the city. One such is run by a skeleton staff and is embarked on a dubious campaign to attract tourists by hyping its casino and American Go Go Club, featuring 36 dancers and a ''Lesbian Sex Show.''
Split is home to the enormous, fortresslike marble palace where the Emperor Diocletian, known for his persecution of Christians, retired in the early fourth century. The place still teems with life; residents live in its apartments, and many restaurants and pubs allow visitors to dance, at least figuratively, on the emperor's grave.
With a 1,700-year-old interactive theme park like that in its midst, Split may well regain its standing as a leading tourist destination. Now, however, the city serves primarily as a jumping-off place for tourists catching ferries to the offshore islands or heading south on the Adriatic Highway, the spectacular, 150-mile coast road to Dubrovnik that offers a drive every bit as eye-popping as California's Highway 1, only without the fog shrouding the view.
Well-paved if serpentine and heavily trafficked, the highway hugs the mountainous coastline, offering vertigo-inducing views of the Adriatic at every turn. As it winds along the Makarska Riviera, the roadway is carved from the limestone cliff face of a snowcapped mountain ridge. Small towns with their clusters of orange-tile-roofed homes nestle around coves far below. The spires of churches and cypress trees reach heavenward, toward us.
South of Makarska, the highway crosses a wide, fertile flood plain, where farmers at roadside stands sell oranges and honey and tall, slender bottles of olive or lavender oils.
In unsettling counterpoint to that peaceful scene, an ugly black scrawl of graffiti is spray-painted on a billboard in Bosnia and Herzegovina (the highway passes through a 10-mile-wide strip in Dalmatia that gives Croatia's neighbor access to the sea), with the words ''I Love '' in English followed by a swastika. The graffiti markings are a chilling reminder that old hatreds die hard in the Balkans. So are the dozens of white ribbons of cloth tied to roadside bushes and fence posts we see when we take a long detour across the mountains and into Krajina.
Most guidebooks warn visitors away from Krajina, a former Serbian enclave that was the scene of bloody sectarian violence during the war. The cloth strips, Ms. Novak said, were tied to mark the location of land mines planted during the war and yet to be removed by the Croatian military.
Around a bend, we see a large color photo poster of a fugitive Croatian army general, Ante Gotovina, wanted by the Hague war crimes tribunal. The general, like some Serbian counterparts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia's primary foe in the 1991-95 war, stands accused of committing atrocities during that conflict.
Most Croatians I spoke with say they are looking west in the hope of gaining admission to the European Union, which they believe would bring security to the volatile, war-torn Balkan region, reduce trade restrictions and enable the country's ancient wine and olive industries to flourish anew. The general, whose whereabouts are unknown, is the focus of new debate. During my visit it was announced that Croatia's invitation to join the union was contingent in part upon his arrest or surrender, actions strongly opposed by the country's loud rightist minority. Beneath the poster's portrait of the warrior in uniform, his supporters wrote the words ''Hero, Not Criminal.''
War and its terrors are not readily conjured today in Dubrovnik, the Croatian city hardest hit in the war. The long-prosperous and proudly neutral city state that survived for centuries as a beacon of international cooperation while mightier powers arrayed around it battled and bled, Dubrovnik is a walled seaside town of orange tiled roofs, marble streets and lyrically placed turrets and towers that make it look like a sculpture, exquisite from any angle.
Like many of Dubrovnik's architectural treasures, the elegant Hotel Imperial, severely damaged and in flames after an artillery bombardment in 1991, has been painstakingly restored to its prewar glory. Painted a bright Hapsburg yellow, with filigreed wrought-iron balconies adorning its facade, the hotel reopened in spring under its new owners, the Hilton Hotel chain, one of many United States and European companies and private individuals who see gold in this beautiful but tragedy-stalked city and country.
Just as foreign investors, who have been buying seaside homes and condominiums in Dalmatia, are betting on a lasting peace, some Croatians I talked with are wary.
''Every generation has its war,'' said Ms. Novak's 85-year-old grandfather, Bozidar Novak, who as a teenage partisan leader during World War II fought Fascists in the mountains of Hvar. His son, Srdjan, now a professor of physics at the University of Zagreb, nodded in agreement. ''It isn't something you think about,'' said Srdjan, a civil war veteran, ''when it's your home you're fighting for.''
Even Mr. Barisic, the self-described ''free artist'' of Hvar whom everyone calls Art, found himself joining the battle. ''All my life I hated uniforms,'' he said. ''I am Art, not war. But when war happens, you live it. It is not something you fear or avoid.
''Now,'' however, Mr. Barisic said, ''I am finished with war. That's the last one. It's over. Ours is the last generation to fight in a war.''
''I would be drunk with happiness if it was so,'' said Zdravko Bazdan, a University of Dubrovnik economics professor who survived near daily bombardments during the siege of the city. ''But this being the Balkans,'' he said, ''you never know.''
Along the dalmatian coast, many spots worth a visit
The Croatian National Tourist Office, (800) 829-4416, www.croatia.hr, is a useful source for information.
GETTING THERE
Though there are no direct flights from the United States, connecting flights from the New York area to Dubrovnik can be booked through most major European cities. Croatia Travel, (800) 662-7628, croatiatravel.com, arranges connections through Croatia Airlines, www.croatiaairlines.hr, on a number of airlines. In early July, a round-trip American Airlines flight from New York to Dubrovnik in late August (transferring in Manchester, England, to British Airways) was $1,065.
While regular rail service to Croatia is available from most Western European countries, the going can be slow and even slower within Croatia. Bus service is more reliable, with daily service from Germany, Italy and Austria (www.eurolines.com) and an extensive network of domestic routes (www.akz.hr).
Car ferries operate daily during the summer (less frequently off season) between Italy and the Dalmatian coast, crossing the Adriatic from Ancona to Hvar, in 10 hours (berths from $40, cars $70, at $1.22 to the euro) on Croatia's largest ferry company, Jadrolinija, www.jadrolinija.hr.
WHERE TO STAY
With hotel rooms at a premium along the coast during July and August, enterprising locals rent space in their homes by posting signs in town or on line. Private accommodations can be found on the Web at sites like www.findcroatia.com and www.hvar.hr. Hotel prices here are for high season, and include breakfast.
Hvar Hotel Amfora, (385-21) 741-202; www.suncanihvar.hr. If the private beach is too crowded, try the big pool (scuba and snorkeling lessons available) or enjoy the view of the small cove and winding riva from the balcony of the spacious fourth-floor lobby. Double rooms start at about $100, at 6.3 kuna to the dollar.
Hotel Palace, (385-21) 741-966; www.suncanihvar.hr. Facing Hvar's small but active harbor, the century-old hotel was built on the site of a Venetian palace that once housed the local parliament. Doubles from $180.
Dubrovnik Hotel Excelsior, Frana Supila 12,;(385-20) 353-353; www.hotel-excelsior.hr. A recently renovated luxury hotel offering five-star accommodation and service. The view from the Excelsior's terraces and balconies as the sun sets behind Dubrovnik is unsurpassed. Doubles from $255.
Pucic Palace, Od Puca, (385-20) 326-222; www.thepucicpalace.com. In the heart of Dubrovnik's walled old town, the four-story stone Palace, once a nobleman's opulent home, catered to visiting merchants, aristocrats and dignitaries during Dubrovnik's days as an international trading center. Today's guests enjoy in-room DVD players and art treasures on loan from the city's leading museums. Doubles from $584.
WHERE TO EAT
Hvar A cozy, candlelight-and-artwork-filled seafood restaurant located in a narrow, nameless alleyway a few stone steps from the town square, Macondo, (385-21) 742-850 (named after the town in ''One Hundred Years of Solitude''), offers fresh seafood and shellfish and wonderful local wines (the white Bogdanusa -- ''God's given grape'' -- and the red Ploski Plovac, 14 percent alcohol, are superb). Dinner for two, with wine, about $90.
Mali Ston This tiny town was built with 14th-century walls and fortifications on the Peljesac Peninsula, some of which still stand. Mali Ston, in southern Dalmatia, and its sister town, Ston, are renowned for the fresh oysters and mussels harvested from shellfish farms in the waters of the surrounding fjords. Kapetanova Kuca, (385-20) 754-264, a patio restaurant, with an array of pastas and succulent shellfish, is a popular stop for travelers on the Dalmatian highway. Oysters, an entree and wine cost about $80 for two
Dubrovnik Lora Rudnjak, the owner of Ragusa 2, Prijeko 30, (385-20) 321-203, a seafood restaurant and sidewalk cafe in the old town, took the name in turn from the original Ragusa (the name of Dubrovnik when it was an independent city-state), which her family started in Dubrovnik in 1929. Featured along with seafood, pastas and risotto are large platters of Croatian cheeses, thinly sliced Dalmatian smoked ham, octopus salad, oysters, mussels and clams. Dinner for two with wine, about $55.
(STEVE DOUGHERTY)
In Croatia, A New Riviera Beckons
By STEVE DOUGHERTY
''YOU will cry when you see it. Bring tissues. You will need them.''
We are finishing a marathon meal at Macondo, a seafood restaurant on a nameless back alley in Hvar. My dinner companion, a local painter, writer and actor named Niksa Barisic, was talking about a historic theater built in 1612 during the Dalmatian Renaissance and still in use half a millennium later. But he could just as well have been describing his feelings for Hvar itself, a mountainous, lavender-scented isle set in the blue, sun-blasted Adriatic Sea off the Dalmatian coast of Croatia.
For centuries, the island has lured visitors and inspired poets. ''I know paradise now, I know Hvar,'' a lyric local saying goes. Now, 10 years after the end of a bloody civil war that devastated much of Croatia, it still struggles as it sees hope for its future in ancient tourist meccas like Hvar, sister islands like Korcula and Mljet, and Dubrovnik -- Croatia's, and, arguably, Europe's, most beautiful city.
Recently rediscovered as an off-the-radar haven by the international celebrity set and their media-camp followers, Dubrovnik and Dalmatia's many romantic islands and hidden coves provided backdrops for lavish photo layouts in magazines like GQ, which this year proclaimed the Croatia ''the Next Riviera, '' and Sports Illustrated. In May, Croatia, a scythe-shaped country that sits astride the star-crossed, blood-drenched Balkans, was named the world's hottest travel destination in the new edition of the Lonely Planet guide to Croatia, which cited its ''rich diversity of attractions,'' accessibility and ''relative affordability'' (its currency, the kuna, is far friendlier to the dollar than the euro is) as well as its ''stunning beaches and islands'' and ''magnificent food.''
That's a surprising turnaround for a country that saw its most fabled city, Dubrovnik, nearly destroyed by artillery bombardments during a months-long siege in the 1991-95 war. With eight million visitors expected in Croatia this summer, the government-run national tourist board has begun a campaign to restore tourism to its prewar levels, when upward of 10 million visitors annually flocked to the beaches of Dalmatia and Istria, the neighboring coastal province to the north. Back then, the tourist industry accounted for a full third of Croatia's national income. Tourism officials say that the number of visitors has grown 6 to 10 percent in each of the past several years.
Nowhere is the tourist board's touted ''Magical Croatia'' brand more fitting than on Hvar, where they give names to the wind but not the streets, where children are said to fly and the richest man in the world has to wait for his latte during fjaka, when the island tucks in for its afternoon siesta.
Holding court at Macondo, Mr. Barisic, a burly, bearded cross between Jerry Garcia and Zorba the Greek, is quick to cackle at his own stories and eager to share his knowledge and love for Hvar and its bounty. ''You must be careful,'' he cautioned as he poured me a glass of the rich local red, strong as it is delicious. ''One glass you won't feel; have two, you won't feel a thing.''
Describing Hvar (awkward in English, it's pronounced hwahr) as a ''hideaway for the creative poor and the very rich,'' Mr. Barisic said, ''Celebrities like to come here because they're left alone. Bill Gates sails in on his yacht and no one pays any attention. No one cares. There are no paparazzi, no fans, no autographs. I was in a cafe with my daughter and a lady sat down at the next table. My daughter said, 'Dad, that's the lady from ''Shakespeare in Love.'''''
Gwyneth Paltrow is among the many red-carpet faces seen blending in with the crowds in recent summers. ''It gets to be like 42nd Street around here in July and August,'' Mr. Barisic said the next afternoon as he sipped a whiskey-laced coffee in one of Hvar's outdoor cafes. ''No one sleeps during the season. Everyone is jumping around, singing and roaming the streets until dawn.''
The scene is hard to imagine during a visit in late March, when the sun-drenched square, a wide piazza from the 13th century paved with polished white stone mined on Hvar and its sister island, Brac (the same stone was used in Split to build the palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian and, 16 centuries later, the White House) is deserted during fjaka.
Toddlers chase pigeons across the square, squealing with delight. Elderly men smoke in the cool shadows cast by the bell tower of the 16th-century Cathedral of St. Stephen, which forms the picturesque west face of the square.
A three-legged dog, a red scarf tied at its neck, trots as best it can behind its master who, like most dog owners here, carries a leash but seldom has use for it. Dogs here are a well-trained lot who obey voice commands and stroll in and out of the open-air cafes as they please. Their owners don't bother scooping up after them. That work is left to professionals, street cleaners who do an excellent job keeping tourists' Manolo sandals unsoiled during the raucous high season.
My friend Buga Novak, a Hvar-born translator and interpreter who lives in Zagreb, took me on a walking tour of Hvar town. Strolling the riva, the long waterfront promenade that winds around the harbor, she pointed out a hilltop fortress and the remains of city walls that were built in the 13th century to defend against Turkish pirates. Far above, another fortress, built by Napoleon, one in a long list of invaders, today bristles not with cannon but with instruments to record seismological and meteorological data.
On summer nights, when the fortifications above are illuminated and fishing boats bob at anchor in the harbor, films are shown in an open-air theater where audiences sit at tables, drinks are served and, Ms. Novak says, the chatter and action off screen can be as entertaining as the film.
In front of the Hotel Palace, children play at the base of the Pillar of Shame, where in the Middle Ages sinners were tied up for display, jeered at and spat upon. Nearby, water taxis line up along the riva to ferry summer hordes of beer-cooler toting ''naturists'' -- the guidebook euphemism for those who like to perform their sun worshiping naked -- to the island's highly popular offshore nudist beaches.
''The ancient Greeks and the Romans were growing grapes and producing wine on Hvar 300 years before Christ,'' said Andro Tomic, a local vintner, as he toured his vineyards high on the windward face of the near vertical mountain ridge that runs the length of Hvar. Mr. Tomic was one of only a handful of Croatians I met who did not speak English.
With Ms. Novak translating, Mr. Tomic said that Hvar's abundance of sun and strong winds -- which he called ''ideal conditions for producing the highest quality grapes'' -- had kept the vineyards insect and disease free. Those same winds blow with such force off the Adriatic that workers tending the vines have to be tethered by ropes to prevent them from being swept from the mountainside and cast out to sea, Mr. Tomic said.
Mythologized by islanders' ancestors, the winds are known by name throughout Dalmatia, explained Ms. Novak, who swears her Hvar-born mother ''flew'' as a child, lifted off her feet by a gust and blown the length of her family's backyard. ''Bura, the good north wind, blows clouds and bad weather away,'' she said. ''It is said that the evil south wind, Jugo, awakens the existing demons within you.''
From the Iron Age to the Iron Curtain and beyond, war has been a fact of life in a country that sits at the bloody crossroads between Europe and Asia Minor. Ten years after fighting ceased in the latest installment -- the five-year civil war that left more than 10,000 dead and hundreds of thousands homeless, caused more than $20 billion in damages and left much of the country in ruin -- the scars are not often visible, but the effects remain profoundly felt.
In the Dalmatian port city of Split, physical damage suffered during the war has long since been repaired. But the city, with its terraced homes and its Lido-like riva of outdoor cafes, is awash in unemployment, drugs and crime that arose in the aftermath of the war. Good hotels are few. Many more are in disrepair, having only recently been vacated by thousands of homeless war refugees who were given temporary housing in the city. One such is run by a skeleton staff and is embarked on a dubious campaign to attract tourists by hyping its casino and American Go Go Club, featuring 36 dancers and a ''Lesbian Sex Show.''
Split is home to the enormous, fortresslike marble palace where the Emperor Diocletian, known for his persecution of Christians, retired in the early fourth century. The place still teems with life; residents live in its apartments, and many restaurants and pubs allow visitors to dance, at least figuratively, on the emperor's grave.
With a 1,700-year-old interactive theme park like that in its midst, Split may well regain its standing as a leading tourist destination. Now, however, the city serves primarily as a jumping-off place for tourists catching ferries to the offshore islands or heading south on the Adriatic Highway, the spectacular, 150-mile coast road to Dubrovnik that offers a drive every bit as eye-popping as California's Highway 1, only without the fog shrouding the view.
Well-paved if serpentine and heavily trafficked, the highway hugs the mountainous coastline, offering vertigo-inducing views of the Adriatic at every turn. As it winds along the Makarska Riviera, the roadway is carved from the limestone cliff face of a snowcapped mountain ridge. Small towns with their clusters of orange-tile-roofed homes nestle around coves far below. The spires of churches and cypress trees reach heavenward, toward us.
South of Makarska, the highway crosses a wide, fertile flood plain, where farmers at roadside stands sell oranges and honey and tall, slender bottles of olive or lavender oils.
In unsettling counterpoint to that peaceful scene, an ugly black scrawl of graffiti is spray-painted on a billboard in Bosnia and Herzegovina (the highway passes through a 10-mile-wide strip in Dalmatia that gives Croatia's neighbor access to the sea), with the words ''I Love '' in English followed by a swastika. The graffiti markings are a chilling reminder that old hatreds die hard in the Balkans. So are the dozens of white ribbons of cloth tied to roadside bushes and fence posts we see when we take a long detour across the mountains and into Krajina.
Most guidebooks warn visitors away from Krajina, a former Serbian enclave that was the scene of bloody sectarian violence during the war. The cloth strips, Ms. Novak said, were tied to mark the location of land mines planted during the war and yet to be removed by the Croatian military.
Around a bend, we see a large color photo poster of a fugitive Croatian army general, Ante Gotovina, wanted by the Hague war crimes tribunal. The general, like some Serbian counterparts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia's primary foe in the 1991-95 war, stands accused of committing atrocities during that conflict.
Most Croatians I spoke with say they are looking west in the hope of gaining admission to the European Union, which they believe would bring security to the volatile, war-torn Balkan region, reduce trade restrictions and enable the country's ancient wine and olive industries to flourish anew. The general, whose whereabouts are unknown, is the focus of new debate. During my visit it was announced that Croatia's invitation to join the union was contingent in part upon his arrest or surrender, actions strongly opposed by the country's loud rightist minority. Beneath the poster's portrait of the warrior in uniform, his supporters wrote the words ''Hero, Not Criminal.''
War and its terrors are not readily conjured today in Dubrovnik, the Croatian city hardest hit in the war. The long-prosperous and proudly neutral city state that survived for centuries as a beacon of international cooperation while mightier powers arrayed around it battled and bled, Dubrovnik is a walled seaside town of orange tiled roofs, marble streets and lyrically placed turrets and towers that make it look like a sculpture, exquisite from any angle.
Like many of Dubrovnik's architectural treasures, the elegant Hotel Imperial, severely damaged and in flames after an artillery bombardment in 1991, has been painstakingly restored to its prewar glory. Painted a bright Hapsburg yellow, with filigreed wrought-iron balconies adorning its facade, the hotel reopened in spring under its new owners, the Hilton Hotel chain, one of many United States and European companies and private individuals who see gold in this beautiful but tragedy-stalked city and country.
Just as foreign investors, who have been buying seaside homes and condominiums in Dalmatia, are betting on a lasting peace, some Croatians I talked with are wary.
''Every generation has its war,'' said Ms. Novak's 85-year-old grandfather, Bozidar Novak, who as a teenage partisan leader during World War II fought Fascists in the mountains of Hvar. His son, Srdjan, now a professor of physics at the University of Zagreb, nodded in agreement. ''It isn't something you think about,'' said Srdjan, a civil war veteran, ''when it's your home you're fighting for.''
Even Mr. Barisic, the self-described ''free artist'' of Hvar whom everyone calls Art, found himself joining the battle. ''All my life I hated uniforms,'' he said. ''I am Art, not war. But when war happens, you live it. It is not something you fear or avoid.
''Now,'' however, Mr. Barisic said, ''I am finished with war. That's the last one. It's over. Ours is the last generation to fight in a war.''
''I would be drunk with happiness if it was so,'' said Zdravko Bazdan, a University of Dubrovnik economics professor who survived near daily bombardments during the siege of the city. ''But this being the Balkans,'' he said, ''you never know.''
Along the dalmatian coast, many spots worth a visit
The Croatian National Tourist Office, (800) 829-4416, www.croatia.hr, is a useful source for information.
GETTING THERE
Though there are no direct flights from the United States, connecting flights from the New York area to Dubrovnik can be booked through most major European cities. Croatia Travel, (800) 662-7628, croatiatravel.com, arranges connections through Croatia Airlines, www.croatiaairlines.hr, on a number of airlines. In early July, a round-trip American Airlines flight from New York to Dubrovnik in late August (transferring in Manchester, England, to British Airways) was $1,065.
While regular rail service to Croatia is available from most Western European countries, the going can be slow and even slower within Croatia. Bus service is more reliable, with daily service from Germany, Italy and Austria (www.eurolines.com) and an extensive network of domestic routes (www.akz.hr).
Car ferries operate daily during the summer (less frequently off season) between Italy and the Dalmatian coast, crossing the Adriatic from Ancona to Hvar, in 10 hours (berths from $40, cars $70, at $1.22 to the euro) on Croatia's largest ferry company, Jadrolinija, www.jadrolinija.hr.
WHERE TO STAY
With hotel rooms at a premium along the coast during July and August, enterprising locals rent space in their homes by posting signs in town or on line. Private accommodations can be found on the Web at sites like www.findcroatia.com and www.hvar.hr. Hotel prices here are for high season, and include breakfast.
Hvar Hotel Amfora, (385-21) 741-202; www.suncanihvar.hr. If the private beach is too crowded, try the big pool (scuba and snorkeling lessons available) or enjoy the view of the small cove and winding riva from the balcony of the spacious fourth-floor lobby. Double rooms start at about $100, at 6.3 kuna to the dollar.
Hotel Palace, (385-21) 741-966; www.suncanihvar.hr. Facing Hvar's small but active harbor, the century-old hotel was built on the site of a Venetian palace that once housed the local parliament. Doubles from $180.
Dubrovnik Hotel Excelsior, Frana Supila 12,;(385-20) 353-353; www.hotel-excelsior.hr. A recently renovated luxury hotel offering five-star accommodation and service. The view from the Excelsior's terraces and balconies as the sun sets behind Dubrovnik is unsurpassed. Doubles from $255.
Pucic Palace, Od Puca, (385-20) 326-222; www.thepucicpalace.com. In the heart of Dubrovnik's walled old town, the four-story stone Palace, once a nobleman's opulent home, catered to visiting merchants, aristocrats and dignitaries during Dubrovnik's days as an international trading center. Today's guests enjoy in-room DVD players and art treasures on loan from the city's leading museums. Doubles from $584.
WHERE TO EAT
Hvar A cozy, candlelight-and-artwork-filled seafood restaurant located in a narrow, nameless alleyway a few stone steps from the town square, Macondo, (385-21) 742-850 (named after the town in ''One Hundred Years of Solitude''), offers fresh seafood and shellfish and wonderful local wines (the white Bogdanusa -- ''God's given grape'' -- and the red Ploski Plovac, 14 percent alcohol, are superb). Dinner for two, with wine, about $90.
Mali Ston This tiny town was built with 14th-century walls and fortifications on the Peljesac Peninsula, some of which still stand. Mali Ston, in southern Dalmatia, and its sister town, Ston, are renowned for the fresh oysters and mussels harvested from shellfish farms in the waters of the surrounding fjords. Kapetanova Kuca, (385-20) 754-264, a patio restaurant, with an array of pastas and succulent shellfish, is a popular stop for travelers on the Dalmatian highway. Oysters, an entree and wine cost about $80 for two
Dubrovnik Lora Rudnjak, the owner of Ragusa 2, Prijeko 30, (385-20) 321-203, a seafood restaurant and sidewalk cafe in the old town, took the name in turn from the original Ragusa (the name of Dubrovnik when it was an independent city-state), which her family started in Dubrovnik in 1929. Featured along with seafood, pastas and risotto are large platters of Croatian cheeses, thinly sliced Dalmatian smoked ham, octopus salad, oysters, mussels and clams. Dinner for two with wine, about $55.
(STEVE DOUGHERTY)
Monday, July 18, 2005
Eia eko art center
Eia eko art center
The goal of our project is to RETURN TO NATURE, to create environment of love in which we can act natural, spontaneous, creative and fulfilled.
We live in pure nature beside the magical forest, we build eco houses, cultivate land by the permaculturel laws (in harmony with nature), use solar energy, collect rain-water, use wood for heating, eat healthy food, have different kinds of pets and around us there are thousands of wild animals (that we have respect for).
We practice different kinds of activities as (courses for): photography, composition, painting, massages, natural health; we conduct anti-stress program that includes lots of laughter, relaxation, games, creativity. As well, we organize workshops of sound exploration, dance, communications with nature and disengagement of hidden potentials. Our main focus is (harmonious) human relations.
We guide trekking in the most beautiful (not tourist) parts of Istria and EIA center surrounding.
We organize shaman dances and Indian saunas (sweat lodge) and eco art camps for youth.
We rent out Indian (and regular) tents and trailers for the real nature experience. We have unlimited space for your tents. In Bale (place 15 km from Pula) we have private apartments and in the bay small wooden- rock house for experience called “Robinson”.
EIA center is situated 10 km from the beautiful sea, 3 km from Bale, 16 km from Rovinj, 23 km from Pula, 10 km from Lim bay. When driving from Bale towards Krmed (direction Smoljanci, Savićenta), 300 m from the crossing for Krmed (road Pula- Lim bay) there is array EIA where needs to be turned right and another 300m through the forest (until the end).
The manager of the center is Igor Drandić, the man that has been traveling for years throughout the world and been collecting rich life experience that he uses now in practice. Beside lots of “human schools” the most can be learnt from Mother Nature that has unlimited reservoir of wisdom and beauty.
He speaks several languages, and in profession he is medical clerk- masseus, holistic therapist, and as well practices photography (www.inet.hr/~idrandic/). He is the president for ecology and culture in EIA center(www.eia.hr).
Info:
Tel: Igor- 00385 (0)98 9160650
e-mail: eia@pu.htnet.hr
mailing address: San Zuian 13, 52211 Bale, Istra
The goal of our project is to RETURN TO NATURE, to create environment of love in which we can act natural, spontaneous, creative and fulfilled.
We live in pure nature beside the magical forest, we build eco houses, cultivate land by the permaculturel laws (in harmony with nature), use solar energy, collect rain-water, use wood for heating, eat healthy food, have different kinds of pets and around us there are thousands of wild animals (that we have respect for).
We practice different kinds of activities as (courses for): photography, composition, painting, massages, natural health; we conduct anti-stress program that includes lots of laughter, relaxation, games, creativity. As well, we organize workshops of sound exploration, dance, communications with nature and disengagement of hidden potentials. Our main focus is (harmonious) human relations.
We guide trekking in the most beautiful (not tourist) parts of Istria and EIA center surrounding.
We organize shaman dances and Indian saunas (sweat lodge) and eco art camps for youth.
We rent out Indian (and regular) tents and trailers for the real nature experience. We have unlimited space for your tents. In Bale (place 15 km from Pula) we have private apartments and in the bay small wooden- rock house for experience called “Robinson”.
EIA center is situated 10 km from the beautiful sea, 3 km from Bale, 16 km from Rovinj, 23 km from Pula, 10 km from Lim bay. When driving from Bale towards Krmed (direction Smoljanci, Savićenta), 300 m from the crossing for Krmed (road Pula- Lim bay) there is array EIA where needs to be turned right and another 300m through the forest (until the end).
The manager of the center is Igor Drandić, the man that has been traveling for years throughout the world and been collecting rich life experience that he uses now in practice. Beside lots of “human schools” the most can be learnt from Mother Nature that has unlimited reservoir of wisdom and beauty.
He speaks several languages, and in profession he is medical clerk- masseus, holistic therapist, and as well practices photography (www.inet.hr/~idrandic/). He is the president for ecology and culture in EIA center(www.eia.hr).
Info:
Tel: Igor- 00385 (0)98 9160650
e-mail: eia@pu.htnet.hr
mailing address: San Zuian 13, 52211 Bale, Istra
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Travel insurance Croatia
Travel health insurance is intended for the people who are not the citizens of the Republic of Croatia during their staying in Croatia.
The policy includes the cover in case of emergency needed for the illness of the insured or as a consequence of an accident, including the hospitalization, transport to the hospital or whereabouts;
More info - Travel insurance Croatia
The policy includes the cover in case of emergency needed for the illness of the insured or as a consequence of an accident, including the hospitalization, transport to the hospital or whereabouts;
• Out-patient medical treatment
• Medicines, bandages, medical aids and necessary walking aids prescribed by a physician
• Radiotherapy, thermotherapy, X-rays diagnosis
• Hospitalization and the expenses of the emergency transport to the nearest hospital
• Surgeries and related costs
• Dental treatment in case of acute toothache
• Costs of medically necessary and prescribed transport of the insured accompanied by a person from the Republic of Croatia to insured’s permanent residence place
• In case of the death of the insured, the additional expenses of the transport of the remains to the residence place, or the additional expenses of a funeral in the Republic of Croatia up to 3,500 EUR
What is not covered by the insurance?
Travel health insurance is intended for the people who are not the citizens of the Republic of Croatia during their staying in Croatia.
The policy includes the cover in case of emergency needed for the illness of the insured or as a consequence of an accident, including the hospitalization, transport to the hospital or whereabouts;
• Out-patient medical treatment
• Medicines, bandages, medical aids and necessary walking aids prescribed by a physician
• Radiotherapy, thermotherapy, X-rays diagnosis
• Hospitalization and the expenses of the emergency transport to the nearest hospital
• Surgeries and related costs
• Dental treatment in case of acute toothache
• Costs of medically necessary and prescribed transport of the insured accompanied by a person from the Republic of Croatia to insured’s permanent residence place
• In case of the death of the insured, the additional expenses of the transport of the remains to the residence place, or the additional expenses of a funeral in the Republic of Croatia up to 3,500 EUR
More info - Travel insurance Croatia
Friday, May 20, 2005
Concerts in the Arena - Pula
JAMIROQUAI
Saturday, 25 June 2005
Pop concert, 9 p.m
ticket price: 220 kuna
MAKSIM MRVICA & PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA of SLOVENIA
Saturday, 02 July 2005
Concert for piano and orchestra, 9.30 pm
tickets price: 240 Kuna, 300 Kuna, 380 Kuna and 460 Kuna
ANDREA BOCELLI
Saturday, 09 July 2005
Concert, 9.30 p.m.
ticket price: 330 kuna, 550 kuna, 720 kuna and 820 kuna
ANASTACIA - THE ENCORE TOUR
Monday, 01 August 2005
pop concert, 9 p.m.
ticket price: 240 kuna
SWAN'S LAKE
Thursday, 04 August 2005
Ballet, Royal Russian Ballet, 9 p.m.
ticket price: 130 kuna, 210 kuna, 240 kuna and 330 kuna
DON QUICHOTTE
Tuesday, 09 August 2005
Balet, Royal Russian Ballet, 9 p.m.
ticket price: 130 kuna, 210 kuna, 240 kuna and 330 kuna
BALLET "ZORBA THE GREEK"
Saturday, 13 August 2005
Ballet, 9 p.m.
ticket price: 130 kuna, 210 kuna, 240 kuna and 330 kuna
100 VIOLINA
Sunday, 14 August 2005
JOE COCKER
Tuesday, 16 August 2005
pop concert, 9 p.m.
Saturday, 25 June 2005
Pop concert, 9 p.m
ticket price: 220 kuna
MAKSIM MRVICA & PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA of SLOVENIA
Saturday, 02 July 2005
Concert for piano and orchestra, 9.30 pm
tickets price: 240 Kuna, 300 Kuna, 380 Kuna and 460 Kuna
ANDREA BOCELLI
Saturday, 09 July 2005
Concert, 9.30 p.m.
ticket price: 330 kuna, 550 kuna, 720 kuna and 820 kuna
ANASTACIA - THE ENCORE TOUR
Monday, 01 August 2005
pop concert, 9 p.m.
ticket price: 240 kuna
SWAN'S LAKE
Thursday, 04 August 2005
Ballet, Royal Russian Ballet, 9 p.m.
ticket price: 130 kuna, 210 kuna, 240 kuna and 330 kuna
DON QUICHOTTE
Tuesday, 09 August 2005
Balet, Royal Russian Ballet, 9 p.m.
ticket price: 130 kuna, 210 kuna, 240 kuna and 330 kuna
BALLET "ZORBA THE GREEK"
Saturday, 13 August 2005
Ballet, 9 p.m.
ticket price: 130 kuna, 210 kuna, 240 kuna and 330 kuna
100 VIOLINA
Sunday, 14 August 2005
JOE COCKER
Tuesday, 16 August 2005
pop concert, 9 p.m.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
ATP CROATIA OPEN UMAG
ATP CROATIA OPEN UMAG
The Tournament history
1990.- 2005.
For the past 15 years ATP Croatia Open Umag, has been known as one of the most intriguing tennis tournaments of ATP International series in Europe.
The unique «shell shape» of central stadium, location just on the beach, excellent combination of tourism, economy and sport Event, have been the trade marks of Umag, and Croatia itself.
Great skill of tournament personal in finding a good combination of daily great matches and evening entertainment, are a magnet for numerous spectators, Croatian leading companies and world famous players.
Not so many tournaments in this category can be praised with participation of players from clay tennis elite: Thomas Muster, Gustavo Kuerten, Marcelo Rios, Carlos Moya, Alberto Berasategui, and newcomers such as Filippo Volandri and Rafael Nadal.
Winners :
’90 – G. Prpic
’91 – D. Poliakov
’92 - T. Muster
’93 – T. Muster
’94 – A. Berasategui
’95 – T. Muster
’96 – C. Moya
’97- F. Mantilla
’98 – B. Ulihrach
’99 – M. Norman
’00 – M. Rios
’01 – C. Moya
’02 – C. Moya
’03 – C. Moya
’04 – G. Canas
Thomas Muster, 3 times winner of the Tournament, and Carlos Moya, 4 times winner of the Tournament, have been both awarded from the town and government institutions for great sport and political involvement in promoting Umag & Croatia.
As far as the Tournament awards, besides numerous national awards, the ATP community has honored the Tournament organization by presenting it the Award of excellence 3 times. 1998, 2000, 2001, each time acknowledging the growing improvements in organizing this type of event.
Sponsorship aspect
Since the Tournament beginnings in 1990, Croatia has passed many transformations, from socialism to democracy, trough war to liberty, not stopping the Event trough the whole time, making the Tournament the only international Event in the country during the war, proving its importance and value beyond everything.
Today, Croatian economy has reached a status of marketing expanding community, and presenting a company on the tournament in Umag has become an important step, almost a “must” for all mayor Croatian and European trademarks with importance in this region.
The sponsorship value has been acknowledged by many Croatian companies, covering the most important Croatian brands from paint producers to water, and international brands such as Pepsi, Toyota etc. Trough the 15 years the tournament has gathered a strong sponsor family, celebrating with many of them a constant 10 year old cooperation.
Various promotional opportunities, from visual exposure in tennis center and central court, to VIP sponsor village with daily presentations, have created many interesting details in capturing different promotional requests for each sponsor. Besides standard promotional packages / from 25.000 € to 100.000 € / tournament goal is to reach to all various sponsors challenging them with new promotional ideas and combinations.
Media coverage
Television coverage of the Event is a valuable asset of the sponsorship market. In 2004 edition, Croatian national television, HTV, covers the Event with cca 22 hours of direct broadcasting, reaching more than 400.000 viewers. Private national wide TV channels, NOVA TV and RTL, have reported about the tournament ( estimated value cca 500.00 Kn / cca 67.000 € ). Several international broadcast companies have transmitted few matches and the final match.
Official media coverage was sponsored by the Europapresholding Company, covering all daily newspapers, economy & politics, and leisure time magazines (promotional value has been estimated around 1.000.000 Kn, cca 140.000 € ).
Press center of the Tournament, in 2004 edition, has hosted 147 journalists and photographers, 40 national and 24 international editor’s offices. Daily routine of finding a story, and putting it to work, has been succesfully accompanied by Unifot – Nikon representatives in Croatia. In this way Nikon has reached their most demanding customers providing them with the first class service on site.
Tournament edition 2005
ATP organization will issue Official player acceptance list not before 14th June, but for the moment we are sure that following players have accepted their participation on the tournament / ranking by 25th April 05. / :
- Rafael Nadal ( ranked 7.)
- Carlos Moya ( former No.1.; ranked 9.)
- Guillermo Coria (ranked 11.)
- Ivan Ljubičić ( ranked 14.)
- Jiri Novak (ranked 23.)
- David Ferrer ( ranked 25.)
- Filippo Volandri (ranked 31.)
- Juan C. Ferrero (ranked 42.)
- Alberto Martin ( ranked 61.)
- Gustavo Kuerten (former No.1.; ranked 86.)
Television broadcast was confirmed from Croatian national television - HTV, every day 2 matches + the final in direct coverage.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Guide through events for April - Istria
Vinistra 2005 -( 29.04.-03.05.) Hall of SRC Veli Jože, Poreč
«Let us drink. Why wait for the lighting of the lamps? Night is a hair's breadth away. Take down the great goblets from the shelf, dear friend, for the son of Semele and Zeus gave us wine to forget our pains.» Thus spake Alkaios from the island of Lesbos, while wine-loving mortals can go to Poreč, to the 12th international wine fair of Vinistra, and delight their palates with the charms of the alchemic process of turning grape juice into Spiritual Matter and with the tastes of the best Istrian and other olive oils, brandies, prosciutto, cheeses and other products. If you don’t intend to sniff glasses, spit into buckets and make similar wine tasting tricks, but just want to creep in there to forget the factory-made, biochemical fusions of wine features that lead to the darkest synesthesias in our language, I believe you’ll come to the right place. You won’t have to imagine, like Bukowski, Scottish castles overgrown with moss, an azure sky and cumuli to gulp your favorite nectar. But take it easy, you don’t want to trade the wine vision for a cerebral fusion or fission.
CESARIA EVORA (10. i 11.4. u 20 h) Zagreb
KD Vatroslav Lisinski
10 and 11 April, 20 h
Tickets: 200, 240, 270 kn
The queen of morna is coming to Zagreb again and promoting her ninth studio album, awarded with a Grammy, Voz dAmor. Born in 41 in Cape Verde Islands, she was 47 when she made her first album with the help of the young Frenchman Josė da Silva. Her third album, Mar Azul, attracted the attention of European audiences and started what eventually became the global myth of a barefoot singer with a cigarette in her hand. She mostly sings in Creole Portuguese, a mixture of African and French dialects. She describes her music, morna, as blues because it expresses her painful life. Evora’s blues of her green islands often tells the hard tale of slave trade and isolation of her country. She blends sentimental folk melodies, full of yearning and sadness, with the sounds of acoustic guitar, violin and clarinet. Although most people in the audience don’t understand a word she is singing, Cesaria has found a unique language understood by all the suffering, loving, poor and melancholic people around the world, a language of a unique music that takes you to a small house near the ocean, among white sand and African rhythms…
16 - 17 April-OFF ROAD 4x4 BARBAN
The Istrian village of Barban welcomes the fans of mud and off-road vehicles for the seventh time. The organizer of the event, Klub Off Road 4x4 Barban, announced some new things: a largely changed route of the roadbook, a longer track, more "extreme" tests on the hard track and many small details that must remain the "organizer's secret" until the start of the race. For the owners of "ordinary" off-road vehicles, who will find satisfaction on the easier track, there is a changed and longer track with all kinds of natural surfaces.
16 April OLIVE OIL FAIR-House of Youth, Vodnjan
Our bonny peninsula is known not only for its truffles and wines, but more and more for its olive oil, as even the most obtuse people must have noticed over the past few years. One of such events, which never pass unnoticed, is the Vodnjan Olive Oil Fair. Experts believe that trees in southern Istria make the best olives, which are transformed by skilled peasants into the best and tastiest oil. For yet another year, the House of Youth in Vodnjan will give a warm welcome to all exhibitors and visitors.
«Let us drink. Why wait for the lighting of the lamps? Night is a hair's breadth away. Take down the great goblets from the shelf, dear friend, for the son of Semele and Zeus gave us wine to forget our pains.» Thus spake Alkaios from the island of Lesbos, while wine-loving mortals can go to Poreč, to the 12th international wine fair of Vinistra, and delight their palates with the charms of the alchemic process of turning grape juice into Spiritual Matter and with the tastes of the best Istrian and other olive oils, brandies, prosciutto, cheeses and other products. If you don’t intend to sniff glasses, spit into buckets and make similar wine tasting tricks, but just want to creep in there to forget the factory-made, biochemical fusions of wine features that lead to the darkest synesthesias in our language, I believe you’ll come to the right place. You won’t have to imagine, like Bukowski, Scottish castles overgrown with moss, an azure sky and cumuli to gulp your favorite nectar. But take it easy, you don’t want to trade the wine vision for a cerebral fusion or fission.
CESARIA EVORA (10. i 11.4. u 20 h) Zagreb
KD Vatroslav Lisinski
10 and 11 April, 20 h
Tickets: 200, 240, 270 kn
The queen of morna is coming to Zagreb again and promoting her ninth studio album, awarded with a Grammy, Voz dAmor. Born in 41 in Cape Verde Islands, she was 47 when she made her first album with the help of the young Frenchman Josė da Silva. Her third album, Mar Azul, attracted the attention of European audiences and started what eventually became the global myth of a barefoot singer with a cigarette in her hand. She mostly sings in Creole Portuguese, a mixture of African and French dialects. She describes her music, morna, as blues because it expresses her painful life. Evora’s blues of her green islands often tells the hard tale of slave trade and isolation of her country. She blends sentimental folk melodies, full of yearning and sadness, with the sounds of acoustic guitar, violin and clarinet. Although most people in the audience don’t understand a word she is singing, Cesaria has found a unique language understood by all the suffering, loving, poor and melancholic people around the world, a language of a unique music that takes you to a small house near the ocean, among white sand and African rhythms…
16 - 17 April-OFF ROAD 4x4 BARBAN
The Istrian village of Barban welcomes the fans of mud and off-road vehicles for the seventh time. The organizer of the event, Klub Off Road 4x4 Barban, announced some new things: a largely changed route of the roadbook, a longer track, more "extreme" tests on the hard track and many small details that must remain the "organizer's secret" until the start of the race. For the owners of "ordinary" off-road vehicles, who will find satisfaction on the easier track, there is a changed and longer track with all kinds of natural surfaces.
16 April OLIVE OIL FAIR-House of Youth, Vodnjan
Our bonny peninsula is known not only for its truffles and wines, but more and more for its olive oil, as even the most obtuse people must have noticed over the past few years. One of such events, which never pass unnoticed, is the Vodnjan Olive Oil Fair. Experts believe that trees in southern Istria make the best olives, which are transformed by skilled peasants into the best and tastiest oil. For yet another year, the House of Youth in Vodnjan will give a warm welcome to all exhibitors and visitors.
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Unique Play of Nature
Apart from the Brijuni Islands, the only national park in Istria, there are six different categories of natural heritage under protection.
The mountain massif of Ucka, also the highest peak in Istria, was proclaimed a nature park, since it is the natural environment of several protected plant and animal species.
Special reserves of botanical-forest vegetation are Motovun Forest and Kontija Forest, a special marine reserve is the sea and sea bed of Lim Bay, whereas Datule near Barbariga is a special paleontological sight.
Istria also has six forest parks - Zlatni rt, Sijana, Skaraba, Busoler, Kasteja Peninsula and Soline Hill near Vinkuran, and nine protected landscapes - surroundings of Istarske toplice near Buzet, Lim Bay, Pazin abyss, Rovinj archipelago and coastal area, area of Gracisce - Pican, area around Labin, Rabac and Prklog Cove, upper and lower Kamenjak with Medulin archipelago and area of Ucka.
There are five botanical nature sights, mostly centuries-old trees, one zoological nature sight - Pincinova Cave, three geomorphologic - Markova Cave, Podbaredine Cave and Vela Draga below Ucka, and one geological nature sight - Fantazija Quarry. Along with the line of cypresses at the Rovinj cemetery, the park in Nedescina is also considered a monument of park architecture.
The mountain massif of Ucka, also the highest peak in Istria, was proclaimed a nature park, since it is the natural environment of several protected plant and animal species.
Special reserves of botanical-forest vegetation are Motovun Forest and Kontija Forest, a special marine reserve is the sea and sea bed of Lim Bay, whereas Datule near Barbariga is a special paleontological sight.
Istria also has six forest parks - Zlatni rt, Sijana, Skaraba, Busoler, Kasteja Peninsula and Soline Hill near Vinkuran, and nine protected landscapes - surroundings of Istarske toplice near Buzet, Lim Bay, Pazin abyss, Rovinj archipelago and coastal area, area of Gracisce - Pican, area around Labin, Rabac and Prklog Cove, upper and lower Kamenjak with Medulin archipelago and area of Ucka.
There are five botanical nature sights, mostly centuries-old trees, one zoological nature sight - Pincinova Cave, three geomorphologic - Markova Cave, Podbaredine Cave and Vela Draga below Ucka, and one geological nature sight - Fantazija Quarry. Along with the line of cypresses at the Rovinj cemetery, the park in Nedescina is also considered a monument of park architecture.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Plitvice Lakes National Park
The natural attributes of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, uniqueness and sensibiliry of that phenomenon, deserve a full attention of our visitors. Recreational aspect of stay and the amazement with beauty of the area that conquers by its natural diversity and harmony of shapes and colours in any of the seasons, is based on many mutually conditioned natural characteristics.
That is a specific geological and hydrogeological phenomenon of karst. The series of 16 bigger and a few smaller lakes, gradually lined up, separated by travertine barriers for which the period of the last ten thousand years was crucial, and which were ruled by ecological relations similar to those of today - suitable for travertine depositing and for the origin of the lakes - are the basic phenomenon of the National Park.
Travertine forming plants, algae and mosses have been and still are playing an important role in their creation, thus making a very sensitive biodynamic system.
Transitive type of climate between coastal and continental with microclimatic diversities makes summer pleasant and sunny, while on the other side winter is relatively long, harsh and snowrich. There are large forestry complexes in the Park area, of which some sections are protected as a special reserve of forestry vegetation due to its primeval characteristics (Corkova uvala virgin forest). Diversity of places and living conditions makes possible for numerous species of plants and animals in watery and terrestrial areas of the Park to develop with no disturbancy.
It should be stressed that all fundamental things that do determine the Park, make a very fragile structural and functional complex, sensitive to natural changes and to incautious human actions.
UNESCO has declared it with all rights as the World's natural inheritance. All that was mentioned in this short introduction shows a big importance and the reason why this Natural History Guide of The Plitvice Lakes National Park is being published. It should come into hands of every single visitor and draw his attention to numerous attractions of the first Croatian National Park.
That is a specific geological and hydrogeological phenomenon of karst. The series of 16 bigger and a few smaller lakes, gradually lined up, separated by travertine barriers for which the period of the last ten thousand years was crucial, and which were ruled by ecological relations similar to those of today - suitable for travertine depositing and for the origin of the lakes - are the basic phenomenon of the National Park.
Travertine forming plants, algae and mosses have been and still are playing an important role in their creation, thus making a very sensitive biodynamic system.
Transitive type of climate between coastal and continental with microclimatic diversities makes summer pleasant and sunny, while on the other side winter is relatively long, harsh and snowrich. There are large forestry complexes in the Park area, of which some sections are protected as a special reserve of forestry vegetation due to its primeval characteristics (Corkova uvala virgin forest). Diversity of places and living conditions makes possible for numerous species of plants and animals in watery and terrestrial areas of the Park to develop with no disturbancy.
It should be stressed that all fundamental things that do determine the Park, make a very fragile structural and functional complex, sensitive to natural changes and to incautious human actions.
UNESCO has declared it with all rights as the World's natural inheritance. All that was mentioned in this short introduction shows a big importance and the reason why this Natural History Guide of The Plitvice Lakes National Park is being published. It should come into hands of every single visitor and draw his attention to numerous attractions of the first Croatian National Park.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Istria Terra Magica Bike marathon
Dear sports friends, it is our great pleasure to announce the international cycling manifestation Off Road Cup Grand Prix Windtex arriving to Istria in its 5th edition.
Off Road Cup Grand Prix Windtex comprises eight especially chosen and most attractive MTB races in Italy organized between April and the end of September, followed by mid-October manifestation of giving awards of the entire prize fund. One of the races will be organized outside Italy for the first time, on Sunday 24 April, Vrsar will be the host of the second race or the Istria Terra Magica Bike marathon.
Along with the promotion of the entire manifestation, there will be simultaneous presentations of the towns hosting the races, as well as a presentation of cycling as a sport representing principles of healthy life, fair play, balance between the individual and its surroundings and the society. Windtex is a media event followed by several million TV viewers, with a special experience thanks to the attractive broadcast by SKY television whose crew uses the helicopter along with fixed cameras and cameras on motorcycles.
The marathon, well-known tourist destination very close to western Europe, whose romantic atmosphere used to impress even the famous Casanova, is 67 kilometres long.
The race is listed on the calendar of the World Cycling Federation (UCI) in the class E1. Regarding the fact that this is the race earning world points, we expect strong competition and an exciting race.
For all cyclists, the hotel and catering company Riviera holding prepared special arrangements and affordable prices of accommodation. During the race, sponsors will provide refreshments for the competitors.
Date:
24th April 2005
Competition type:
Marathon Istria Terra Magica Bike (UCI E1)
Authorized categories:
Elite, U-23, Women, Sport, Master 1, Master 2, Master 3, Master 4, Hobby-Tourist
Start:
Start in Vrsar at 10.30 am
Registration and start fee till 10th April 2005:
Istria Terra Magica Bike (E1) = 20 €
Additional fee from 11th till 22nd April 2005:
Istria Terra Magica Bike (E1) = 25 €
Number assignment:
● Saturday, 23th April 2005 from 12 am till 7 pm directly in the race office at the Hotel Diamant in Poreč,
● Sunday, 24th April 2005 from 7 till 9 pm at the info point at Vrsar
Prizes:
Overall prize purse: 4.330 € cash. Prize purse will be awarded to riders in the following categories: Elite, U-23, Women, Master and Sport. Practical prizes will be awarded to riders in all categories.
Prize giving ceremonies:
● Sunday, 24th April 2005 at the finish lane in Vrsar
President of the Commissaires Panel: Csilla Tam (Hungary)
General rules:
The event applies the mountain bike technical rules of the Croatian Biking Union, the UCI International Mountain Bike Regulations and the general regulations of the UCI. The organizer will not be held accountable for civil and legal responsibilities of the competitors towards third parties. The event will take place regardless the weather conditions.
Complaints:
According to the book of regulations by placing the deposit of 100 kn
More info : Istria Tourist Board and Tourism Department of the Region Istria, Pionirska 1a, HR-52440 Poreč
T. ..385.(0)52.452 500
F. ..385.(0)52.452 811
Contact:
Denis Ivošević - denis.ivosevic@istra-istria.hr
Bernard Musulin - bernard.musulin@istra-istria.hr
Off Road Cup Grand Prix Windtex comprises eight especially chosen and most attractive MTB races in Italy organized between April and the end of September, followed by mid-October manifestation of giving awards of the entire prize fund. One of the races will be organized outside Italy for the first time, on Sunday 24 April, Vrsar will be the host of the second race or the Istria Terra Magica Bike marathon.
Along with the promotion of the entire manifestation, there will be simultaneous presentations of the towns hosting the races, as well as a presentation of cycling as a sport representing principles of healthy life, fair play, balance between the individual and its surroundings and the society. Windtex is a media event followed by several million TV viewers, with a special experience thanks to the attractive broadcast by SKY television whose crew uses the helicopter along with fixed cameras and cameras on motorcycles.
The marathon, well-known tourist destination very close to western Europe, whose romantic atmosphere used to impress even the famous Casanova, is 67 kilometres long.
The race is listed on the calendar of the World Cycling Federation (UCI) in the class E1. Regarding the fact that this is the race earning world points, we expect strong competition and an exciting race.
For all cyclists, the hotel and catering company Riviera holding prepared special arrangements and affordable prices of accommodation. During the race, sponsors will provide refreshments for the competitors.
Date:
24th April 2005
Competition type:
Marathon Istria Terra Magica Bike (UCI E1)
Authorized categories:
Elite, U-23, Women, Sport, Master 1, Master 2, Master 3, Master 4, Hobby-Tourist
Start:
Start in Vrsar at 10.30 am
Registration and start fee till 10th April 2005:
Istria Terra Magica Bike (E1) = 20 €
Additional fee from 11th till 22nd April 2005:
Istria Terra Magica Bike (E1) = 25 €
Number assignment:
● Saturday, 23th April 2005 from 12 am till 7 pm directly in the race office at the Hotel Diamant in Poreč,
● Sunday, 24th April 2005 from 7 till 9 pm at the info point at Vrsar
Prizes:
Overall prize purse: 4.330 € cash. Prize purse will be awarded to riders in the following categories: Elite, U-23, Women, Master and Sport. Practical prizes will be awarded to riders in all categories.
Prize giving ceremonies:
● Sunday, 24th April 2005 at the finish lane in Vrsar
President of the Commissaires Panel: Csilla Tam (Hungary)
General rules:
The event applies the mountain bike technical rules of the Croatian Biking Union, the UCI International Mountain Bike Regulations and the general regulations of the UCI. The organizer will not be held accountable for civil and legal responsibilities of the competitors towards third parties. The event will take place regardless the weather conditions.
Complaints:
According to the book of regulations by placing the deposit of 100 kn
More info : Istria Tourist Board and Tourism Department of the Region Istria, Pionirska 1a, HR-52440 Poreč
T. ..385.(0)52.452 500
F. ..385.(0)52.452 811
Contact:
Denis Ivošević - denis.ivosevic@istra-istria.hr
Bernard Musulin - bernard.musulin@istra-istria.hr
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Lovran - Istria
Lovran is located on the eastern coast of Istria, in the Bay of Kvarner. It is quartered at the foot of the greenest and most vegetation-rich mountain in the Adriatic, Mt Učka.
It is some 19 km distant from Croatia’s major port, Rijeka, 14 km from Matulji railway station, and 80 km from Pula Airport. It is ringed by high mountains to the north and west (Učka 1396 m, Snježnik 1605 m, Risnjak 1528 m), and to the south by the islands of Krk and Cres. Its position gives it exceptional protection from the winds. In the winter the most common wind is the bora, which blows from the north east, bringing clear, cold weather. The south wind, the sirocco, brings rain and humidity, while in summer the maestral from off the water brings a freshness that mitigates the humidity and heat.
The climate is classified as Mediterranean, with continental elements. The mean winter air temperature is 7°C, and the summer 22°C. The annual mean is 13.3°C. Sea temperatures range from a low of 9°C in the winter to a high of 26°C in August. Lovran has 2,230 hours of sun a year, and the average precipitation is 1,500 litres per square metre.
These particular microclimatic conditions have provided the conditions for Mediterranean vegetation and plants to flourish. Thus by the very shore there is an abundance of laurels, palms, magnolias, various kinds of evergreen shrubs, pubescent oak, pines and cypresses. Above Lovran, in the terraced gardens, cherries, grape vines and olives are very successful. In the deep, leached and acidic soils, forests of sweet chestnuts grow marvellously, producing the marrons Lovran is famed for. At heights above 800 metres grow beech, pine and holm oak forests. This abundance of vegetation and the high concentration of salt in the air (37.8 ‰) have resulted in the presence of a rich plant and marine aerosol in the air.
All these things make the climate of Lovran highly invigorating, and very favourable for health.
Getting to know Lovran
Historical heritage
Of all the places that have developed on the steep eastern slopes of Učka, Lovran is the oldest, coming into being directly on the coast of Liburnia. Lovran has preserved its historical core and medieval city plan. The old city was girt with defensive walls and bastions, on the foundations and walls of which, during time, houses have been built.
The development of tourism in the second half of the 19th century changed not only the appearance of the city but also the social and economic relations of the population. By the beginning of the 20th century, all the tourist industry infrastructure was in place. In 1873, the first resort building on the Liburnia Riviera was built: the Villa Fernandea, Belvedere Annexe. New styles of architecture had their effect on the appearance of the buildings. Viennese Secession and revivalist styles prevailed in the design of the most important hotels and villas. At the same time the most important feature for the whole of the tourist industry was built: the coastal promenade called either the Strandweg or the Lungomare. Eight kilometres long, this spanned the distance between Lovran and Volosko and completely opened up the shoreline, thus enhancing the value of the natural and panoramic beauties of the coast.
The Parish Church is dedicated to St George (Sv. Juraj), patron saint of Lovran. It was built in the 12th century in Romanesque, and rebuilt in the 15th century, when the chancel was embellished with valuable Gothic frescoes by local painters. The bell tower, initially detached, was linked with the church in the 17th century, when the latter was extended by two Baroque side chapels being built on. The interior of the church is enhanced by carved altars and a font. It also has a valuable treasury of ecclesiastical vessels.
In the 14th century, the Fraternity of St John the Baptist built the little Romanesque church that bears his name in the old town. Frescoes with scenes from the life of the saint have been discovered in it. Underneath the layers of the floor, the foundations of an earlier little church from the 12th century have been found.
Above the little harbour lies the small Church of the Holy Trinity, the only preserved one of three churches that once surrounded the medieval graveyard of the town. It is of simple external appearance, the Gothic details of the door and windows being significant. The interior houses a 1595 tombstone of the parish priest, Gašpar Bekarić, with a carved Glagolitic inscription.
On the approach to St George’s Square rises the imposing and solid City Tower, the remains of the old system of fortifications of the medieval Lovran. It has a square ground plan, and has been preserved in its original form up to a certain height, with its regularly carved stone blocks. The upper part of the tower was hastily built in brick after the destruction in the wars of the 17th century. After recent reconstruction work, the interior of the tower was converted for use for painting and exhibitions.
The medieval walls still have the eastern City gate called Stubica. It leads towards the port of Lovran known as Mandrać.
The courtyards of the Old Town are a particular charm of Mediterranean cityscapes. Behind the stone portals the façades of the neighbouring houses can be seen, decorated with their steps, porches and vaults. In the centre of the courtyard is the wellhead.
Opposite the Church of St George, on the square of the same name, rises the building of the medieval city council chamber. The lunette of the stone portal is ringed by a wooden relief of St George thrusting his sword into the dragon. This is the work of local artists, and was done at the beginning of the 19th century. Heraldic coats of arms of distinguished Lovran families can be seen on the building’s façade.
The lunette on the portal of the building on St George’s Square is surrounded by a wooden relief showing a bearded and moustached figure of terrifying appearance: Mustaćon. He protected the building from all imaginable enemies and troubles.
On the way in to Trg slobode (Freedom Square) there are two stone slabs that commemorate, in Latin and Italian, the visit of the King of Saxony to Lovran, on June 11 1845. The king was an impassioned botanist, and chose Učka for his investigations.
Along the coastal promenade between Lovran and Ika there are the most attractive and best preserved of the Lovran villas. They were built at the turn of the century as residential villas and as summer residences. They are graced by a fine eclecticism of styles. The Villa Astra and the Villa Deneš demonstrated attractive decorative elements of Venetian Gothic. All the villas were surrounded with luxuriant gardens and exotic plants.
We pick out three villas for their particular grandeur, the work of a creative genius, the famed Viennese architect Carl Seidl. The Villa Santa Maria is graced by mosaics and luxuriant gardens. The Villa Frappart is particularly renowned for the harmonious eclecticism of its design and decoration. The Villa San Niccolo, now Villa Magnolia, is known for its luxurious decorations that are combined with the rustic elements of an earlier building.
The rural architecture of the Lovran area shows the typical features of the Istrian littoral style. The stone buildings are solid two storey constructions with cellars, small windows and an entry stairway. A common feature is the semicircular projection around the fireplace.
Lovran District Tourist Office
www.tz-lovran.hr
It is some 19 km distant from Croatia’s major port, Rijeka, 14 km from Matulji railway station, and 80 km from Pula Airport. It is ringed by high mountains to the north and west (Učka 1396 m, Snježnik 1605 m, Risnjak 1528 m), and to the south by the islands of Krk and Cres. Its position gives it exceptional protection from the winds. In the winter the most common wind is the bora, which blows from the north east, bringing clear, cold weather. The south wind, the sirocco, brings rain and humidity, while in summer the maestral from off the water brings a freshness that mitigates the humidity and heat.
The climate is classified as Mediterranean, with continental elements. The mean winter air temperature is 7°C, and the summer 22°C. The annual mean is 13.3°C. Sea temperatures range from a low of 9°C in the winter to a high of 26°C in August. Lovran has 2,230 hours of sun a year, and the average precipitation is 1,500 litres per square metre.
These particular microclimatic conditions have provided the conditions for Mediterranean vegetation and plants to flourish. Thus by the very shore there is an abundance of laurels, palms, magnolias, various kinds of evergreen shrubs, pubescent oak, pines and cypresses. Above Lovran, in the terraced gardens, cherries, grape vines and olives are very successful. In the deep, leached and acidic soils, forests of sweet chestnuts grow marvellously, producing the marrons Lovran is famed for. At heights above 800 metres grow beech, pine and holm oak forests. This abundance of vegetation and the high concentration of salt in the air (37.8 ‰) have resulted in the presence of a rich plant and marine aerosol in the air.
All these things make the climate of Lovran highly invigorating, and very favourable for health.
Getting to know Lovran
Lovran is a town with a long and diverse past, with a hundred-year-long tradition of tourism. It took its name from laurel, laurus nobilis, which grows abundantly in the evergreen groves in the town and environs.
Of all the places that have developed on the steep eastern slopes of Učka, Lovran is the oldest, coming into being directly on the coast of Liburnia. Lovran has preserved its historical core and medieval city plan. The old city was girt with defensive walls and bastions, on the foundations and walls of which, during time, houses have been built.The courtyards of the Old Town are a particular charm of Mediterranean cityscapes. Behind the stone portals the façades of the neighbouring houses can be seen, decorated with their steps, porches and vaults. In the centre of the courtyard is the wellhead.
A good climate, luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation and a favorable geographic location contributed to the rapid development of tourism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Since that time, Lovran, together with Opatija, has been the most important locality on the famed Riviera. Several villas designed by the celebrated Viennese architect Carl Seidel dating from that period are part of the world architectural heritage.
On the threshold of the 21st century, Lovran can draw on a rich historical heritage, a hundred-year-old tradition of tourism, a well-preserved nature, a developed infrastructure and everything else that permits a new take-off in the tourist industry combined with sustainable development and respect for all ecological standards.
Historical heritage
Of all the places that have developed on the steep eastern slopes of Učka, Lovran is the oldest, coming into being directly on the coast of Liburnia. Lovran has preserved its historical core and medieval city plan. The old city was girt with defensive walls and bastions, on the foundations and walls of which, during time, houses have been built.
The development of tourism in the second half of the 19th century changed not only the appearance of the city but also the social and economic relations of the population. By the beginning of the 20th century, all the tourist industry infrastructure was in place. In 1873, the first resort building on the Liburnia Riviera was built: the Villa Fernandea, Belvedere Annexe. New styles of architecture had their effect on the appearance of the buildings. Viennese Secession and revivalist styles prevailed in the design of the most important hotels and villas. At the same time the most important feature for the whole of the tourist industry was built: the coastal promenade called either the Strandweg or the Lungomare. Eight kilometres long, this spanned the distance between Lovran and Volosko and completely opened up the shoreline, thus enhancing the value of the natural and panoramic beauties of the coast.
The Parish Church is dedicated to St George (Sv. Juraj), patron saint of Lovran. It was built in the 12th century in Romanesque, and rebuilt in the 15th century, when the chancel was embellished with valuable Gothic frescoes by local painters. The bell tower, initially detached, was linked with the church in the 17th century, when the latter was extended by two Baroque side chapels being built on. The interior of the church is enhanced by carved altars and a font. It also has a valuable treasury of ecclesiastical vessels.
In the 14th century, the Fraternity of St John the Baptist built the little Romanesque church that bears his name in the old town. Frescoes with scenes from the life of the saint have been discovered in it. Underneath the layers of the floor, the foundations of an earlier little church from the 12th century have been found.
Above the little harbour lies the small Church of the Holy Trinity, the only preserved one of three churches that once surrounded the medieval graveyard of the town. It is of simple external appearance, the Gothic details of the door and windows being significant. The interior houses a 1595 tombstone of the parish priest, Gašpar Bekarić, with a carved Glagolitic inscription.
On the approach to St George’s Square rises the imposing and solid City Tower, the remains of the old system of fortifications of the medieval Lovran. It has a square ground plan, and has been preserved in its original form up to a certain height, with its regularly carved stone blocks. The upper part of the tower was hastily built in brick after the destruction in the wars of the 17th century. After recent reconstruction work, the interior of the tower was converted for use for painting and exhibitions.
The medieval walls still have the eastern City gate called Stubica. It leads towards the port of Lovran known as Mandrać.
The courtyards of the Old Town are a particular charm of Mediterranean cityscapes. Behind the stone portals the façades of the neighbouring houses can be seen, decorated with their steps, porches and vaults. In the centre of the courtyard is the wellhead.
Opposite the Church of St George, on the square of the same name, rises the building of the medieval city council chamber. The lunette of the stone portal is ringed by a wooden relief of St George thrusting his sword into the dragon. This is the work of local artists, and was done at the beginning of the 19th century. Heraldic coats of arms of distinguished Lovran families can be seen on the building’s façade.
The lunette on the portal of the building on St George’s Square is surrounded by a wooden relief showing a bearded and moustached figure of terrifying appearance: Mustaćon. He protected the building from all imaginable enemies and troubles.
On the way in to Trg slobode (Freedom Square) there are two stone slabs that commemorate, in Latin and Italian, the visit of the King of Saxony to Lovran, on June 11 1845. The king was an impassioned botanist, and chose Učka for his investigations.
Along the coastal promenade between Lovran and Ika there are the most attractive and best preserved of the Lovran villas. They were built at the turn of the century as residential villas and as summer residences. They are graced by a fine eclecticism of styles. The Villa Astra and the Villa Deneš demonstrated attractive decorative elements of Venetian Gothic. All the villas were surrounded with luxuriant gardens and exotic plants.
We pick out three villas for their particular grandeur, the work of a creative genius, the famed Viennese architect Carl Seidl. The Villa Santa Maria is graced by mosaics and luxuriant gardens. The Villa Frappart is particularly renowned for the harmonious eclecticism of its design and decoration. The Villa San Niccolo, now Villa Magnolia, is known for its luxurious decorations that are combined with the rustic elements of an earlier building.
The rural architecture of the Lovran area shows the typical features of the Istrian littoral style. The stone buildings are solid two storey constructions with cellars, small windows and an entry stairway. A common feature is the semicircular projection around the fireplace.
Lovran District Tourist Office
www.tz-lovran.hr
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Agritourism Istria
The internal Istriens has a large number of points, where you can carry out such, nowadays ever more popular, aspect of holidays.
There is a large accommodation rushing choice, where something determines you according to your taste will find: Farms and agrotouristishe family hotels, hotels, rooms and apartments, in the style of traditional istrischen or modern architecture built, and Oeko accommodations.
Do you have more time and do want to run away from the city? Then one of the many agroturistichen households for you is correct. Here the hosts will regale you with house-made native products.
A good type vomit you a good vacation find konnen. Thus the contact on our web page you can use, in order directly, without accepting mediators, with the owner of house, with a hotel, with a camping site, with dipping center or another sport club contact. Histrica.com
There is a large accommodation rushing choice, where something determines you according to your taste will find: Farms and agrotouristishe family hotels, hotels, rooms and apartments, in the style of traditional istrischen or modern architecture built, and Oeko accommodations.
Do you have more time and do want to run away from the city? Then one of the many agroturistichen households for you is correct. Here the hosts will regale you with house-made native products.
A good type vomit you a good vacation find konnen. Thus the contact on our web page you can use, in order directly, without accepting mediators, with the owner of house, with a hotel, with a camping site, with dipping center or another sport club contact. Histrica.com
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Istria
Istria is the largest Croatian peninsula, unique and magnificent, around which the Adriatic Sea has deeply etched itself into the land, sprinkling its jagged coastline with a thousand lagoons and islands, andsurrounded in the northeast by the Ćićarija and Učka mountains, Istria is prepared to reveal its thousand years of history to the chance traveller.
Traces of human life in Istria date back to the prehistoric times. The first know inhabitants of Istria were the Histri, from whom Istria received its name. Numerous peoples and cultures, from Romantimes to today, have left evidence of their cultures in the architecture, wall painting and in the rich church architecture.
Valuable monuments of religious and secular architecture have been preserved from all periods.
Istria is spread over 2,820 square kilometers, with great diversity, from its interior with its gorgeous towns which seem to have sprouted up on the tops of the hills, fertile fields, rocky mountains, to the coast pounded by the clear sea.
The climate is a pleasant mediterranean one with mild winters and warm summers. The sea is good for swimming from May until the end of September.
High quality accommodation is available in a variety of tourist offerings. Lovers of the outdoors have numerous camp grounds at their disposal along the entire coastline.
Each guest will be able to select something for himself or herself from the rich cultural and entertainment offerings available and the many sports and recreational grounds and facilities will satisfy even the choosiest. The good road, sea and air links with continental Croatia and with Europe will enable a speedy and safe arrival to your destination.
Traces of human life in Istria date back to the prehistoric times. The first know inhabitants of Istria were the Histri, from whom Istria received its name. Numerous peoples and cultures, from Romantimes to today, have left evidence of their cultures in the architecture, wall painting and in the rich church architecture.
Valuable monuments of religious and secular architecture have been preserved from all periods.
Istria is spread over 2,820 square kilometers, with great diversity, from its interior with its gorgeous towns which seem to have sprouted up on the tops of the hills, fertile fields, rocky mountains, to the coast pounded by the clear sea.
The climate is a pleasant mediterranean one with mild winters and warm summers. The sea is good for swimming from May until the end of September.
High quality accommodation is available in a variety of tourist offerings. Lovers of the outdoors have numerous camp grounds at their disposal along the entire coastline.
Each guest will be able to select something for himself or herself from the rich cultural and entertainment offerings available and the many sports and recreational grounds and facilities will satisfy even the choosiest. The good road, sea and air links with continental Croatia and with Europe will enable a speedy and safe arrival to your destination.
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Croatian Islands
Croatia is truly a land of islands because it has more than a thousand of them and each one is different. Many of them are inhabited but each and every one is exceptional, with its own story and destiny.
To have a weak spot is human and the connoisseurs of Croatian islands have thousands of them. To be more precise 1185 of them. That's how many islands, islets and cliffs are located in front of 1777 kilometers of the Adriatic coast.
The first trip to the Adriatic coast and its islands is a journey into the unknown. Every other trip will be a journey to the already familiar beauty of this country, always different but equally breathtaking.
We will begin the story about the islands with the Brijuni islands. These fourteen islands are situated along seven kilometers between Pula and Rovinj.With a little help, nature has created a small paradise here, true harmony of flora and fauna, historical monuments and modern hotels. Brijuni offer shade in the rich evergreen vegetation, pheasants, deer and doe that roam freely all over the island and the peace and quiet of the holm oak and hundred- year old olive groves.
The golden or green Krk is and isn't an island. It is one, if we look at the idyllic nature and peaceful oasis far away from the everyday world but as far as traffic connections are concerned, it isn't. Krk, which also has a small airport, is divided from the mainland by the sea but is connected to it by a bridge.
If you are looking for your own special island, you'll find it on Krk because the islands Plavnik, Kormat, Galun, Prvicand Zec are special tourist destinations offering nature untouched by Man. If you are interested in exciting town bustle and great hospitality, then the island towns Baska, Malinska, Omisalj, Njivice, Krk and Punat, which has the largest marina on the Croatian Adriatic, are the places you need to visit.
The island Ugljan is the 'suburban area' and a garden that lies in front of Zadar and it got its name because of its richness in oil. There are in fact more than 100.000 olive trees on this island.
The nearby Pasman island 'grew into' Ugljan. They are actually twins, only Pasman is a bit more peaceful. They are equally beautiful and covered with silvery green olive groves. These two pearls can be seen from the coastal town of Biograd, the geographical center of the Adriatic.Iz is the island situated between Ugljan and Dugi Otok. It is just as famous for what it does and doesn't have. It has rich Mediterranean vegetation. It doesn't have any cars.
Dugi Otok offers rest in preserved nature of an area of 114 square kilometers. There are fishermen there, farmers, beautiful secluded beaches and tourist objects. The town of Telascica is situated there, which is the biggest natural harbor of all the Adriatic islands, a nature park and a habitat for mouflon. Its rich woodsy northwestern coast is full of wide coves and a beautiful beach with a 41-meter high lighthouse. It's interesting that while the lighthouse was being built in 1949,around 100.000 yolks were added to the plaster, which prevented the sun and the sea from ruining its beauty.
According to the legend, Kornati labyrinth of sea passages and islands were created from the many rock cliffs that God had left over after he had finished making the World. He threw them into the sea, turned around and concluded that no other repairs were necessary.
The infamous George Bernard Shaw said of this group of the most indented islands of the Adriatic and the Mediterranean that consist of 140 islands, islets and reefs: 'The Gods wanted to crown their work, so on the last day, from their tears, the stars and their breath they created Kornati.
There are many fisherman's villages which are periodically inhabited on the islands and because they are rich in fish they are often the destination of sport fishermen.
Kornati are especially interesting for navigators and thatvs why there are two nautical enters there: Zut and Piskera. Among the islands another picturesque one is Murter which has an area of 18 square kilometers. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge only 12 meters long. This is an island of fishermen, olive growers and ship builders with the towns: Tisno, Hramina, Betina and Jezera.
The island Prvicis near the tourist pearl Vodice, it's an oasis of Mediterranean flora and fauna. The island Zlarin is southwest of Sibenik. In the 15 th century it was famous for coral and sponge harvesting and there is a museum that exhibits this.
West of Zlarin is the island of Obonjan, known as Otok Mladosti (The island of Youth). Not far is the island Kaprije, which got its name from the Mediterranean, plant caper (kapar) whose buds serve as spices. Many yachts visit Kaprije because of the many coves and beautiful beaches. Zirje is the farthest away inhabited island of the Sibenik archipelago with great fishing-grounds and many coves for navigators.Krapanj is the smallest and lowest inhabited island of the archipelago of an area of only 0,36 kilometers and only seven meters high but the most inhabited island.
Far from the mainland and its worries is the island Vis, rich in palm trees, known for its fishermen, sailors, beautiful nature and diverse tourist offer.
Southwest is the island Bisevo, of an area of 6 square kilometers. There are many caves in 'chiseled' into the steep coasts,among which 'Modra spilja' stands out with an above-sea level and below-sea level entrance. When the sea is calm the light rays that shine in the cave break in such a way against the cave walls that the objects and people inside it are covered in blue and those in the water a silvery color.
The Vis archipelago includes the islands Svetac (Sveti Andrija), Jabuka, Brusnik and the islands of Palagruza. Although it's formally known as a peninsula, Peljesac is indeed like an island, separated from Korcula by a narrow channel.
Ston and Mali Ston are picturesque towns that were after Dubrovnik in the Dubrovnik republic the most important towns. Oysters and wines: Postup and Dingacfrom the Mali Ston bay are famous all over these parts.
They say that Korcula is an island with the most legends and monuments and along with Lokrum and Mljet the Croatian island most covered with forests. Towards the end of the 13 th century near Korcula there was a naval battle between Venice and Genoa. Marco Polo, the famous traveler and travel book writer who was believed to have been born on Korcula was on the side of the Venetians.
This is an island with many known towns: Korcula, Lumbarda and Vela Luka, the knight dance 'moreska' from the end of the 15 th century,famous stone-cutters, sailors and ship builders. Far away out in the open sea is the island Lastovo of an area of 50 square kilometers, with an indented pebble coast with sandy beaches and a few islands on the west and east coast. The houses on Lastovo are built one above the other one: each one is entitled to its own share in the sun, air and the view.
Alongside Peljesac is the woodsy island of Mljet of an area of 100 square kilometers. Because of its thick alpine and stone pine, Karst caves, two picturesque lakes connected by the sea, many sandy and pebble beaches, many fishing-grounds rich in fish and lobsters, the western part of the island has been proclaimed a national park.
Not many people can determine the color of the Adriatic sea. Sometimes it's dark blue, sometimes greenish-blue. The fact is that the sea, depending on the time of day and the angle of the sun's rays overflows into a thousands nuances. However, it is always beautiful and unique.
Out of the 1185 islands and cliffs, one is definitely your cup of tea. Come and choose it.
To have a weak spot is human and the connoisseurs of Croatian islands have thousands of them. To be more precise 1185 of them. That's how many islands, islets and cliffs are located in front of 1777 kilometers of the Adriatic coast.
The first trip to the Adriatic coast and its islands is a journey into the unknown. Every other trip will be a journey to the already familiar beauty of this country, always different but equally breathtaking.
We will begin the story about the islands with the Brijuni islands. These fourteen islands are situated along seven kilometers between Pula and Rovinj.With a little help, nature has created a small paradise here, true harmony of flora and fauna, historical monuments and modern hotels. Brijuni offer shade in the rich evergreen vegetation, pheasants, deer and doe that roam freely all over the island and the peace and quiet of the holm oak and hundred- year old olive groves.
The golden or green Krk is and isn't an island. It is one, if we look at the idyllic nature and peaceful oasis far away from the everyday world but as far as traffic connections are concerned, it isn't. Krk, which also has a small airport, is divided from the mainland by the sea but is connected to it by a bridge.
If you are looking for your own special island, you'll find it on Krk because the islands Plavnik, Kormat, Galun, Prvicand Zec are special tourist destinations offering nature untouched by Man. If you are interested in exciting town bustle and great hospitality, then the island towns Baska, Malinska, Omisalj, Njivice, Krk and Punat, which has the largest marina on the Croatian Adriatic, are the places you need to visit.
Cres and Losinj. One island or two? They were once connected by a channel, which was dug up by the Romans, but are now apart. The northern part of Cres is hidden away in the Rijeka bay and is exposed to strong gusts of gale, so that sometimes its peaks are white from the foam of the sea. The southern part is protected from the gale so its climate is extremely Mediterranean. In the town of Cres, is the center of the island. You can enter its nucleus through three doors and history rears its head at every corner. There are many monuments that testify to this. What testifies about the people, their statuses and professions are the family crests on the house portals or the engraved tools: the blacksmith's or carpenter's on the houses of craftsmen and a fish on the houses of fishermen.The climate of Losinj is pleasant, what's more it has lots of woods, so it is both a holiday and health resort.
Of the 1185 islands and cliffs scattered along the Adriatic coast, consisting of hard, sharp rocks and a fist full of soil, Susak is one of the rare islands that nature created from sand. There are 20 million meters of sand, which gives a specific flavor to the wine produced on Susak.
The next island of The Kvarner is Rab. In 1889, the local council proclaimed it a bathing-place and health resort. The British King, Edward VIII especially encouraged tourism on Rab when he stayed there with his great love, the American Wallis Simpson. They say that he was the first to go swimming without any clothes. This is how nudism was founded on Rab.
Rab is one of the islands richest in forests with as many as three hundred springs of water. Pag is an island full of mythical olive groves, rich in sea salt, famous for its lace, cheese a world known delicacy, sheep's milk, live oil andÉ what more do you need? Perhaps this: a part of Pag with its specific relief resembles the surface of the moon.
Moving along to the middle-Adriatic islands like: Olib, Silba, Premuda, Vir, Dugi Otok, Lovrada and Pasman, you notice immediately that you have left the every day problems and bounds of society far behind you. In front of you lies untouched nature. These islands will bewitch you, energize you and enrich you. They will become your dream, the kind you dream of with eyes wide open.
Silba is an island of ship owners and captains and old captain's houses as well as a harbor protected from the gushes of wind. Ist is an island of fishermen and navigators and is well known to navigators as a safe haven from the storm.
The island Ugljan is the 'suburban area' and a garden that lies in front of Zadar and it got its name because of its richness in oil. There are in fact more than 100.000 olive trees on this island.
The nearby Pasman island 'grew into' Ugljan. They are actually twins, only Pasman is a bit more peaceful. They are equally beautiful and covered with silvery green olive groves. These two pearls can be seen from the coastal town of Biograd, the geographical center of the Adriatic.Iz is the island situated between Ugljan and Dugi Otok. It is just as famous for what it does and doesn't have. It has rich Mediterranean vegetation. It doesn't have any cars.
Dugi Otok offers rest in preserved nature of an area of 114 square kilometers. There are fishermen there, farmers, beautiful secluded beaches and tourist objects. The town of Telascica is situated there, which is the biggest natural harbor of all the Adriatic islands, a nature park and a habitat for mouflon. Its rich woodsy northwestern coast is full of wide coves and a beautiful beach with a 41-meter high lighthouse. It's interesting that while the lighthouse was being built in 1949,around 100.000 yolks were added to the plaster, which prevented the sun and the sea from ruining its beauty.
According to the legend, Kornati labyrinth of sea passages and islands were created from the many rock cliffs that God had left over after he had finished making the World. He threw them into the sea, turned around and concluded that no other repairs were necessary.
The infamous George Bernard Shaw said of this group of the most indented islands of the Adriatic and the Mediterranean that consist of 140 islands, islets and reefs: 'The Gods wanted to crown their work, so on the last day, from their tears, the stars and their breath they created Kornati.
There are many fisherman's villages which are periodically inhabited on the islands and because they are rich in fish they are often the destination of sport fishermen.
Kornati are especially interesting for navigators and thatvs why there are two nautical enters there: Zut and Piskera. Among the islands another picturesque one is Murter which has an area of 18 square kilometers. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge only 12 meters long. This is an island of fishermen, olive growers and ship builders with the towns: Tisno, Hramina, Betina and Jezera.
The island Prvicis near the tourist pearl Vodice, it's an oasis of Mediterranean flora and fauna. The island Zlarin is southwest of Sibenik. In the 15 th century it was famous for coral and sponge harvesting and there is a museum that exhibits this.
West of Zlarin is the island of Obonjan, known as Otok Mladosti (The island of Youth). Not far is the island Kaprije, which got its name from the Mediterranean, plant caper (kapar) whose buds serve as spices. Many yachts visit Kaprije because of the many coves and beautiful beaches. Zirje is the farthest away inhabited island of the Sibenik archipelago with great fishing-grounds and many coves for navigators.Krapanj is the smallest and lowest inhabited island of the archipelago of an area of only 0,36 kilometers and only seven meters high but the most inhabited island.
'Across from' Split, a city harmonious in structure with cultural and historical values, with an airport and a harbor lies the island Brac, the highest and by size the third largest island in the Adriatic. It is covered with pine woods, vineyards and olive groves and the world famous stone from Brachas been used in the construction of many important buildings (e.g. The White House in Washington DC).The beautiful beach Zlatni rat is located in Bol, which is the biggest tourist town on the southern part of the island. The beach is located on a cape covered in pebbles which moves, depending on the wind and waves from one side to another.
You'll have to admit that this is the only beach that you've heard of that changes its shape from day to day. There are many bathing-places and resorts on Brac: Postire, Milna, Supetar...
South of Brac is Hvar, the longest island of the Adriatic. This is an island of vineyards, olive groves and lavender. The island is surrounded by crystal cobalt sea, many springs of water and the largest number of sunny hours. The many stone houses along both coasts, which are connected by small bridges, achieve the harmonious unity of Stari Grad on Hvar, the fishermanvs museum is in Vrbovska which is unique on the Adriatic...
Hvar is, no doubt , an exceptional island, a pleasant winter and summer resort, with a mild climate and exuberant subtropical vegetation. Pakleni otoci are an especially interesting group of islands with pebbly, sandyand mostly nudist beaches and a rocky sea bottom, perfect for spearfishing. It is also a well-known place for navigators.
Opposite Split is the island Solta with poor vegetation, a steep and well - indented coast with Maslenica - the main harbor and anchorage for small boats.
Far from the mainland and its worries is the island Vis, rich in palm trees, known for its fishermen, sailors, beautiful nature and diverse tourist offer.
Southwest is the island Bisevo, of an area of 6 square kilometers. There are many caves in 'chiseled' into the steep coasts,among which 'Modra spilja' stands out with an above-sea level and below-sea level entrance. When the sea is calm the light rays that shine in the cave break in such a way against the cave walls that the objects and people inside it are covered in blue and those in the water a silvery color.
The Vis archipelago includes the islands Svetac (Sveti Andrija), Jabuka, Brusnik and the islands of Palagruza. Although it's formally known as a peninsula, Peljesac is indeed like an island, separated from Korcula by a narrow channel.
Ston and Mali Ston are picturesque towns that were after Dubrovnik in the Dubrovnik republic the most important towns. Oysters and wines: Postup and Dingacfrom the Mali Ston bay are famous all over these parts.
They say that Korcula is an island with the most legends and monuments and along with Lokrum and Mljet the Croatian island most covered with forests. Towards the end of the 13 th century near Korcula there was a naval battle between Venice and Genoa. Marco Polo, the famous traveler and travel book writer who was believed to have been born on Korcula was on the side of the Venetians.
This is an island with many known towns: Korcula, Lumbarda and Vela Luka, the knight dance 'moreska' from the end of the 15 th century,famous stone-cutters, sailors and ship builders. Far away out in the open sea is the island Lastovo of an area of 50 square kilometers, with an indented pebble coast with sandy beaches and a few islands on the west and east coast. The houses on Lastovo are built one above the other one: each one is entitled to its own share in the sun, air and the view.
Alongside Peljesac is the woodsy island of Mljet of an area of 100 square kilometers. Because of its thick alpine and stone pine, Karst caves, two picturesque lakes connected by the sea, many sandy and pebble beaches, many fishing-grounds rich in fish and lobsters, the western part of the island has been proclaimed a national park.
Not many people can determine the color of the Adriatic sea. Sometimes it's dark blue, sometimes greenish-blue. The fact is that the sea, depending on the time of day and the angle of the sun's rays overflows into a thousands nuances. However, it is always beautiful and unique.
Out of the 1185 islands and cliffs, one is definitely your cup of tea. Come and choose it.
Friday, January 14, 2005
Tsunami - Missing girl !
This girl is in Phuket Hospital in Thailand. She has lost her parents and she does´nt remember anything. Please forward this e-mail so that someone might se the picture and recognize her!
contact us by e- mail info@phuket-inter-hospital.co.th
Dieses Mädchen ist im Krankenhaus Phuket in Thailand. Sie hat ihre Eltern verloren und sie does'nt erinnert sich an alles. Bitte Vorwärts diese E-mail, damit jemand Se die Abbildung und sie zu erkennen konnte! treten Sie mit uns durch
e-Post info@phuket-inter-hospital.co.th
Denna Tjej finns i Phuket sjukhuset i Thailand.Hon minns ingenting och hon har förlorat sina föräldrar. Var vänlig skicka detta E-mail vidare sĺ att nĺgon har chans att fĺ det som kan känna igen henne
E-mail till sjukhuset i Phuket info@phuket-inter-hospital.co.th
Questa ragazza č nell'ospedale di Phuket in Tailandia. Ha perso i suoi genitori e does'nt si ricorda di qualche cosa. Prego di andata questo E-mail in modo che qualcuno possa Se l'immagine e riconoscerla! seli metta in contatto con dalla posta di e info@phuket-inter-hospital.co.th
Cette fille est dans l'hôpital de Phuket en Thaďlande. Elle a perdu ses parents et elle does'nt se rappellent n'importe quoi. Pričre de ce E-mail de sorte que quelqu'un pourrait Se l'image et l'identifier! contactez-nous par courrier de e info@phuket-inter-hospital.co.th
More information About Missing Persons-Tsunami
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Croatian cuisine
Croatian cuisine is heterogeneous, and is therefore known as "the cuisine of regions". Its modern roots date back to Proto-Slavic and ancient periods and the differences in the selection of foodstuffs and forms of cooking are most notable between those on the mainland and those in coastal regions. Mainland cuisine is more characterized by the earlier Proto-Slavic and the more recent contacts with the more famous gastronomic orders of today - Hungarian, Viennese and Turkish - while the coastal region bears the influences of the Greek, Roman and Illyrian, as well as of the later Mediterranean cuisine - Italian and French.
A large body of books bears witness to the high level of gastronomic culture in Croatia, which in European terms dealt with food in the distant past, such as the Gazophylacium by Belostenec, a Latin-Kajkavian dictionary dating from 1740 that preceded a similar French dictionary. There is also Beletristic literature by Marulic, Hektorovic, Drzic and other writers, down to the work written by Ivan Bierling in 1813 containing recipes for the preparation of 554 various dishes (translated from the German original), and which is considered to be the first Croatian cookery book.
Food and traditional festivities
Croatian Wines
Croatia is justifiably proud of its broad palette of high quality wines (up to 700 wines with protected geographic origin) and brandies, fruit juices, beers and mineral water. In the south, people drink bevanda with their food (heavy, richly flavoured red wine mixed with plain water), and in north-western regions, "gemisht" (dry, flavoured wines mixed with mineral water).
Istra i Kvarner Selection of cheeses and cold dishes of Istria. The cuisine of Istria and the Kvarner regions represents a special Croatian style of cooking, a blend of inland and coastal. These regions are rich in excellent fish and seafood, most notable among them being found in the northern Adriatic: scampi (prawns), calamari and shellfish from the Limski Kanal (Fiord). After an excellent prosciutto, and cheese and olives, many traditional wine cellars offer fish soup, fish stew, boiled prawns, black and white frutti di mare risotto, as well as other dishes typical of the central part of the Istrian peninsula - traditional wine soup, ragout (jota) similar to Italian minestrone (manistra, menestra, menestra), and also pasta and risotto dishes cooked with the famous truffles of the region - a self-sown precious mushroom species, unearthed by specially trained dogs and pigs; these fungi have the reputation of containing aphrodisiac properties.
The excellent Istrian wines include Malmsey of Buje, Cabernet of Porec, Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as Terrano of Buzet, Zlahtina of Vrbnik, and sparkling wines - Bakarska Vodica, etc.
Fine restaurants abound in Istria, especially on the Opatija, Crikvenica, Rovinj and Porec littorals, both in the interior and on the islands.
Dalmatia The cuisine of Dalmatia and the islands follows the trend of modern nutritional norms. The brief thermal preparation of foodstuffs (mainly boiling or grilling) and plenty of fish, olive oil, vegetables and self-sown herbs found near the sea is why this cuisine is considered to be very healthy.
Dalmatian wines, like olive oil and salted olives, have been highly esteemed since ancient times, which the present names of some of the indigenous grape sorts reveal (Grk : Greek, from the island of Korcula; Prc from the island of Hvar). Famous wines include Dingac and Postup from the Peljesac Peninsula; Babic from Primosten; Vugava and Plancic from the island of Hvar... then there are Posip and Grk from Korcula; Marastina from the island of Lastovo; Malmsey from Dubrovnik, etc., and also Prosecco (a sweet dessert wine), the very strong grape (loza) and herbal brandies (travarica, grapes with medicinal herbs) and liqueurs (Maraschino, Vlahov).
Although even today every area has its own way of preparing certain dishes, the cuisine of the islands represents a separate world, their distinguishing features having been discovered only recently, such as the cuisine of the islands of Hvar, Korcula, Brac (vitalac, a dish made from lamb offal wrapped in lamb gut and spike-roasted), Vis (spike-roasted pilchards, as during the Ancient Greek period; flat cake with pilchards from Komiza and Vis, related to the modern-day pizza). Fresh sea fish (dog's tooth, gilthead, sea-bass, grouper, mackerel, pilchards) grilled, boiled or marinated; then there are molluscs (squid, cuttlefish, octopus), crustaceans (shrimps, lobsters) and shellfish (mussels, oysters, date-shells) boiled in a fish stew or as a risotto. Of the meat dishes, prosciutto is unarguably unrivalled - pork leg smoked and dried in the bora (from Drnis), served with dry, mostly sheep’s cheese (famous sorts of cheese are those from Pag and Dubrovnik) and salted green and black olives, capers and pickled onions. Lamb is also very highly valued, especially boiled or baked on an open fire (Franjevacka begovica from Visovac, or lopiz from the island of Iz); also, dried mutton (kastradina), roast beef, Dalmatian stew (pasticada) with gnocchi, offered by many restaurants.
Lightly boiled vegetables are also favourite dishes (Swiss chard with potatoes, tomato sauce) often a mixture of cultivated and self-sown vegetables, spiced with olive oil and wine vinegar, or served with meat (manestra - pasta with minced meat; arambasici - stuffed vine leaves). Regions with an abundance of fresh water are famous for their frog, eel and river crab dishes (the Neretva valley, Trilj and the Cetina basin). Typical Dalmatian desserts win the heart with their simplicity. The most usual ingredients include Mediterranean fruit, dried figs and raisins, almonds, honey, eggs (rafioli, mandulat, smokvenjak, the gingerbread biscuits from the island of Hvar - rozata).
Gorski Kotar and Lika The cuisine of Gorski Kotar and Lika reflects living conditions in the forested highlands and pastures, where summers are short and winters long, which limits the availability of foodstuffs. It is recognized by its simplicity (open-fire cooking and baking), as is the case with regions closer to the sea (Dalmatinska Zagora and central Istria), but everyday meals include predominantly continental products - pura (or palenta) - boiled maize, boiled potatoes, or potato halves baked in their skin, pickled cabbage, broad-beans and runner beans, cow’s and sheep’s milk and delicious cheeses (fermented cheese known as basa, and dried cheese), meat, fresh and smoked lamb, mutton and pork, as well as venison.
These regions are also rich in mushrooms and self-sown herbs, but there are also delicious, strong plum brandies and brandies made from forest fruits, or mixed with honey. The cuisine of Lika is found in the region of the Plitvice Lakes, and fine homemade cheese can be bought from roadside stalls when driving through Lika.
Northwest Croatia The cuisine of northwest Croatia is characterized by many simple, delicious dishes. Bread is mostly made from maize, barley, or a mixture of the two, and cakes are often similar in texture to bread (kukuruznjaca - made from maize; periaca, zelevanka, buhtli, doughnuts, walnut and poppy-seed loaves). A profusion of pasta dishes, dairy products (made mostly from cow’s) milk, as well as plenty of vegetables (beans, potatoes, cabbage, etc.), often mixed with meat to form a broth (zucchini, cucumbers, runner beans, broad beans, peas in the summer, and beans with pickled cabbage in winter, beans with barley porridge) and salads (fresh cucumbers with sour cream and garlic, lettuce, tomato salad, peppers and onions). This is where food provision for the winter is still made in the traditional manner (pickled cabbage, cucumbers boiled in vinegar, pickled peppers, red beet, as well as sweet dishes - plum jam, rosehip jam, bottled fruit, etc.). In the same way that southern cuisine differs from island to island, so does the cuisine in this part of the country differ from one region to the next.
In the region of Medjimurje one really must sample buckwheat porridge with meat from fat meat or blood-sausages, as well as side dishes of baked beans or potatoes, formed in cones, with rich spices, or smoked or dried cow’s cheese turas, known in the region of Podravina as prge. Turkey with mlinci (a boiled pasta dish), strudels of various kinds, as well as pumpkin cake with poppy seeds, have spread from the region of Zagorje throughout Croatia. It is hard to find more delicious geese and ducks than those from the region of Turopolje, or baked carp (krapec na procep) than those from the regions of Moslavina and Posavina. The region of Banovina became famous for its winter salami (Gavrilovic salami). blood-sausages, garlic-sausages and other special sausages, for baking with pickled cabbage, boiled smoked pork leg with potato or bean salad with onion, are favourite dishes almost everywhere.
Samobor, a small town near Zagreb, is an ideal venue for a gastronomic excursion. Its picturesque restaurants offer Samobor Steak, Samobor custard slices, salami and kotlovina - port and potato stew - hermet (sweet, spicy wine) and mustards which have been prepared here for almost two hundred years.
The cuisine of Varazdin, and in particular of Zagreb, represents urban, metropolitan cuisine, related to the more famous cuisine of Venice. Of course, Zagreb has also its steak (bread-crumbed veal stuffed with cheese), and it also offers a variety of roast dishes (beef, pork and fowl) served with potatoes, vegetables and horseradish, as well as various stews (wine goulash, bacon and tripe, lungs "sour art"), grilled meat, pasta… Delicious sweets continue a tradition hundreds of years old – a tradition of the "baking woman of Gric" and bishops’ pastry-cooks, revealing Croatian dessert cuisine in its entirety (Croatian pancakes, Zagorje strudel, strudel stuffed with cottage cheese, or apple strudel, bucanica, various cakes, ice-creams).
Zagreb’s contemporary cuisine is international, with the finest Italian cuisine widely represented. Restaurants frequently offer better quality fish than those available on the coast, more delicious lamb than in the region of Lika, and better kulen than in Slavonia.
One should savour the following wines from this region: Portugizac from Plesivica and Jastrebarsko, Rhine Riesling, Chardonnay from Strigovan, Muscat Otonel, Turk's sparkling wines, as well as wines from the wine-cellars in Bozjakovina, Pinot Blanc from Sveti Ivan Zelina, Moslovina Skrlet from Voloder, as well as many other wines, but also the traditional drink, gvirc (gvirc, mead) sipped with gingerbread biscuits.
Slavonia and Baranja Slav Rich and fertile Slavonia and Baranja comprise the bread basket of Croatia, and so white bread, flat cakes and many other cakes filled with walnuts, with poppy seeds or plum jam, have been baked here since ancient times, made from the most representative pastry made from green wheat. Pasta, potato, beans, dairy dishes and fat meat dishes (cottage cheese with sour cream, dried cheese) and fattened fowl and pork dishes are also prepared here. Such types of food were once cooked to provide the energy required for heavy work, although these days their preparation is considered too time consuming, and requiring too much effort. In these regions hot goulash (beef, venison), regos (several meats with pasta), fish paprika-flavoured stew (with various fish: carp, pike, sheat-fish, etc.) are typical. Smoked and dried pork ham, sausages, as well as kulen are also firm favourites, especially when served as a delicacy with cottage cheese, peppers, tomatoes and green onions or pickled vegetables (tursija).
The plum brandy made in this region is very smooth, and wines, such as Kutjevacka Grasevina and Kutjevo Chardonnay, the Rhine Riesling of Enjingi, and also the Grasevinas of Krautheker and Zdjelarevic, Ilok Thaminer, Pinot Blanc from Pajzos and Endent Riesling from Belje are greatly appreciated the world over. Wines from the wine cellars of the Djakovo diocese, famous for the production of wines used in liturgical services, are equally well known.
A large body of books bears witness to the high level of gastronomic culture in Croatia, which in European terms dealt with food in the distant past, such as the Gazophylacium by Belostenec, a Latin-Kajkavian dictionary dating from 1740 that preceded a similar French dictionary. There is also Beletristic literature by Marulic, Hektorovic, Drzic and other writers, down to the work written by Ivan Bierling in 1813 containing recipes for the preparation of 554 various dishes (translated from the German original), and which is considered to be the first Croatian cookery book.
Food and traditional festivities
Many Croatian traditional festivities are distinctly linked with food
independently of whether they are related to strenuous labour (crop harvesting
or threshing, the grape harvest and Christening of wine, the completion of a
house), religion (mostly Catholic - Christmas, Easter, pilgrimages, local saints
days), or to memorable moments in an individual’s life (baptism, wedding,
birthday, name-day, funeral wakes, etc.) Some festivities are typically of a
public character, such as the Dionysian St. Martin s Day, celebrated in private
farmhouses, wine cellars and restaurants; others are almost exclusively family
reunions (weddings, baptism, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Easter, etc.)
Every holiday has its typical dish. Pork and potato stew is eaten on
pilgrimages and at fairs; cod is prepared for Christmas Eve and Good Friday;
pork is eaten on New Year s Day; doughnuts are an inseparable part of carnival
festivities, and in the south they prepare a similar fried sweet dish known as
hrostule. Ham and boiled eggs with green vegetables are served at Easter, while
desserts comprise traditional cakes (e.g. pinca). Kulen (hot-pepper flavoured
sausage) at harvest time, goose for St. Martin s Day, turkey and other fowl, as
well as sarma (meat-stuffed cabbage leaves), are served on Christmas Day. At
weddings, a variety of dishes with dozens of cakes and biscuits are served,
including breskvice, shortbread bear paws, gingerbread biscuits, fritule - plain
fritters, etc.
The favourite meals of very many people on all occasions
include spit-roasted lamb and suckling pig, grilled fish, calamari cooked in
various ways, barbecue dishes - raznjici, cevapcici and mixed grill - prosciutto
and sheep’s cheese, or smoked ham and cottage cheese with sour cream, fish stew,
venison…
Croatian Wines
Croatia is justifiably proud of its broad palette of high quality wines (up to 700 wines with protected geographic origin) and brandies, fruit juices, beers and mineral water. In the south, people drink bevanda with their food (heavy, richly flavoured red wine mixed with plain water), and in north-western regions, "gemisht" (dry, flavoured wines mixed with mineral water).
Istra i Kvarner Selection of cheeses and cold dishes of Istria. The cuisine of Istria and the Kvarner regions represents a special Croatian style of cooking, a blend of inland and coastal. These regions are rich in excellent fish and seafood, most notable among them being found in the northern Adriatic: scampi (prawns), calamari and shellfish from the Limski Kanal (Fiord). After an excellent prosciutto, and cheese and olives, many traditional wine cellars offer fish soup, fish stew, boiled prawns, black and white frutti di mare risotto, as well as other dishes typical of the central part of the Istrian peninsula - traditional wine soup, ragout (jota) similar to Italian minestrone (manistra, menestra, menestra), and also pasta and risotto dishes cooked with the famous truffles of the region - a self-sown precious mushroom species, unearthed by specially trained dogs and pigs; these fungi have the reputation of containing aphrodisiac properties.
The excellent Istrian wines include Malmsey of Buje, Cabernet of Porec, Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as Terrano of Buzet, Zlahtina of Vrbnik, and sparkling wines - Bakarska Vodica, etc.
Fine restaurants abound in Istria, especially on the Opatija, Crikvenica, Rovinj and Porec littorals, both in the interior and on the islands.
Dalmatia The cuisine of Dalmatia and the islands follows the trend of modern nutritional norms. The brief thermal preparation of foodstuffs (mainly boiling or grilling) and plenty of fish, olive oil, vegetables and self-sown herbs found near the sea is why this cuisine is considered to be very healthy.
Dalmatian wines, like olive oil and salted olives, have been highly esteemed since ancient times, which the present names of some of the indigenous grape sorts reveal (Grk : Greek, from the island of Korcula; Prc from the island of Hvar). Famous wines include Dingac and Postup from the Peljesac Peninsula; Babic from Primosten; Vugava and Plancic from the island of Hvar... then there are Posip and Grk from Korcula; Marastina from the island of Lastovo; Malmsey from Dubrovnik, etc., and also Prosecco (a sweet dessert wine), the very strong grape (loza) and herbal brandies (travarica, grapes with medicinal herbs) and liqueurs (Maraschino, Vlahov).
Although even today every area has its own way of preparing certain dishes, the cuisine of the islands represents a separate world, their distinguishing features having been discovered only recently, such as the cuisine of the islands of Hvar, Korcula, Brac (vitalac, a dish made from lamb offal wrapped in lamb gut and spike-roasted), Vis (spike-roasted pilchards, as during the Ancient Greek period; flat cake with pilchards from Komiza and Vis, related to the modern-day pizza). Fresh sea fish (dog's tooth, gilthead, sea-bass, grouper, mackerel, pilchards) grilled, boiled or marinated; then there are molluscs (squid, cuttlefish, octopus), crustaceans (shrimps, lobsters) and shellfish (mussels, oysters, date-shells) boiled in a fish stew or as a risotto. Of the meat dishes, prosciutto is unarguably unrivalled - pork leg smoked and dried in the bora (from Drnis), served with dry, mostly sheep’s cheese (famous sorts of cheese are those from Pag and Dubrovnik) and salted green and black olives, capers and pickled onions. Lamb is also very highly valued, especially boiled or baked on an open fire (Franjevacka begovica from Visovac, or lopiz from the island of Iz); also, dried mutton (kastradina), roast beef, Dalmatian stew (pasticada) with gnocchi, offered by many restaurants.
Lightly boiled vegetables are also favourite dishes (Swiss chard with potatoes, tomato sauce) often a mixture of cultivated and self-sown vegetables, spiced with olive oil and wine vinegar, or served with meat (manestra - pasta with minced meat; arambasici - stuffed vine leaves). Regions with an abundance of fresh water are famous for their frog, eel and river crab dishes (the Neretva valley, Trilj and the Cetina basin). Typical Dalmatian desserts win the heart with their simplicity. The most usual ingredients include Mediterranean fruit, dried figs and raisins, almonds, honey, eggs (rafioli, mandulat, smokvenjak, the gingerbread biscuits from the island of Hvar - rozata).
Gorski Kotar and Lika The cuisine of Gorski Kotar and Lika reflects living conditions in the forested highlands and pastures, where summers are short and winters long, which limits the availability of foodstuffs. It is recognized by its simplicity (open-fire cooking and baking), as is the case with regions closer to the sea (Dalmatinska Zagora and central Istria), but everyday meals include predominantly continental products - pura (or palenta) - boiled maize, boiled potatoes, or potato halves baked in their skin, pickled cabbage, broad-beans and runner beans, cow’s and sheep’s milk and delicious cheeses (fermented cheese known as basa, and dried cheese), meat, fresh and smoked lamb, mutton and pork, as well as venison.
These regions are also rich in mushrooms and self-sown herbs, but there are also delicious, strong plum brandies and brandies made from forest fruits, or mixed with honey. The cuisine of Lika is found in the region of the Plitvice Lakes, and fine homemade cheese can be bought from roadside stalls when driving through Lika.
Northwest Croatia The cuisine of northwest Croatia is characterized by many simple, delicious dishes. Bread is mostly made from maize, barley, or a mixture of the two, and cakes are often similar in texture to bread (kukuruznjaca - made from maize; periaca, zelevanka, buhtli, doughnuts, walnut and poppy-seed loaves). A profusion of pasta dishes, dairy products (made mostly from cow’s) milk, as well as plenty of vegetables (beans, potatoes, cabbage, etc.), often mixed with meat to form a broth (zucchini, cucumbers, runner beans, broad beans, peas in the summer, and beans with pickled cabbage in winter, beans with barley porridge) and salads (fresh cucumbers with sour cream and garlic, lettuce, tomato salad, peppers and onions). This is where food provision for the winter is still made in the traditional manner (pickled cabbage, cucumbers boiled in vinegar, pickled peppers, red beet, as well as sweet dishes - plum jam, rosehip jam, bottled fruit, etc.). In the same way that southern cuisine differs from island to island, so does the cuisine in this part of the country differ from one region to the next.
In the region of Medjimurje one really must sample buckwheat porridge with meat from fat meat or blood-sausages, as well as side dishes of baked beans or potatoes, formed in cones, with rich spices, or smoked or dried cow’s cheese turas, known in the region of Podravina as prge. Turkey with mlinci (a boiled pasta dish), strudels of various kinds, as well as pumpkin cake with poppy seeds, have spread from the region of Zagorje throughout Croatia. It is hard to find more delicious geese and ducks than those from the region of Turopolje, or baked carp (krapec na procep) than those from the regions of Moslavina and Posavina. The region of Banovina became famous for its winter salami (Gavrilovic salami). blood-sausages, garlic-sausages and other special sausages, for baking with pickled cabbage, boiled smoked pork leg with potato or bean salad with onion, are favourite dishes almost everywhere.
Samobor, a small town near Zagreb, is an ideal venue for a gastronomic excursion. Its picturesque restaurants offer Samobor Steak, Samobor custard slices, salami and kotlovina - port and potato stew - hermet (sweet, spicy wine) and mustards which have been prepared here for almost two hundred years.
The cuisine of Varazdin, and in particular of Zagreb, represents urban, metropolitan cuisine, related to the more famous cuisine of Venice. Of course, Zagreb has also its steak (bread-crumbed veal stuffed with cheese), and it also offers a variety of roast dishes (beef, pork and fowl) served with potatoes, vegetables and horseradish, as well as various stews (wine goulash, bacon and tripe, lungs "sour art"), grilled meat, pasta… Delicious sweets continue a tradition hundreds of years old – a tradition of the "baking woman of Gric" and bishops’ pastry-cooks, revealing Croatian dessert cuisine in its entirety (Croatian pancakes, Zagorje strudel, strudel stuffed with cottage cheese, or apple strudel, bucanica, various cakes, ice-creams).
Zagreb’s contemporary cuisine is international, with the finest Italian cuisine widely represented. Restaurants frequently offer better quality fish than those available on the coast, more delicious lamb than in the region of Lika, and better kulen than in Slavonia.
One should savour the following wines from this region: Portugizac from Plesivica and Jastrebarsko, Rhine Riesling, Chardonnay from Strigovan, Muscat Otonel, Turk's sparkling wines, as well as wines from the wine-cellars in Bozjakovina, Pinot Blanc from Sveti Ivan Zelina, Moslovina Skrlet from Voloder, as well as many other wines, but also the traditional drink, gvirc (gvirc, mead) sipped with gingerbread biscuits.
Slavonia and Baranja Slav Rich and fertile Slavonia and Baranja comprise the bread basket of Croatia, and so white bread, flat cakes and many other cakes filled with walnuts, with poppy seeds or plum jam, have been baked here since ancient times, made from the most representative pastry made from green wheat. Pasta, potato, beans, dairy dishes and fat meat dishes (cottage cheese with sour cream, dried cheese) and fattened fowl and pork dishes are also prepared here. Such types of food were once cooked to provide the energy required for heavy work, although these days their preparation is considered too time consuming, and requiring too much effort. In these regions hot goulash (beef, venison), regos (several meats with pasta), fish paprika-flavoured stew (with various fish: carp, pike, sheat-fish, etc.) are typical. Smoked and dried pork ham, sausages, as well as kulen are also firm favourites, especially when served as a delicacy with cottage cheese, peppers, tomatoes and green onions or pickled vegetables (tursija).
The plum brandy made in this region is very smooth, and wines, such as Kutjevacka Grasevina and Kutjevo Chardonnay, the Rhine Riesling of Enjingi, and also the Grasevinas of Krautheker and Zdjelarevic, Ilok Thaminer, Pinot Blanc from Pajzos and Endent Riesling from Belje are greatly appreciated the world over. Wines from the wine cellars of the Djakovo diocese, famous for the production of wines used in liturgical services, are equally well known.
Cultural Heritage
Historical facts Croatia is indeed unique, not only for its crystal clear, clean blue sea, but also for a thousand years of different cultures that have replaced each other and sometimes assimilated in these areas. The Adriatic Sea is not only a deep gulf in the Mediterranean cut into the Continent of Europe thereby creating most economical trade route between Europe and the East, it is also the cradle of ancient civilizations. There is much material evidence about that which is finally beginning to come to light, from the depths of Adriatic caves and from the deep blue sea. The east coast of the Adriatic Sea was inhabited as early as the beginning of the early Stone Age, and there is proof that most of the accessible islands were also inhabited (archaeological findings in caves near the islands of Hvar and Palagruza, etc.).
Thanks to the favourable geographical characteristics of our coast, with its numerous bays, inlets and coves, the coastal belt has ever been a significant mercantile and nautical route.
Archaeological findings prove that in the 6th century BC the ancient Greeks had commerce with the Illyrians by means of the sea, and that they founded their colonies there (Pharos, today’s Starigrad, on the islands of Hvar and Issa – or Vis).
Later on, the Romans arrived, and they not only built palaces and summer residences but they also spent a considerable amount of time on the sea, and there are many underwater findings located between Pula and Cavtat which show this to be true. Such findings are mainly amphorae, which were at the time commonly used for storing everything from wine to wheat, oils and perfumes. Wherever you choose to go diving, you will find the remains of Antique ships and their cargoes. One of the most precious findings from that time are remains of pythos or dolias, large pottery vessels which were built into ships and used to transport bulk cargo (wheat, etc). One such site is near Cavtat, while another is near Murter.
A new era dawned with the arrival of the Slavs, a period characterized by constant struggle for supremacy and by defence against diverse enemies. Dubrovnik, eminent in its position as a republic, played a leading role in culture and trade. A 17th-century shipwreck bears witness to those times - a galley which sailed from Venice carrying muran glass, window glass, and other valuable objects, and was fitted with cannons. But during a storm it sank near the island of Olipe, off the coast of Dubrovnik.
In the 18th century, Napoleon ruled for a short period of time, after which he was replaced by the Austrian monarchy. During the next hundred years, Italy and Austria fought each other for supremacy of the east coast, culminating in the battle of Vis in 1866. The Austrian fleet, led by Admiral Tegetthoff, who commanded the battleship Erzherzog Ferdinand Max, was opposed by Admiral Persano, commander of the Italian fleet. In the battle, Persano, on his flag ship the battleship Re d’Italia, was roundly trounced by Tegetthoff, and the Italian fleet withdrew in defeat.
Testimony to those glorious times can be found not only on the mainland, but also under the sea in the shape of shipwrecks and remains of the detritus of great ships. The period of Austro- Hungarian rule commenced thereafter. Ports were built and fortified, trade and shipbuilding flourished. During the two World Wars, the Adriatic was one of the more important areas of battle, and there are many shipwrecks dating from those periods. Near Pula, for example, which at the time was a strategically vital naval harbour, twenty shipwrecks have been located, including a number of submarines, destroyers, and torpedo-boats The Adriatic Sea has always been an important maritime route between East and West, which can still be seen today because of the numerous relics, which remind us that the past should never be forgotten, but rather used as a lesson for the future.
Thanks to the favourable geographical characteristics of our coast, with its numerous bays, inlets and coves, the coastal belt has ever been a significant mercantile and nautical route.
Archaeological findings prove that in the 6th century BC the ancient Greeks had commerce with the Illyrians by means of the sea, and that they founded their colonies there (Pharos, today’s Starigrad, on the islands of Hvar and Issa – or Vis).
Later on, the Romans arrived, and they not only built palaces and summer residences but they also spent a considerable amount of time on the sea, and there are many underwater findings located between Pula and Cavtat which show this to be true. Such findings are mainly amphorae, which were at the time commonly used for storing everything from wine to wheat, oils and perfumes. Wherever you choose to go diving, you will find the remains of Antique ships and their cargoes. One of the most precious findings from that time are remains of pythos or dolias, large pottery vessels which were built into ships and used to transport bulk cargo (wheat, etc). One such site is near Cavtat, while another is near Murter.
A new era dawned with the arrival of the Slavs, a period characterized by constant struggle for supremacy and by defence against diverse enemies. Dubrovnik, eminent in its position as a republic, played a leading role in culture and trade. A 17th-century shipwreck bears witness to those times - a galley which sailed from Venice carrying muran glass, window glass, and other valuable objects, and was fitted with cannons. But during a storm it sank near the island of Olipe, off the coast of Dubrovnik.
In the 18th century, Napoleon ruled for a short period of time, after which he was replaced by the Austrian monarchy. During the next hundred years, Italy and Austria fought each other for supremacy of the east coast, culminating in the battle of Vis in 1866. The Austrian fleet, led by Admiral Tegetthoff, who commanded the battleship Erzherzog Ferdinand Max, was opposed by Admiral Persano, commander of the Italian fleet. In the battle, Persano, on his flag ship the battleship Re d’Italia, was roundly trounced by Tegetthoff, and the Italian fleet withdrew in defeat.
Testimony to those glorious times can be found not only on the mainland, but also under the sea in the shape of shipwrecks and remains of the detritus of great ships. The period of Austro- Hungarian rule commenced thereafter. Ports were built and fortified, trade and shipbuilding flourished. During the two World Wars, the Adriatic was one of the more important areas of battle, and there are many shipwrecks dating from those periods. Near Pula, for example, which at the time was a strategically vital naval harbour, twenty shipwrecks have been located, including a number of submarines, destroyers, and torpedo-boats The Adriatic Sea has always been an important maritime route between East and West, which can still be seen today because of the numerous relics, which remind us that the past should never be forgotten, but rather used as a lesson for the future.
Croatia
Geographical position: Croatia extends from the foothills of the Julian Alps in the north-west and the Pannonian Plain in the east, over the Dinara mountain range in its central region, to the Adriatic coast in the south.
Area: 56,542 km2, with an additional 31,067 km2 of territorial waters.
Population:4.437.460
Capital: Zagreb (779.145 inhabitants - the administrative, cultural, academic and communication centre of the country).
Length of coast: 5,835 km - including 4,058 km of island, islet and reef coastline.
Number of islands, islets and reefs: 1,185. The largest islands are those of Krk and Cres. There are 67 inhabited islands.
Climate: Northern Croatia has a continental climate; Central Croatia has a semi-highland and highland climate, while the Croatian coast has a Mediterranean climate. Winter temperatures range from -1 to 30°C in the continental region, -5 to 0°C in the mountain region and 5 to 10°C in the coastal region. Summer temperatures range from 22 to 26°C in the continental region, 15 to 20°C in the mountain region and 26 to 30°C in the coastal region.
Population: The majority of the population are Croats. National minorities include Serbs, Moslems, Slovenes, Italians, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, and others.
Official language and alphabet: Croatian language and Latin alphabet.
Religions: The majority of the population are Roman Catholics, and in addition there are a number of those of Orthodox faith, as well as Muslims, and Christians of other denominations.
Adriatic Sea
Meteorological Data
Climate The climate at the Adriatic is typically a Mediterranean one, with mild rainy winters, and hot and dry summers. The air temperature changes depending on the area. Thus, summer temperatures in July will be about 34°C in the northern part, while in the southern part they will rise even to 38°C. In the winter, the coldest temperatures are noticed in the northern Adriatic (up to -16°C), while they will not have exceeded 6°C in the southern part.
Winds At the Adriatic Sea, the bora, sirocco and north-western wind blow most often.
Bora Bora (Cro.: bura) is a dry, cold downward wind blowing in bursts from the north-northeast to the east-northeast direction. The direction in which the wind blows is mostly influenced by the configuration of the shore. The strength of bora is explained by the existence of warm air over the surface of the sea, and a cold layer of air above mountain ranges in the littoral, which cause a strong streaming due to equating of the pressure. Cold air tends to fill the void which occurs due to the rising of the warm (lighter) air from the sea surface. Bora blows mostly in the winter. In the summer, it usually lasts for a day or several hours, while, in the winter, it can blow as long as 14 days.
Sirocco Sirocco (Cro.: jugo, siroko or silok) is a warm and moist wind which blows from the direction east-southeast to south-southwest. Its consequences are high waves and rain. Sirocco is a characteristic wind for the southern Adriatic, where it blows longer and stronger than in the northern part. In the summer, it usually blows as long as 3 days, and in the winter even as long as 3 weeks. The signs of the oncoming sirocco are the calm at the sea, weak changeable winds, dimness of the horizon, the increase of the temperature and moisture, and the gradual decrease of the pressure. Waves from the direction of the southeast become bigger.
Landward Breeze The landward breeze (Cro.: maestral, maestral, smorac) is a daily, thermic wind blowing from the direction of the northwest, and it occurs as the consequence of the difference in the speed of warming up of the land and the sea. It is present from the spring to the autumn, and, during the day, it often changes the direction of blowing. The landward breeze is more present in the southern Adriatic than in the northern Adriatic, and it starts to blow earlier there.
Stiff Breeze The stiff breeze (Cro.: burin) is a wind blowing contrary to the landward breeze. It blows during the night from the direction of the north, north-east in the northern Adriatic, and in the southern Adriatic, from the east or south-east. It is the strongest before the dawn, and after that it stops soon.
Data About Weather Weather forecasts are made by the State Hydrometeorological Institute, and they can be heard on VHF frequencies of coastal radio stations and harbor master's offices. They are also broadcast on FM stations or at the end of the news or within broadcasts for seamen. Harbor master's offices constantly send weather reports and warnings on their VHF operating channels, in four languages. It is possible to get forecasts with the presentation of the synoptical situation in all the marinas and harbor offices.
Nautical Radio Service and Communications Service The whole of the Croatian coast is covered by radio communications rather well. The radio service for protection of human lives and safety of navigation is provided by Plovput from Split, through radio stations Split and Dubrovnik, which cover the southern Adriatic, and Rijeka, which covers the northern part of our sea. According to the standards of the GMDSS system (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System), the channel for automated receipt of digitalized distress calls is the channel 70, after which the communication is transferred to the operating channel of the coastal station, i.e. a harbor master's office (16 or 10). GMDSS system has been in use since 1 st February 1999, and on the present VHF channel for distress calls, the channel 16, constant listening will be possible still for some more time. For a direct call to a harbor master's office, the channel 10 is used.
In Croatia, there are three commercial systems of wireless telephony: mobile phone 099, Cronet 098 and VipNet 091.
Preservation of the Adriatic
Aside from the rich cultural heritage, diverse natural resources and attractions characterize the Adriatic. Nature is specially protected according to the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia. The state body with the special task of preserving nature is the Government Board for the preservation of nature.
The coastal region holds a special place, and therefore, there is a systematic policy of the preservation of nature through urban planning and managing of the sustainable development.
The institutes for research of the sea in Rovinj, Split and Dubrovnik carry out continuos biological, ecological and chemical research of the Adriatic. The project for the development of islands was recently introduced and should be an incentive for the development of our islands.
Except for the governmental bodies, there is also a whole range of associations which, through their programs and activities, help to preserve natural resources. Croatian biological and Croatian ecological society carry out and support research projects of the Adriatic and its underwater area.
There is also the project of the Good dolphin research in cooperation with the Tethy Institute from Milan and An Association Mediterranean Monk Seal which examines research of the areas which used to be inhabited by this sea mammal, Group of the friends of nature 'Our Lovely' who also work on the Blue flag project, Green flag and Eco School with the primary task of educating younger generations about ecological matters.
Life in the sea Various animals and plants live in the Adriatic. We can distinguish two types of habitats: the plegic area or the area of the open sea where two big groups of organisms live plankton, that is to say, all organisms floating in the sea, and nektons or real swimmers, all organisms which can actively move around. The group of benthos, or life at the bottom of the sea, includes all organisms, which are constantly or occasionally connected to the sea bottom.
In the water mass between the mentioned areas we can distinguish different belts or steps with different characteristics:
Supralythoral, which is the part, exposed to the spraying of the sea,Mediolythoral which is the area of the high and the low tide. Then comes infralitoral or the area of photophilic algae and, which in the Adriatic expands from the border of the low tide to 30-50 meters, Abyssal which reaches 50 to 200 meters, Hadal or the deep sea area, which extends more than 200 meters in depth.
Abyssal exists only in the southern part of the Adriatic, and in the area of the Jabuka basin, and hadal does not exist in our sea Crabs inhabit the supralythoral area of the Adriatic. Endemic algae, the Adriatic bladder wrack and sea anemone inhabit the mediolythoral area. In the infralythoral area, which is the largest one, many species of algae, corals, and different sorts of fish like sheepshead bream, the predatory yellow fish, ugly frog-fish, gilthead, goby, bamboofish and many others.
The Adriatic eco-destination
The quality of the water in the Adriatic is very well preserved. The results reached through the constant measuring of the quality of water on more than 800 beaches are in accordance with the strictest criteria. Except for the cleanliness of the sea, another important quality of the coastal area is its biological and geographical particular quality, which can be seen in the number of species of plants and animals, and in the high number of endemic species (for example human fish).
In order to protect and preserve such natural wealth, a list of rare and endangered species, the so called Red Book, has been made.
Various projects are carried out in Croatia by government institutions or associations of citizens with the goal of preserving natural and cultural heritage, and its evaluation. One of these projects is The Blue Flag Project, and from the year 2001, the project Green Key also starts with the goal of improving the quality of surroundings in hotels, motels, camps and other facilities.
Another project is Eco habitat Green Laguna in Porec, where the environment is especially taken care of. Green Laguna has its olive groves, orchards, horse stables etc. where tourists can take active part in preserving the environment.
Through the year several days are especially marked in Croatia such as:
* International day for water preservation
* World meteorological day
* Day of the planet earth
* Day of the dolphins
* World day of preserving the environment
* Day of the Sun
Except for the natural, great significance lies on the preservation of cultural heritage, as well. National costumes and customs are preserved. During the summer, in most coastal towns special celebrations are organized in order to show tourists our local traditions, for example, traditional donkey race which is held each year in Tribunje, Moreska - knights, dance on Korcula.
Croatia is also, except for its ecological cleanliness of air and water, an exceptionally safe place where everybody feels pleasant and welcome.
Area: 56,542 km2, with an additional 31,067 km2 of territorial waters.
Population:4.437.460
Capital: Zagreb (779.145 inhabitants - the administrative, cultural, academic and communication centre of the country).
Length of coast: 5,835 km - including 4,058 km of island, islet and reef coastline.
Number of islands, islets and reefs: 1,185. The largest islands are those of Krk and Cres. There are 67 inhabited islands.
Climate: Northern Croatia has a continental climate; Central Croatia has a semi-highland and highland climate, while the Croatian coast has a Mediterranean climate. Winter temperatures range from -1 to 30°C in the continental region, -5 to 0°C in the mountain region and 5 to 10°C in the coastal region. Summer temperatures range from 22 to 26°C in the continental region, 15 to 20°C in the mountain region and 26 to 30°C in the coastal region.
Population: The majority of the population are Croats. National minorities include Serbs, Moslems, Slovenes, Italians, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, and others.
Official language and alphabet: Croatian language and Latin alphabet.
Religions: The majority of the population are Roman Catholics, and in addition there are a number of those of Orthodox faith, as well as Muslims, and Christians of other denominations.
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic sea got its name from an ancient port of the same name. The Adriatic spans from the Balkan to the Apennine peninsula.
The part belonging to the Republic of Croatia is the east coast which extends all the way from Prevlaka in the south to cape Savudrija in the west, including all islands, islets and cliffs along the coast, and the archipelago of Palagruza (the number of islands, islets and cliffs is more than 1700). This is a unique area in Europe for cruising with motor boats, speedboats, or sailboats, but also for enjoying the underwater world.
Hydro & Oceanographic Data
Depths The shallowest part of our sea is in Istria, where the depth does not exceed 50 metres. From Pula, the seabed mildly drops, making a long, narrow valley which extends from Zirje towards Italy which is called Jabucka kotlina. The biggest depth there is about 240 metres. From Jabucka kotlina, the bottom rises to Palagruza reef where the biggest depth is 130 metres. Towards the south, the bottom drops steeply towards the Juznojadranska dolina, where the biggest measured depth is about 1,300 metres.
Seabed The appearance of the underwater relief is the consequence of tectonic movements, abrasion or erosion which were active several million years ago, in times when certain parts of the seabed were land or the coastal area. Uneven areas on the bottom are constantly reduced by sedimentation of detritus from the land. That process is slow, but constant.
Tides In the Adriatic, the high and low tides have relatively small amplitudes. In the southern part, the difference is rarely above some forty centimetres, while in the northern part it is somewhat bigger, so that it comes to 1 metre in Istria and the Gulf of Trieste. In some narrow channels and bays, the high tide can grow considerably during a strong sirocco. That phenomenon is characteristic for big and deep bays of the southern Adriatic. The tides are of a mixed type, which means that their rhythm is semidiurnal during the new and full moon, and of a daily type during the first and the last quarter. Their amplitudes are very irregular.
Sea Currents Sea currents occur under the influence of winds, the difference in pressure, temperature, and the differences in salinity. With respect to the direction, they can be horizontal or vertical. There are also bottom currents which appear as the consequence of moving of water from warmer areas to colder ones, during which the surface layer gets cold and descends towards the seabed. Currents are weakly observable in the Adriatic.The speed of currents changes in particular areas, but it also depends on time periods. The average speed of currents is about 0.5 knots, but they can also reach the speed of 4 knots.
Salinity of Sea The total quantity of salt dissolved in one kilogram of sea water is called salinity, which is usually expressed in grams and as the permillage. The salinity of the Adriatic Sea is 38.30 per mill averagely, i.e. there is 38.30 g of salt dissolved in 1 kg of water. In the northern part, the salinity is somewhat lower than in the middle and southern part because of the influence of the Po River.
Sea Temperature The Adriatic Sea has a very marked annual change of the surface temperature. The average annual temperature is 11°C. During the winter, the sea is the coldest and the surface temperature is about 7°C; very seldom, it can drop below that too. In the spring, the sea becomes warmer, and the surface temperature rises to 18°C. In the summer the surface of the sea reaches a very high temperature, of up to 22 to 25°C, and in the southern Adriatic and Istria up to 27°C. In the Adriatic, thermoclines, i.e. parts of the water column of the same temperature, are very well distinguished. The thermocline is most evident during the summer, and, in the winter, the isothermal process arises, i.e. equaling of the temperature throughout the water column. In the summer, we can notice the first thermocline at the depth of 3 to 5 metres, the next one is at about 12 metres, and yet another one at 18 metres, while below 30 metres the temperature is mostly constant throughout the year.
Waves in the Adriatic Waves occur primarily as the consequence of the blowing of winds. The bigger the reach, i.e. the surface across which the wind blows, the higher the waves will be. Their strength depends on the configuration and the exposure of the coast. In that way, mixing of the surface layer with water from the deep is enabled, and the interaction between the atmosphere and the sea. We distinguish the crest and the trough of a wave. The length of the wave is the distance between two troughs. Most often, heights of waves in the Adriatic are between 0.5 and 1.5 metres, and they very rarely exceed 5 metres.
Meteorological Data
Climate The climate at the Adriatic is typically a Mediterranean one, with mild rainy winters, and hot and dry summers. The air temperature changes depending on the area. Thus, summer temperatures in July will be about 34°C in the northern part, while in the southern part they will rise even to 38°C. In the winter, the coldest temperatures are noticed in the northern Adriatic (up to -16°C), while they will not have exceeded 6°C in the southern part.
Winds At the Adriatic Sea, the bora, sirocco and north-western wind blow most often.
Bora Bora (Cro.: bura) is a dry, cold downward wind blowing in bursts from the north-northeast to the east-northeast direction. The direction in which the wind blows is mostly influenced by the configuration of the shore. The strength of bora is explained by the existence of warm air over the surface of the sea, and a cold layer of air above mountain ranges in the littoral, which cause a strong streaming due to equating of the pressure. Cold air tends to fill the void which occurs due to the rising of the warm (lighter) air from the sea surface. Bora blows mostly in the winter. In the summer, it usually lasts for a day or several hours, while, in the winter, it can blow as long as 14 days.
Sirocco Sirocco (Cro.: jugo, siroko or silok) is a warm and moist wind which blows from the direction east-southeast to south-southwest. Its consequences are high waves and rain. Sirocco is a characteristic wind for the southern Adriatic, where it blows longer and stronger than in the northern part. In the summer, it usually blows as long as 3 days, and in the winter even as long as 3 weeks. The signs of the oncoming sirocco are the calm at the sea, weak changeable winds, dimness of the horizon, the increase of the temperature and moisture, and the gradual decrease of the pressure. Waves from the direction of the southeast become bigger.
Landward Breeze The landward breeze (Cro.: maestral, maestral, smorac) is a daily, thermic wind blowing from the direction of the northwest, and it occurs as the consequence of the difference in the speed of warming up of the land and the sea. It is present from the spring to the autumn, and, during the day, it often changes the direction of blowing. The landward breeze is more present in the southern Adriatic than in the northern Adriatic, and it starts to blow earlier there.
Stiff Breeze The stiff breeze (Cro.: burin) is a wind blowing contrary to the landward breeze. It blows during the night from the direction of the north, north-east in the northern Adriatic, and in the southern Adriatic, from the east or south-east. It is the strongest before the dawn, and after that it stops soon.
Data About Weather Weather forecasts are made by the State Hydrometeorological Institute, and they can be heard on VHF frequencies of coastal radio stations and harbor master's offices. They are also broadcast on FM stations or at the end of the news or within broadcasts for seamen. Harbor master's offices constantly send weather reports and warnings on their VHF operating channels, in four languages. It is possible to get forecasts with the presentation of the synoptical situation in all the marinas and harbor offices.
Nautical Radio Service and Communications Service The whole of the Croatian coast is covered by radio communications rather well. The radio service for protection of human lives and safety of navigation is provided by Plovput from Split, through radio stations Split and Dubrovnik, which cover the southern Adriatic, and Rijeka, which covers the northern part of our sea. According to the standards of the GMDSS system (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System), the channel for automated receipt of digitalized distress calls is the channel 70, after which the communication is transferred to the operating channel of the coastal station, i.e. a harbor master's office (16 or 10). GMDSS system has been in use since 1 st February 1999, and on the present VHF channel for distress calls, the channel 16, constant listening will be possible still for some more time. For a direct call to a harbor master's office, the channel 10 is used.
In Croatia, there are three commercial systems of wireless telephony: mobile phone 099, Cronet 098 and VipNet 091.
Preservation of the Adriatic
Aside from the rich cultural heritage, diverse natural resources and attractions characterize the Adriatic. Nature is specially protected according to the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia. The state body with the special task of preserving nature is the Government Board for the preservation of nature.
The coastal region holds a special place, and therefore, there is a systematic policy of the preservation of nature through urban planning and managing of the sustainable development.
The institutes for research of the sea in Rovinj, Split and Dubrovnik carry out continuos biological, ecological and chemical research of the Adriatic. The project for the development of islands was recently introduced and should be an incentive for the development of our islands.
Except for the governmental bodies, there is also a whole range of associations which, through their programs and activities, help to preserve natural resources. Croatian biological and Croatian ecological society carry out and support research projects of the Adriatic and its underwater area.
There is also the project of the Good dolphin research in cooperation with the Tethy Institute from Milan and An Association Mediterranean Monk Seal which examines research of the areas which used to be inhabited by this sea mammal, Group of the friends of nature 'Our Lovely' who also work on the Blue flag project, Green flag and Eco School with the primary task of educating younger generations about ecological matters.
Life in the sea Various animals and plants live in the Adriatic. We can distinguish two types of habitats: the plegic area or the area of the open sea where two big groups of organisms live plankton, that is to say, all organisms floating in the sea, and nektons or real swimmers, all organisms which can actively move around. The group of benthos, or life at the bottom of the sea, includes all organisms, which are constantly or occasionally connected to the sea bottom.
In the water mass between the mentioned areas we can distinguish different belts or steps with different characteristics:
Supralythoral, which is the part, exposed to the spraying of the sea,Mediolythoral which is the area of the high and the low tide. Then comes infralitoral or the area of photophilic algae and, which in the Adriatic expands from the border of the low tide to 30-50 meters, Abyssal which reaches 50 to 200 meters, Hadal or the deep sea area, which extends more than 200 meters in depth.
Abyssal exists only in the southern part of the Adriatic, and in the area of the Jabuka basin, and hadal does not exist in our sea Crabs inhabit the supralythoral area of the Adriatic. Endemic algae, the Adriatic bladder wrack and sea anemone inhabit the mediolythoral area. In the infralythoral area, which is the largest one, many species of algae, corals, and different sorts of fish like sheepshead bream, the predatory yellow fish, ugly frog-fish, gilthead, goby, bamboofish and many others.
The Adriatic eco-destination
The quality of the water in the Adriatic is very well preserved. The results reached through the constant measuring of the quality of water on more than 800 beaches are in accordance with the strictest criteria. Except for the cleanliness of the sea, another important quality of the coastal area is its biological and geographical particular quality, which can be seen in the number of species of plants and animals, and in the high number of endemic species (for example human fish).
In order to protect and preserve such natural wealth, a list of rare and endangered species, the so called Red Book, has been made.
Various projects are carried out in Croatia by government institutions or associations of citizens with the goal of preserving natural and cultural heritage, and its evaluation. One of these projects is The Blue Flag Project, and from the year 2001, the project Green Key also starts with the goal of improving the quality of surroundings in hotels, motels, camps and other facilities.
Another project is Eco habitat Green Laguna in Porec, where the environment is especially taken care of. Green Laguna has its olive groves, orchards, horse stables etc. where tourists can take active part in preserving the environment.
Through the year several days are especially marked in Croatia such as:
* International day for water preservation
* World meteorological day
* Day of the planet earth
* Day of the dolphins
* World day of preserving the environment
* Day of the Sun
Except for the natural, great significance lies on the preservation of cultural heritage, as well. National costumes and customs are preserved. During the summer, in most coastal towns special celebrations are organized in order to show tourists our local traditions, for example, traditional donkey race which is held each year in Tribunje, Moreska - knights, dance on Korcula.
Croatia is also, except for its ecological cleanliness of air and water, an exceptionally safe place where everybody feels pleasant and welcome.
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