Croatia-Cultural

Croatia is a Central European, Mediterranean country, bordering Slovenia to the west, Hungary to the north, Serbia to the east and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the south. Croatia also shares a long maritime border with Italy in the Adriatic Sea. The total of these borders is 2,028 kilometres altogether. Croatia is a strange croissant shape, unlike any other country in the world. This is the result of five centuries of expansion by the Turkish Ottoman Empire towards Central Europe.

In the 7th century Slavic Croatian tribes settled in the area, accepting Christianity in around 800 A.D. Croatia became a kingdom under the rule of King Tomislav in 925 and in 1102 the country joined with Hungary which lasted until 1918. At the end of the First World War, Croatia joined Serbia, and Yugoslavia and the land of South Slavs was formed, until its end in 1991. The first Yugoslavia was ruled by the Serbian royal family from 1918 to 1941. It was invaded by Nazi Germany in April 1941 and was given independence under the fascist dictator Ante Pavelic. Under this regime atrocities occurred, hence many Croats actively joined the resistance movement under Tito who eventually liberated the country in May 1945. Croatia was ruled by the communist government until 1991 when Croatia declared its independence which then prompted Serbian invasion. The Croats rose to defend their country under the leadership of president Franjo Tudjman who died in December 1999, and after five years of fighting, the country was liberated.

It is a country that has a character of quiet persistence through significant cultural change, but has maintained its ties to its history and beginnings. Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and is known as the city of museums as there are more of them per square foot than any other city in the world. The Upper town or Gornji grad area of Zagreb contains the Presidential Palace, St Mark's church, the Croatian parliament and the museums and galleries which are all set in cobbled streets and lit by gas lamps. Lower town or Donji grad has all the shops, restaurants, cafes, theatres and parks.

The Istrian region borders Slovenia and also has a maritime border with Italy and is the most popular destination for foreign visitors to Croatia. The main sight to visit in this area is the amphitheatre. It was built during the 1st century AD and has three stories. It is the sixth largest in the world. It hosts the Pula Opera Festival in the summer and is also used for many other events during the rest of the year. Other sights to see include the Triumphal arch of the Sergii, the Temple of Augustus, the Cathedral and the Franciscan Church and Monastery.

Zadar is the main city in Northern Dalmatia and grew from a Roman settlement. It was also under Venetian and Austrian rule as well as being assigned to Italy in 1920. The Old Town is situated on the tip of a narrow peninsula. It is surrounded almost entirely by city walls, with towers and city gates. The Kopnena vrat, to the east of the Old Town is the Mainland Gate, built in 1543 and has the city coat of arms engraved on it. Nearby is the Five Sided Tower, dating back from the 13th century and the five wells which used to supply the water for the city. The other gate is the Lucka vrata or Port Gate, situated to the north and built in 1573. In the centre of the Old Town is the Sveti Donat Church which was constructed at the beginning of the 9th century and stands at 27m high. The city has 30 churches and the Sveti Donat is the most important. Close by is the Church of St. Mary as well as the Cathedral, St. Anastasia.

Split is the second largest city in Croatia. One of the most important sights to visit is the palace. There are locally published guides in English which describe this monument in great detail. The Peristyle is the main open space in the palace and is surrounded by six columns to the eastern and western sides and an arch which is decorated with garlands, in the centre. On the eastern side of the Peristyle is the cathedral. On the western side is the Narodni trg or the People's Square with the 15th century old town hall.

There is also an Ethnographic museum on the square and nearby is the city museum. There are several fascinating museums like the Maritime Museum, the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments, the Museum of Croatia and the Mestrovic Gallery and was completed in 1939.

A cultural holiday is the perfect way to relax and embrace the cultural heritage of Croatia while learning something new. We have a number of wonderful villas, houses and apartments, with pools and barbeque areas, all perfectly positioned for you to embark on your cultural holiday. Simply choose your destination and we are sure you will find your ideal accommodation easily.