Croatia Background Information
Croatia info
Cultural Heritage
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 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 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.
Cultural and Historic Monuments
Thanks to historic events and mixing of different cultures, Croatia abounds in cultural and historic monuments from different periods. The influence of Mediterranean culture, numerous monuments from ancient times, Roman times and the Early Middle Ages, Romanesque sacral heritage, as well as a whole range of preserved Mediterranean urban locations culturally determine Croatia’s coast. The continental part of Croatia belongs to the central European cultural sphere and has numerous world-renown prehistoric sites, old towns, fortifications and castles from the Late Middle Ages, as well as cultural monuments and buildings from the Baroque period.
BELEC - sv. Marija Snijezna church from the 17th and 18th centuries, with valuable Baroque elements.
DUBROVNIK - one of the best preserved fortified Medieval cities on the Mediterranean, built primarily in the period from the 13th to the 16th centuries, fully preserved city fortification walls with towers, Rector’s Palace, cathedral, Sponza Palace, Franciscan monastery, Lovrijenac Tower. The old part of the city has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
DAKOVO - monumental cathedral of Bishop J. J. Strossmayer from the 19th century.
HLEBINE - a village by Koprivnica, cradle of Croatian naive art.
HVAR - preserved historic center from the 15th century, surrounded by fortification walls, the oldest town theater in Europe from 1612.
KNIN - Medieval fortress above the town; the surroundings are one of the richest archeological areas in Croatia with excavation sites from the Early Middle Ages.
KRAPINA - paleonthological site Husnjakovo, one of the most important Neanderthal sites in the world.
LEPOGLAVA - Paulist monastery complex with sv. Marija church, where the first school for higher education in Croatia was founded.
MARIJA BISTRICA - Croatia’s most important place of pilgrimage with sv. Marija church.
MOTOVUN - picturesque town-museum on a hilltop from the Middle Ages.
NIN - old Croatian churches sv. Kriz and sv. Nikola from the 11th century.
OSIJEK - the historic urban center Tvrda with numerous valuable buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries.
OSOR on the island of Cres - historic town with ancient and medieval buildings and preserved fortification walls.
OTAVICE by Drnis in the Dalmatinska zagora region - Mestrovic family mausoleum.
PAG - preserved urban center from the 15th century built according to a plan.
POREC - historic urban center; Euphrasias basilica from the 6th century, one of the most important Early Byzantine monuments on the Mediterranean, part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
PULA - Roman amphitheater from the 1st century, third largest in the world, the Roman Golden Gate.
RIJEKA - Trsat citadel and sv. Marija od Lorette pilgrimage site.
ROVINJ - historic urban center with sv. Eufemija church from the 18th century.
SOLIN - archeological site with ruins of the large Roman town of Salona and a collection of Early Christian monuments.
SPLIT - historic center with the ancient Diocletian Palace, one of the most important preserved Late Roman historic monuments and part of the UNESCO World Heritage List; sv. Duje cathedral, old Croatian church sv. Trojstva and other important sites.
SIBENIK - historic town center with famous sv. Jakov cathedral from the Renaissance, the work of Juraj Dalmatinac and Nikola Firentinac, and numerous palaces and churches.
TRAKOSCAN - Romanesque castle above the lake of the same name.
TROGIR - historic town on an islet with a 13th century cathedral whose portal is the work of the famous master Radovan, part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
VARAZDIN - well-preserved Baroque urban center; numerous valuable palaces, churches and monasteries; monumental old town center and the city cemetery from the 19th century known for its unique horticulture.
VELIKI TABOR in Hrvatsko zagorje region - the best preserved Renaissance fortress in Croatia from the 16th century.
VUKOVAR - prehistoric archeological site Vucedol, one of the most important Neolithic excavation sites in Europe; Eltz castle, severely damaged at the time of Serbian aggression on Vukovar in 1991.
ZADAR - historic urban center with preserved fortification walls, several ancient and Early Middle Ages monuments - Roman forum and unique Pre-Romanesque sv. Donat church from the 9th century.
ZAGREB - historic urban center of Gornji grad (Upper Town) and Kaptol from the Middle Ages, Donji grad (Lower Town) built according to plan in the second half of the 19th century with numerous parks forming the shape of a horseshoe; cathedral
BELEC - sv. Marija Snijezna church from the 17th and 18th centuries, with valuable Baroque elements.
DUBROVNIK - one of the best preserved fortified Medieval cities on the Mediterranean, built primarily in the period from the 13th to the 16th centuries, fully preserved city fortification walls with towers, Rector’s Palace, cathedral, Sponza Palace, Franciscan monastery, Lovrijenac Tower. The old part of the city has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
DAKOVO - monumental cathedral of Bishop J. J. Strossmayer from the 19th century.
HLEBINE - a village by Koprivnica, cradle of Croatian naive art.
HVAR - preserved historic center from the 15th century, surrounded by fortification walls, the oldest town theater in Europe from 1612.
KNIN - Medieval fortress above the town; the surroundings are one of the richest archeological areas in Croatia with excavation sites from the Early Middle Ages.
KRAPINA - paleonthological site Husnjakovo, one of the most important Neanderthal sites in the world.
LEPOGLAVA - Paulist monastery complex with sv. Marija church, where the first school for higher education in Croatia was founded.
MARIJA BISTRICA - Croatia’s most important place of pilgrimage with sv. Marija church.
MOTOVUN - picturesque town-museum on a hilltop from the Middle Ages.
NIN - old Croatian churches sv. Kriz and sv. Nikola from the 11th century.
OSIJEK - the historic urban center Tvrda with numerous valuable buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries.
OSOR on the island of Cres - historic town with ancient and medieval buildings and preserved fortification walls.
OTAVICE by Drnis in the Dalmatinska zagora region - Mestrovic family mausoleum.
PAG - preserved urban center from the 15th century built according to a plan.
POREC - historic urban center; Euphrasias basilica from the 6th century, one of the most important Early Byzantine monuments on the Mediterranean, part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
PULA - Roman amphitheater from the 1st century, third largest in the world, the Roman Golden Gate.
RIJEKA - Trsat citadel and sv. Marija od Lorette pilgrimage site.
ROVINJ - historic urban center with sv. Eufemija church from the 18th century.
SOLIN - archeological site with ruins of the large Roman town of Salona and a collection of Early Christian monuments.
SPLIT - historic center with the ancient Diocletian Palace, one of the most important preserved Late Roman historic monuments and part of the UNESCO World Heritage List; sv. Duje cathedral, old Croatian church sv. Trojstva and other important sites.
SIBENIK - historic town center with famous sv. Jakov cathedral from the Renaissance, the work of Juraj Dalmatinac and Nikola Firentinac, and numerous palaces and churches.
TRAKOSCAN - Romanesque castle above the lake of the same name.
TROGIR - historic town on an islet with a 13th century cathedral whose portal is the work of the famous master Radovan, part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
VARAZDIN - well-preserved Baroque urban center; numerous valuable palaces, churches and monasteries; monumental old town center and the city cemetery from the 19th century known for its unique horticulture.
VELIKI TABOR in Hrvatsko zagorje region - the best preserved Renaissance fortress in Croatia from the 16th century.
VUKOVAR - prehistoric archeological site Vucedol, one of the most important Neolithic excavation sites in Europe; Eltz castle, severely damaged at the time of Serbian aggression on Vukovar in 1991.
ZADAR - historic urban center with preserved fortification walls, several ancient and Early Middle Ages monuments - Roman forum and unique Pre-Romanesque sv. Donat church from the 9th century.
ZAGREB - historic urban center of Gornji grad (Upper Town) and Kaptol from the Middle Ages, Donji grad (Lower Town) built according to plan in the second half of the 19th century with numerous parks forming the shape of a horseshoe; cathedral
Cultural Events
- Dubrovnik Summer Festival - drama and music ensemble performances (July-August)
- Dakovacki vezovi (Dakovo Embroidery) - a festival of Slavonian folklore heritage (July)
- Music evenings in Groznjan
- Picokijada - folklore festival
- Krk summer festival (July - August)
- Music evenings in Osor - island of Cres (July - August)
- Sinjska alka - a knight tournament
- Split festival - drama and music ensemble performances (July-August)
- International children’s festival (June - July)
- Varazdin Baroque evenings (September-October)
- Festival of actors - Vukovarsko-Srijemska County (May)
- Vinkovacke jeseni (Autumn in Vinkovci) - Slavonian folklore heritage (September)
- Eurokaz - international festival of alternative theater (June - July)
- International folklore festival - Zagreb (July)
- Biennale international festival of contemporary music - Zagreb (April)
- PIF puppet theater festival - Zagreb (August-September)
- International festival of animated film - Zagreb (June)
- Carnivals in Istria and Kvarner (February)
Guest Corner
+ 386 590 83 344
+ 386 590 83 345
--------------------
Working hours:
Mon - Fri: 8 - 16
General terms and conditions
Terms of vessel charter
Payment options
Payment terms
+ 386 590 83 345
--------------------
Working hours:
Mon - Fri: 8 - 16
General terms and conditions
Terms of vessel charter
Payment options
Payment terms
About Marinea
Weather
Marinea Yachting Newsletter
