|
Croatia, for a small country, is chockfull of attractions. Virtually every part of the country has something to offer- the 1185 islands strung across the Mediterranean are beautiful, as are the sunny beaches along the Adriatic coast. High in the mountains lie castles, vineyards, medieval towns and fortresses, literally breathing history; and the cities- Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Split, Pula and Rovinj among them- are showcases for a rich cultural heritage. And to crown it all, are Croatia’s seven national parks- unspoilt areas where much of Croatia’s native wildlife is still intact.
Plitvice is easily one of Croatia’s most beautiful areas- it’s a national park, covering about 200 sq km, and containing a whopping 16 lakes, all of them connected by waterfalls. The waterfalls themselves are 92 in number, and the entire region- mountains, woods, lakes and waterfalls- is so extremely picturesque that it’s a must for anybody who’s keen on nature. The national park is also on the UNESCO’s World Natural Heritage list, and has an impressive array of wildlife.
In the city of Split lies the Fortress of Diocletian, the largest fortress in East Europe- and one of the most magnificent Roman ruins in the world. The walls of the fortress originally enclosed an area 215 m by 180 m; within it were various residences, temples and a mausoleum. Time has taken its toll and now only the vestibule of the original palace - a colonnaded square, the Temple of Jupiter and Diocletian’s mausoleum remain. All of them are imposing examples of Roman architecture with soaring columns, sphinxes and the like. Surrounding the complex are medieval buildings, including an old town hall.
One of the best museums, not just in Croatia but also in Europe, the Museum Mimara is located in the Croatian capital, Zagreb . It’s best known for its outstanding collection of art - named after Ante Topic Mimara whose private collection forms the bulk of the museum’s display. Within the museum are thousands of examples of art- mainly Spanish, Italian and Dutch paintings- and collectibles that include glassware, ceramics, sculpture and Oriental art.
The Renaissance had shaped the city of Sibenik , and the entire city is full of buildings dating back to the Middle Ages. Best known of these is the Sibenik Cathedral, the only church of its kind in Europe.
Sibenik Cathedral is built of pale gray stone, using what’s called a `skeletal construction’ technique- joining large stone slabs by using a mortice-and-pener system. Originally designed by Juraj Dalmatinac in 1441, it was completed during the early 1500s by Nikolai Firentinac. The apse of the cathedral is rather interestingly decorated with carved stone heads, supposedly those of Dalmatinac’s contemporaries.
Situated on the island of Hvar, the medieval town of Hvar was shaped, like many of Croatia’s other settlements, by the Renaissance. The town, the oldest on the island, is known for its natural beauty, but also for its many historical buildings. Hvar boasts of some lovely monuments, including old churches and an arsenal. Best known of the buildings in Hvar, though, is the Hvar theatre. The theatre is one of the oldest in Europe, and has been hosting performances for literally centuries. It’s a beautiful building, and has historical value too- worth visiting if you’re in the vicinity.
If you have the time and the money, there are lots of other places, scattered across the country, which are worth a visit; if you’re keen on history and religion, don’t miss Zagreb’s St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Archaeological Museum, and the City Museum. Dubrovnik's old city walls, Rector’s Palace and St Blaise’s Church; and the Cathedral of St Euphemia in Rovinj - all are worth the effort.
If, on the other hand, you are keen on mountains, crisp air, and nature, you should do well to head for the forests of Gorski Kotar, Dalmatinska Zagora and Biokovo - or visit the many islands of the country. Among Croatia’s national parks, perhaps the best are Krka with its waterfalls, Franciscan monastery and an ancient fortified Roman town and Brijuni, spread over fourteen islands making them one of Croatia’s most popular tourist spots.
|