Croatia - Cities

Zagreb

Introduction
The central point of sociocultural and economic life in Croatia is Zagreb, the largest metropolis in the country. The city lies on the Save River.
Zagreb originated in the ancient settlements of »Kapitol« and »Gradec« which form the central point of today's Old Town. Croatia was mentioned as the official residence of the bishop (the "see") as early as 1094. In 1242, the Croatian-Hungarian King Bela IV showed what was then Gradec his appreciation for his rescue from the Tartars with the »Bulla Aurea«, a symbol of the city's freedom and independence. First mentioned as a capital city in 1557, Zagreb University came into being in the 17th century, one of the oldest in Europe. From 1718 to 1918, Zagreb was the residence of the king of Croatia, and then capital of the Yugoslavian Constituent Republic and since 1991 has been the capital of the Independent Republic of Croatia.

Attractions
A particular attraction within the city manifests itself through the mixture of tradition, cultural heritage, and southern flair. Although the location reminds one of a central European city, cafes, parks, and garden terraces lend a Mediterranean feel. Even today there are many references to the city's eventful history. The most important attractions of varied stylistic eras are centrally located and thus easily within reach.

On a walk through the upper and lower city one can explore the cultural-historical architectural works at one's leisure. The central point of Zagreb is found in Jelacic Square located in the centre of the Old Town, shaped by the strength of the lore of formative sites in the city's history. As a defining landmark of the city, the Cathedral of St. Stephen, which was reconstructed after the earthquake at the end of the 19th century, still contains visible remnants of its original form in 1217. With its unique roof of brick and the sculptural work of the famous Croatian artist Ivan Meštrović, the Church of Saint Marcus charms with its 13th century construction. From the Lotrscak Tower, in direct proximity to the upper station of the cable tramway, offers a wonderful panoramic view over the city. The lower city presents a rich cornucopia with its numerous theatres, museums, and galleries.

A side trip in the immediately surrounding areas of Zagreb is well worth making. Whether castles, vineyards, or nature parks, adventure and relaxation are guaranteed outside the city as well.

In spring and summer, a full calendar of events in Zagreb invites one to numerous, regularly scheduled festivals. Modern, classical, and jazzy musical pleasures are strongly represented during this time.

The search for shopping destinations and refreshments reveals a multitude of shopping possibilities and restaurants. The Zagreb kitchen and dining culture commands rich gastronomical offerings, characterised by the eventful and influential history of the city. In medieval Gradec, there are said to have been 90 craftsmen with culinary education.

Authentic dishes and foods include Kotlovina, a meat roasted in its own sauce on a metal lid, turkey hen with baked Mlinci noodles, or the famous Štrukli, curd cheese pastries. The culinary arts are also closely connected to an extensive tradition associated with coffee houses and bakeries. One can sample various sorts of strudels, tortes, slices of crème cake, and yeast cake in a variety of different variations. The city is home to many events, presentations, and competitions based around the themes of eating and drinking.

The »Zagreb Card« is useful and helpful for any vacation in Zagreb, as it offers numerous advantages and benefits such as free transportation in the city's local transit or reduced-price tickets in almost all of the city's museums. The Zagreb Card is up for grabs for 12 Euros. The card is valid for 72 hours.

Accessibility
There are flight connections from Zagreb to the entire European region.
There are diverse autobus and train connections between the capital city and other countries. Zagreb is home to the largest Croatian autobus terminal, which is called »Autobusni kolodvor Zagreb« in Croatian.

Regional connections on city bus lines are equally widespread as intra-Croatian flights to Brac, Dubrovnik, Pula, Split und Zadar. Additionally, establishments of the best-known auto rental agencies are found in Zagreb.

Split

Introduction
With 220,000 inhabitants, Split is the second-largest city in the country after Zagreb, and is the most culturally significant city in Dalmatia as well as an important traffic hub with land and sea routes to numerous Dalmatian holiday destinations.
Situated on the headland, this city in the hinterlands is sealed and protected by over 1000m (3,281ft) high mountain ranges. Hot, dry summers and mild, damp winters are characteristic of this region.

The city derives its fame primarily from its 1700-year history and the multitude of archaeological, cultural-historical architectural works connected to it. In its origins, Split goes back to Greek Issa and Roman Salona, the two most significant ancient settlements in Dalmatia. In 300AD, the Roman Emperor Diokletian selected the centre of middle Dalmatia as his place of retirement. The legendary Palace of Diokletian with 30,000 m2 (322,917 ft2) of space was erected and today forms the central point of Split. The palace walls naturally also served as protection against hostile attacks.
Over the centuries, the city succumbed to the rule and influence of a wide variety of parties such as Austria, Hungary, and Croatian kings. During the long period from 1420 to 1797, Split belonged to the Venetian Republic, then known by the name »Spalato«.

Attractions
Today Split is a port city which still counts among the most marvellous and attractive cities of Europe due to the old City Centre, countless cultural-historical locations of interest, and unique scenic charm. Tourism still assumes an important position. On a stroll through the city, one enjoys the best of cultural curiosities, historical heritage, and lifestyle. While making a round of the city, one shadows the traces of Diokletian's time, thus exploring the city's further historical treasures.

The former palace of the Emperor, with the Cathedral of the Holy Duje and the Peristil (Column Square), forms the historical city centre and the heart of Split. It has been declared part of World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Four gates lead to the palace: the Iron, Gold, Silver, and Copper Gate, the last of which leads one directly to the Riva, Split's promenade. The Diokletian palace is nowadays also an arena for theatrical exhibitions.

There is also much to see outside the walls of the Diokletian palace. In addition to galleries and theatres, churches and cloisters, there variety of plazas and the fish market are interesting points of attractions. Not to be forgotten is parkland-covered Marjan Hill, a vantage point and relaxing spot that lies directly on the sea.

A historically meaningful city such as Split is also greatly blessed with museums. Especially worth mention is the Archaeological Museum, the oldest museum in Croatia, erected at the beginning of the 19th century. Here one finds valuable symbols of Croatian culture including discoveries from Roman settlements, the time of ancient Greece, and the early Middle Ages. The greatest coastal city in Croatia would not be complete without a maritime museum. Collections and exhibits of different types of ships from various eras can be seen as well as original ships which are displayed in front of the museum.

When one travels a few kilometers west of Split, one comes to the small coastal city of Trogir, a further cultural show-piece which has also been classified by UNESCO as part of World Cultural Heritage. A further relic of times gone by where all of the stylistic eras come together in a rarified atmosphere. The immediate surroundings of Trogir also offer well-maintained cultural monuments. Among these, a mill from the 16th century in Pantana not far from the Split Airport and a fortified tower in the small town of Marina dating from the 15th century are particularly worthy of mention.

Theatre, opera, and musical events in plazas, streets, inner courtyards, and in ancient ambience are offered in great abundance, especially during the summer months.

Those who wish to remain physically active do not have to travel far. In the coastal region of central Dalmatia, water sports are strongly represented. One example is the island of Brac located off the coast of Split, an internationally known meeting point for windsurfers. There are additional opportunities for skydiving and hang gliding, as well as rafting and canoeing for the adventurous on the dynamic waters of the River Cetina.

After a cultural experience tour and exploration of the city and its surroundings, one should take time to try out some specialties such as the Dalmatian such as the braised roast beef Pašticada, Luganige sausage or Viser flatbread accompanied by a wine selection from the famed regions of Vugava, Maraština oder Pošip.

Accesibility
There are diverse air connections with European airlines into other countries. Split's international airport is located in Resnik (Kastela). In addition, there are passenger ferries to Greece and Italy. The ferry company Jadrolinja traffics between Dubrovnik and Rijeka. Bus and train connections are possible to northern Croatia and Europe. Branch locations of all established auto rental agencies are located in Split. A journey along the steep and breathtaking coastal street of Adria is well worth it. To Zagreb it is about 5 hours by automobile and to Rijeka, about 3 hours. Dubrovnik is about 4 hours distant.

Dubrovnik

Introduction
Since antiquity, Dubrovnik, like Split, has been a historically significant Dalmatian coastal city. The city's location and geographical features possess a peculiar power of impression and are a point of attraction for travelers from all over the world. This city of just 50,000 inhabitants is somewhat secluded at 150km (93.2mi) south of Split.

Dubrovnik was founded on a rocky island near the coast in around 700BC at a time of popular migration. The Roman population and emigrant Slavs formed the original ethnic groups of modern Dubrovnik which emerged from what was once two settlements. In the 12th century, the canal between the mainland and the islands was filled up, which resulted in the fusion of the Slavic and Roman settlements. Today this is the precise location of the Stadrun, the famous main promenade of Dubrovnik. Over the course of several centuries, Dubrovnik took the position of an independent national republic and conducted trade relations with many areas in the Mediterranean region.

Attractions
The historical architectural works of the city, such as its old buildings, walls, and fortifications, the ornamentation, paintings, and sculptural works convey something of the picturesque and leave a lasting impression. Hence, Dubrovnik also falls under the protection of UNESCO. The most remarkable among these features is the impressive location of rising rock formations ringed by the sea.

The highlights of Dubrovnik are accessible by foot, but this cannot be accomplished in one day. The medieval Old Town is surrounded by 1,940 meters (6,365ft) of still-intact fortification walls which can be walked on. Towers, bastions, and individual fortifications are part of the structural layout. The view from any of the towers over the expanse of the picture book landscape is worthwhile. Motorised vehicles are not allowed in the Old City.

The centre of the Old Town is filled with art treasures and valuable works such as marble-paved squares and narrow lanes, picturesque and beautifully decorated houses, cloisters, churches, palaces, fountain, and museums. The heart of the historical city is the Stradun, Dubrovnik's best-known and widest street paved with pristine flagstones. It is a place where people come together, meet, and celebrate at the same time, and where the Dubrovik Summer Games are held. Also worth seeing is the rector's palace, which today is a museum which houses a cultural-historical department and the Franciscan monastery with the oldest apothecary in southern Europe from the 14th century.

Countless museums and galleries also offer objects of cultural value from various eras such as the museum of the Dominican monastery, where one can see such artifacts as Dubrovnik's paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries, sculptures, gold work, and manuscripts. The Rupe Museum of Popular Art hosts a display of traditional economic life and rural architecture in the area of Dubrovnik. Also worth seeing is the treasury of the Dubrovnik Cathedral with relics from St. Blasius, the patron saint of Dubrovnik, and the maritime museum with its collection on seafaring in Dubrovnik and Croatia.

A dynamic history serves as a backdrop for the development of a broad cultural and entertainment program. With the summer festival games in July and August of every year, the city dedicates itself to opera, theatre, ballet, and concerts. Antique locales are the site of open air theatres on which folklore, theatre, and music festivals take place.

In addition to numerous cultural monuments, the natural features of the region possess a unique beauty. Owing to mild to subtropical weather conditions, Dubrovnik is pleasant and attractive throughout the entire year. Intense and fertile vegetation thrives next to typical Mediterranean growths such as lemons, oranges, palms, and agaves.

Despite the steep and rocky terrain, there are many bathing possibilities with many bays and sandy beaches. The sun-hungry can either linger on one of the city's beaches or let themselves be guided to one of the off-coast islands via ferry, e.g. Lokrum, a small island with a national park and a rocky beach for nudists, as well as a botanical garden and the remnants of a medieval Benedict monastery.

One is further invited to step into one of Dubrovnik's countless restaurants and wine taverns. Here, one can also sample local culinary specialties. Dine on eel from the Neretva, Stoner oysters and mussels, or lamb and calf under the grill, accompanied of course by one of the many wines of the region such as Dingač, Postup, Pelješac, Pošip oder Dubrovačka.

Accessibility
Despite the geographical seclusion, good traffic connections are available.
The national airline “Croatia airlines” flies regularly from Dubrovnik to Zagreb and from Zagreb to the neighboring island of Brac and to Zadar.
Travelers may also enter via bus or international and domestic ship lines. Ferries connect Croatia to Italy and the insular world of the Croatian Adria, such as Hvar, Split, Zadar or Rijeka.