Cultural heritage of Croatia

Croatia abounds with cultural-historical monuments from all periods, thanks to stormy historical events and the intertwining of influences of different cultures. Influences of the Mediterranean culture, numerous monuments from Antiquity, the Roman period and early Middle Ages, Romanesque sacral heritage, and a series of preserved Mediterranean urban complexes characterize its seaside. Continental Croatia is part of the middle European cultural circle and its prominent because of numerous prehistoric finds of world importance, old towns, fortress and castles of the Middle Ages and cultural monuments and architecture of the baroque period.

The most famous areas under UNESCO protection are: antic Diokletian's Palace in Split, old town in Dubrovnik, romanic town Trogir, cathedral in Sibenik, Euphrasius' Basilica in Porec and Plitvice Lakes.

SPLIT - historical city center with the Antique Diokletian's Palace, one of the most important preserved late Roman historical monuments and a part of UNESCO's World Heritage List; the Cathedral of Saint Dujmo, the old Croatian church of St Trinity and other significant locations.

DUBROVNIK - one of the best-preserved medieval fortified cities on the Mediterranean; built mainly from the 13th to the 16th century; completely preserved city walls with towers, Rector's palace, the Cathedral, Sponza Palace, the Franciscan Monastery and Lovrijenac fortress; the old town is the part of UNESCO's World Heritage List.

TROGIR - historical town on a small island; a Cathedral from the 13th century, with the famous portal of the master Radovan; the town is inscribe into the UNESCO World Heritage List

SIBENIK - historical urban complex with the famed Renaissance Cathedral of St Jacob, the work of famous sculptors Juraj Dalmatinac and Nikola Fiorentinac, and a number of palaces and churches, a part of UNESCO's World Heritage

POREC - historical urban complex; Euphrasius' Basilica from the 6th century, one of the most important early Byzantium monuments on the Mediterranean, inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List

THE PLITVICE LAKES (PLITVICKA JEZERA) - the most beautiful and the most popular Croatian national park, part of the UNESCO's World Heritage, situated at the main road from Zagreb to Dalmatia; 16 little lakes interconnected with waterfalls created by deposition of travertine, dense forests of beech and fir, partly in the form of primeval virgin forest, many animal species (including the brown bear); there is a special vehicle for transporting visitors (panoramic trains and electric boats).

Here are some other cities, monuments and national parks that we have separated that belong to the european heritage.

HVAR - preserved historical complex from the 15th century, encircled by walls; Hvar Theater from 1612. is the oldest city theatre in Europe

KNIN - medieval fortress above the city; surroundings are the richest architectural finds of the early Middle Ages in Croatia

KRAPINA - paleontological site, Husnjakovo, one of the most significant finds of Neanderthal Man in the world

MOTOVUN - picturesque medieval town-museum on top of the hill

NIN - old Croatian churches of St Kriz and St Nikola from the 11th century

OMIS – has a rich pirate history. Its attraction is a fortress called "Fortica" which was built in 16 and 17 century in purpose of protection from pirates. From the fortress there is a fantastic view of Omis and Dalmatian islands and surroundings.

OSIJEK - historical urban center, Tvrdja, with a series of valuable buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries

PULA - Roman amphitheatre from the 1st century, the third largest in the world; the Roman Golden Gate

RIJEKA - a castle on Trsat and the sanctuary of St Mary of Loretta

ROVINJ - historical urban complex with the Cathedral of St Euphemia from the18th century

SOLIN - archeological area with remains of the large roman town of Salona and a number of early Christian monuments

TRAKOSCAN - a Romanesque castle above the Trakoscan Lake

VARAZDIN - well preserved baroque urban complex; a number of valuable palaces, churches and monasteries; monumental Old town; city cemetery from the 19th century with its unique horticulture

VUKOVAR - prehistoric archeological find, Vucedol, one of the most significant Neolithic finds in Europe; Eltz castle was hardly damaged during Serbian aggression on Vukovar in 1991.

ZADAR - historical urban complex with well-preserved walls; several antique and early medieval monuments, including a Roman forum and the unique pre-Romanesque circular church of St Donat from the 9th century

ZAGREB - historical urban complex of the medieval Upper Town and Kaptol; planned Lower Town from the second half of the 19th century, with a series of parks in the shape of horseshoe; the Zagreb Cathedral is the most prominent in the country