Jane Foster's guide on art and culture in Croatia
Jane Foster, a travel writer based in Dubrovnik and Athens gives for Britain’s magazine Telegraph a guide on culture and art in Croatia. She suggests to her readers what are the best places in Croatia they have to visit and the places that will thrill them.
Croatia is a home of many UNESCO protected monuments. Architectural monuments from past eras and centuries are only few of them. Probably the most known is the one in Dubrovnik. The Old city of Dubrovnik is placed within magnificent medieval walls. It was built between 598 and 615. From 14th century until 1808 Dubrovnik used to be a free state, known for its power and diplomacy.
On UNESCO's list is also historical complex of Split with the palace of Diocletian. Diocletian's palace was built by roman emperor Diocletian in late 3th and early 4th century. Diocletian used to live in after he retired in 305 until his death in 316. The cathedral was built in middle ages, reusing materials from the ancient mausoleum. Within the roman walls you can find Romanesque churches built in 12th and 13th century, medieval fortifications as well as Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque palaces.
Historic city of Trogir can be your next stop. Historic city of Trogir is a remarkable example of urban continuity. Its orthogonal street plan, built in Hellenistic period is definitely worth to visit. You will find beautiful Roman churches there, completed by the outstanding Renaissance and Baroque period.
If you find yourself in Porec, be sure to visit episcopal complex of the Euphrasian basilica in the historic center of Porec, built in 6th century. Its wonderful mosaics will thrill art lovers. The basilica itself, atrium, baptistery and episcopal palace are outstanding examples of religious architecture.
In Sibenik you can visit the cathedral of St James, built between 1431 and 1535. Three architects used to work on the cathedral: Francesco di Giacomo, Juraj Dalmatinac and Nikola Firentinac. The cathedral is entirely built from stone, it has 71 sculptured faces of men, women and children and is remarkable fusion of Gothic and Renaissance art.
On UNESCO's list is also Stari Grad Plain located on Hvar island and home of Ancient Greek land parcel system. Jane Foster suggests to visit Stari Grad Plain accompanied by archeologist otherwise it very difficult to make out.
There is 16 more “tentative” UNESCO sites in Croatia: the medieval fortified hill town of Motovun in Istria, the 16th-century Veliki Tabor castle in Zagorje, central Croatia, Varazdin historic city center with its Baroque buildings and castle, Zadar’s Romanesque churches, Korcula town’s medieval historic center, Ston’s medieval defensive walls and salt pans on Peljesac paninsula.
Many harbor towns along the Croatian coast have Venetian marks, as they spend centuries under Venetian-rule. The best examples are: Rovinj in Istria peninsula, Rab town on Rab island and Hvar town on Hvar island.
