Festa Sveti Vlaho Dubrovnik Croatia

CROATIA has 7 UNESCO protected world cultural heritage sites and 7 UNESCO protected world cultural heritage traditions, making it first in Europe and fourth in the world. UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The music in the video are traditional and unique Croatian “klapa” songs. First is “Vilo Moja” and second song is “Croatio iz duše te ljubim”.

Croatia UNESCO Sites:

1. Dubrovnik – The old city
2. Diocletian’s Palace in Split
3. Plitvice Lakes
4. Euphrasian Basilica in Porec
5. Trogir – The old city
6. St James Cathedral in Sibenik
7. Island Hvar Stari Grad plain

Croatian UNESCO Cultural traditions (intangible heritage) all from 2009:

1. Lace making in Croatia
2. Spring procession of Ljelje queens in Gorjani
3. Festival of St Blaise – patron of city of Dubrovnik
4. Annual carnival Bell Ringers from Kastav region
5. Traditional manufacturing of wooden toys in Zagorje
6. Two-part singing and paying in Istrian scale
7. Procession of the Kross on island Hvar (Holy Thursday)

Read more:

• The Republic Of Croatia – UNESCO World Non-Material Cultural Heritage
• The fortification of Ston Walls took the longest in Europe’s history
• Dubrovnik Beach Banje has another feather in the cap

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Following the Cross on island Hvar

For more than 400 years on Hvar, parishioners from the central part of the island have participated in the great ‘Following the Cross’ procession. Beginning on Good Thursday, mass is simultaneously held in the six parishes of Jelsa, Pitve, Vrisnik, Svirče, Vrbanj and Vrboska. The procession then begins, following a 25-kilometer course into the early morning hours of Good Friday. Because each of the six groups starts from their respective churches and follows the course in a clockwise direction, the groups never meet. Each group is lead by a specially chosen cross-bearer who walks the course either barefoot or in socks. Other official members of the procession are dressed in white tunics.

The origins of this unique procession are linked to a period of peasant revolt against Venetian governance when, according to legend, a small cross began to bleed before a conflict. It is also interesting to note that in nearly five centuries of celebration, the tradition has never been interrupted. Even in 1944, when the procession was forbidden by the German authorities, refugees from the island Hvar conducted the procession between their tents in the refugee camp of El Shatt in Africa. This was the only time the annual procession was not conducted on the island.

Different Easter processions are also held in other places on the Island of Hvar. One of the more interesting examples is the procession held on the afternoon of Good Friday in the City of Hvar, called ‘Through God’s Graves’. Fraternities from St. Cross and St. Nicolas, one dressed in black tunics, the other in white, begin their procession in different churches. They later come together in the old Venetian square or Piazza to sing the ancient melody ‘Popule Meus’ in front the St. Stephens Cathedral.

Read more:

• Hvar – Hotel Adriana in the prestigious Virtuoso organization
• Stari Grad on Island Hvar
• Island Hvar

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Hvar on Island Hvar

There has been a conscious decision taken by the inhabitants of Island of Hvar to develop the towns of the district and the ethno-eco villages to promote rural tourism. Help to develop will be given to all the towns and villages who have decided to be a part of the project. There has been a suggestion by the country of Split-Dalmatia that the project should be financed within the European IPA program which is run by the Adriatic cross-border cooperation. There is also a program of renewing the villages of old stone so that they can be combined into a different and beautiful tourist offer for the people visiting the country. This project has the involvement of Sucuraj. Velo and Malo Grablje, Brusje and Zorace, Stari Grad, are also being renewed by the town of Hvar. Jelsa and Mala Rudina are also being renewed by Stari Grad and this has shown the best progress in the area of Humac. In 2007 the Island of Hvar hosted the first National Conference on Rural Tourism. During this conference a proposal by the country of Split-Dalmatia and a declaration which had a clause on the renewal of the ethno-eco villages was accepted. This declaration was then signed by 16 countries of Croatia. Everybody involved is also accepting that this proposal and declaration will also be accepted by the Parliament of Croatia. This effort by all will surely help the tourism to grow in the country and attract more visitors every day.

Read more:

• Hvar – Hotel Adriana in the prestigious Virtuoso organization
• Medical tourism in Croatia
• Stari Grad on Island Hvar

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Stari grad on island Hvar

The island of Hvar had witnessed a tremendous rise in tourists from across the world, not just from the well to do jet travelers, but also tourists from nearby places.
Hvar perhaps, is a very popular destination in Adriatic, it offers various form of entertainment, and caters to top class facilities and hospitality to tourists. Hvar also has a rich tradition and has a huge historical significance attached to it.
Stari grad had always been a centre of attraction for the historians; recent findings suggest that Stari grad possibly had a presence of civilization long before what it is assumed now. The archaeological excavation at Remete, on the east Stari grad plains has an entirely different story to reveal about Stari grad.
On the contrary, to what it was believed, that the earliest settlement on the island were from Greece, who came during 385 B.C. and were called Faros, the excavations suggest that the civilization existed three centuries before that.
The remarkable feature of Stari grad plains had been the Greek foundations from 4th century B.C. which has been put on the world heritage list by UNESCO as the cultural monument. The plains which had been listed in the world heritage site starts from Stari grad to Jelsa and Vrboska.
It’s very important to note that the plains have the same agricultural products over a period of 24 centuries.
The recent archaeological sites would now be converted into public institutions, which would be in charge of the protected area.
The Stari grad plains also have a museum which is expected to keep things from the recent archaeological sites. It would display Ilirian Liburnian bronze needles and hooks, rough black ceramics and ceramics from Greece.
The recent archaeological excavations had made Hvar the most sought after place for the cultural enthusiasts. It also adds to the fact that Hvar is perhaps, very rich in cultural treasures. The Stari grad plain is now competing as the place which had the oldest civilization in the Adriatic region.

Read more:

• Island Hvar
• Hvar – Hotel Adriana in the prestigious Virtuoso organization
• Island hopping in Croatia

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Hvar on island Hvar, Croatia

Hotel Adriana, operating under the Suncani Hvar hotel company from Hvar, has recently become a member of the world’s leading network of luxury hotels, Virtuoso. Membership to this club is possible only by invitation, making it an even bigger recognition for Adriana and an opportunity to penetrate the most demanding tourist market. Hotel Adriana was renovated in 2007 as a luxury boutique hotel with 59 designer rooms and suites, an inside pool with heated sea-water and the Top bar, which according to many is one of the most beautiful bars of its kind in Europe. The hotel also features a unique wellness Sensori Spa center with health and beauty services and treatments. The hotel is in addition a member of the ‘Leading Small Hotels of the World’ network and has received a World Travel Award for best European boutique resort in 2008. As well as its beauty and quality of service, the mesmerizing surroundings of the Island of Hvar, which are regarded as one of the most beautiful world destinations in many surveys, add to its value.

Read more:

• Hotel Vespera has become a family hotel
• The new face of the symbol of the Rab Hotel Industry
• Island Hvar

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Silver Central Hostel, Split Croatia

Silver Central Hostel Split Croatia

Despite being one of the most popular non-Euro zone locations, Croatia’s Adriatic coast is surprisingly bereft of good hostels. Split’s newest arrival is a shining exception, set in a townhouse within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace – the walled old town of central Split. Alas, this one does not offer doubles, but the dorm rooms are distinctly high end, with stripped wooden floorboards and sculpted straw furniture.

• silvercentralhostel.com, beds from £13pn

Buzz Backpacker Hostel, Zagreb Croatia

Buzz Backpacker Hostel Zagreb Croatia

Another of the misconceptions about hostels is that evenings are dominated by Bob Dylan sing-a-longs and drinking games. But like an ever-increasing band of family-aimed hostels, the Buzz Backpackers, set in a baroque building in the heart of the city, operates a no-noise policy after 11pm. It also conforms to another boutique hostel standard: private rooms that put budget hotels to shame – the well-designed top floor loft double sleeps two with space for a third.

• buzzbackpackers.com, dorms from 14pn, private rooms from £39pn

Green Lizard Hostel island Hvar Croatia

Green Lizard Hostel island Hvar Croatia

Long billed as Croatia’s answer to Ibiza, the jetties and ports of Hvar teem with yachts and perma-tanned Adriatic It-people throughout the summer. Most budget accommodation-seekers opt for the “soba” rooms – private beds offered by local families at the ferry port, but this entails the risks of having to be home by midnight, or up at the crack of dawn for prayers with granny. The Green Lizard is the best hostel on the islands off Split, and offers prime views of the bay from its balconies. In a country that is getting more and more expensive by the year, doubles from £31pn, with sea views thrown in, is a godsend.

• greenlizard.hr, doubles from £31pn, beds from £12pn

Source: Guardian.co.uk Read full article

Read more:

• Sailing in the Dalmatian Islands off the Croatian coast
• Croatian Islands in Mediterranean Island Guide

Welcome to Croatia - Travel and Holidays in Croatia. Your guide to holidays in Croatia.