DESTINATION:
Croatia
For centuries, the narrow strip of land which runs along the Adriatic coastline has been at the crossroads of eastern and western Europe. This region has been inhabited in turn by the Greeks, Romans, Croats, Hungarians and Venetians, as well as enjoying periods of independence. Its art and architecture is therefore a stunning fusion of elements from a variety of styles and influences, with Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance much in evidence throughout the country.
Our tour incorporates towns and cities such as Split, Dubrovnik, Trogir and Sibenik, as well as the breathtaking island of Korcula. This exploration of the region’s rich cultural heritage takes place against a backdrop of dramatic mountainous limestone landscapes and stunning turquoise seascapes.
Recommended duration - 5 nights/6 days
KEY VISITS (Recommended)
SPLIT
- PALACE OF THE EMPEROR DIOCLETIAN – born in Dalmatia of humble origins (he was the son of slaves), Diocletian rose to become Roman Emperor at the age of 29 and after commissioning the building of the palace he moved here in 303 AD.
- SALONA – once the capital of Roman Dalmatia, and the likely birthplace of the emperor Diocletian. The best-preserved site here is the amphitheatre, which is believed to have once accommodated some 18,000 spectators.
- TROGIR – situated on a tiny island, which has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Its skyline is broken only by towers and steeples, and its 13th century cathedral is considered one of the finest on the Adriatic.
- MESTROVIC GALLERY – the important 20th century Croatian sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic, was a close friend of Rodin and the gallery houses a number of his seminal works, including 86 statues carved from various materials. The collection also contains drawings, a stone crucifix and a series of wooden reliefs. The gallery was designed by Mestrovic who lived in the palace during the 1930s with his family.
- KRKA NATIONAL PARK – named after the River Krka, it is a beautiful park characterised by waterfalls and gorges. Within the park is Visovac Island, which was settled by the Hermits of St. Augustine, who in the 14th century built a small monastery and church dedicated to St. Paul.
- SIBENIK CATHEDRAL – one of the finest architectural monuments on the Dalmatian coast.
EN ROUTE FROM SPLIT TO DUBROVNIK
- ISLAND OF KORCULA – and on to the city of the same name, considered one of the most attractive medieval cities in the Mediterranean. Encircled by its impressive walls and criss-crossed by a labyrinth of narrow streets, the city enjoyed its heyday between the 13th and 15th centuries under the rule of the Venetians. Visits will include the Cathedral of St Mark and the Bishop’s Treasury. The Treasury houses a fine small collection with works by Carpaccio, Bassano, Tiepolo and Raphael, as well as lesser-known local artists. Further visits include the City Museum and the Museum of Icons, which exhibits works looted from Cretan churches, notably a 15th century triptych of the Passion.
DUBROVNIK
Dubrovnik’s mercantile wealth attracted numerous artists who flocked here during the 15th and 16th centuries creating a flourishing cultural scene, resulting in a period of prosperity when many fine civic projects were undertaken. The town walls, still very much in evidence today, were also commissioned at this time, although this largely medieval city was redesigned by Baroque planners after an earthquake during the 17th century. Today the historic heart of the city is preserved as a UNESCO site and although it was besieged and bombed heavily during Croatia’s struggle for independence in the early 1990s, little evidence remains of Dubrovnik’s turbulent recent past.
- FRANCISCAN MONASTERY – with its remarkable Romanesque cloister.
- BAROQUE CATHEDRAL – designed by Bufalini of Urbino during the 17th century.
- RECTOR’S PALACE – which once housed the major offices of state.
- CITY WALLS – affording breath-taking views of the old town of Dubrovnik. Constructed in the 12th century as a defence against invaders, the walls extend almost 1940 metres around the old town connected by a series of forts, bastions, casements and towers.
- CAVTAT – a small fishing village now developed into a pretty coastal town which has retained its charm.
ALTERNATIVE VISITS
- ELAPHITI ISLANDS – a small archipelago consisting of several small islands stretching along the coastline to the northwest of Dubrovnik. Named after the Greek word ‘Elaphos’ meaning ‘deer’, it most likely originated as an area for hunting. Visits will include the three main islands of Koločepo, Lopud and Šipan which provide seashore landscapes, charming picturesque villages, lush vegetation and beautiful scenery.
- STON – located at the beginning of the Peljesac peninsula and surrounded by defensive city walls which were constructed during the Ragusan Republic in the 15th century. The inner walls extend some 890 metres whilst the Great Wall is more than 5 kilometres long, making it the longest wall after the Great Wall of China. Originally there were 40 towers placed along the wall but only 20 survive. Ston is also important for its Saltworks, which are still operational today. The area around Ston is also known for its wine production and a visit to local wine cellars will be included.
- ARBORETUM AT TRSTENO – Considered a ‘monument of garden architecture’, the gardens were laid out in the 15th century around a summer residence belonging to a local noble family. They encouraged sea captains to bring back seeds and plants from their travels, which formed the basis of the exotic collection that we see today.
FURTHER AFIELD
Montenegro can be added to a tour including Split and Dubrovnik (a possible additional 2 nights), but can also be combined with Dubrovnik for a shorter tour. Mostar can also be introduced into the programme but requires at least one overnight stay.
The small state of Montenegro gained its independence in 2006 after a short period in an alliance with neighbouring Serbia, and the entire region has a distinctly Balkan feel. The dramatic mountain landscape sits in splendid contrast to its historic and architecturally rich towns and villages.
- KOTOR – a fortified town situated on the gulf which bears its name, and its walls, fortifications and streets are remarkably well preserved. The Romanesque cathedral is one of the many architectural highlights.
- BUDVA – a small coastal town very similar to Dubrovnik but much smaller in size. It was very badly damaged during an earthquake in 1979 but has been completely restored to its former glory. Gospa od Skrpjela means ‘Our Lady of the Rocks’, and is an islet created by the constant accumulation of stones that began in the middle of the 15th century. The islet covers an area of more than 3,000 metres and is located in the centre of the Bay of Kotor. The only building on the artificial island is the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks.
- CETINJE – the former Montenegrin capital, which, although neglected after the Second World War, is now regaining its importance as a cultural and educational centre. Visits will include the National Museum of Montenegro, which was established in 1896 and consists of four museums and two galleries, two of which are housed in the former parliament, Cetinje’s most imposing building, and King Nikola’s Museum, which was the residence of the last ruler of Montenegro, Nikola I Petrovic Njegoš.
- MOSTAR – located in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following the break-up of Yugoslavia, Mostar was one of the most heavily bombed cities in Bosnia and early air strikes destroyed many of its principal buildings and structures including the 16th century Ottoman style bridge (Stari Most). International efforts led to the reconstruction of the bridge using some of the original stonework which was recovered from the river. Other visits include the Old City and the Koski Mehmed Pasa Mosque, a simple Mosque dating from the early 1600s.