Cultural sightseeing in Croatia. What to visit - museums, temples, castles and palaces
Croatia is not only a fashionable resort for beach holidays. There are various museums and monuments, ancient castles and fortresses in the country. Most of the museums are located in the capital city, Zagreb. One of the largest and most interesting is the Mimara Art Museum with a collection of world-class art. The museum features works by famous artists Van Goyen, Velasquez, Goya, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Delacroix, Lebrun, and Lorren. In the Modern Gallery in Zagreb, visitors will be able to visit exhibitions that feature more than 10 thousand works of 19-20 centuries, mainly by Balkan artists. There are about 400 artifacts in the archaeological museum, among which the world's only flax book of the ancient world can be seen. In an unusual museum of broken hearts, tourists will be able to see an exhibition of objects that once belonged to separated couples.
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Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Croatia
Reference information
Art galleries in Croatia
♥ Art museum 'Art Pavilion' Zagreb. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Gallery of Fine Arts' Split. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Gliptoteka' Zagreb. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Ivan Meštrović Gallery' Split. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Klovićevi dvori' Zagreb. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Art Pavilion' Zagreb. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Gallery of Fine Arts' Split. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Gliptoteka' Zagreb. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Ivan Meštrović Gallery' Split. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Klovićevi dvori' Zagreb. On the map Photos
Cathedrals and basilicas in Croatia
♥ Katedrala Majke Tereze, Pristina. On the map Photos
♥ Katedrala Blažene Djevice Marije, Trebinje. On the map Photos
♥ Crkva sv. Nikole, Ston. On the map Photos
♥ Katedrala sv. Marka, Korčula. On the map Photos
♥ Crkva sv. Stjepana, Stari Grad. On the map Photos
♥ Svetište Kraljice Mira, Međugorje. On the map Photos
♥ Katedrala sv. Marka, Makarska. On the map Photos
♥ Katedrala Majke Tereze, Pristina. On the map Photos
♥ Katedrala Blažene Djevice Marije, Trebinje. On the map Photos
♥ Crkva sv. Nikole, Ston. On the map Photos
♥ Katedrala sv. Marka, Korčula. On the map Photos
♥ Crkva sv. Stjepana, Stari Grad. On the map Photos
♥ Svetište Kraljice Mira, Međugorje. On the map Photos
♥ Katedrala sv. Marka, Makarska. On the map Photos
Extreme Guinness-type places in Croatia
Aerodrom Zeljava
From the series “Famous Abandoned Military Bases and Forts”
A unique military facility is the Zhelyava air base, located in Croatia. It was built on the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1968. The construction of the unique underground airfield took 20 years and cost more than 6 billion US dollars. For comparison, it can be said that today's defense expenditure of Serbia and Croatia is only about two billion.
At the time of construction, the underground air base Zeljava was one of the most expensive and largest military projects in Europe. During the Yugoslavian war in 1991, the air base was actively used. By 1992 it had been destroyed by the Yugoslav army. At the moment, Croatia does not have any funds for the reconstruction of the military complex, although part of the air base is still owned by the Croatian army.
According to the international … Read all
At the time of construction, the underground air base Zeljava was one of the most expensive and largest military projects in Europe. During the Yugoslavian war in 1991, the air base was actively used. By 1992 it had been destroyed by the Yugoslav army. At the moment, Croatia does not have any funds for the reconstruction of the military complex, although part of the air base is still owned by the Croatian army.
According to the international … Read all
Pulska Arena
From the series “Ancient Amphitheaters and Arenas, That Are Still Operational”
In Croatia, the most famous and well-preserved amphitheater is to be found in Pula. The construction of the ancient monument had been lasting more than forty years and was completed in 68 AD. Nowadays, it is a permanent venue for theatrical performances, military ceremonies, public gatherings and enchanting concerts. The antique monument is perfectly preserved to this day. All three Roman orders and four towers have miraculously survived. In scale the largest amphitheater in Pula takes the sixth place in the world.
Limestone served as the main building material for the construction of external arenas. Their height is 29.4 meters. Originally, the theater could accommodate up to 23000 spectators. In the 5th century, when gladiatorial battles were banned, the arena gradually fell into … Read all
All unique sightseeing Croatia
Limestone served as the main building material for the construction of external arenas. Their height is 29.4 meters. Originally, the theater could accommodate up to 23000 spectators. In the 5th century, when gladiatorial battles were banned, the arena gradually fell into … Read all
Expo 2020 in Dubai Was Visited by More Than 7 Million Visitors
If you haven’t visited this event yet, there is still time to book a hotel in Dubai because Expo 2020 Dubai runs until 31 March 2022. People who are unable to visit the emirate can make a virtual tour on the Expo 2020 website. By the way, the virtual visitation has already reached 31.6 million by the end of December. Read this
19.04.2024
If you haven’t visited this event yet, there is still time to book a hotel in Dubai because Expo 2020 Dubai runs until 31 March 2022. People who are unable to visit the emirate can make a virtual tour on the Expo 2020 website. By the way, the virtual visitation has already reached 31.6 million by the end of December. Read this
19.04.2024
Top cultural sites of Croatia: monuments, theaters and churches
Dominican monastery, Dubrovnik
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» There is the Dominican Monastery in the eastern district of the city. It had been built for several centuries. It is one of the fortifications. » All the laymen of the city contributed much to the construction by making donations for the temple.
» The earthquake of 1667 damaged the building much.
» The small part of the lodge built in the 15th century is decorated as a garden.
» The monastery includes a working museum. It presents the collection of paintings dating back to the 14th century. One of them depicts the patron of the city, Blaise, holds the miniature of the city of the 16th century in his hands.
» There are many three-arch windows. The construction has three arched doorways along its length. The outer walls are not decorated. There are multiple holes and niches in the inner walls, stone pieces of furniture, gravestones, and a carved stand for reading the Scripture.
» The chapel of the 14th century and the library have been preserved. There are also the first print editions in Europe.
» The monastery is also famous for the crucifix and the wall fresco above the main altar.
» In the patio, there is a garden and a stone Gothic well.
» There is an art gallery at the site of the old chapel. It presents modern paintings.
Dubrovnik Cathedral, Dubrovnik
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» In 1981, the masonry of the older building was found during the restoration of Saint Mary’s Cathedral. After studying architectural features, researchers concluded that the building date back to the 6th-8th century. This proves that there was a developed settlement at the site of modern Dubrovnik. » The cathedral resembles the Latin cross (the vertical line is longer the horizontal one). 3 prolonged rooms are crowned with a painted dome. New annexes are attached to the halls.
» The precious values here is the painting of Tiziano (1552) and canvases of the 16th-18th centuries.
» St. Blaise (the Christian martyr) is the patron of the city. His remains are resting in the cathedral. There is also the part of the cross from Golgotha, on which Jesus was tortured.
» The building belonged to the Dubrovnik Republic. It was unlocked with keys that different people in power had.
» In the cathedral, there are unusual paintings of Christ, for example, one of them depicts him on the back of the donkey.
» Three domes seen from afar are very interesting.
» The treasury of the House of God presents the collection that includes 200 religious artifacts.
» The temple is open for visitors.
Franciscan monastery, Dubrovnik
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The Franciscan Monastery is the complex of churches. Originally, the buildings were located beyond the city. Monks moved outside the walls of the city due to frequent military conflicts. » The new monastery started to be built in 1317. It was destroyed by a strong earthquake. Only the southern entrance was not damaged. Then, the building was restored.
» The part of the arched wall depicts the Virgin Mary mourning Jesus. She is surrounded by saints. God the Father is above her.
» There is the sculpture of risen Christ above the central altar in the room. The podium is framed with patterned marble columns.
» In the church, there are the ashes of the South Slavic poet, Ivan Gundulic.
» In the Franciscan Monastery, there are closed bypass galleries. There are 120 octagonal pillars in one of them. Their peaks are different: the head of a man, an animal, or a flower.
» In the center, there is a fountain with sculptures of St. Francis.
» The second part of the cloister is living quarters.
» There are also a pharmacy and a library. Its collection includes over 70 thousand books. There are 1200 books of historical value. The monastery museum presents liturgical items and jewels.
Rector Palace, Dubrovnik
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The Rector’s Palace is the residence of princes. Traditionally, the great person lived and worked here all the time. It was forbidden to leave the residence for personal purposes. The stamped inscription above the entrance says the same, “...serve only the state”. » For a full-fledged activity, there were rooms for the nobles and servants, as well as premises services as a conference hall or a courtroom.
» Near them, there was a dungeon and a warehouse for ammunition and weapons.
» On the top floor where the prince lived, the keys to the city gate were kept. He locked it at night and unlocked in the morning himself. The rite symbolized the safety of citizens.
» In the east wing, there was a court chapel and a guardhouse. Their windows have a view of the sea. Here, you can see preserved pieces of furniture of that time and antique items and paintings.
» The royal residence is a single-storey building with four annexes. They surround a patio. It is linked with the other courtyard where the monument to the sailor of the Republican period is placed by the gallery.
» Classical music concerts are held in the atrium.
» Today, the palace serves as a museum. The Rector’s Palace was built in the 15th century.
Saint Blaise Church, Dubrovnik
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» The gilded statue of Saint Blaise was cast in the 15th century and placed on the roof of the cathedral named after him. He holds the miniature of the city in his hands. He was exalted in 971. » According to the chronicles, the priest had the vision of Saint Bacchus who came as an elder with a long waiving beard. He held a rod in his hands and wore a high miter. The prophet warned about the attack of the sneaky Venetians wanting to conquer the city.
» Blaise had been declared the defender and patron of the city since that time. You can see his profile on banknotes, city stamps, and the republican flag.
» On the day of his worship, 3 February, there is the festive procession of worshipers with icons, crosses and the box with the bones of the saint who died in agony for his faith.
» In 1715, the facade was made in the baroque style that features pretentious architectural elements. The entrance is a wide staircase. The dome has the shape of a huge half-sphere. Stained glass windows give an unusual light.
» Near the main altar, there is an organ surrounded by paintings and icons in gilded frames. They depict the saints.
Sponza Palace, Dubrovnik
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» At different times, the palace served not only as the prince’s residence. It served as a treasury, a customs house, a school. Here, coins were minted, people of art held literary meetings. It also served the needs of the bank. » Today, there is the archive of national importance on the ground level. Precious historical documents dating back to the 12th century are kept here. Over a hundred thousand papers tell about business relations with other countries.
» In the local museum in the palace, there is an exhibition that tells about tragic events during the defense of the city in 1990.
» There is the statue of the rich sailor (the 17th century) in front of the entrance. He made his will for the republic.
» Annual summer festivals have already become a tradition.
» The palace built in 1522 is a big rectangular building with a patio. The facade is decorated with sculptures and relief masonry. On one of the walls, you can see a medallion with twisted initial letters of the name of Christ.
» It is suggested that the building was built at the place where the rainwater accumulates in the special vessel. It is called Spongia, which means “porous”.