SPLIT

1. SPLIT • About city of Split • Split is the economic and administrative center of Middle Dalmatia. It is also the starting point for exploration of the coast and islands in the Adriatic.Split is a busy port, with an international airport and regular ferry services.

2. Diocletian's Palace This palace is today the heart of the inner-city of Split where all the most important historical buildings can be found. The importance of Diocletian's Palace far transcends local significance because of its level of preservation and the buildings of succeeding historical periods, stretching from Roman times onwards, which form the very tissue of old Split. The Palace is one of the most famous and integral architectural and cultural constructs on the Croatian Adriatic coast and holds an outstanding place in the Mediterranean, European and world heritage. In November 1979 UNESCO, in line with the international convention concerning the cultural and natural heritage, adopted a proposal that the historic Split inner city, built around the Palace, should be included in the register of the World Cultural Heritage.

3. HistorySplit is the second largest city in Croatia, with about 200,000 inhabitants.It is the largest city on the Adriatic coast.It was first a Greek settlement founded between the 3rd and 4th cet.Then in 295 AD Roman emperor Diocletian ordered a residence to be built there for his retirement. It took ten years to build it and Diocletian lived there until his death in 313 AD. After that, many Roman rulers to used it as a retreat. In the 7th century, when the Roman colony of Salona was abandoned, many of its inhabitants sought sanctuary behind the palace's high walls and their descendants lived there until the present day. It was conquered by the Venetians in 1420. After the fall of Venetian rule in 1797, Split was ruled by the Austrians, and the French, before becoming part of the Yugoslavia in 1918. In 1941, the city was occupied by the Italians the city was liberated 1944. Then the first people's government of Croatia was formed. Things to seeThe most important sight is Diocletian's palace.The Peristyle is the main open space in the palace, surrounded by a colonnade of six columns.There is a cathedral on the eastern side of the Peristyle. On the western side is the People's Square with the old town hall, built in the 15th century. There is an Ethnographic museum on the square and a city museum.Just outside the city walls is a remarkable statue of Gregory of Nin, a Croatian religious leader from the 10th century,made by the most famous Croatian sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic.

4. The History of Split  The first inhabitant of Split was the Roman emperor Diocletian.He built his palace in this beautiful bay around 293 AD. After his abdication he withdrew to his luxurious palace of about 30 thousand square meters. The palace was later turned into a town first populated by the citizens of Salona,  who were fleeing before Avars and Slavs. The town slowly spread beyond the walls of the palace. It was under the rule of different kings Croatian in 10th century AD, Hungarian, Venetian, to French rulers and Austro-Hungarian monarchy. The city,remained the centre of this part of the coast till today.This mixture of historic layers   makes a part of its originality and charm  

5. Not only that it is the main city in Dalmatia and that it has the strongest industry ,it also known for its sports.The most popular is the football club Hajduk which was founded in 1991.Also the basketball club Jugoplastika,the tennis players:Pilić,Ivanišević and Ančić who are worldwide.Many others famous champions came from that city.This year Split celebrates its 1700th.birhtday.

6. Island Mljet in Adriatic sea • That what you see in the first picture is Mljet.On the other picture is the most beatiful part of Mljet.

7. Mljet is an island lost in the open sea, mentioned in the stories about Odyssey and St. Paul, as well as Benedictine monks and is indeed hard to reach. Mljet is an Island of great diversity and contrast, and "Mljet" National Park covers its northwestern part with an area of 5.375 ha of protected land. Mljet National Park has been proclaimed as an area of special interest because of:• Its unique panoramic landscape (coastline, cliffs, reefs and numerous islands) as well as the rich topography of the nearby hills, which rise steeply above the sea and hide numerous ancient stone villages.The salt lakes are a unique geological and oceanographic phenomenon of worldwide importance. They originated approximately 10,000 years ago and, until the Christian era, they were freshwater lakes. Some endemic Dalmatian plants like Dubrovačka zečina can only be found on the rocky coast of the island.Beautiful, rich forests once covered large areas of the Mediterranean Coast, but they are rarely preserved today as beautifully as they are on Mljet. The woods on Mljet gently descend all the way to the surface of the lakes. Mljet is also known as the Green Island.

8. The little isle of St. Mary in the Great Lake has an ancient Benedictine monastery and a church dating from 12th century. The small island is the symbol of the entire island, because of its exceptional aesthetic image and strong cultural and spiritual dimension.Polače site, a cultural and historic complex consists of the remains of a GothicPalace 4thcentury with fortifications and ancient Christian basilica nesting in a sheltered bay.The cultural and historical heritage of Island Mljet dates back to the eras of the Illyrian tribes, the Roman Empire and the Republic of Dubrovnik. Mljet's fauna is particularly friendly because there are no poisonous snakes (e.g. horned viper) thanks to the introduction of the Indian Mongoose, which wiped them out. Five species of snakes and six species of lizards have been registered on the island. Mljet's largest daylight bird predator, the Snake eagle, feeds on snakes and lizards. There are also many song-birds, as well as several species of birds that do not normally live on the Adriatic islands.

9. In the area of today's national park Illyrian tribes lived in stone villages and left stone graves as landmarks of their culture. During the Roman period, the island was mentioned in a number of written documents. Since the eight century, the central part of the island has been populated. Benedictine priests became the feudal masters of the island in the mid 12th century, building their monastery and the church on the island in the middle of the Great Lake. During Napoleon’s rule, the Benedictine order was abolished. Towards the end of the 19th century and in the early years if the 20th century, Austria tried to improve life on the island. Unfortunately, a big forest fire in 1917 destroyed much of the old forest and its subsequent restoration took a long time to achieve.Today's population mainly lives from agriculture growing grapes and olives, and tourism. The inhabitants of Mljet Island are the only Croatian islanders to speak the "ijekavian" dialect.

10. TOURISM THE KORNATI ARCHIPELAGO IS A SPECIFIC CLUSTER OF ISLANDS THAT IS LOCATED BETWEEN THE ŠIBENIK AND ZADAR ARCHIPELAGOES.IT COVERS AN AREA OF APPROX 320 KM2(150 KM2 OF LAND).THIS ECOSYSTEM CONSIDERS OF 1185 ISLANDS,99 ARE POPULARTED.IT HAS ALWAYS ATTRACTED NUMEROUS NUMBERS OF SAILORS,DRIVERS AND HIKERS.

11. NATIONAL PARK KRKA WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1985 AND IT'S THE SEVENTH NATIONAL PARK IN CROATIA.THE PARK IS LOCATED IN THE ŠIBENIK-KNIN COUNTRY.THE AREA SPACE IS 118 km2.THE PARK'S BOUNDARIES SURROUND THE RIVER KRKA.THE RIVER HAS SEVEN TRAVERTINE WATERFALLS,BILUŠIĆ BUK(22,4m),BRLJAN(15.5m),MONOLJAVAČKI WATERFALLS(A GROUP OF WATERFALLS WITH A TOTAL HEIGHT OF 56,6m,ROŠNJAK(8,4m),MILJACKA (23,8m),ROŠKI WATERFALL(25,5m)AND SKRADINSKI BUK(45,7m).WITH A TOTAL DOWNFALL OF 242m,KRKA IS A NATURAL KARSTIC PHENOMENON. TRAVERTINE IS A LIMESTONE THAT BUILDS UP NATURALLY.THIS TRAVERTINE BUILDS UP INTO A VARIETY OF SHAPES(TRAVERTINE BRINKS,SHEATHS,CLOAKS),WHICH ARE A PHENOMENON OF THE PARK.THE WATERFALLS ARE BIODYNAMIC CREATIONS;THEY GROW BIT BY EVERY YEAR. IN THE CITY CENTRE,THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL CATHEDRAL.IZ IS A COMBINATION OF THE TOSCANO RENAISSANCE STYLE,AND WAS BUILT BY JURAJ DALMATINAC AND NIKOLA FIRENTINAC!!! THANKS TO THE RIVER KRKA AND ITS AQUATORIUM THE TOURISAM FLOURISHES.MAIN TOURIST DESTINATIONS ARE PRIMOŠTEN,VODICE AND SOLARIS.

12. Velebit Velebit is a mountain which represeuts a symbol of Croatia and it's natonal indentity. It is the longest mountain in the Dinaric range.According to the traditional division of the Mountain range it is divided into:the nirthen area(between Vratnik and Veliki Alan), The central area(between Veliki Alan and Basne Ostarije),the southern area(betweenOstorje and Mali Alan) and the southeastern area (between Veliki Alan and apper Zrmanja valley). Although Velebit leaves an impression of a high mountain,it is nut particulary high. The highest peak is Vaganski Vrh and it is only 1757m high. Most of Velebit is part of Lika region and this side is mostly covered wit forest.This makes a strong contrast to it's Kvarner Bay side where the vegetation is poor due to the Influence of strong sea winds. There are two types of climate in that dominitate in the park:the Mediterian climate in the narrow coastal part and the Alpine climate in the rest of the mountain.A specific caracteristic of Velebit is Bura-a fierce wind that blows from the mountain toward the Sea. Velebit is a place rich in flor and fauna,but also some endemic species. If you ever come to this mountain you will be charmed by its views,colours,fragrances and maybie even touch.

13. Dubrovnik • Dubrovnik is the most famous city in croatia.It is positioned in the south of Croatia on the Adriatic coast.The sea and the surrounding with Mediterranean nature is unique in this part of the world. • It was founded in 7th century by Roman refugees.Dubrovnik was independent city and later republic from 7th till 19th century.It’s economy was based on trade and navigation.The town’s harbour was a vital part of the town.in 1991/92 Dubrovnik was badly damaged by Serb-Montenegrian army who wanted Croatia to stay in Yugoslavia.the hardest attack happened on 6th December in 1991,even historical Old City and monuments were bombed. • It is the city of a unique political and cultural history and a part added to the world Heritage Sites by UNESCO.It is one of the most attractiveand famous cities in the Mediterian. A part from its outstanding natural beautis and well • The sightseeing of Dubrovnik requires several days.A walk trough Stradun,the narrow streets and small squares ,provides a unique experience.In the Duke’s Palace there are 15 500 exhibits.The Maritime Museum has a number of exhibits.In the museum of the Franciscan monastery is the oldest pharmacy in this part of world. • Dubrovnik has a number of churches,monastiers and hotels.There are several marinas,piers and promenades.There are sport and recreational facilities for all sports in the sea and on the ground,from tennis to sailingand yachting.Dubrovnik is also famous for its hotels. • Dubrovnik is the city of outstanding cultural and artistic life.The most important is the Dubrovnik Summer Festival(10th of August) held since 1950.Very famous are also Dubrovnik carnival festivities held since the early Middle Ages. • Dubrovnik was founded in 7th century by Roman refuges.Dubrovnik was independent city and later republic from 7th till 19th century.Its economy was based on trade and navigation.the town’s harbour was a vital part of the town.In 1991/92 Dubrovnik was badly damaged by Serb-Montenegrian army who wanted Croatia to stay in Yugoslavia.The hardest attack happened on 6th December in 1991.Even historical Old City and monuments were bombed.