is a great place to relax, and no matter how you plan to spend it, believe me, in Croatia there are all the opportunities for this. Athletes, explorers of the deep sea, tireless tourists interested in history and culture - in Croatia everyone will find something to their liking.
It is not for nothing that the eastern coast of the Adriatic, along which Croatia stretches, is considered the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. One of the first to recognize this was the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who settled here after his voluntary abdication at the beginning of the 4th century. When the Senate invited him to return to stop the decline of the empire with a strong hand, Diocletian replied: “If you knew what a beneficial climate is here, what a beautiful area, what cabbage I grow here, you would never have asked me about this.”
Croatia is located at the meeting point of the Mediterranean and Central Europe, the mountain slopes of the Alps and Pannonia. The characteristics of each of these regions have created a unique harmonious combination of diverse nature, carefully protected and therefore preserving its pristine beauty. The country is an exceptionally valuable and environmentally friendly region in Europe! There are more than a hundred quiet towns scattered along the coast and islands of Croatia, where time seems to have stood still at the turn of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Nowhere else in the Mediterranean Sea are there so many islands, bays, picturesque beaches and sun-gilded cliffs. But what fascinates in Croatia is not so much the number of islands, but the pristine beauty of their nature and unusually clear water.
The capital of Croatia, Zagreb, is a city with a nine-hundred-year history that has the charm of old cities in Central Europe.
Government system of Croatia
The political system of Croatia is a unitary state with a republican form of government headed by a president. The country's highest legislative body is represented by a bicameral parliament. Parliament consists of the House of Representatives and the House of Commons. Members of the House of Representatives are elected by direct popular vote. The term of office of deputies is 4 years, the number of deputies can range from 100 to 600. The House of Commons consists of 68 deputies, of which 5 are appointed by direct decree of the president. The rest are elected by popular vote.
The head of state is the President of the country, elected by the citizens of Croatia on the basis of universal suffrage. Elections in Croatia are held every 5 years, one person is elected for no more than 2 terms. The president of the country serves as the supreme commander-in-chief, forms the government, and represents the state on foreign trips. All candidates for ministerial positions are approved by parliament. The highest judicial power in Croatia is represented by the Supreme Constitutional Court. The chairman is elected by the members of the court for a term of 4 years.
Visa to Croatia
Croatia Visa: Citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, UK, USA and most continental European countries can visit Croatia without a visa for up to 90 days.
Citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan can obtain a visa to Croatia in one day. Citizens of Belarus can also obtain a visa to Croatia at the crossing of the Croatian border.
The cost of a visa to Croatia is approximately 6.5 euros. Citizens of Kazakhstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine receive a visa to Croatia within one month. The cost of a regular and transit Schengen visa to Croatia is 19 US dollars, a double entry visa is 37 dollars. Russian citizens do not require a visa to enter Croatia if they have a tourist voucher. The passport must be valid until the end of the trip.
Customs regulations in Croatia
You can export duty-free from Croatia: strong alcoholic drinks - 1 liter, wine - 2 liters, cigarettes - 200 pcs., or cigars - 50 pcs., or tobacco - 250 g., perfumes, cosmetics, food, household items and items - within the limits of personal need; gifts and souvenirs worth up to 300 Croatian kuna.
It is prohibited to import into Croatia firearms, explosives, ammunition, antiques, drugs and items that harm the ozone layer. It is prohibited to import items of artistic or collectible value without special permission.
Foreign currency is freely imported and exported, domestic currency - up to 2000 kuna.
Dogs and cats must be accompanied at the border and have an international certificate issued by an official veterinarian stating that they have been vaccinated against rabies no earlier than 15 days ago and no later than 6 months ago.
A tax refund for goods worth over 500 kunas with a tax-free receipt is made upon departure from Croatia.
Money of Croatia
The national currency of Croatia is the kuna, and the small change is the linden. In circulation there are banknotes of 1000, 500, 100, 20, 10, 5 kuna, coins - 1, 2, 5 kuna and 10, 20, 50 lipa. The exchange rate is 6.9 - 7.2 kunas per US dollar, 7.4-7.5 per Euro (data as of January 2003).
Currency exchange: You can exchange currency in Croatia almost everywhere. The rate offered by many banks and exchange offices is practically the same, but some banks do not charge a commission percentage. It is not possible to exchange kuna for US dollars and other hard currencies at all exchange offices. In almost all banks in the country you can withdraw cash from a credit card. However, Visa cards are not accepted everywhere. Banks are usually open from 7 am to 7 pm without a break.
Climate of Croatia
There are two climate zones in Croatia:
Central region (Slavonia, Zagreb)
The continental part of Croatia is dominated by a temperate continental climate. The center of the country is characterized by hot, dry summers and wet, fairly cold winters. In January, the average daily temperature fluctuates around -1/+3 degrees, in August it is +20-23. In mountainous areas the climate is cooler and snowier. The average January temperature here ranges from -5 to +10, in August - +13-18.
Adriatic coast
The Adriatic coast has a pleasant Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunny days. High mountains protect the coast from cold northern winds in early spring and late autumn. Summers here are hot and very dry, winters are warm and humid. The average temperature in January is from +5 to +10, in August - from +23 to +32. The sun shines here on average 2600 hours a year. Water temperature in summer is +25-27.
The best time to holiday in Croatia is May and September. Tours to Croatia at this time are the most popular
Population of Croatia
The population of Croatia is about 4.8 million people. The majority of the population are Croats, 80% are Croats, 12% are Serbs. Hungarians, Slovenes, Czechs and Italians also live on the territory of the state.
Most Croats are Catholics, while Serbs are Orthodox Christians. Because of this, mass unrest occurred in the country. In 1995, as a result of military operations, the number of Serbs in Croatia decreased significantly - from 580 thousand to 130-150 thousand people. About 750 thousand refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina have found refuge in Croatia. About a million Croats live in other republics of the former Yugoslavia, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, northern Vojvodina and near the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. About 2.3 million ethnic Croats live abroad: 1.5 million in the United States, 270 thousand in Germany, 240 thousand in Austria, 150 thousand in Canada, 150 thousand in Argentina. Pittsburgh and Buenos Aires have the largest Croat communities outside of Europe.
Transport in Croatia
In Croatia, hotels are usually located along coastline and to get to the tourist or commercial center from the hotel, you can use a tourist mini-train, regular bus, ferry or taxi.
Urban transport in the capital of Croatia, Zagreb: the areas are connected to each other by an extensive network of tram routes. A single ticket costs $0.65. A one-day pass is $1.75. All taxis are metered. They charge $1.25 for boarding. 1 kilometer of mileage costs $0.65, on weekends and at night - a 20% surcharge, for each piece of luggage - $0.20 per kilometer. Every hour of waiting costs $4. A trip within the city will cost $5-8.
For motorists: The maximum permissible speed in Croatian cities is 50 km/h, at ordinary roads- 80 km/h, on autobahns - 130 km/h. It is mandatory to use seat belts for all passengers when driving the vehicle.
Religions in Croatia
76.5% of the population of Croatia profess Catholicism, 11% are Orthodox, 1.4% are Lutherans. Muslims make up 1.2% of the population.
Croatian cuisine
Croatian national cuisine very rich and varied. It has its own local specific characteristics in each region of the country. Using domestic and borrowed recipes, she can satisfy the tastes of the most sophisticated gourmet. Based on ancient tradition, Dalmatian cuisine has been greatly influenced by Italian cuisine. The basis of Croatian cuisine is baked meat and vegetables. In coastal areas of Croatia, fish and seafood are widely used. You should definitely try such national dishes as the famous Dalmatian or Istrian prosciutto (dried meat), Pasha and sheep cheese, Samobor or Zagorsk chesnovki (sausages), turkey with corn dough, baked young lamb or baked veal.
And yet, most of the islands, as well as many Dalmatian cities, are unique in the culinary sense. In the Sibenik area, you can try Visovacke Begavice, a savory dish made from young lamb and sour sheep's milk. And although the main components of Dalmatian cuisine are, first of all, plant products, its signature dishes are fish and other seafood. Cooked in olive oil with the addition of Mediterranean seasonings, seafood dishes are most often served either boiled or fried (over an open fire).
This kitchen has all the features modern direction healthy eating. A feature of Istrian cuisine is the predominance of boiled dishes over fried ones, a large amount of seasonings and olive oil.
Međimur, Slavonian, Lička or Zagorje cuisines have their own unique characteristics based on old culinary traditions. Slavonian cuisine, for example, is characterized by the use of large quantities of meat, mainly pork or veal, which is smoked like ham or made into salami and other sausages.
Fish paprikash and beautiful cakes are popular here. In short, the cuisine reflects all the richness and specificity of this area. The cuisine of Croatian Zagorje, which has experienced Austrian, Swiss, Italian and Hungarian influences, is known for its dairy products and dough dishes. Specialties of this region include turkey with pancakes, Štrukli, walnut pie, buchnica and Zagorsk zlevka.
In addition, Croatia is famous for its dry wines. White varieties, weaker, are common in the north, and red ones - in the south of the country. Croatian cuisine will please everyone.
Zagreb (Croatian: Zagreb [ˈzâːɡrɛb]) - capital of Croatia and the largest city in Croatia. Population - 784,900 people (2007), area - 641.29 km². The city is located on the Sava River, a tributary of the Danube, at 45.815° north latitude and 15.98306° east longitude, at an altitude of 104 meters above sea level (lowest point) next to the Medvednica mountain range. Zagreb is over 900 years old.
The city of Zagreb with its suburbs has the status of a separate county within Croatia, the city is governed by a mayor elected by the city assembly. On May 31, 2009, Milan Bandić was elected mayor of the city for the fourth term (third consecutive).
Zagreb is located in the continental climate zone. The average summer temperature is +21 degrees Celsius, the average winter temperature is +2 degrees Celsius. Time is Central European, GMT+1.
The city of Zagreb is famous for its incredible story, numerous architectural monuments and other attractions. Status capital of Croatia for Zagreb was approved in the middle of the 16th century, but even today the memory of the heroic battles that took place here in the Middle Ages is reliably preserved. Zagreb suffered significant damage in 1995 as a result of severe bombing, but the efforts of local residents quickly restored the beauty of the city. Just a few years later, amazing Zagreb again welcomes numerous tourists.
Zagreb is characterized by unique architecture and has numerous museums and exhibition halls. It is worth recognizing that after the destruction at the end of the 20th century, some popular museums have not yet managed to fully recover and open, as renovations continue, but there are plenty of other attractions in Zagreb. The popularity of Zagreb is also due to the many beautiful towers, which were built at the end of the 19th century -th century. The neo-Gothic style was chosen for them; they manage to delight city guests with the grandeur of the buildings.
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The capital of Croatia is Zagreb.
Zagreb is positioned in many tourist guides as one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in Europe. In various guidebooks about Zagreb you can find a whole range of epithets - “Eastern Paris”, “Southern Budapest”, etc. etc. In reality, Zagreb is a very beautiful city, but with a slight adjustment. There is absolutely nothing in the city that makes it unique. I’m not sure about Paris, but the city is very similar to Budapest. But it just seems to be a greatly reduced copy of Budapest. In the center of Zagreb there is also its own Buda - the Upper Town with Kaptol and its own Pest - the Lower Town. There is even a funicular, like in Budapest, leading from the Lower Town to the Upper Town. Zagreb Cathedral is also not unique - there are very strong similarities with Vienna's Stefansdom. No matter where you look in Zagreb, there are no unique or unusual objects in the city. However, the center of Zagreb in the complex is quite a cozy place for exploring and walking for one or two days
Zagreb recent years 10 was very lucky with the city authorities - for a long time the city authorities have been purposefully carrying out successful projects to improve the city. Most of the projects have been successfully implemented - Zagreb is a clean city (and this is the case when it’s not because they don’t litter, but because they clean it well) and has an excellent, convenient, simple transport infrastructure.
There are also projects that are not very necessary, strongly smack of “manilovism” and “budget cutting” - for example, the light metro project in Zagreb.
There is a slight oddity in Zagreb. Although the city is the capital of a state with full attributes of such status - the presence of a government, president, parliament, various ministries, etc. Zagreb lacks something in terms of feeling like a capital. It’s impossible to describe exactly what the city lacks in terms of “metropolitanness” - either the not-so-metropolitan appearance of the residents, or the small number of people on the streets in the center (the old city, especially the upper one, is completely empty during the day; residents and tourists appear on the streets and cafes closer to evening), or the absence of any pompous and ceremonial streets, boulevards and avenues in the center.
For a guest capital of Croatia Zagreb provides excellent tourist infrastructure - many information centers, the most simple location and orientation in the city center, very simple navigation of public transport, hotels, including Russian and Ukrainian, about full list attractions of Zagreb and how to get to them. True, hotel receptionists sometimes make small mistakes - often asking a foreigner what country they are from and hearing in response “from Russia” they get a little confused and give a guidebook in Ukrainian, but these are minor things.
Despite the fact that Zagreb is comfortable for a city visitor, there is a paradox - foreign tourists there are few in the city. It’s not that there are none at all, they exist, but even compared to Belgrade, their number is minimal. These are mainly tourists from neighboring Austria and Hungary. Most likely, the city has many visitors from Slovenia and fewer from Serbia, but they can not be considered tourists - they are almost local and come either on business or to visit relatives. There are practically no Russian-speaking tourists at all.
The reason for the low attendance of Zagreb is most likely that, despite its geographical location not very far from the central countries of Europe, it is, as it were, “on the outskirts”. One of the so-called trans-European transport corridors passes through Zagreb - Hungary - Zagreb-Ljubljana - Italy. Those traveling along this route will most likely stop in Zagreb. Also, the capital of Croatia is located close to several states of Austria - Styria and Carinthia, but residents of these lands are unlikely to be interested in traveling to Zagreb for tourism purposes - they have more than enough cities of similar architecture, but more beautiful ones. Foreign tourists vacationing in Croatia on the Adriatic coast practically do not visit Zagreb. Firstly, it is very far from the main tourist places on the coast. Secondly, capital of Croatia strongly does not fit into the concept of what vacationers on the Adriatic Sea expect to see from Croatia - a clean sea and cities with Mediterranean architecture and Roman ruins. Zagreb is a typical Austro-Hungarian city. For Austrian architecture, tourists are more likely to go to the southern part of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Transylvania, Austria, Hungary - but not to Croatia. Tourists from European countries except Austria, Hungary and, possibly, the north of Italy are unlikely to come/fly specifically to Zagreb and Ljubljana. So it turns out that Zagreb, adapted and open for tourism, is visited very little. A characteristic feature of the small number of foreign tourists in the city is the almost complete absence of organized tourist groups with guides in the center.
In fact, the low number of tourists visiting Zagreb is more of a convenience and a positive fact for the city of Zagreb - you can calmly wander around the beautiful center without crowds of tourists and the ubiquitous Chinese-Japanese constantly taking photographs. In the most beautiful part of the center of Zagreb - the Upper Town - during the day on weekends the streets are generally deserted.
Another very important detail about my impressions of Zagreb. Subconsciously, in Zagreb, you expect to see the capital of Croatia as the capital of a certain nationalist state - the successor of the NHH during the Second World War and which acted quite aggressively during the collapse of Yugoslavia in the war with the Serbian Krajina. But there is nothing like that in Zagreb now - no glorification of the Ustasha in the form of monuments and street names, no negative attitude towards Belgrade. Typical examples: upon departure, the hotel receptionist asked whether I was leaving Zagreb home to Russia or going somewhere else. When answering “I’m going to Belgrade,” the receptionist kindly wished me to have a good time and said that Belgrade is a very interesting and beautiful place. Another typical example is the Zagreb-Belgrade night train (more precisely, Villach - Ljubljana - Zagreb - Belgrade), which runs before the weekend on the night from Friday to Saturday, is completely filled with Croatian youth from Zagreb and the surrounding area, traveling to Belgrade with the aim of having a good time on the weekend - places for entertainment (discos, nightclubs, etc.) in Belgrade is significantly more than in Zagreb, and prices in Belgrade are much lower than in Zagreb. As for references to the NGH and the Ustasha, they are not in the city at all. The exception (throughout Croatia, not only in Zagreb) is the presence of the “cult” of Cardinal Aloysius Stepinac - probably the most controversial figure in the history of Yugoslavia. Some more details about Stepinac will be given a little further - when describing the Catholic center of Zagreb - part of the old town “Kaptol”.
Upon returning from a trip to Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia to Moscow, I still inquired further about the attitude of the authorities and population of Croatia during the period of independence towards the NGH and the Ustasha. Several different sources examined gave approximately the same information. For about 12 years, from 1991 to 2003, especially in the first half of the 90s, the attitude towards the NHK and the Ustaše in Croatia was very, very positive. Despite the fact that the founder of the modern Croatian state, Franjo Tudjman, never directly and publicly expressed any positive comments about the Ustasha, nor that Croatia, which separated from Yugoslavia, is a direct successor of the NDH, objections to the fact that his associates renamed streets and erected monuments in The honor of the famous Ustashes in the cities of Croatia (especially in Zagreb) was also never expressed.
Around 2003, the leadership of Croatia was almost completely renewed. The policy of the new leadership in relation to the NGH and the Ustasha changed dramatically. It’s not that Croatia somehow recognized the NDH as a criminal state at the pan-European level and completely renounced any kind of continuity. It was simply decided to forget about the Ustasha and the status of Croatia during the Second World War and, if possible, not to mention it anywhere or in any way. Streets renamed in honor of the Ustaše in the 90s were renamed again, monuments and memorial plaques disappeared. Most likely, this is the result of several factors - politicians came to power more sensible than they were in Croatia during the collapse of Yugoslavia, and it somehow became inconvenient for the rest of Europe to have streets named after war criminals, and Croatia itself as a state was formed, which removed the need to rely on brief periods of Croatian independence in the past when justifying independence.
Capital of Croatia located in a relatively flat area. The mountains of the Dinaric Highlands are relatively far to the south and west of the city. To the north of Zagreb, almost adjacent to the city limits, there is a lonely mountain range, Medvednica, practically not adjacent to either the Dinaric Highlands or the Alps. The Sava River flows through Zagreb, but the Sava does not affect the appearance of the city, at least the center. The river flows through the southern part of the city, the historical center, without affecting it in any way. And the width of the Sava in Zagreb is approximately the same as the width of the Yauza in Moscow between the Garden Ring and the confluence with the Moscow River. The Sava becomes navigable downstream of Zagreb; in Zagreb itself the river is not navigable.
The structure of Zagreb is approximately as follows. To the north of the railway lines converging in Zagreb at the railway station (Station ZagrebGl.Kolodvor) there is a tourist center, which is divided into three parts - the Lower Town (Dolní grad), the Upper Town (Hradec) and Kaptol. The tourist center is relatively large in area. “Relatively” - because, depending on what you compare with. When compared with the “old town” of Riga or Tallinn, the historical center of Zagreb can be considered gigantic in size. And if compared with the center of Budapest, the center of Zagreb can be considered “tiny”. The actual dimensions are such that from south to north from the railway station to the northern point of the Upper Town you can walk on foot in 25 minutes at a leisurely pace, in 30 if you walk very slowly. From west to east along the conventional border of the Lower and Upper towns you can walk in about 15 minutes, or very leisurely in 20.
To the north of the historical center, the foothills of the Medvednica mountain range begin. The mountain range itself is clearly visible from the open spaces of the center, both from the Lower and Upper towns. The residential and industrial parts of Zagreb are located to the south, west and east of the historical center. As such, there is no “city” of glass and concrete buildings concentrated in one place, as is now fashionable in almost all not very large European capitals. There are many “glass-concrete” buildings of hi-tech architecture in Zagreb, but they are dispersed in different places in the city.
Despite the fact that being in the tourist center of the city, it seems that there are no factories, industrial zones, etc. in Zagreb there is no, but there is a tourist center, several parks and residential areas, the impression is deceptive. Zagreb is a city with a highly developed industry. Factories, industrial zones, etc. There are plenty of them in the city. They are simply out of sight from the tourist center.
Several more tourist spots in Zagreb - Maksimir Park and Medvedgrad Fortress are located outside the city center
The train station in Zagreb looks architecturally beautiful and large. The station is not a dead end, ZagrebGl station. Kolodvor is a major railway junction not only in Croatia, but also in European “corridors”. The station is located in the very south of the historical center (part of the historical center called the “Lower Town”). There is a large underground shopping center under the train station.
Due to the large impressive size of the Zagreb station building, it seems that the station has a large number of platforms and tracks. This is not entirely true - there are about the same number of paths as in Belgrade - about 5 through paths, 2 dead-end paths to the west and one dead-end path to the east. Trains arrive at Zagreb station at high speed and move off with great acceleration. The station is clean with large spacious halls, there is a large number of automatic lockers, several bakery kiosks and kiosks selling various small items, and an information center. There are no obvious homeless people, but shady personalities are found in small numbers.
In general, Zagreb railway station is comfortable for passengers due to the fact that it is clean, well-maintained and conveniently connected to the public transport network.
Zagreb's main urban transport is the tram, which is now quite rare for cities. There are still quite a few cities in Europe where the tram is the main transport. But the number of such cities is small compared to the general background of transport systems of cities in European countries.
In addition to the tram, city transport in capital of Croatia represented by buses and a funicular. There are significantly fewer buses in Zagreb than trams. There are no buses visible in the center and areas adjacent to the city center. Trams in Zagreb reach relatively high speeds for the city - up to 70 km/h. Tram routes run throughout the city, so the point of building a light metro for a city with a population of less than a million inhabitants and which has a very good tram transport network is not clear.
A city map with tram routes marked on it can be obtained free of charge at the station, at any information center and in hotels. Having picked up a map with tram routes, if you know approximately in which part of Zagreb the place you need to get to is located, a few minutes of looking at the map is enough to understand which tram routes to get to the desired place.
Most of Zagreb's tram trains are new, manufactured no later than 2003. These trams are low-floor, equipped with air conditioning, video cameras, and location sensors. The ride on them is very comfortable. But 15 - 20 percent of the tram fleet is older. If you drive around Zagreb in them after traveling on the new tram trains, you feel a huge difference. The main problem with old trams is the lack of air conditioning. In Zagreb, from May to September, the temperature usually stays above 30 degrees Celsius during the day. In July - August it is often above 35 degrees. Riding in new carriages on a hot day is more pleasant than being outside. If you see at a stop that a train of old cars is approaching, it is better to skip it during the day and wait for the new type of tram. In the old carriages the temperature is higher than outside, about 40 degrees Celsius and very stuffy.
The choice of trams in Zagreb as the main means of urban transport is very successful and fits well into the appearance of the city. In the bus center the air is cleaner and less polluted. The trams do not duplicate bus routes and are generally separated from the tram routes. For example, near the station there is a tram stop on the side of the center, a bus stop on the side of the office-industrial-residential part of the city on the southern side of the station in a place where a guest of Zagreb will not wander (at the exit from the underground passage under the railway tracks on the side opposite from the station. Guest of Zagreb Having spent several days in the city, you may not know that in Zagreb, in addition to the tram and funicular, there is any other public transport - the buses are so isolated from the historical city center.
Many tram stops (but not all) have signs indicating the waiting time for the nearest tram on different routes. In total, Zagreb has 14 daytime tram routes and 4 night ones.
Parts of the tourist center in capital of Croatia- The Lower Town, the Upper Town and Kaptol - historically developed as different settlements. It’s difficult to imagine, since they are located next to each other. But, nevertheless, Zagreb as a single city was formed by the merger of these three parts into one city in 1850.
It is best to start exploring the historical center from the Lower Town from the railway station. No matter how periodically the authorities of Zagreb in the 19th century tried to get rid of Hungarian influence, it did not work. Today's historical center of Zagreb is Budapest in miniature, only without the Danube, the Buda Mountains, baths and palaces. Everything is one to one, only on a smaller scale, built in the image and likeness of Budapest. The Lower Town is a complete smaller copy of Pest
In front of the station there is King Tomislav Square with a monument to this very king erected opposite the station. King Tomislav is considered the founder of the first independent Croatian state, which existed for a very short period in the 10th century. By the loud name in Croatian history “independent state” it should be understood that it was not some powerful state formation, but something like a principality, formed several centuries after the complete collapse Kievan Rus. If there were now an independent state “Northern Rus'” or “Pivdenno Polissya” with a center in Chernigov, then in front of the station in Chernigov there would probably be a monument to the founder of the first Chernigov state - some prince Svyatoslav Yaroslavich, as the first head of an independent state with a center in Chernigov .
The presence of this theater at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th is another evidence that Austria-Hungary was far from being a “prison of nations,” but a state that fully took into account national interests. National theaters, schools, and universities were present in all territories of Austria-Hungary. Most of the historical city centers of Ukrainian and Polish Galicia, Romanian Transylvania, “mainland” Croatia, partly Bosnia, Hungary, parts of northern Italy, the Czech Republic and Slovakia acquired their current appearance as city centers during the period of Austria-Hungary. Before it “collapsed” and went into history, Austria-Hungary was actively building up and improving its territories. “Prison of Nations” is rather an official propaganda slogan passed on from the Bolsheviks to the entire Soviet historical science. The very peoples who were “in prison” under the rule of Vienna and Budapest were simply not ready for their own statehood in the 19th and the first two decades of the 20th century. In the mid-19th century, many peoples of the Austrian Empire, and subsequently Austria-Hungary, did not really have their own language.
Croatia became ready for independence much later than the “cellmates” in the “prison of nations.” From the very beginning of the “Spring of Nations,” there were no ideas for an independent state in Croatia. Local politicians, writers and other local intelligentsia thought of Croatia as part of a single South Slavic state. With the collapse and collapse of Austria-Hungary, Croatia could not become an independent state - the Croatian language was spoken only in villages, and in cities only German and Hungarian. There were no Croatian leaders either. It is therefore quite natural that Croatia entered into a state dominated by a stronger neighbor with almost the same national language - Serbia. Croatia was not ready for independence in 1941 either. What came out of the country's independence is very well known to anyone who is even slightly familiar with the history of the Second World War. It turned out to be a puppet state, completely dependent on Germany and giving up part of the territories to Italy, which unleashed such a wild medieval terror against the non-Catholic population (mostly Serbs, but not only) that the Italians had to restrain and stop the activities of the Ustashes and Catholic Croatian priests in “ethnic cleansing”, and the German troops were surprised by the cruelty with which the “ethnic cleansing” took place.
But by the time of the collapse of Yugoslavia, Croatia had become ready for statehood - industry and resort areas on the Adriatic coast and islands had become developed on Croatian territory, open borders with Italy (via Slovenia) and Austria gave the population an understanding of what to focus on when building a state. Croatian politicians emerged ready to take on the construction of the state. At first, there were ethnic cleansings and war, but, having not entirely correctly established control over all territories within the Republic of Croatia as part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the state began to develop in a completely normal way. An official reconciliation took place with the Serbs at the state level; Croatia, at least, is not openly trying to influence the politics of the part of Bosnia with the Croat population. Over the past 10 years, Croatia has simply been developing as a normal state, cities are being improved, the coast is actively developing as a resort area with many historical cities and monuments.
In the Lower City there are several “front” streets-boulevards running from north to south and along the northern border of the Lower City. Most of the streets are not front streets, with urban development from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. To the west of the station is botanical garden. It looks very small, almost everything in it can be seen behind the fence.
The northern border of the Lower City is Ilica Street. If you walk through the Lower City from the station from south to north, you will come to the border of the Lower City with the Upper City near the square. Ban Josip Jelacic.
Ban Josip Jelacic, in the official modern Croatian point of view on history, is one of the key positive figures, the “pillar” of the existence of Croatia as an independent state. In fact, Josip Jelacic hardly imagined Croatia as an independent state. In the mid-19th century, Croatia could not have been a separate state; by that time, the territory of modern Croatia had not reached a level at which a viable state could exist. By the beginning of the “spring of nations,” the territory of modern “mainland” Croatia belonged to Hungary, the language of communication was Hungarian, and Hungarian culture was dominant. If the Hungarian Revolution of the mid-19th century had been successful, with the complete separation of Hungary from control from Vienna, the areas around Zagreb would have become Hungarian territory forever. The administration from Budapest, compared to the administration from Vienna, was much less liberal towards national minorities. None national cultures in the Hungarian territories neither before nor after the formation of Austria-Hungary. Everywhere there was an active policy of Magyarization of the population. Since the territories of Croatia, Slavonia and part of Slovenia could not be an independent state at that time, Jelačić, as a local ruler, chose from his point of view the lesser of the “two evils” - subordination to Vienna or subordination to Budapest - subordination to Vienna. At the same time, in the historiography of the times of socialism in Eastern Europe, in the historiography of Hungary, he is still considered a reactionary and a strongly negative figure. In an effort to get rid of Hungarian influence, Josip Jelacic became almost the most active “strangler” of the Hungarian revolution. In Vienna he was then highly respected for this, and the territories he controlled were given significant self-government. But after the formation of Austria-Hungary in 1861, Zagreb again found itself subject to administration from Budapest. And until the complete collapse of Austria-Hungary in 1918, it was actually a Hungarian city. It was simply impossible to live in Zagreb at that time without knowing the Hungarian language - you would not have been able to pay for travel or contact an official to resolve any issue. Jelacic's political activities in the 40s and 50s of the 19th century, in general, ultimately turned out to be meaningless - Zagreb did not disappear from the Hungarian administration. But management activities were quite useful and progressive. In fact, the founder of modern Zagreb as single city can be considered Jelačić. Certain reforms were also carried out to change the way of life of peasants and urban residents.
Modern Croatian history emphasizes that Jelacic was a fighter for the rights of the Croatian population against domination Hungarian culture, but practically no mention is made of the fact that Ban Jelačić never had any desire for the independence of Croatia as an independent state. On the contrary, throughout his career he constantly demonstrated and emphasized loyalty to the Austrian administration from Vienna.
During the period of socialist Yugoslavia, the monument to Jelačić was dismantled as a “reactionary” and “strangler of the spring of nations.” In 1990, in search of self-identification and historical figures on which to rely, to justify the independence of Croatia from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the monument was restored.
Today, the monument to Ban Jelačić in Zagreb is, above all, the most convenient landmark for meetings in the city center. As such, it is successfully used - there are always a lot of local people and guests of Zagreb waiting near it.
The height difference between the Lower and Upper Towns is very small. Less than from the Danube embankment in the area of the Széchenyi Bridge and the center of Buda in Budapest and 2-3 times less than the height difference between Podol and St. Michael's and St. Andrew's Cathedrals in Kyiv. The Lower City of Zagreb is located entirely on a flat area, the Upper City is on a slight increase in altitude towards the Medvednica mountain range. You can climb from the Lower Town to the Upper Town along several gentle streets. About a 7-8 minute walk west of Ban Jelačić Square, you can take the funicular to the Upper Town.
The transport functionality of the funicular is zero, since the difference in height between the lower and upper stations is four floors of a residential building. Personal opinion - this funicular was built according to the principle “if it were in Budapest, then we are worse.” Next to the funicular you can go up or down the stairs on foot along the route with the funicular in a couple of minutes. Moreover, there are many flat streets nearby with a gentle rise between the Lower and Upper towns. The cable car cars themselves are not very comfortable - the seats are hard and there is no air conditioning. The frequency of travel is rare, once every 15 minutes. In the carriage you have to wait many times longer for departure than to go up or down on foot. The fact that the funicular does not have transport functionality is also evident from the fare - it is three times cheaper than the cost of travel on a tram. Local residents They don’t take the funicular anyway, and tourists wouldn’t go at all given the high price, since there’s no point in paying for the ascent and descent where it’s much faster to do it on foot. That’s why it’s worth traveling so that tourists go. Despite not being necessary for transport, the funicular still looks beautiful.
Visits capital of Croatia worth it, the place is beautiful. But not separate. It’s also not worth visiting Zagreb together with the Croatian coast - the places are too different. Personal opinion It is most rational to visit Zagreb as part of a visit to the cities of Ljubljana, the cities of Slovenia, the north of Croatia and Slavonia. The city fits well into this route.
Enthusiastic lovers of ancient architecture will remember Croatia for the rest of their lives. The country is attractive because unique antiquities on each island, in many mountain villages and small towns form the background of everyday life - ancient Roman buildings, medieval castles, temples and monasteries of the 10th-12th centuries, preserved and active, are available for inspection and visiting. You can easily touch the wall of the Colosseum in Pula, the ruins of Fort Sipar near Umag, even on a tiny island among the greenery of the forests you can see the ruins of Roman baths with unique mosaics and paintings by Venetian masters.
The Adriatic coast of Croatia is famous for its pleasant Mediterranean climate, amazing natural beauty and a large number of beaches. The beaches in Croatia are exceptionally clean, and many of them fly a blue flag, indicating that the water there meets high environmental quality standards and that this place is suitable for safe swimming and relaxation.
Health, thermal and medical resorts in Croatia are located mainly near the capital of Croatia - the city of Zagreb. In total, there are more than 20 thermal springs in the country, whose properties are not inferior to, and in some respects superior to, well-known European thermal resorts - Slovenian, Hungarian, and even German. Here, in Croatia, is the only source of naphthalan in Europe and only the second in the world - medicinal oil.
Croatia offers excellent climbing and caving opportunities. The world's best climbers train in the Croatian Paklenica National Park. Also popular are the rocks near Zagreb, in the Split area and in Istria. Active holidays in Croatia include diving, trekking, yachting, cycling, rafting... Just to be able to do it all!
Croatia is perhaps one of the greenest countries in Europe. Eight national parks, exemplary cleanliness of the coast and sea area of the Adriatic Sea, pine forest parks around hotel complexes and delightful fresh air– holidays in Croatia give you unity with nature and yourself.
Croatia: a country without complexes!
You need to go to Croatia! Yes, yes, that’s right: it’s necessary. Once you get here, this wonderful country will tirelessly attract you with its dizzying beauty, hospitality and unique local flavor. European tourists have long appreciated the benefits of holidays on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, among our compatriots this direction still remains one of the most underrated. And absolutely in vain!
Traveling through the cleanest zone of the Mediterranean, people themselves, without noticing it, become closer to nature. Someone enjoys the impeccable ecology of the country, recognized as one of the best not only in Europe, but throughout the world. The local national parks, olive groves, and numerous pine forests, the air of which, combined with sea air, has a beneficial effect on the health of the body. Someone experiences the healing properties of earth and water - fortunately, in Croatia there are many mineral springs and thermal waters.
The only deposit of naphthalan, medicinal oil, in the whole of Europe is also unique. Well, adherents of naturism, professing the philosophy of complete unity with nature through the practice of shared nudity, come to Croatia to throw off the shackles of civilization and completely dissolve in the environment.
Croatia has a rich history, and therefore places for an exciting pastime are a dime a dozen. In the northern part of the country, almost on the border with Slovenia, lies the Istrian peninsula, which, with its landscapes, green hills, picturesque small towns, abundance of vineyards and truffle plantations, is very reminiscent of an Italian or French province. The seaside town of Porec will attract the attention of fans of surfing and yachting, and Pula will be well remembered for its monuments of ancient Roman architecture.
The capital of Croatia, the city of Zagreb, will delight you with Gothic cathedrals, museums, art galleries, musical institutions, scientific centers, zoological and botanical gardens.
While vacationing in Central Dalmatia, be sure to visit Diocletian's Palace in Split, perfectly preserved from the times of the Roman Empire, take a leisurely walk through the medieval city of Trogir, the historical part of which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For a romantic mood, go to Dubrovnik – the city of merchants and brave sailors. Wander through its picturesque streets and marble squares, climb the majestic fortress walls, from which the entire city is at your fingertips. Well, you can fully enjoy nature by visiting the country’s national and natural parks: Plitvice Lakes, Krka, Kornati, Biokovo - this is not an exhaustive list of what you will see.
You can spend hours wandering through small cobbled streets without feeling any suspicious glances or intrusive attention - only the rays of the sun that warm you in moderation. Once it was a childhood dream, but now it is a realized fantasy. Implemented here – in Split, Zadar, Pula and Rijeka.
Wide sandy beaches, artificial oases with non-native palm trees, unbridled night fun - forget... Croatia is not an amusement park, but a park of living and recreation with thousand years of history, where roller coasters are serpentines of hills, carousels are a changing landscape with fantastic natural views, and different “rooms” with exhibitions are cities, towns, streets...
This corner of Europe has absorbed all the joys and sorrows of recent centuries. Here they licked the wounds of the recent war, retained southern hospitality and enterprise, and have now become an unconditional part of Europe. And Eastern, and Southern, and Western.
I almost forgot! How the food is here! An amazing combination of price and quality. The second is so clearly ahead of the first.
... from the reference book “Residence Guide – 2012”
Geography and population
The official name of the country is Republic of Croatia. The state is located in the south of Central Europe, in the northwestern part Balkan Peninsula. It borders in the northwest with Slovenia, in the northeast with Hungary, in the west with Serbia, and in the south with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. The western coast of Croatia is washed by the waters of the Adriatic Sea. The capital of the country is Zagreb.
The relief of Croatia is formed by medium-high mountains in the west, plains in the central part and on the Istrian peninsula. There is also a narrow flat strip along the Adriatic coast. The country's area is 56,542 square meters. km.
The northern part is dominated by a continental climate, the central part is mountainous, and near the coast it is Mediterranean. The air temperature in winter ranges from +5 °C on the coast to –30 °C in the mountains. Summer temperatures: 26–30 °C on the coast, in the central part 22–26 °C, in the mountains – no more than 15–20 °C.
The population in 2009 was more than 4.4 million people. IN ethnic composition Croats predominate (89.6%), the rest of the population consists of Serbs (4.5%), Bosnians (0.5%), Hungarians (0.5%), Slovenes, Romanians, Albanians, etc. Official language - Croatian.
87.8% of the population of Croatia are Catholics, 4.4% are Orthodox, 1.3% are Muslims.
Currency of Croatia – kuna. Time is behind Moscow by two hours in summer and three hours in winter (UTC+1).
What is Croatia famous for?
Bernard Shaw wrote about this city: “Whoever is looking for paradise on earth should visit it, since nowhere else can one find such grandeur and peace, such beauty and harmony.” Croatians prefer another definition of the Pearl of the Adriatic. During the year in Dubrovnik all kinds of festivals take place like a kaleidoscope, the main street of the city, Stradun, is occupied by thousands of curious tourists, and in cathedral It seems that everything is forbidden: even a whisper.
Few people know that the accessory, so disliked by many men (because they don’t know how to use it), as well as women (because they can’t help), owes its appearance to Croatia. Since ancient times tie was part of the national costume, but became widely known thanks to the soldiers: Croatian legionnaires in France wore red ribbons around their necks.
Ludbreg– perhaps the most beloved town among Croats. Why? The answer is simple: every year on April 1, it’s not water that flows from the fountain... But wine. This is probably why “experienced” people advise starting their spring trip to Croatia from here.
Surprisingly, in quiet and peaceful Croatia, where it seems that only the sea and the ringing of cathedral bells can create noise, carnival. Third in Europe in terms of scale. It starts in January and lasts almost three weeks. At this time, Rijeka is filled with thousands of Croatian mummers. And not only.
Many bibliographers call him “the man who invented the 20th century.” And this man was born in Croatia, although most of his life he worked in the USA and Europe. Nikola Tesla- the greatest physicist and inventor who once almost went to work in Russia. In Croatia, streets are named in his honor, the airport in the suburb of Surcin is named after him, and a monument is erected near the University building in Belgrade.
Words " Dalmatian" and Dalmatia are extremely consonant, and still it is unlikely that many will have direct associations between the breed of dogs - heroes famous film and a popular Croatian region. But in vain: the homeland of spotted dogs is Croatia.
White House- the patrimony of US presidents. It seemed, what does Croatia have to do with it? It's very simple: the columns of the main building of America are made of marble mined on the Croatian island of Brac. That is, figuratively, we can say that the power of America rests on Croatian stones.
Fantastic nature of Croatia well guarded and perfectly preserved. Indirect proof of this: tap water can be drunk in almost the entire country. And in general, fresh water reserves in Croatia are the largest in Europe (we don’t count Russia).
What to see in Croatia
It is impossible to visit Croatia without visiting the Adriatic. The pearl of the coast is the Makarska Riviera, located between the cities of Split and Dubrovnik. Both of these cities are included in the List cultural heritage UNESCO, and the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Croatia is considered the cleanest in Europe.
The nature of Croatia is unique: the rugged coastline with caves, numerous islands, dense forests, thermal springs. Located in the central part of Croatia national park– Plitvice Lakes. Fans of excursions can visit the preserved castles and summer residences of the nobility or stroll along the old streets of the country's capital, Zagreb.
More detailed information You can find information about regions, cities and attractions in Croatia in the section. If you want to visit Croatia more often, check out the opportunity to purchase Croatian real estate in the section.
How to get there
You can get from Russia to Croatia in various ways. The fastest of them is air travel. Flights are operated by Aeroflot, Transaero Airlines and Ural Airlines from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Samara, and Yekaterinburg. International airports in Croatia are located in the cities of Zagreb, Pula, Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar and others. Flight time Moscow – Zagreb is about three hours.
If you want to get to Croatia by land, you can use the train (travel time Moscow - Zagreb 47 hours) or by road transport(distance Moscow - t-Zagreb - about 2.5 thousand km, depending on the route).
Read about visas to Croatia in the section.
REFERENCE
Political structure of Croatia
Croatia is a parliamentary republic with a unitary form of government. The head of state is the president, elected for five years. Executive power is exercised by the Government. The legislative branch of government is represented by a unicameral parliament (Croatian Sabor). Deputies are elected for a four-year term.
Croatia is part of the following international unions and organizations: OSCE (since 1992), WTO (since 2000).
The territory of Croatia is divided into 20 districts (counties). Zagreb has the status of a separate county.
Economy of Croatia
Croatia's GDP in 2009 was €17.6 billion. Most of it (67%) comes from the service sector. Also major sectors of the country's economy are agriculture, production food products, textile industry, wood and metal processing, chemical and petroleum industries, shipbuilding.
The largest companies in Croatia include: Pliva (pharmaceuticals), Belupo, Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics d.d. (pharmaceuticals and cosmetics), Agrokor, Podravka (food).
If you are interested in the opportunity to open your own business in this country, check out the section
Public holidays (weekends)
January 1 – New Year
January 6 – Epiphany
One day from April 4 to May 8 and the following Monday - Easter and Easter Monday
May 1 – Labor Day
60 days after Easter – Body of Christ
June 22 – Day of Anti-Fascist Struggle
June 25 – Statehood Day
August 5 – Victory Day and Gratitude to the Fatherland and Armed Forces Day
August 15 – Assumption of the Virgin Mary
October 8 – Independence Day
November 1 – All Saints Day
December 25 – Christmas
December 26 – St. Stephen's Day
History of Croatia
One of the first settlers on the territory of Croatia were the Illyrians - Indo-European peoples who inhabited the north-west of the Balkan Peninsula. In the 4th–3rd centuries BC. the central part of modern Croatia was occupied by Celtic tribes, and part of the coast and islands by the Greeks. In the 2nd century BC. The Romans came to these lands. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, various parts of the country were conquered different peoples. The appearance of the Slavic tribes (ancestors of modern Croats and Serbs) dates back to the 7th century AD.
The several principalities created by the Croats were not united. The principalities of Dalmatia, the coastal part of modern Croatia, recognized the authority of Byzantium (Eastern Roman Empire) throughout the 7th–8th centuries. At the same time, the process of Christianization of the Croats was underway. The principalities in the central part of the state were under the rule of the Franks. A series of wars between the Byzantines and the Franks in the 9th century caused serious damage to Dalmatia, and the invasion of the Arabs in 841–842 completely devastated the coastal lands.
The unification of the country took place under Prince Trpimir I (845–864). He is considered the first ruler of independent Croatia. The first Croatian king was Tomislav I (910–928). He managed to create a powerful state that included most of modern Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The country reached its peak of power under King Petar Krešimir IV. Then the territory of the state expanded even more, in particular, under an agreement with Byzantium, Croatia passed the Adriatic coast with the important port cities of Zadar, Trogir, Split.
Subsequently, Croatia experienced many claims to its territories. In 1081–1085 the country was attacked by the Normans. The strengthened Hungarian state also began to lay claim to control over Croatia. According to the treaty signed in 1102, Croatia recognized the power of Hungary. At the same time, in the Hungarian state, the Croats managed to maintain significant autonomy.
However, the territory of the state gradually decreased. In the 15th century, Venice took over part of the land. In the first quarter of the 16th century, the Turks came to Croatia. The Croatian parliament offered the throne to Ferdinand of Habsburg, brother of the Holy Roman Emperor, in the hope that the Empire would stop the onslaught of the Turks. Thus began Habsburg rule in the country. By 1592, most of the former Croatian state had been conquered. Only the Dubrovnik Republic, a city-state on the Adriatic coast, was able to maintain independence. This state of affairs remained until the end of the 18th century.
As a result Napoleonic wars the beginning of the 19th century, and then the creation of Austria-Hungary, the territory of Croatia was again divided, its parts went to Austria and Hungary.
IN mid-19th century century, a new movement arose in Croatia - Illyricism, the goal of which was to unite all Slavs in the Balkans into one state. The movement resulted in a revolution, which failed in 1848 and resulted in the Croats losing much of their autonomy.
As a result of the collapse of Austria-Hungary following the First World War, part of the territory of Croatia went to Italy, the rest went to a new state entity, which later became known as Yugoslavia. The country was led by Serbia. The strong Croatian independence movement led to numerous political conflicts that lasted until 1939, when Croatia was granted the desired autonomy.
In 1941, during World War II, Croatia was occupied by Germany and Italy. After the war, the country became part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. At the end of the war, Josip Broz Tito, the supreme commander of Yugoslavia of Croatian origin, appears on the political scene. In 1953 he becomes president of the country.
By 1971, the socio-political movement for greater independence for Croatia within Yugoslavia was gaining strength in the country. The suppression of resistance in 1971 resulted in political repression, these events were called the “Croatian Spring”. The 1974 reform eventually gave Croatia greater autonomy.
In the 1980s, the death of Tito and the general crisis in communist countries began a protracted political and economic crisis that led to the collapse of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. The civil war between Croats and Serbs lasted from 1991 to 1995. After it, an active revival of the country’s economy began and the strengthening of its position in the world political arena. This revival is especially noticeable in the resort regions of Croatia that were not affected by the war. Croatia is planning to join the European Union soon.
Search for tours to Croatia
About the country
Croatia is a small country in the north of the Balkan Peninsula, located in one of the most environmentally friendly places in the world. Croatia is located on the northeastern coast of the Adriatic Sea and borders with Hungary, Slovenia in the north, Bosnia and Herzegovina in the east, and by sea with Italy. The total area of Croatia is 56,538 sq. km. The length of the coast, including islands, is 5,790 km. Croatia has 1,185 islands, of which 66 are inhabited, which is why the country is called the “land of a thousand islands”.
Croatia is an excellent choice for those who want to fully relax not only with body, but also with soul. Diverse and always interesting, it attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. The unique harmony, rare and amazing beauty of the Croatian Adriatic has won the hearts of many famous people Europe. Picturesque bays, bizarrely shaped islands, ancient mysterious castles, thermal springs, national parks - all this is Croatia.
Once you have visited this country, you will come here again and again every time. The location of Croatia has determined the history of the country. Since ancient times, it has been located at the junction of civilizations and cultures: in the 4th century, the border between the western and eastern parts of the Roman Empire lay here, in the 9th century between Byzantium and the Franks, in the 10th century between the Catholic and Orthodox churches, from the 15th to the 19th centuries - between the Christian West and Islamic East. All this is reflected in the unique historical, cultural and architectural monuments of the cities, founded in the ancient and medieval periods and of particular interest to inquisitive tourists.
Climate
Croatia is located in a mild climate zone, characteristic of the entire Mediterranean. The coast has a Mediterranean climate with hot and very dry summers (air temperature +25..+29°C), humid, warm winters (+9..+15°C). In the central regions the climate is temperate continental, in summer +20..+23°C, in winter +1..+3°C. High temperatures are easily tolerated thanks to the dry air, sea breeze and abundance of greenery on the coast. The swimming season lasts from early May to mid-October.
Religion
The population of Croatia is 4.8 million people (of which 78% are Croats, 11% are Serbs). Religion is predominantly Catholic (76.5% of the population).
Language
The official language is Croatian, German is also used, and in Istria Italian is used.
National cuisine
The cuisine of Croatia deserves special attention, and one cannot speak of a single Croatian cuisine, since its diversity is due to its local traditions and way of life. In the mountainous part of Croatia, the cuisine is less intricate - simple dishes from meat (lamb and pork). In Istria, the cuisine is Mediterranean, replete with a variety of seafood dishes (squid, cuttlefish, shellfish, fish bouda, etc.). Dalmatia has a more sophisticated cuisine with a predominance of vegetables, herbs and fruits. Traditional dishes include octopus salad, pork ham "prsut" and lamb with sour sheep's milk "visovacke begavice". In addition, Croatia is famous for its cheeses and wines. The high-quality cheeses from the island of Pag can only be compared with the best French cheeses. This is a real gastronomic pleasure. We recommend no less excellent Croatian wines for cheese - Malvasia, Teran and Merlot.
Transport
Hotel in Croatia and are usually located along the coastline and to get to the tourist or commercial center from the hotel, you can use a tourist mini-train, regular bus, ferry or taxi. In order to rent a car in Croatia, you must be at least 21 years old, have at least 3 years of driving experience, a credit card, a passport and a driver's license. If you don't have a credit card, a deposit of 150-300 EUR is usually left. Prices in price lists do not include 20% tax.
Telephone
If you call from Moscow, you need to dial: 8 10 385 + city code + telephone number, from Croatia to Moscow - 007 + 095 + telephone number. When calling within Croatia, first dial 0, then the city code: Zagreb - 1, Dubrovnik - 20, Sibenik - 22, Biograd - 23, Vukovar - 32, Krk, Lovran, Opatija, Rab - 51, Makarska, Split, Hvar - 21, Osijek - 31, Porec, Pula, Rovinj, Umag - 52.
Time zone
Time in Croatia is 2 hours behind Moscow.
Customs regulations
You can bring 400 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of alcoholic beverage, 50 ml of perfume or eau de toilette, 1 kg of coffee or tea into Croatia duty-free. The duty for goods exceeding the specified quota is about 50% of their customs value. Import and export of national currency is limited to 2000 kuna.
Currency
The national currency of Croatia is the kuna (HRK). Small coin - linden. 1 kuna = 100 lipa. Currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices and hotels, almost everywhere. Some banks provide currency exchange without commission, but usually the commission is 1-1.5%. Reverse currency exchange is only possible in banks, and bank receipts must be presented.
Tips
Tipping in a restaurant is only given if the service charge is not already included in the bill. It is also customary to give “tips” to taxi drivers, bartenders and maids.