Croatia history
A country emerging from a war torn past, Croatia is still defining its national identity. Even its beginnings back in the 7th century are somewhat shaky and unknown. Remnants of past nations still remain, such as the magnificent Roman ruins on the Dalmatian coast, or the Venetian influences in Istria. They are a sobering reminder that this tiny nation has been ruled, occupied and handed backwards and forwards between larger European powers like an unwanted child for hundreds of years.
Today Croatia is sectioned into 20 counties and the main city of Zagreb. But Croatia’s boundaries in the past weren’t as defined as they are now. Borders shifted and changed depending on whatever country ruled at the time. Italy, France, Austria and Hungary have all at one time or another claimed Croatia as their own.
Early history
When the Venetians ruled in the Middle Ages the country looked a lot different than it does today. The Venetians were a bit of a ruthless bunch and very obsessed with building ships. They ravaged the landscape by cutting down trees for the construction of their ships and banned the Croatians from building any boats of their own. They also controlled the sale of Croatian food products such as olive oil, fish, figs and salt. They effectively kept the Croatia as an uneducated, unfed and undeveloped nation.
Quick fact!
The oldest communal theatre in Europe was built in Hvar in the year 1612.
1800s – 1990
There was some hope for the Croatian people when Napoleon came on the scene in the early 19th century and wrestled the country away from the Venetians, transferred it to Austria, and then stole it back again some years later. Napoleon made some improvements to bring the country out of its sorry state, most notably tree-planting, schools, roading and hospitals. However, the people had to pay for it with heavy taxes.
By the time World War I approached, Croatia had had enough of being a political pawn. It sided with Serbia and together they formed the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. With the Italians on the hunt for territorial conquests, the Croats figured the Serbs were the lesser of two evils.
Quick fact!
Croatians have their own alphabet or set of letters. It is called “Glagolitic” and emerged in the 9th century and was in daily use, along with the Latin alphabet, up to the 19th century.
1991 – present
Up until the late 1990s Croatia existed as a socialist state as part of Yugoslavia, but in June 1991, it declared its independence. Unfortunately, Serbs living in Croatia at the time didn’t agree with this and what ensued has been described as one of the bloodiest civil wars of the 20th century. The Serbian government run by president Slobodan Milosevic also got involved with ethnic cleansing of Croats, Bosnians and Muslims from Serbia.
Peace agreements were signed in 1995 and the Bosnian War is now a thing of the past, at least as far as visitors are concerned. Croatia has since gained a reputation as an incredibly scenic, safe and tourist-friendly place to visit. And, thanks to Napoleon, flourishing with trees!
Croatian language and culture
Culture of Croatia
Croatian culture has a distinctly splendid and plentiful history dating back to ancient Rome and ancient Greece. Some of the best-preserved Roman roads and amphitheaters can be found in Croatia. The arts, cuisine and traditions of this country are all inspired and influenced by nearly fourteen centuries of human habitation.
Arts
Art and architecture have been primary creative staples in Croatian culture. Sculptures from antiquity, Roman style arenas, and paintings from almost every important artistic movement are all a part of the art history of this creative country.
Famous painters such as mannerist Andrija Medulić and Vjekoslav Karas have originated from Croatia. Renaissance and baroque style paintings were quite common in cathedrals and churches throughout the country. The most valuable Croatian works of art can be found in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb, and The Croatian Museum of Naïve Art in Zagreb.
Cuisine
Croatian cuisine is influenced primarily by the Mediterranean style of cooking as well as Austrian, Hungarian and Turkish styles. Traditional dining is specific to the various cultural regions within Croatia, such as the Istria, Dalmatia and Slavonija regions. There are however, many dishes and recipes that are common throughout the country.
Meats such as pork, lamb and beef are universal ingredients in traditional cuisine. Regional dishes include spicy goulash, grah (a stew of beans and sauerkraut) and a filled pastry called štrukli. Though the regional dishes change, the use of black pepper, garlic, paprika and fresh vegetables is a universal occurrence throughout Croatia.
Sport
Sporting events and sports teams are a large part of Croatian culture and society. Football is the most popular sport in the country; the Croatian National Team has been a quarterfinalist in the FIFA world cup finals several times. Other popular sports include handball, basketball and tennis.
Many Croatians also follow water polo, with the national team winning both the World Championships and the European Championships. Croatian culture, having a strong history with the Roman Empire, thrives on sporting communities and national pride in successful teams and individual athletes.
Languages of Croatia
Croatian is the official language of Croatia spoken by over 95% of the population. The minority languages are Czech, Italian, Hungarian, Ruthenian and Serbian.
The foreign languages spoken by a substantial portion of the population are English, German, French and Russian.
Basic Croatian words and phrases
Hello – Bok
Goodbye – Zbogom
Please – Molim
Thank-you – Hvala
My name is… – Zovem se…
Where is…? – Gdje se…?
I don’t speak Croatian – Ne govorim hrvatski
Croatia weather
Croatia’s humid continental climate is well-known for its rainy, warm summers, followed up by a gradual transition to the cold winter temperatures. As we move near the Adriatic coast, temperatures are moderated by the sea – this region’s pleasant, Mediterranean climate makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia.
Spring in Croatia
This is the perfect time to visit the country’s national parks, although it is advisable to visit the Croatian coast and islands in late May, when days are longer and warmer (15°C). Since water temperature is still too cold for swimming, you can save the swim suit for the summer. Pack an umbrella, a couple of sweaters and a light jacket instead.
Summer in Croatia
The average high temperature during the summer is 23°C, while in July and August temperatures can rise up to 30°C. If you are travelling to the capital its advisable to bring an umbrella, (in case of thundery showers) along with your regular summer clothes.
Autumn in Croatia
Temperatures drop below 15 degrees in the capital and rarely get above 6 degrees towards the end of November – coats and long sleeves are therefore a must. However the coast of Croatia provides amore pleasant climate with temperatures averaging 10°C to 20°C.
Winter in Croatia
Croatia’s coasts experience very mild winters, averaging temperatures between 5°C and 10°C. But temperatures inland are a lot colder, regularly going into the minuses. Rainfall is common throughout the country during winter so make sure you take an umbrella and a waterproof coat.
Average temperatures in Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split
Average rainfall in Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split
No comments:
Post a Comment