UNESCO – discover the sights of Croatia!

Croatia, a country of relatively small size, boasts a veritable plethora of UNESCO World Heritage sites. There are currently 10 sites on it, but this may change in the future. Croatia intends to consider 15 more sites on its UNESCO information list! What places are currently recorded there?

1. Plitvice Lakes National Park- This is a national park rich in beautiful fauna and flora, with as many as 16 karst lakes with beautiful waterfalls. The uniqueness of this place is confirmed by numerous tourists – it is the most visited National Park in Croatia.

2. Historic centre of Split with Diocletian’s Palace- This is one of the best preserved monuments of Roman architecture in the whole world. Today, the palace is open to the public and is a popular tourist attraction. Diocletian’s Palace was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, highlighting its importance as a unique historical monument.

3 Old Town Dubrovnik- Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic, is one of the most famous cities in Croatia. Its historic centre, surrounded by fortified walls, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the same year as the historic centre in Split. One of the most distinctive features of Dubrovnik is its defensive walls, perfectly preserved to this day. A walk along the walls offers not only great views of the city and the sea, but also the opportunity to immerse yourself in history and feel the atmosphere of the past.

4. Historic town of Trogir- Trogir, located near Split, is known for its rich history, beautiful architecture and picturesque location. Its old town is walled and has narrow, winding streets that lead to charming squares and historic buildings. The most important monument in Trogir is the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul. It is located on the St Lawrence River, which is considered one of the most important works of Romanesque architecture in Croatia.

5 The Euphnesian basilica complex in the Old Town of Poreč- The basilica complex in Poreč is one of the most important religious monuments in Croatia. It consists of three main buildings: the Euphrasian basilica, the baptistery and the bell tower. It is a three-nave basilica with a distinctive apse and mosaics that depict biblical and religious scenes. The interior of the basilica impresses with its rich architectural details and frescoes. The basilica complex in Poreč was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, highlighting its importance as a unique sacred monument.

6. the Cathedral of St. Stephen St. James Cathedral in Šibenik – Šibenik Cathedral was built in the 15th century and is considered one of the most important works of Gothic architecture in Europe. Its most distinctive feature is its monumental façade, decorated with numerous sculptures and ornaments. One of the most famous features of the cathedral is its tower, known as the ‘Cathedral’ – one of the tallest stone towers in Europe, reaching an impressive height of 71 metres. The cathedral has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for 24 years.

7. Starigradsko polje- is an area located on the island of Hvar in Croatia. It is one of the oldest cultivated fields in Europe and has existed since ancient times. The field is divided into small plots, called chora, which are separated by stone walls. Many farmers there still use traditional farming methods, such as harvesting by hand and using natural irrigation methods. Around Starigradsko polje are the ruins of the ancient town of Pharos, which was one of the first Greek settlements on the island of Hvar.

8. Medieval cemeteries with stone gravestones (stećci)- Stećci are medieval stone gravestones that can be found in cemeteries in Croatia. They are a unique part of the region’s cultural heritage. Often decorated with carved motifs such as crosses, plants, animals and religious symbols. On some steles, inscriptions can be found that contain information about the deceased, their families or historical events. Stećci are very important for history researchers or archaeologists. They were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List relatively recently, only in 2016.

9. Venetian fortifications- The Venetian fortifications of Zadar and Šibenik listed by UNESCO are an important historical and architectural monument. They were built to protect strategic ports and cities on the Adriatic coast. Their construction was based on advanced engineering techniques of the time and exemplified excellence in defence construction. Visitors can walk around the walls, thereby enjoying panoramic views of the sea and surrounding towns. The Venetian fortifications are the ‘youngest’ monument to be inscribed on the UNESCO list, as it only found its way there in 2017.

10. Primary beech forests of the Carpathians and other European regions- Primary beech forests are known for their rich biodiversity. They contain many rare and protected plant species. They are also home to many endangered animal species, including wolves, lynx, bison and eagles. To protect these valuable ecosystems, many areas have been protected as national parks or nature reserves.

In conclusion, Croatia boasts a rich list of monuments and UNESCO sites – starting with beautiful nature, monumental buildings and sacred sites. These monuments and many others are not only the pride of Croatia, but also cultural treasures that attract lovers of nature, history, architecture and much more!