Croatia is a crescent-shaped country in Europe bordering the Mediterranean to the South, Central Europe to the North and the Balkans to the Southeast. Converted to Roman Catholicism in the seventh century, the Croats established an independent kingdom during the 10th century, while the Serbs opted for the Eastern Orthodoxy of the Byzantine Empire, culminating in the Great Schism of 1054. In 1529, following the defeat of the Hungarians by the Ottoman Turks, the Habsburg and Ottoman Empires divided Hungary’s territories, thereby creating a militarised border in Croatia between the Islamic and Christian worlds, running roughly along the present border between Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Serbs settled in areas of Croatia known as Krajina (border lands), the source of much Croat-Serb conflict thereafter. Following the Communist takeover of 1945, Croatia became a constituent republic of the new Yugoslav federation led by Josip Broz Tito. The disintegration of Yugoslavia began in 1990, after multi-party elections in Slovenia and Croatia. The fighting in Croatia, between the Yugoslav National Army (JNA) and Serb militia on one side and hastily assembled Croat defence forces on the other, was ended by a UN-brokered ceasefire in January 1992.
Transportation in Croatia
By Car: Traffic drives on the right. Speed limits are 130kph (81mph) on motorways, 100kph (62mph) on dual carriageways, 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas and 80kph (50mph) outside built-up areas. Heavy fines are imposed for speeding.
All motorists should carry a valid passport as proof of identity at all times.
By Bus: There are regular services to destinations all over Croatia. There are regular international buses connecting Croatia with Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Germany, Hungary, Italy and the Slovak Republic. Eurolines, departing from Victoria Coach Station in London, serves destinations in Croatia. For further information, contact Eurolines.
By Rail: The network connects all major cities except Dubrovnik.
Direct trains run from Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland. Express services run from Zagreb to major cities including Berlin, Budapest, Munich, Venice and Vienna.
By Ferry: Passenger and car ferry services run to Italy. The main routes are: Split–Ancona, Zadar–Ancona, Split–Pescara and Dubrovnik–Bari. Fast hydrofoil services operate on some routes.
By Air: The national airline is Croatia Airlines (OU). British Airways makes scheduled flights to Croatia. Approximate flight times|: From Zagreb to London is two hours 30 minutes, to New York is 10 hours 35 minutes.
Zagreb, Croatia’s economic, cultural and administrative heart, sits on the north bank of the river Sava. Its historic nuclei, Gradec and Kaptol, in Gornji Grad (Upper Town), were founded in the Middle Ages. Here, a labyrinth of peaceful cobbled streets links the city’s oldest and finest monuments.
Unanimously considered the jewel of Croatia, Dubrovnik in the southernmost region of Croatia is best known for its well-preserved historic centre contained within 13th-century city walls, its terracotta rooftops, and a stunning location overlooking the Adriatic. Today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city was a wealthy independent republic up until 1808.
Croatia’s second-largest city, Split is also the economic and cultural capital of Central Dalmatia. The city was founded in the third century AD by the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Today, the traffic-free historic centre lies within the imposing walls of Diocletian’s Palace, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Main Attractions
Stone Gate - Zagreb
The Stone Gate (Kamenita Vrata), is the only preserved city gate. It represents the entrance to the Upper Town
St. Mark Square - Zagreb
St. Mark Square is the centre of the Upper Town, the main square of the former Gradec. The town parish church of St. Mark was built in the mid-13th century.
Dubrovnik Fortifications
The town fortifications, ramparts and towers outside the walls were built, reinforced and reconstructed in the period from the 12th to the second half of the 17th century.
Diocletian Palace
According to its dimensions and level of preservation, the Palace represents the most valuable example of Roman architecture on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea.
