Archive for July, 2007
With Croatia’s location to the Adriatic Sea, much of Croatia’s cuisine is heavily influenced by the Mediterranean. Nestled between Hungary, Slovenia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, and Serbia, Croatia also derives much of its fare from its surroundings. Since Italy is very close to Croatia, you will also notice an Italian influence on Croatian cuisine.
Croatian cuisine can best be defined into five regions: The Slavonia region, the Hrvatsko Zagorje Region, Middle Croatia, Istria, and Dalmatia. The Dalmatian region includes the area of the Adriatic Coast. The coast is extremely fertile and the Dalmatian Coast is known for its distinctively delicious gourmet treats. It is on the coast of Croatia, where you will discover that the cuisine has a strong Mediterranean characterization and is very similar to that of Greece, Italy, and other Mediterranean cultures.
The Croatian Dalmatian Coast is also known for its distinctive Olive Oils, Vinegars, Spices, Figs, and Capers. Today, Croatia is well known for its high quality Olive Oil, as growing conditions are more favorable in Croatia then in surrounding areas such as Italy, for growing olives.
Additionally, you’ll find an abundance of fish that is carefully prepared according to Croatian methods that have been passed from generation to generation. Fish may be served grilled in exquisite gourmet Olive Oil, or in brodetto, a fish soup. Fish à la gregada, a fish stew referred to as: riblja čorba. Other seafood and shellfish that are used in abundance in Croatian coastal cuisine include squid, calamari, oysters, octopus, cuttlefish, tuna fish, clams, and mussels.
Some of the most exquisite delicacies found along the Croatian coast include: Pršut that is dried ham that has been sliced paper-thin. In Italian culture it is known as Prosciutto. Pršut is typically served with olives and goat cheese and is a staple that you will find in any Dalmatian coastal restaurant.
In addition to the abundance of seafood, the Croatian Coast has also proved to be suitable for cultivating grapes and wine has become an important feature in Croatian life. Wine is generally served with meals and the best Dalmatian Red wines are said to come from Plavac Mali. Some of the other wines that are revered throughout the region include: Dingae, Vugava, Pharos, and Grk.
Moving inland, the Slavonia region is where Croatia meets Hungary. Most notably, Hungarian goulash is replaced by gulaš, in Croatia and is a very popular stew. In addition, there is a spicy stew, made with fish, in the Slavonia region known as: fiš-paprikaš. Some common types of stews and goulashes include chicken, rabbit, and venison.
Throughout Croatia, you will enjoy a variety of delicious pastas, soups, and vegetables. Mushrooms are grown in abundance, as are cabbage, onions, dry beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and garlic. In addition to these vegetables, there are certain foods that are enjoyed throughout various regions of Croatia. No matter what region you are visiting, or your choice of restaurant, you are sure to find these dishes added to the menu.
Pag Cheese is very popular throughout all of Croatia. It is made from domesticated sheep’s milk, on the island, Pag. It is served as a delicacy with olives. The cheese is revered for its fermenting process, and is identified by its firmness. When you pick up Pag Cheese, and hold it in the center, the cheese will remain firm on both sides. Sometimes, Pag Cheese is grated and used as a topping on other dishes, however it is generally considered as an appetizer.
Cevapcici is made of ground meat and spices. It is the equivalent of the American burger only they are rolled into a small sausage shape. The ground meat (typically beef and lamb) are blended with spices then kneaded into a sausage shape. They are then grilled or boiled and served with sautéed onions, tomatoes, ajvar, and on Pita bread.
Trakoscan is an ancient beautiful castle, found in Croatia. It is most meticulously preserved castle of the world. Sources say that this castle was actually a fortress, which served as the defense observation point of the nearby cities. The original fortress is believed to have been a very simple structure, which was developed over the years, by many of the families, which took hold of the castle.
History of the castle:
In the initial years of its existence, the castle or rather the fortress was under the possession of a patrician family. Later, it passed through the hands of many families for several generations only to be taken into the Royal Treasury of Croatia. The king handed over the castle to the Croatian viceroy Juraj Draskovic, who held it until the World War II.
Architecture:
As mentioned before, the original castle was not what as it stands today. It was a simple defense post. Many families, which took possession of it, made many new changes, such as the construction of additional towers. Such changes were made to fortify the castle for military purposes. From the 19th century onwards, the castle was largely used for residential purposes and it was remodeled for the same purpose. German architecture and style was used for this. Also an artificial lake and park were developed to enhance the scenic beauty of the castle on the whole.
Nowadays, the castle serves as a museum displaying many of the artifacts related to war times such as knight’s room, hunting room. The other collections include portraits of the generations of the Draskovic family. The furniture dates back to 19th century, which were restored from the castle.
Interiors:
The ground floor:
It includes a kitchen, a workshop, the servant quarters and such structures of lesser significance.
The first floor:
This floor is the most luxurious one. The architecture indicates that the royal people mostly occupied it.
The second floor:
This region of the castle is relatively less luxurious. The rooms served as lodgings for guests and visitors
The Park and the lake:
The gardens and the park located near the castle are the best preserved. They have the best of the vegetation. The spot is very exciting for tourists.
Tourism in Trakoscan:
The castle attracts a lot of tourists on account of its rich culture and picturesque landscape. There are many activities available for the tourists here such as:
- Visit to the forest.
- Entrance of the castle
- Visit to the museum
The hotels in Trakoscan, provide the best of the services for the tourists. The hotels range between two star and five star statuses.
The city of Croatia maintains the rich and ancient heritage, and attractions such as the Trakoscan castle prove the fact. It is a visual treat for the tourists and a place that reflects the culture of the early Croatian times.
The city of Sibenik is a small town in Croatia. It is of historical importance. Venetians till the I World War first ruled the city. Later, after the war it came under the control of Yugoslavia. During World War II, the Nazis and Fazis occupied the town and after the war, it was again clubbed with Yugoslavia. The city is the house of many tourist attractions, however the most important and beautiful one is:
The St. Jacob’s Cathedral:
The Church is one of the listed places in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The plan of the Church began as early as 1298. However, the construction was started only by 1402. The main person behind the construction of this Cathedral was Juraj Matvejev Dalmatinac. He was elected unanimously as the architect of the Cathedral. He constructed the church almost up to its end. His exquisite ideas over the construction of the Church, however changed the concept of the church and it became more of an architectural piece. He developed many schemes for the construction and built up a huge network of associates, who followed his style and guidance to contribute their share in the construction. After the death of the master, the associates continued their work and completed the project. The Cathedral was finally consecrated only in 1555.
Architecture:
Venetian craftsmen built the Church. It is based on the Gothic style of construction.
The Cathedral consists of a main dome. The other structures include many chambers, apses. Stone sculptures are found aplenty. These include many decorations and human figures. The Baptistery and other sides on the outer region are all made out of stone. The parallel galleries and sanctuary add beauty to the whole Cathedral. However, it has to be mentioned that the construction of different parts of the Church took place in phases by different constructors, under the supervision of very many architects.
In 1991, the dome was badly damaged by shelling. However, within a span of few years, the damage had been rectified and the dome rebuilt.
Interiors of the Cathedral:
The Cathedral is built on Gothic and Renaissance ideas. The inside is divided into two areas. While the anterior part is dedicated for churchgoers and worshippers, the posterior part of it opens out into two galleries and shrines. The anterior part has high ceiling and semi circular stone roof. The posterior part delights the visitors with intensive lighting and almost occupies the entire Cathedral.
The Cathedral houses the tombs of many bishops. The tombs too consist of artwork and engravings. The tombs signify the important roles played by these Bishops in the development of the Cathedral.
One significant feature to be noted about this Cathedral, are the sculptures. All of the sculptures are made of stone and they involve intricate ornamentation. The sculptures are based on human figures, angelic and Godly figures. The shapes of these structures create many moods and are capable of moving the visitor.
The Cathedral forms the main attraction of the Sibenik town. Thousands of visitors pour in throughout the year. Many events take place during the International Children’s Festival. All in all, it is a sight of holy vibrations and a gallery to expose the most beautiful architectures of the world, telling stories about the meticulous and creative artists and craftsmen of the region.
Due to Croatia’s location, the music of Croatia is a distinct reflection and merging of its neighbors. It is best said that the music of Croatia could be divided into three distinct regions of influence: the Mediterranean Region, the Balkans Region, and Central Europe. The Mediterranean influence on Croatian music may be seen in one type of Folk music in particular, Klapa.
Klapa Croatian Music is greatly revered and treasured by those who live along Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. The word derives its meaning from “Klapa” and signifies a group of people. The focal point of Klapa Croatian music is to celebrate the love of country, the sea, wine, and love.
Klapa music emphasizes harmony and involves many members of the group. First tenor, Second Tenor, Baritone and Bass make up the standard Klapa group, however now female Klapa groups are emerging in Croatia.
Featured in festivals, Klapa music has been beloved for many generations. It is very common to hear Klapa music being sung in the streets of the Croatian coast when strolling through town or dining at an outdoor café.
An example of Croatian music that has its origins in the Balkan regions, or is of Balkan influence is Gusle. The Gusle is a single stringed instrument that has been used in Croatia, Serbia, and in the Balkan regions. In some areas of Croatia, the Gusle may have two strings, but typically it has one. The Gusle is played with a bow made from horsehair. It almost resembles the sound of a low-pitched violin.
Gusle music is a style of folk, where the Gusle accompanies epic poetry. Gusle music isn’t revered only in ancient days, either. There are many modern day Gusle musicians that incorporate current political events in their poetry as well. The narrative epic poems are usually quite large, and the vocalist must commit them to memory. The music holds national significance, as it was used in days past as a way of passing down information from generation to generation. When it comes to famous Gusle musicians, there is one that is most notable, Mile Krajina. There are many folk festivals in Croatia year wide, and it is very common to hear Gusle music during these festivals.
Croatian music with Central European influence is plentiful. Tamburitza is a very popular style of Croatian folk music that uses the Tamburitza instrument. The Tamburitza is a stringed instrument that resembles a guitar or a mandolin. There are several types of Tamburitzas that are used. The first is the Bisernica; this is the smallest Tamburitza and has five strings. The second is the Brač. The Brač also has five strings and is slightly larger than the Bisernica, giving it a lower tone. The next type is the Bugarija. The Bugarija is very similar to a guitar but only contains three or four strings. This is often used as a rhythmic or percussion instrument. Like the Bugarija, the Čelo is often played for dyanamics, or the softness of loudness of each note. Finally, the Bajs is the largest sized Tamburitza and is often used to play bass lines.
Tamburitza music often depicts true love or living a happy village life. It became increasingly popular during the 1800’s and is still a mainstream form of Croatian music.
Other forms of popular Croatian folk music include folk music from the Zagorie region and Medimurhe region folk music. Other styles of Croatian music include the blues, classical, pop, rock, new wave or Novi Val, dance, rap, and jazz.
Most of the music forms cross the Croatian border and are enjoyed by neighboring countries. There are many festivals including dance festivals, foklore festivals, and open air festivals.
The city of Porec is located in Croatia. In the ancient days, Romans possessed the city and in the later centuries, it came under the control of Yugoslavia. It is found on the seashore as a peninsula, the main occupation of the people being fishing and food processing. The landscape is rich with a variety of vegetation ranging between pine trees to olive trees. The city provides vast scope for tourism and holidaying.
The Basilica:
The beautiful city is the house of the St. Euphrasius Basilica. The Bishop Euphrasius built this famous monument in the 6th century. What had been a very basic structure was developed massively with a plethora of artistic and architectural innovations.
The layout of the Basilica:
The basilica is built based on the pre-Euphrasian architecture. It is now a part of a large complex, which has developed by the construction of many other structures. There is a presence of a Memorial Chapel within the Basilica. The baptistery is found at a close proximity. The structure of the Basilica itself is octagonal and the walls of the Basilica are made up with splendid mosaics.
Architecture of the Basilica:
•Floors:
The floors of the Basilica are mainly made of mosaic and they reflect the rich art of the region. There are motifs of brilliant hues and engravings. The floor also bears the carvings of the names of the donors, who had contributed liberally for the construction of the Basilica. The floors themselves serve as the references for the study of the changing times and the adaptations of the different inhabitants of the region. It also reflects the practices of the Christian community in Porec.
• Walls:
The walls of the Basilica contain the stories from Bible, which have been depicted beautifully on the mosaic. It also shows the strong belief of the people and their orientation towards Christianity.
In the 1277, a canopy was built in the Basilica, which rests on four pillars and also houses many other motifs and colours.
The art of the Basilica is mainly of the Byzantine type, which is the art of the Eastern Roman Empire of the 5th Century.
The interiors of the Basilica:
The atrium marks the entrance of the Basilica, which has many columns and arches. There is a square at the center. Some of the mosaics within the Church are very old and date back to the fourth century. The sculptures are supposed to have been imported from Constantinople. There is a wooden stairway with 120 stairs. Once these stairs are ascended, one can have a breathtaking view of the city of Porec.
Events at the Basilica:
The Basilica has been included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. It is entitled to Virgin Mary and the daily masses take place. The other activities include the music concerts during the summer season, where classical music is given preference. The Basilica also houses holy objects, portraits of female martyrs, medallions and other artwork of the Middle Ages and the Byzantine period. These serve as a visual treat for the visitors of the Basilica.
The Basilica is one of the main things listed in the itinery of the Porec tourists, which flaunts off the taste of Roman architecture and religious beliefs.
Pula is the main city of Istria in Croatia. It is one of the ancient cities of the world, invaded and inhabited by many kingdoms and people, such as Croats, Italian, Romans, and Greeks. The city is known for its rich cultural heritage and an ancient touch to its name. The flavour of Pula can be had under the following:
• Location:
The picturesque city is located right beneath seven hills namely Arena, Kastel, Zaro, Pra Grande, Opatija, Mihovila and Modipola. The Fazana channel marks the entrance of the city. The sea is not rough and the climatic conditions are pleasant. The close proximity to the sea, by itself indicates, that the ports bustle with activity.
• History:
The history of Pula shows that it has been a country, which has passed through the hands of many kingdoms. The city was populated as early as the 10th century. Inhabitants, mainly Romans, established their empire for many years. After their fall, there were many invaders such as Ostrogoths and Venetians. In the later centuries, it was sworn in to the Venetian Republic.
In the 14th 15th and 16th centuries, a Croatian-Hungarian army attacked Pula. After the fall of the Venetian empire, it was included along the French Empire during the First World War. By 1918, it became a part of Italy, only to be ceded by Yugoslavia. Since the fall of Yugoslavia, Pula remained a part of the modern republic of Croatia.
• Architecture:
The city houses the most ancient Roman architecture. The most noted of all, however is the Arena or the Amphitheatre, wherein the entertainment for the people had taken place. The maintenance of the structure is always kept upto the mark.
The other significant structures are the Temple of Rome built by the Emperor Augustus and The Arch of Sergii. The essence of the Roman art and architecture are still retained in the streets and the buildings of Pula.
• Culture:
Since many empires and inhabitants occupied Pula, the people are of mixed cultures and languages, ranging from English to Italian. Many aspects of the city such as cuisine and architecture reflect this. Winemaking, shipping, fishing are traditional occupations of the people in this city.
Tradition presides in all forms of art starting from music to dance (folk), poetry and architecture. Even in these changing days of globalization, the artists and the performers in theatres maintain the crux of traditional values.
Economy:
Since the city resides on the seashore, shipping is the most enterprising activity. However, the beauty of the city also lures many tourists and therefore tourism is a busy source of income. Apart from these, the people take upon occupations such as fishing, construction, glass making and wine making.
Tourism:
The city has a wide scope for tourism to flourish. There are many museums, parks and structures, which reflect the tradition of the city and also prove to be a visual treat. The coastal areas on the other hand, offer the beaches to relax and other activities such as sailing.
All in all, Pula is a city of beauty and life. The people are full of spirits and the hospitality provides the warmth and support. As a holiday destination, Pula could be one place, which would stay etched in the mind forever.