Hvar Island’s rich cultural, archaeological, and architectural legacy has been shaped and influenced by, you guessed it, invading forces throughout history. The island’s earliest signs of civilization date back to the Hvar Culture of 3500-2500 BC. The Ancient Greeks founded Pharos on the island in 384 BC, which later became a strategic base for the Romans. The island was briefly occupied by Venice in 1147 but was eventually brought under the rule of Croatian-Hungarian King Bela III.

In 1278, the Venetians returned to Hvar after being invited back by the islanders who sought protection from Omiš pirates. The central administration was moved to Hvar from Stari Grad and the town became a regional centre for Hvar, Vis and Brač. A plan to build walls around the town and monastery was initiated in 1292.

Hvar saw several changes of rule, including Croatian-Hungarian, Bosnian, and Dubrovnik, before a more extended period of Venetian rule from 1420 to 1797. Despite being under constant threat of attack from the Turkish fleet, Hvar prospered under Venetian rule. The Austrians briefly took over in 1797, followed by the French, before the Austrians retook control in 1813.

Austrian rule brought prosperity to Hvar, with improvements in infrastructure, health tourism, and meteorology. The Italians occupied the island briefly in 1919, and Hvar became a part of Yugoslavia in 1921.

After Croatia gained independence in 1992, the island was blockaded during the Croatian Independence War, leading to a shortage of supplies and an influx of refugees. The economy suffered, and many cafes and restaurants closed due to a lack of electricity and necessary goods. However, Hvar has since recovered and is now a major luxury tourism destination with renovated hotels and cultural treasures.

Brač history can be traced back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. The island was originally called Brentos which means “stag.” Although the Greeks never had control over the island, they named it Elaphusa.

Similarly to other parts of Dalmatia, Brač became a part of the Roman Empire later on, but there is little visible evidence of the Empire on the island today.

In the 7th century, the Croatian people migrated to Brač, and the island became part of King Tomislav’s Croatian Kingdom in the 10th century. Brač was ruled by the Venetian Empire, the Croatian Kings, and the Croatian-Hungarian Empire in the centuries that followed. Bosnian King Stjepan Tvrtko I gained control over much of the Dalmatian region, including Brač, in 1390, but his death saw King Sigismund of Hungary take over the island.

In 1420, Brač became a part of the Venetian Empire for an extended period, with a Count appointed by the Venetian Senate governing the island. After the Empire’s fall in 1797, Brač fell to the Austrians for a brief period, interrupted by French and Russian rule until the fall of Napoleon in 1814.

Brač’s time under Austrian rule saw cultural and economic improvements, and Supetar was established as the island’s primary administrative centre in 1827. The island’s population peaked in the early 1900s, followed by a significant period of emigration due to a vine lice epidemic that impacted the grape crops.

After World War I, Brač became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, and was occupied by Italy in 1941 and Germany in 1944. The island was liberated from German control after their defeat in July of that year. Brač became part of Yugoslavia after World War II until Croatia declared its independence in 1991.

Step into the ancient town of Omiš and be transported back in time to an era of proud corsairs and turbulent history. The Omiš Riviera is awash with silent stone reminders of the power and might of the infamous Omiš pirates, from churches to fortresses that dot every corner of this stunning location.

The history of Omiš is a rich tapestry of names and cultures, dating back to Greek and Roman times. Some of the historic names associated with this region include Onaion, Holm, Nestos, Oneum, Olmisi, Olmissium, Almivssium, and Almissa.

During the Middle Ages, the Omiš corsairs were the stuff of legends, renowned for their fast ships and fearsome attacks. Their neighbors, the highlanders of the Poljica Principality, became allies and enabled them to harass sea trade without fear of a sudden attack by land.

Despite various alliances against the pirates, it wasn’t until 1444 that Venice finally captured the old pirate town. The approaching Turkish force made the amber way dangerous, almost impossible, and signaled the decline of the power of the pirates. Deprived of their prey, they lost their strength and the reason for existence.

But Omiš was not defenseless. The existing fortress “Starigrad” (Fortica) and supporting tower “Visec” in Cetina River canyon were not enough for town defense, so Omiš was encircled by walls fortified with strongholds on the eastern land side and fortress “Peovica” (Mirabella) on the north-western side.

In the Priko neighborhood stands the most important building in the city, the pre-Romanesque St. Peter’s Church from the 10th century. This single-naved edifice, with a cupola and apse, was used in the 18th century as a Glagolithic seminary for novice priests.

So come and discover the captivating history of Omiš, where proud corsairs and ancient relics await at every turn!

Legend has it that in the year 614, a group of brave refugees from Epidaurus (present-day Cavtat) fled their town in fear of the devastating Avars and sought refuge on a small islet called Laus, which in Greek means rock. According to ancient historians, the Greeks founded Epidaurum as early as the 7th century BC, and it quickly became a renowned center of trade during the Roman Empire. However, archaeological findings suggest that an even older Epidaurum was destroyed by an earthquake in the 4th century, with some parts believed to have sunk beneath the sea. These sunken ruins are now being excavated and studied by experts.

Despite these trials and tribulations, the settlers on the islet of Laus persevered and worked hard to build a new home for themselves. Dubrovnik has been a tough cookie since the 9th century when it survived a 15-month siege by the Saracens. After Byzantine rule, Dubrovnik was recognized as a strong competitor by Venice and Byzantium. Dubrovnik showed its diplomatic skills by recognizing the authority of these two powers in turns. Dubrovnik reached its peak in maritime affairs and expanded under the sovereignty of the Croatian-Hungarian state until 1526. The aristocracy held all the governing positions, but wealthy citizens formed brotherhoods like the respected Antunini and the Jewish Lazarini. Freedom was the most important value, guarded and fought for by the citizens. Dubrovnik sailors were trading all over the world, and even when paying a tribute to the Ottoman Empire, Dubrovnik still stood proud.

In the olden days, Dubrovnik was just a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Lord Byron couldn’t resist calling it ‘the Pearl of the Adriatic’ during his grand tour. Later, Dubrovnik dazzled famous writers like Bernard Shaw and Agatha Christie with its perfectly preserved baroque charm.

But it wasn’t until the second Yugoslav period after 1945 that Dubrovnik really took off as a popular tourist destination. Millions of people from all over the world flocked to see the medieval splendor. Dubrovnik’s importance in the tourism industry was recognized when it was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1979. And to protect its reputation, the authorities demilitarized the city as they felt that military presence could put a damper on the tourism industry. The income from tourism even allowed for major developments in the city’s infrastructure, like the airport.

Dubrovnik’s historical borderland status made it vulnerable to the break-up of Yugoslavia, and in the early 90s, the aggression caused by the war posed a serious existential threat to the city. Over two-thirds of the town’s historic buildings were hit by artillery, with the cobbled streets and medieval walls suffering hundreds of direct hits for the first time in history. Fires caused severe damage to historic palaces such as Sponza and Rector’s Palace, St Blaise’s church, the Franciscan monastery, and the Amerling and Onofrio fountain. The reconstruction cost totaled around $10 million.
Thanks to the successful reconstruction effort organized by an international organization led by UNESCO, Dubrovnik has regained its former splendor and stands proud today.

Zadar, Croatia, is a city with a rich and fascinating history that spans over three thousand years, but we don’t have three thousand years to write so we’ll give you the basic story.

Throughout its long history, Zadar, Croatia, has been the site of numerous conflicts and wars, so if you’re into major historical conflict you’ll find yourself feeling at home in Zadar. During the Roman period, the city was a strategically important hub of the Illyrian provinces and was frequently attacked by neighboring kingdoms and empires who were basically just jealous of the beautiful Zadar and all it had to offer.

In the Middle Ages, Zadar was ruled by the Venetian Republic and was often the target of raids by pirates – not nearly as fun as Johnny Depp in the pirates of the Caribbean but you can imagine them looking like that for cinematic value. Then later, Zadar lived through oppression from both the Venetian government and Turkish forces. Despite this, the city managed to withstand a Turkish attack in 1571. During this time, Zadar became the most heavily fortified town along the Adriatic coast because who wouldn’t have trust issues and build massive walls all over the place after all these oppressors and attackers?

Things didn’t get any easier. Zadar was under Austrian control, except for a brief period of French rule. After the Treaty of Rapallo in 1920, the town became part of Italy, which resulted in the decline of its status as the main town of Dalmatia compared to Split. During World War II, Allied bombing caused severe damage to 75% of Zadar’s buildings and the port. Talk about having to reinvent yourself! After being liberated in 1944, the town became a part of Yugoslavia. Second Yugoslavia. That also didn’t end well.

Even though when you hear about Zadar’s history it sounds like it went through hell, all that hell resulted in a city with incredible charm. And what a time to be alive – you can enjoy all the beauty of Zadar without being oppressed or robbed by a pirate, all that with Dalmatia Outdoors.

The city of Split, located on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, traces its origins back to the 4th century AD when it was established as a palace for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Diocletian, originally known as Diocles, rose from humble beginnings and achieved the position of emperor through historical accounts that vary in their details.

Diocletian’s decision to construct a retirement palace near his hometown led to the development of what is now known as Split. During the construction phase, Diocletian focused on political and tax reforms, prosecution of Christians, the establishment of a water supply system, and military engagements. After ruling as emperor for a period, Diocletian became the first emperor to voluntarily abdicate the throne.

Upon his abdication in 305 AD, the palace remained unfinished, and ongoing construction work is believed to have taken place during Diocletian’s residence. The architectural concepts and builders responsible for the palace’s construction remain largely unknown. Despite entreaties for his return to resolve political turmoil, Diocletian chose a quieter life focused on growing cabbage, with remnants of his personal garden visible in Split.

Diocletian spent his final years in the palace gardens, finding solace in tending to his cabbage. Historical accounts differ regarding his death, with some suggesting he succumbed to illness and stress caused by political turmoil, while others propose he died content, having distanced himself from the empire’s troubles.

The city of Split still bears traces of Diocletian’s architectural legacy, with the exception of statues depicting Diocletian himself, which were destroyed by Christians in retaliation for his persecution of their faith. Notably, the palace’s mausoleum was repurposed into a cathedral and now serves as the final resting place of Saint Domnius, the patron saint of Split.

Following the decline of the Roman Empire, the palace transformed into a fortified town and witnessed the occupancy of various peoples, including the Croats and Venetians. Throughout the medieval period, Split flourished as a vital center of trade and culture.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Split came under the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After World War I, the city became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, later known as Yugoslavia. Subsequent political transformations within Yugoslavia, including the rise and fall of communism, brought turmoil to the region.

After Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, Split became an integral part of the newly formed independent state. Today, Split is renowned as a prominent tourist destination and a thriving economic center, celebrated for its rich historical heritage, stunning architectural landmarks, and picturesque beaches.