UNESCO sites in Croatia
July 31, 2017It’s amazing to think that there are so many UNESCO protected sites in Croatia and many of them are easily reachable from Split. A whopping 8 UNESCO are within 2 hours of Split. All photographs below are ©Alison McDonnell
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia
1. Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park is the hands down one of the most amazing places we’ve ever visited. We even have a separate tab on the website about our trip there - check it out.
2. Historical Complex of Split with Diocletian’s Palace
Diocletian’s Palace was built in the 3rd-4th centuries AD and is a part of UNESCO since 1979. Spend the day in Split visiting the old and new town - we promise you won’t be disappointed. A favourite bar of ours is Ghetto Bar.
3. Old City of Dubrovnik
Founded in the 7th century AD, Dubrovnik remained intact and well preserved for centuries. The walled town is one of the most popular spots for tourists - we might be biased but we think Trogir is just as good :-)
4. Euphrasian Basilica in the Historic Centre of Poreč
5. Historic city of Trogir
Well as we stated already we HEART Trogir. Our properties are only a stones throw from 2400 year old walled town. Trogir is situated on an island close to the mainland, and is without a doubt one of the jewels of the Dalmatian coast. We just love to get lost in the narrow cobblestone streets - even after 14 years of travelling to Trogir we still manage to get lost and don’t even care. It’s an amazing place. Our favourite place to eat is TRS, The Top Balloon and ERA. We love to arrive in early in the morning for a strong coffee when the square is quiet.
6. Cathedral of Saint James, Šibenik
Šibenik is also just a stones throw from our properties on the island of Ciovo and offers many excellent monuments. The Cathedral of Saint James has became a UNESCO Site in 2000. It is one of Europe’s most beautiful buildings built entirely of stone in the late Middle Ages (1433 – 1555). It is 39 meters long and 32 meters high.
7. Stari Grad Plain, Hvar
Another site that is easily accessible is Stari Grad (Hvar island) you can find the fertile plain known as Starigrad Polje. It stretches all the way to Jelsa and Vrboska villages.
In 2008 this plain has been inscribed on UNESCO List, thanks to well preserved Greek Ager – an allotment of farmland to the immigrants after the colonization of the island by the Greeks 2,500 years ago.
8. Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards
Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards includes 30 places comprising several cemeteries in more than four countries including Croatia (the other being Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia). Their origin dates back from the 12th to 16th century.
Stećci (or medieval tombstones) are carved from limestone and feature a wide range of decorative motifs and inscriptions. Although the majority of these graveyards can be found in Bosna and Herzegovina, two of them are in Croatia – one between Split and Makarska and the other to the south of Dubrovnik.