Archive for 'Architectural Gems in Croatia'

There are plenty of reasons to visit the beautiful and vibrant city of Split, where modernity and tradition come together; there are stunning views over the Adriatic and beaches along the coast, there is always somewhere to grab something delicious or go for drinks, Roman ruins and architectural gems abound, and there is an endless list of things to see and do. However, if you have found a vacation rental in Split and you are interested in unique or bizarre attractions, then you should definitely pop into the UNESCO-protected SPAR in town…

Okay, so, technically it is actually a Billa supermarket (an Austrian supermarket group that has since been purchased by the Spar food retail chain) and it is technically located in a building that is part of a UNESCO-award architectural complex. In fact, it is part of the Mala Papalićeva Palača, a palace that is the former home of a noble family, which dates back to the 13th century originally and was rebuilt in the 15th century. This borders with Diocletian’s Palace and it part of Split’s Historic Centre, which was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. So, the SPAR is, technically UNESCO-protected by being located inside this building.

If you were to blink for a second and think you're in Italy, you would very much be forgiven as, standing in front of the Cathedral of St James in Šibenik, Croatia, conjures the incredible elegance and beauty of the great Renaissance cities of the world. This architectural gem is one of the most stunning buildings in the country and is the crowning pearl of this lovely seaside city, which is saying something as Šibenik itself is quite the beauty in its own right. Located in central Dalmatia, where the river Krka meets the Adriatic, it is an often overlooked destination by tourists in favour of some of the more famous cities in Croatia but the discerning visitor will take note: it is the oldest native Croatian city, the first city in the world to have a system of electric street lights, boasts lovely views out onto the Adriatic, has some incredible beaches, is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites (the cathedral being one of them), hosts many interesting festivals throughout the year, and remains an authentic little gem that has gone untainted by the outside world. The Cathedral is the final flourish, the cherry on top of the pretty cityscape of Šibenik, that completes the picture and makes it such a very appealing place to holiday. If you have found a vacation rental in Šibenik, you should make sure to pencil in some time to check it out and admire the wonderful feat of fifteenth century architecture that it is.

Split, in Croatia, is a truly beautiful part of the world, with lots of stunning sights and scenes to take in. If you have found a vacation rental in Split and are exploring the area, you will find yourself with a wealth of things to explore and see and do but one thing that you shouldn't miss is the breath-taking Visovac Monastery.

Located on Visovac island in the middle of the incredibly blue Visovac lake, in the gorgeous Krka National Park, the monastery is a picture-perfect architectural gem that stands out from the surrounding picturesque landscape and looks like something magical, plucked from the pages of a storybook. The Franciscan monastery dates back to 1576, though use of the island for religious purposes actually dates back to the turn of the 15th century when it was used as a hermitage.

If you have found a vacation rental in the Croatian city of Pula, you will discover a charming seaside town with a beach-lined coast and, uniquely, dotted with Roman ruins. Historic, beautiful and fascinating, it is a perfect holiday destination.

One of the most interesting examples of a Roman ruin in the city is the Temple of Augustus. Located right at the centre of Pula, in the ancient Roman Forum, it is a well-preserved Roman temple that is dedicated to the first Roman emperor, Augustus. Likely built during the emperor's lifetime at some point between 2 BC and his death in AD 14, it is a typical temple of this period. Based on a plan of a cella, a closed room and an antechamber facing the square, with a tetrastyle prostyle porch of Corinthian columns at the front, it is raised on a podium and measures about 8m in width, 17.3m in length and 14m in height.

The Monument to the Sun, or Pozdrav suncu, is a beautiful monument that must be seen if you find your dream vacation rental in Zadar. Made up of three hundred multi-layered glass plates that are embedded in the pavement on the waterfront of the pier, organised in a 22-meter diameter circle, the monument is turned on at night and produces a beautiful light show. It goes hand-in-hand with the Sea Organ (which we have written about before here) and symbolises communication with nature through light, while the organ uses sound. Next to the main installation, which represents the sum, are smaller installations that represent other planets of the solar system.