The Wells of Zagora

Split-Dalmatia County

Long ago, inhabitants of the villages and settlements across Dalmatinska Zagora built wells for the storage of rainwater. In a region where porous karst topography impedes the retention of water on the ground’s surface, wells were the only means of storing water during periods of drought. These wells are 2—8 meters (6.5–26 feet) deep, and were built in clusters for easier maintenance. In the 19th century, when cisterns were introduced, most of these wells were abandoned. Nowadays, as a result of the depopulation of Croatia’s rural areas, these wells stand abandoned and forgotten. 

Sinjska Alka

Split-Dalmatia County

Young „knights” train every day at the racetrack in Sinj to prepare for the most important event of their year: the Sinjska Alka. In 1715, an army of 60,000 Turks besieged Sinj, but 700 local soldiers heroically defended the city. The Sinjska Alka, a unique equestrian tournament, is an annual celebration of this famous victory. Knights on horseback rush at full gallop to drive an almost 3-meter-long lance through the eye of the „alka,” a metal ring with a 3-centimeter-diameter hole. This 300-year-old tradition is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. 

Rovinj

Istria County

Just as people once leaned on each other for support as they built Rovinj, so do Rovinj’s houses today. Rovinj was founded not by royalty, but by fishermen, land laborers, stone carvers, and seafarers. Until the Second World War, the city was home to equal numbers of Italians and Croats, but by the middle of the 20th century most Italians had left the city. In the years that followed, refugees from the Croatian War of Independence and the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as wealthy people from all over the world, settled here. Rovinj has been embraced by Croatia’s artistic community, and those who live here claim it is „the most mediterranean of all mediterranean cities.” 

Harvest

Brod-Posavina County

Agriculture was Croatia’s leading industry until the middle of the 20th century. About a hundred years ago, 80% of the population was employed in agricultural professions. Today, just 2.2% of the working population is employed in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries. Over the past 20 years, Croatia’s food production has fallen by about 30%, whereas it has risen about 33% throughout the rest of the world. Although Croatia can produce enough food to meet its own demands, half of the country’s agricultural food goods are imported. 

Neretva Delta

Dubrovnik-Neretva County

Common dishes of the Neretva Delta were once prepared from what could be found there in abundance: frogs, fish, coots (a duck-like water bird), and shells. However, during the past half century, the ecological situation has drastically worsened. Fish are being overharvested, the soil and water is being poisoned with dangerous pesticides, and waste is being dumped in the channels. Older residents recall the use of traditional methods to hunt birds and fish. Today, eels are killed with electricity, shrimp with poison, and moray eels with blue vitriol. For these reasons, and others, a proposal has been initiated to declare the Neretva Delta a nature park. 

Lake Bajer near Fužine

Primorje-Gorski Kotar County

Some lakes in Gorski Kotar, such as Lake Bajer near Fužine, become arctic winter wonderlands that draw extreme kayakers for training. Adventure tourism has been on the rise these last few decades, and some experts claim that this kind of tourism will one day outperform „regular” mass tourism. Croatia tops the list as a high-potential country for adventure tourism. 

Lake Peruća

Split-Dalmatia County

Lake Peruća is the second largest reservoir in Croatia. Its waters feed one of five hydroelectric power plants built on the Cetina River. About 80% of energy in the world comes from crude oil, natural gas, and coal; 5% from nuclear power plants; and 8% from renewable resources. Since Croatia is not rich in coalmines, 46% of its energy comes from hydroelectric plants. As a result, Croatia uses more renewable resources than the European average. However, power plants built on reservoirs are not completely benign. The dams associated with them can flood valleys. They can also interrupt the natural flow of rivers, which can potentially damage the environment. Run-of-the-river hydroelectric plants produce less energy, but their impact on the environment is much less severe. 

Oyster farms of Ston

Dubrovnik-Neretva County

The bay of mali Ston hosts the largest oyster cultivation facilities in the Adriatic. Of its 760 hectares (1,878 acres), farming is possible on only 460 hectares (1,137 acres), and at this time only about 10% of that area is used for cultivation. Cultivation of larger quantities of the European oyster (Ostreu edulis) is a complicated process and not easy to achieve. In other parts of the world, invasive species of oysters are taking over. Fortunately, in the bay of mali Ston, the European oyster is the only species present. Serving as the main capital of oyster production, oyster farming is showing potential. 

Moreška

Korčula

The moreška of Korčula is considered by many ethnographers to be the oldest authentic sword dance still performed in the mediterranean region. The most popular theory states that the moreška was invented in Spain in the 12th century to commemorate a victory over the moors and the Christian Reconquista. Widespread throughout the mediterranean during medieval times, today the tradition lives on only in Korčula where it is deeply embedded in the identity of Korčula’s inhabitants. This dynamic and energetic sword dance is performed hundreds of times each year for tourists, but on the 29th of July—the day of Saint Theodore, the patron saint of Korčula—the moreška is performed exclusively for the residents of Korčula. 

The Labyrinths of Cres

Primorje-Gorski Kotar County

Tramuntana Forest lies in the northern part of the island of Cres. The eco-center in Beli is dedicated to caring for the surrounding environment and, especially, its population of griffon vultures. The staff has also created trails in the surrounding woods, and a system of labyrinths within the forest’s seven meadows. According to the philosophy of the sanctuary, people have strayed from nature and from themselves—they need help to find their way back. They believe these labyrinths assist in one’s journey back to oneself, and will enable one to rediscover the original spirit of nature. 

Olive harvest

Zadar County

The history of olive cultivation in Croatia stretches back to the time of Greek colonization in the 4th century BCE. Today, such cultivation is deeply rooted in the economy and culture of the entire coastal region. Olive harvesting is a community event; entire families gather to participate. After harvesting, olives must remain in storage for a while before they can be crushed in the oil mill. The quality of olive oil depends on when the olives are harvested, how the olives are crushed, how much time has passed from harvest to milling, and the manner in which the oil is extracted.