UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia

UNESCO's Description

The waters flowing over the limestone and chalk have, over thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers, creating natural dams which in turn have created a series of beautiful lakes, caves and waterfalls. These geological processes continue today. The forests in the park are home to bears, wolves and many rare bird species.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

Topography and geology

The availability of water, influenced by the configuration of the terrain, has a great impact on the biodiversity of this area. The Plitvice Lakes are surrounded by various mountains. The western side of the national park area is enclosed by the Mala Kapela mountain, while the eastern side is enclosed by the Lička Plješivica mountain, which also represents the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Plitvice Lakes National Park is situated in the Plitvice plateau which is surrounded by three mountains that are part of the Dinaric Alps: Lička Plješivica mountain (Gola Plješevica peak 1,640 m), Mala Kapela mountain (Seliški Vrh peak at 1,280 m), and Medveđak (884 m).

The afforested mountain slopes serve as reservoirs. They are also a refuge for many animal species.

Climate

On average, the annual precipitation rate at the Plitvice Lakes is 1,500 mm (59 in). Usually, in spring and fall (autumn) the largest rain quantities are measured. The average relative air humidity is 81.8 percent. In January, the average temperature is 2.2 °C (36 °F). During the summer months of July and August, the temperature rises to 17.4 °C (63 °F). The general average annual temperature is 7.9 °C (46 °F). Snow falls from November until March. Usually, the lakes are frozen during December and January.

History

During the 6th century, Avars settled in this region, which were accompanied by the Croats. The Croats eventually defied Avar control and settled permanently in this region. In medieval times, frequent attacks by Mongols posed a permanent threat to the settled population.

Croat rule and particularly the rule of the noble families Zrinski and Frankopan led to economic recovery in the wider area. On the remnants of an ancient settlement of the Japods and Romans a monastery was built at the lakes. Presumably, this monastery belonged to the Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit (Croatian pavlinci) or the Knights Templars. Today, only ancient wall remnants of this building (Croatian gradina) exist. The foundation was made of travertine rock.

Location

The area of Plitvice Lakes National Park extends across two political subdivisions or counties (Croatian županija). Its 296.85 km2 (114.61 sq mi) area is divided between Lika-Senj County (90.7 percent) and Karlovac County (9.3 percent), hence the national park authority is under national jurisdiction. The overall water body area is about 2 km2 (0.77 sq mi). The two largest lakes, Prošćansko jezero and Kozjak, cover about 80 percent of the overall water body area. These lakes are also the deepest, with a depth of 37 and 47 m (121 and 154 ft) respectively. None of the other lakes in the park exceed 25 m (82 ft) in depth. The elevation drop from the first lake to the last is 133 m (436 ft).

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q189849 (CC0).

Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park (Nacionalni park Plitvička jezera) in Croatia is one of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe. Due to its beauty and significance, this system of 16 interlinked lakes and a large forest complex around it were set aside as a national park in 1949. In 1979 the park was inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list. Many Germans will recognize features of the park, as many of the Karl May Westerns were shot here.

Travel notes adapted from Wikivoyage: Plitvice Lakes National Park (CC BY-SA 4.0).

UNESCO's Description

The group of religious monuments in Porec, where Christianity was established as early as the 4th century, constitutes the most complete surviving complex of its type. The basilica, atrium, baptistery and episcopal palace are outstanding examples of religious architecture, while the basilica itself combines classical and Byzantine elements in an exceptional manner.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

History

The earliest basilica was dedicated to Saint Maurus of Parentium and dates back to the second half of the 4th century. The floor mosaic from its oratory, originally part of a large Roman house, is still preserved in the church garden. This oratorium was already expanded in the same century into a church composed of a nave and one aisle (basilicae geminae). The fish on the floor mosaic dates from this period. Coins with the portrayal of emperor Valens (365–378), found in the same spot, confirm these dates.

The present basilica, dedicated to Mary, was built in the sixth century during the period of Bishop Euphrasius. It was built from 553 on the site of the older basilica that had become dilapidated.

Description

A 6th-century octagonal baptistry built in the 5th century together with the pre-Euphrasian basilica, which has undergone considerable alterations.

A colonnaded atrium. Built after the basilica, it is covered on all four sides by a portico which houses a rich collection of stone monuments.

An Episcopal residence (The Bishop's Palace), also built in the 6th century. with very little remaining of the original building.

A trefoil-shaped memorial chapel, built in the 17th and 19th centuries.

The two aisles are separated from the nave by 18 elegant Greek marble colonnades with richly sculpted Byzantine and Romanesque capitals, decorated with depictions of animals. They all carry the monogram of Saint Euphrasius. The arches between the capitals are decorated with stucco work.

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q645105 (CC0).

UNESCO's Description

The Cathedral of St James in Šibenik (1431-1535), on the Dalmatian coast, bears witness to the considerable exchanges in the field of monumental arts between Northern Italy, Dalmatia and Tuscany in the 15th and 16th centuries. The three architects who succeeded one another in the construction of the Cathedral - Francesco di Giacomo, Georgius Mathei Dalmaticus and Niccolò di Giovanni Fiorentino - developed a structure built entirely from stone and using unique construction techniques for the vaulting and the dome of the Cathedral. The form and the decorative elements of the Cathedral, such as a remarkable frieze decorated with 71 sculptured faces of men, women, and children, also illustrate the successful fusion of Gothic and Renaissance art.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

History

Šibenik was first mentioned in written records in 1066, in a document issued by the Croatian king Petar Krešimir IV, who ruled from 1058 to 1074. Unlike most major coastal cities in Croatia, Šibenik was not founded during ancient times, but emerged nearly a thousand years later.

The 13th century marked a turning point in the city’s history. During this period, Šibenik fought to rise from the status of a villa - a settlement or town, to that of a civitas, meaning a fully recognized city with political independence and freedoms already enjoyed by neighboring urban centers. An important step forward came in 1251, when King Bela IV confirmed a charter granting the town broad autonomy. However, complete recognition also required ecclesiastical independence.

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q391973 (CC0).

UNESCO's Description

Stari Grad Plain on the Adriatic island of Hvar is a cultural landscape that has remained practically intact since it was first colonized by Ionian Greeks from Paros in the 4th century BC. The original agricultural activity of this fertile plain, mainly centring on grapes and olives, has been maintained since Greek times to the present. The site is also a natural reserve. The landscape features ancient stone walls and trims, or small stone shelters, and bears testimony to the ancient geometrical system of land division used by the ancient Greeks, the chora which has remained virtually intact over 24 centuries.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

History

In 384 BC, Stari Grad was colonized by Greeks from the island of Paros. The colonists divided the plain into 75 land parcels (called chora), each measuring roughly 16 hectares, bordered by dry stone walls. These walls may have been secondarily used to surveil the plain or to travel quickly across the landscape. The original field layout has been respected by the continuous maintenance of the boundary walls by succeeding generations. Agricultural activity in the chora has been uninterrupted for 24 centuries up to the present day. What we see today is a continuation of the cultural landscape of the original Greek colonists.

In addition to the chora, the Greeks built small store huts made of dry stone called trims, where tools were kept and people could take refuge from bad weather.

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q614212 (CC0).

UNESCO's Description

This property consists of 6 components of defence works in Italy, Croatia and Montenegro, spanning more than 1,000 km between the Lombard region of Italy and the eastern Adriatic Coast. The fortifications throughout the Stato da Terra protected the Republic of Venice from other European powers to the northwest and those of the Stato da Mar protected the sea routes and ports in the Adriatic Sea to the Levant. They were necessary to support the expansion and authority of the Serenissima . The introduction of gunpowder led to significant shifts in military techniques and architecture that are reflected in the design of so-called alla moderna / bastioned, fortifications, which were to spread throughout Europe.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).