About Croatia - Croatia Unesco World Heritage Listing

Old City of Dubrovnik - Dubrovnik

Latin Name: Ragusa - Rausa

Inscribed - 1979

Dubrovnik is the greatest fortified city in world, its massive walls stretch 1940 meters fully enclosing the old City of Dubrovnik.  Dubrovnik has five fortresses, three are included as part of the surrounding wall, the fortresses in combination with the 25 meters high and up to 6 meters thick walls where the key to the defense of the city against any potential enemies, Turks, Macedonians Venetians etc.

Dubrovnik construction began in the 6th century after the Avars and Slavs overran the present day Cavtat (Epidaurum). the people fled and began building a new settlement on a small rocky island called Laus which later became Ragusa (Rausa).  Ragusa was separated from the mainland by a narrow channel. 

Across the narrow channel, migrating Slavs started construction of Dubrovnik, In the 12th century the narrow channel was paved and the two towns merged and became Ragusa.   The narrow paved channel is the present day main street of Dubrovnik called Placa.

Photographer: Tim Malecki

Photographer: Jose Calu

National Park Plitvice - Plitvice

Inscribed - 1979

National Park Plitvice - Plitvice Lakes is Croatia's oldest and best know National Park, 16 emerald green lakes are sprawled across the 20 hectares of bush land linked together by magnificent waterfalls and cascades.

The park is situated between two mountains, Mala Kapela and Pljesivica forming a natural barrier from the extreme temperatures of the coast, just  50KM away, the average temperature is 24 degrees Celsius with a maximum of 36. During winter is is common that the lakes and waterfalls are frozen over, snow is also common.

The park is naturally divided into two sections, the upper and lower lakes, the upper lakes are more impressive, surrounded by dense forest and linked together by large waterfalls.

To preserve the pristine park, wooden walking tracks have been built to enable visitors the close-up experience of the waterfalls and to display the magical variations of colors of the lakes, depending on minerals and organisms in the water and the direction of the sun, the colors can vary from opal green, blue or grey.  

Euphrasian Basilica Complex - Porec

Italian Name: Parenzo

Inscribed - 1997

Euphrasian Basilica was built in the 6th century by the Bishop of the time, Euphrasius, the first building was the Cathedral and the adjoining building were added to makeup the Euphrasian Basilica Complex.

The basilica, atrium, baptistery and episcopal palace are magnificent examples of religious architecture, while the basilica itself combines classical and Byzantine elements, the Basilica is decorated with Gold Byzantine mosaics.

The basilica is the only early Christian basilica in the western Christendom who's ancient architecture is completely preserved. Its archaeological beauty comprising of gold and marble decoration and mosaics.

St. James (Sv. Jakov) Cathedral - Sibenik

Inscribed - 2000

St James Cathedral was built between 1431 and 1535 from marble and limestone, the stone was shipped over from the Island of Brac.

Italian master builders started the Cathedral from 1431 to 1443, from 1444 until its completion in 1535 two Croatian master builders Juraj Dalmatinac and Nikola Firentinac gave the Cathedral its unique and monumental appearance.

The cathedral construction began in the Venetian Gothic style and was completed in the Toscano Renaissance style, producing a brilliant combination of the two styles.

The cathedral's exterior was decorated with portraits of 71 prominent individuals of that time carved in stone, making the cathedral unique.  

Diocletian Palace Complex - Split

Latin Name: Spalatum - Italian Name: Spalato

Inscribed - 1979

At the end of the 3rd century emperor Diocletian built his palace on the bay of Aspalathos, current day Split, the Palace is one of the the best preserved structures of Roman architecture in the world.

The palace is separated by two main streets into four sections, the southern section was occupied by the emperor whilst the northern section by his servants and guards.

The palace is rectangle in shape it has a large tower in each of the corners and a gate in each of the sides.

The Palace was built using limestone of high quality, the stone was shipped over from the Island of Brac. Some material for decoration were imported Egyptian granite columns and sphinxes.

Photographer: Sebastian Zaklada

Old city of Trogir - Trogir

Latin Name: Tragurion

Inscribed - 1997

Trogir is located on a small Island between the Island of Ciovo and the mainland, it is joined to both the mainland and the Island of Ciovo by two small bridges.

The town was first settled by the Greeks in 3BC, soon after it came under the rule of Rome and became a major port,  Rome's occupation didn't last either after the fall of the Roman empire, in the 9th century it came under the rule of Croatian rules. 

Trogir's magnificent Romanesque-Gothic complex is arguably the best preserved in Europe, the medieval town, the cobbled narrow streets, the beautifully preserved castle and tower and the palaces from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Trogir's grand Romanesque-Gothic St Lawrence Cathedral is the centre piece of Trogir, built between 1213 an 1250 AD and elaborately detailed Romanesque sculptures overlooking the promenade.