Tiny facts about Croatia
Chances are that if you’ve ever heard of Croatia, it was in the context of atrocious warfare. Some of the bloodiest conflict since the end of World War II was waged in the Balkan region during the breakup of the former Yugoslavia, and the scars, both physical and psychological, have yet to fully heal.
But for anyone who’s actually visited Croatia, it’s a sun-drenched coastal paradise of exquisite medieval architecture, thousands of dreamy island getaways, and some of the best wine on the planet. Sadly, such magnificence does not often make the evening news.
The picturesque secret has gotten out, through ever-more-successful tourism year after year, and, more recently, due to certain fantasy-related television programs that we’ll get to in a minute.
So, though you may not have heard about it, Croatia is a far more fascinating and welcoming place than its torrential history would have you believe, and it has no shortage of fun activities or cultural wonders to appreciate. It’s a great place to visit, and it has a few quirky claims to fame, some of which you might even use, each and every day. Let’s get to it.
Croatia invented the necktie
Most fashion pieces have their hidden and interesting origin story. Cravat, better known as a necktie, is one of them.
Regarding fashion, there are a few items as iconic and versatile as the necktie. This simple accessory can take an outfit from drab to dapper in just a few seconds, and it has a rich history that spans centuries. But did you know that the necktie has its roots in Croatia? That’s right, the cravat, as it was called then, was first worn by Croatian soldiers in the 17th century, and it has since become a staple of men’s fashion around the world.
The cravat’s fascinating history dates back to 17th-century Central Europe’s 30-year war. To Paris, to be more exact. Croatian soldiers sent to help the French side wore red scarves around their necks as a part of their military uniform, which caught the attention of King Louis XIV. The king was so taken with the soldiers’ attire that he made it fashionable at the French court, and so the cravat was born. The French army even founded a particular regiment called the Royal Cravates, which included Croatian soldiers who, naturally, wore cravats. That historical moment was the moment when “Cravat fever” started. The trend quickly spread throughout Europe and eventually across the world. Today, the cravat is known as the necktie, and it remains a staple of men’s fashion.
This may be Croatia’s most successful export. Every year on October 18th, people worldwide celebrate World Cravat Day in honor of the cravat’s Croatian origins. This day was first celebrated in 2003, and it has since become a popular holiday for tie enthusiasts. On this day, people wear their favorite ties, attend tie-themed events, and celebrate the necktie’s rich history and cultural significance. World cravat day is celebrated in Croatia and in various cities around the world, including Dublin, Tokyo, Sydney, and many others.
Dalmatians were named here
We’re all familiar with the unique breed that is the Dalmatian dog, whether it’s thanks to a certain popular Disney film, or the countless fabric designs inspired by that distinctive polka-dot pattern. Based on its name, one would believe that the dog originates from the Dalmatian coast. And for Croatians, this would be an honor to have such a beloved dog breed associated with our country.
But actually, their supposed origins trace as far back to Ancient Egypt. King Cheops, who built the Great Pyramid, was said to have owned one in 3700 BC. Greek frescoes from 2,000 years later were seen to depict black- and brown-spotted dogs. From both of these ancient sources, some canine historians point the origins of the Dalmatian to ancient breeding between a Cretan hound (originating from the Greek Island), and a White Antelope dog, resulting in a swift, white dog that hunted deer and ran with horses. In fact, the breed’s name is said to be a version of “Damachien”, a name that blends the Latin term for fallow deer (“dama”) and the French word for dog (“chien”). While some say it is an Egyptian breed, others associate it with being French, Scandinavian, or Italian. Confusing, right?
Adding to the mystery, the Dalmatian was first determined as a breed in England, as they were brought there from Europe with the purpose of being used as a carriage dog – thanks to their agile and athletic appearance, their natural strength, and their affinity for horses. They were also used as guard dogs, running alongside carriages to serve as protectors, and in the military to attack mounted units, in which they were respected for their battle efficiency.
poster
These dogs were also a favorite companion of firefighters. Running alongside the horses that pulled their water pumps, they acted like living sirens, barking ahead of the firemen approaching the site, ensuring bystanders kept out of the way. In the United States, the use of Dalmatians in the fire department was especially popular. Even after the horses were soon replaced by shiny red engines, the dogs continued to have a place of honor in the firehouse.
And, in the spirit of the breed’s playful nature, Dalmatians were circus dogs. Their ability to perform tricks and amuse the audience is owed to their retentive memory, which paired with their natural charisma and distinctive appearance made them natural performers and a hit with the audience. Dalmatians are known for their seemingly endless energy, which may have them appear as goofy as the golden retriever, or similar family dog breeds. But on the contrary, they are quite smart which paired with their strong memory is super helpful when it comes to training.
But the appearance that made them most popular was 101 Dalmatians, the beloved Disney film which helped portray them as a lovable companion and a family dog, which led to a sudden rise of families getting the breed. Loyal and good with children, Dalmatians are highly energetic, playful, and sensitive dogs, to the point where their energy levels may be too high for very small children. As friendly as they may be, their high energy has Dalmatians needing plenty of exercise and activities, otherwise, they are prone to weight gain, anxiety, and even behavior problems including irritability and aggressiveness (especially with other dogs) as they also tend to bark excessively. And unfortunately, the fad had a side effect of irresponsible breeding and inappropriate adoption, as many were unprepared to handle their high energy.
But back to its name and supposed origins. Dalmatians are believed to be named after the coastal area of Croatia. They are a popular symbol in Dalmatia; when visiting the region, one can buy souvenirs such as plush toy Dalmatians at any local gift shop. Aside from the theories of the breed being from Egypt, Greece, or France, it could also have come from Roman Illyrian Dalmatia (the northwestern part along the Adriatic Sea) from white hounds with black or brown markings.
In fact, the first written document about the Dalmatian dog comes from the archives of the Diocese of Đakovo in eastern Croatia, where the Bishop of Đakovo Petar Horvat described the state of the economy in 1374, in which he covered the different livestock including the dogs bred in the area. Among these, the Dalmatian dog is mentioned as “hunting dogs 4 to 5 palms tall (60 to 75 cm), with short white hairs and black round spots on various parts of the body. These freckles have a diameter of about 1 to 2 fingers. That is why it is called “Dalmatian dog” (Canis Dalmaticus).”
Whatever the true history may be, it’s no secret that the region of Dalmatia prides itself on the breed. Everyone likes dogs, so why not use that as a marketing opportunity?
Their money was named after a rodent
The idea of the kuna as a currency appeared as early as the Middle Ages. At the time, valuable marten (called kuna in Croatian) pelts were used as a form of payment for taxes called kunovina or marturina in medieval Slavonia, Primorje and Dalmatia regions. Not long after that, the kuna became a currency of the autonomous province of Banovina of Croatia (Banovina Hrvatska). The image of this animal was used on the Croatian coin called banovac from the first half of the 13th century to the late 14th century.
Before the introduction of the euro, kuna notes were printed in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000. The obverse showed important people from Croatia’s history, while the reverse showed plans and motifs of Croatian cities and towns. The 1, 2 and 5 kuna coins had
motifs of various plants and animals typical of Croatia, such as the nightingale, blue fin tuna and brown bear, respectively.
Lipa, as the hundredth part of the kuna, was not traditionally used as currency, but this tall, strong and elegant tree was considered sacred by the ancient Slavic people, who wove numerous legends and folk tales around its symbolism. Lipa coins came in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50, and they all exhibited motifs of Croatian plants, such as Degenia velebitica (Velebitska degenija), olive, tobacco, common oak,
common grape vine and corn. With their motifs, kuna notes and lipa coins enabled you to travel through the most beautiful parts of Croatia and discover some of the representatives of the flora and fauna that inhabit its turquoise blue sea and mighty green forests. Starting in 2023, all residents of countries using the euro as their official currency will also have this opportunity, but with somewhat different motifs of Croatia that will be shown on the reverse of the euro coins – the Glagolitic script, the genius scientist and inventor Nikola Tesla, the marten (kuna) and the map of Croatia.
It’s home to King’s Landing
You are probably far more familiar with Croatia than you realize and we have Game of Thrones to thank for it. It just takes a brief stroll through Dubrovnik to see why. Its stone buildings, medieval architecture, pedestrian streets, walled fortifications and lack of modern-day billboards could not have provided a more perfect setting for the capital city of a fantasy kingdom.
Filming has since expanded to other Croatian cities, including Split, which is home to a Roman emperor’s retirement palace. You would have a hard time finding a better place than Croatia for capturing medieval magnificence, and although a few castles were added to the background in a few places, visiting Dubrovnik is every bit as good as everyone says.
Seaside escapes
There are more than 1,000 islands and islets in Croatia, and only 50 are inhabited. The country has more than 3,500 miles of coastline, though it is broken north of Dubrovnik by Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 15-mile stretch, the shortest coastline in the world. Croatia is not a landlocked country. Croatia is mostly a coastal country with, given the overall size of the state territory, a very long coast. The Croatian coastal area makes up about 30% of the surface of Croatia (17,850 km2). Approximately 30% of the population of Croatia (1,450,000 inhabitants) inhabits the area. The country's capital, Zagreb, is not on the coast. The Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Croatia (1998) states that although the air distance from the mouth of the Dragonja River to Cape Oštra is only 526 km, the length of the Croatian coast is 5835.3 km, of which 1777.3 km inland (30.5% of the total coast) and 4058.0 km in the island coast (69.5 %). The indentation index of the Croatian coastline is 11.1. It means that the Croatian coast is actually 11.1 times longer than the air distance of the two extreme points of the Croatian coast. Croatia's coastline is on the Adriatic Sea. The Adriatic Sea is a part of the Mediterranean Sea between the Dinarides and the Apennine Peninsula. It extends in the northwest-southeast direction. It connects with the Ionian Sea through the Gate of Otranto.
Its area is 138595 km2, its length is 783 km, and its average width is 248.3 km. The average depth is 173 meters. It was named after Adria, a trading settlement in the Po delta, where since the VI.st. BC Greek, Etruscan, and Venetian merchants operated. In Greek records, it is named Ἰόνιοϛ κόλποϛ (Ionian Gulf), Ἀδριατικόϛ κόλποϛ (Adriatic Gulf), and Ἀδριατικηˋ ϑάλλαττα (Adriatic Sea), and in Roman Hadriaticum mare (Adriatic Sea) te Mare Superum (Northern Sea). Croatia has 31,067 km2 of Adriatic sea. The Croatian coast is very different from the western Italian coast, which is lower and sandy-muddy. The Croatian coastline type is known worldwide as the Dalmatian coast. The Dalmatian type of coast is characterized by elongated islands, canals, bays, and peninsulas that extend parallel to the coast and larger relief forms. This geographical term for this type of coast is named after the coast of central Dalmatia in Croatia.
It is a type of indented coast where the main elements of the relief and structure of the island extend parallel to those on the mainland. The islands extend parallel to the coast, and the structure and relief of the coast and the islands coincide. The Dalmatian type of coast is formed when the landscape of parallel mountain ridges and valleys sinks when the level of the postglacial sea rises, so the valleys become canals and elongated bays, and the higher parts become islands. This type of coast is very rare.
Dionysian offerings
Wine has been made in Croatia since it was introduced by Greek settlers 2,500 years ago – original vineyards are still intact on Stari Grad Plain on Hvar island.
In Istria history of wine has over 2000 years tradition, since the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius brought vines to the warm Istrian soil.
Today, Croatia has 4 primary wine growing regions – continental (Slavonija, Zagorje and Zagreb), Istria, Kvarner and Dalmatia. These 4 major regions are divided into more than 300 smaller wine regions. There are 17,000 registered wine producers, 800 wineries producing controlled wines, 26,000 hectares of vineyards, 2,500 (mostly white) wines of controlled origin, 200 cultivated vine varietals, more than 60 indigenous vine varietals and 61 million liters of controlled wines.
In July of 2008, Stari Grad Plain was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The explanation provided by the World Organization states that the vineyards and olive groves in the Plain have remained practically intact since it was first colonized by the ancient Greeks and that they are a unique example of the geometric land division used in the ancient times.
In the summer of 385 B.C., a group of around a hundred families was sent from the town of Paros on the island of the same name in the Aegean Sea toward the Ionian Bay, as the Greeks referred to the Adriatic Sea, to establish a colony there. Their destination was the island of Hvar, formerly named Fiteja, and they were led by Okist who was, among other things, in charge of proper land division to the settlers in the new settlements. Amidst the plain, in a place from where you can see almost the entire plain, is a marked starting point - omphalos. By using groma, a simple surveying instrument, the plain was surveyed and divided into parcels of 1 x 5 stadia, which is approximately 180 x 900 meters. They also carved boundary stones bearing the names of the parcel owners, but the island and coastal Illyrians did not like such division so they attacked the town in 384 B.C.
However, the Greeks defeated the Illyrians, which enabled them to gain control of the entire Stari Grad Plain, the largest fertile plain on the Adriatic islands. The settlers soon began to erect ancillary buildings and lodgings in the plain, on their own estates. The luxurious ones date back to the Roman era – so far, they have discovered remains of around sixty of them. Today, Stari Grad Plain represents the best preserved ancient Greek landscape in the Mediterranean.
A sovereign port
The Republic of Ragusa, also known as the Dubrovnik Republic, was a maritime trading state that existed from 1358 to 1808. Dubrovnik itself, originally known as Ragusa, was founded in the 7th century. The Republic of Ragusa was established in the 14th century and thrived as an independent entity until its dissolution by Napoleon’s forces in 1808. Renowned for its adept navigation and robust merchant fleet, the Republic was a significant trading hub in the Adriatic Sea, fostering economic and cultural exchange throughout the Mediterranean.
Despite its small size, it was a trading power and became a center of learning and culture during the Renaissance. Tiny facts about Croatia you’d never have guessed
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