Comparing the number of Croatia UNESCO world heritages sites, it’s hard to believe that this small country has so many. These sites according UNESCO are:
our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration
Belonging to the Middle-European and Mediterranean cultural and civilization circle and tradition, Croatia history is extremely rich with valuable cultural and historical heritage, pointing to the millennium old presence of Croatia in the area.
The specific urban culture of coastal and island areas is easily seen in towns such as: Porec, Rovinj, Pula, Zadar, Sibenik, Hvar, Korcula and Ston, with Split (Diocletian’s Palace) and Dubrovnik representing a part of Croatia UNESCO world heritage under UNESCO protection.
Croatia’s patrimonies are divided in two groups: Cultural and Natural. So far there are seven patrimonies on the Croatia’s cultural list and one fits in Natural heritage group.
Cultural Croatia UNESCO World Heritage
Split with the Palace of Diocletian (1979)
This place was proclaimed as UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. Diocletian Palace in Split is one of Croatia’s top sights and one of the most magnificent monuments of the Roman period.
t’s the heart of Split town. Split like a tourist destination continues to boom and many people are excited to visit this Palace – home of Emperor Diocletian build 1700 years ago.
Old City of Dubrovnik (1979)
Proclaimed in 1979 as Croatia UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dubrovnik old city is a real pearl of Adriatic sea.
The town of museums and festivals, the town of taverns and restaurants, the place of a mild Mediterranean climate and wonderful landscapes confirms the famous saying of the Irish writer Bernard Shaw: ‘Those who look for a paradise on earth should come to this town.’
Euphrasian Basilica in Porec (1997)
The whole complex is Croatia UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site since 1997. The most valuable cultural monument in Porec. It was built on the remains of an earlier tree-naval basilica, in the first half of the 6th century, during the period of Bishop Euphrasius, whose name it bears.
Visitors’ tours are possible everyday except during religious rituals. It is possible to climb up to the steeple and view Porec and its surroundings.
Historic City of Trogir (1997)
The whole old town makes a part of World heritage site with one of the most outstanding highlights ‘must’ visiting, the Trogir cathedral of St.Lovro (St.Lawrence).
This triple-aisles basilica, set on the foundations of an early Christian church destroyed during an Arab invasion, was built mostly in the 13th century, during the Romanesque period. The greatest value of Trogir’s Cathedral lies in its renowned Romanesque portal (1240), the masterwork of one of Croatia’s greatest sculptors, master Radovan.
The Cathedral of St James in Sibenik (2000)
The Cathedral of St James (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, had developed a structure built entirely from stone and using unique construction techniques. Read more about this masterpiece on Wikipedia !
Stari Grad Plain (2008)
Stari Grad (Old Town), on the island Hvar is older than Hvar town and one of the oldest in Croatia. This old town known as Faros, was founded in 385 BC.
Stari Grad Plain represents a comprehensive system of land use and agricultural colonization by the Greeks, in the 4th century BC. Its land organization system, based on geometrical parcels with dry stone wall boundaries (chora), is exemplary.
This system was completed from the very first by a rainwater recovery system involving the use of tanks and gutters. This testimony is of outstanding universal value and unique plain worth visiting.
Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards (2016)
These medieval tombstones (Stećci) have been added to UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2016.
Although this page refers to Croatia UNESCO world heritage sites , these serial property combines 28 sites, located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, western Serbia, western Montenegro and central and southern Croatia, representing these cemeteries and regionally distinctive medieval tombstones.
The cemeteries, which date from the 12th to 16th centuries CE, are laid out in rows, as was the common custom in Europe from the Middle Ages. The stećci are mostly carved from limestone. They feature a wide range of decorative motifs and inscriptions that represent iconography continuities within medieval Europe as well as locally distinctive traditions. (text taken from UNESCO list N° 1504 ).
Natural Croatia UNESCO World Heritage
Plitvice Lakes National Park (1979)
The Plitvice lakes are Croatia’s most famous national park and one of the most beautiful sights in Europe. Due to their natural diversity, they are part of the World Heritage List. The Plitvice lakes consist of 16 connected lakes and numerous waterfalls, surrounded by dense forests.
Many trails and small wooden bridges, built just above the calm water, await you in Plitvice. Besides on foot, you can explore the National Park by tourist train or boat throughout the whole year.