Although small in size, Croatia is a real treasury of world-recognized riches. Namely, on its territory, the country preserves as many as five cultural heritage jewels and one natural heritage pearl protected by UNESCO.

Since 1972, when the Convention concerning the Preservation of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was adopted, until today, the following locations in Croatia have been included on the UNESCO list as protected cultural heritage sites: the city of Dubrovnik and Diocletian's Palace from the medieval Split were entered on the list in 1979, the old city center of Trogir and the Early Christian Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč were added to the list in 1997, and only three years after, in 2000, the list was completed by adding the Cathedral of St Jacob in Šibenik. The Plitvice Lakes National Park was added to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List in 1979. If you still haven't visited these places, here is a short overview. We hope to interest you to visit them.

City of Dubrovnik

The entire city of Dubrovnik, established in the 7th century, and especially its 2-km-long and 25-m-high walls, represent an unusual complex of religious and secular buildings. The city, the center of the former Dubrovnik Republic, became an important Mediterranean power after the 13th century. The special city attractions include the Church of St Blaise, the Cathedral, the famous Stradun Street, the City Hall, the Prince's Palace, three monasteries and the Customs building. Although it has been twice substantially devastated, the first time in 1667 under a strong earthquake and fires and the second time during the Croatian Homeland War in the 90s, Dubrovnik still proudly presents the inscription: "NON BENE PRO TOTO LIBERTAS VENDITUR AURO" ("Freedom is not to be sold for all the gold in the world"), carved on the entrance door to one of its forts - Fort Lovrijenac. It is impossible to mention all the beauties and attractions of Dubrovnik in a small article such as this, so we invite you to visit Dubrovnik and discover by yourselves the magic and the unique nature of this world heritage jewel.

Diocletian's Palace - Split

Diocletian's Palace, one of the best-preserved monuments of Roman architecture in the world, was built between 295 and 305 AD. It was built by Roman Emperor Diocletian of stone brought from the island of Brač. Many details that still decorate the palace were brought from various parts of the world, especially Egypt and Greece. The entire complex represents a very significant work of Late Antique architecture. A medieval cathedral, a Romanesque churches from the 12th and 13th centuries, many medieval forts, and Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque palaces are hidden behind these Roman walls today. The most interesting parts of the Palace today are the Peristyle, Jupiter's Temple, Diocletian's Mausoleum, Early Christian churches and Romanesque houses, enriched by numerous statues and works by Croatian sculptor Juraj Dalmatinac.

Trogir

The historical medieval city center of the Dalmatian city of Trogir, which lies on an island between the land and the island of Čiovo, represents a very rare, well-preserved Romanesque and Gothic city established by Greek colonists from the island of Vis in the 3rd century BC. This city surrounded by walls includes a well-preserved castle and a tower, as well as numerous buildings from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods. The widely known Trogir Cathedral with Radovan's Portal, a masterpiece by the greatest Croatian sculptor, master Radovan from 1240, is the most significant example of the Romanesque and Gothic art in Croatia.

St Jacob's Cathedral in Šibenik

Built on the southern side of the main city square, of stone brought from the islands of Korčula, Susak, Brač, Rab and Krk particularly for this purpose, St Jacob's Cathedral in Šibenik represents today a unique monument of religious architecture in Croatia. The special feature of this cathedral is that it was built exclusively of stone, without any other construction elements. Inside the cathedral, there are several altars inside the naves, and two rows of galleries above the side naves. The idea of building this cathedral dates from 1298, when Šibenik got its own diocese and the status of a city. However, construction began as late as in 1431 and lasted, with interruptions, until 1536.

Early Christian Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč

This complex of religious buildings, built at the time of Bishop Euphrasius from the 6th century, is one of the oldest and most beautiful cultural and religious monuments in Poreč. It got its present form in the 13th and 15th centuries with a church tower dating from the 16th century. According to the floor mosaics and the preserved inscriptions, it is possible, by walking around it, to follow all the phases of its construction, adaptation and renovation. The basilica, the atrium, the sacristy and the episcopal palace are fascinating examples of religious architecture, whereas the very basilica combines elements of the Classical and Byzantine art. The apse of the basilica is decorated by figurative mosaics that, together with the mosaics of the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, represent one of the most significant examples of mosaics of this kind in Europe.

Plitvice Lakes

This exceptionally interesting and dynamic combination of 16 interconnected lakes, waterfalls, forests, meadows, travertine barriers and more is the most famous and the most beautiful national park in Croatia, as well as one of the most beautiful natural sites of Europe. The national park is located at the source of the Korana River at 480 to 636 m above sea level. What makes it special is the forest known as Čorkova Uvala with trees reaching the height of up to 50 m and the travertine barriers between the lakes, some of which are connected by over 70-m-high waterfalls.