Croatia is a relatively young country, just over 30 years old, but it boasts a rich culture, history, and natural resources. Located in the western part of the Balkans, Croatia has been infl uenced by several empires, including the Romans, the Ottoman Empire, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. These historical influences, along with its geographic position and a variety of religions, have shaped Croatia’s unique culture and history, leading to many intriguing facts.
1. Dalmatian dog
Dalmatians are a breed of white-coated dogs with black or brown spots. They date back to 1375 and originate from Dalmatia, Croatia. They were initially used as hunting dogs, dogs of war, and protectors of Dalmatia’s borders.
Dalmatians gained popularity after featuring in the Disney classic 101 Dalmatians in 1961 and the 1991 live-action remake. However, their popularity declined due to their high maintenance requirements.
2. Capital before Zagreb
Today, Zagreb is the capital of Croatia, located in the central part of the country, since 1776. However, during the reign of Maria Theresa, who was the ruler of the Habsburg dominions from 1740 until she died in 1780, the Croatian nobility strengthened absolute power and established the first modern Croatian government, the Croatian Royal Council, based in Varaždin in 1767.
Beautiful baroque palaces and public buildings were constructed in Varaždin, giving it the characteristics of a baroque city. Unfortunately, a great fire in 1776 caused signifi cant damage to the buildings and the city as a whole.
As a result, the capital was moved to Zagreb. Varaždin was the capital for only 9 years.
3. Smallest town in the world
Town Hum is an extremely small town located near Buzet in the Istria region. Measuring only 100 meters in length and 30 meters in width, it has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the smallest town in the world. The town’s architecture follows a typical medieval style that dates back to the 12th century.
According to a legend, while giants were building cities in the Mirna River, they ran out of stones, so they decided to create a miniature city, which is how Hum came into existence.
4. Necktie
The necktie has its origins in the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648), during which Croatian mercenaries serving in France wore them for warmth. The ties were red and were put on the soldiers’ necks by their wives, sisters, and mothers.
The French word for tie, “cravate,” is derived from “croate,” which means Croatia. Croatia celebrates Cravat Day on October 18.
Louis XIV, who was only seven years old at the time, popularized the lace cravat in 1646, setting the trend for the French nobility.
5. Longest wall in Europe
The town of Ston boasts the longest complete fortress system in Europe, which is often referred to as the “European Great Wall of China”. These fortresses span around 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) and were built to protect the city of Ston, which has a rich history dating back to the 14th century.
The town was of great strategic importance due to its salt production, which still uses traditional methods dating back possibly 4,000 years.
Additionally, Ston played a crucial role in maintaining independence and commerce for Dubrovnik at that time.
6. Diocletian’s Palace
It is an ancient structure that dates back to the Roman Empire and is located in the city of Split. The palace was built for the Roman emperor Diocletian at the end of the third century AD, in preparation for his retirement.
It is made of stone and has a series of fortifications since it also housed a military garrison. Its strategic location overlooks the Adriatic Sea.
This remarkable palace forms about half of the old town and has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1979.
7. 1244 islands
Croatia is home to a total of 1,244 islands, scattered across the beautiful and clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. These islands vary greatly in size, location, and character, offering diverse landscapes, rich history, and unique experiences that are worth exploring.
While some of these islands are popular tourist destinations, like Hvar, Korčula, Krk, and Brač, there are also many lesser-known ones, such as Vis, Lošinj, and numerous smaller islands.
Whether you prefer sandy beaches or rocky cliffs, the islands of Croatia have something special to offer every kind of traveller or explorer.
8. Pelješac bridge
The construction of the Pelješac Bridge took over 20 years to complete, due to a variety of reasons such as lack of fi nancial support, corrupt planning processes by politicians, and challenging terrain. However, in 2022, the bridge was finally opened to traffic, connecting the Dubrovnik region of south-eastern Croatia to the rest of the country.
This new connection will eliminate the need for border crossings with Bosnia and Herzegovina at Neum City, thus reducing travel time to the Dubrovnik region and providing a boost to its economic opportunities.
9. Introduction of the euro
Since 1994, the official currency of Croatia has been the Kuna. In the past, the Kuna was also an animal similar to a weasel that was used as a form of payment for goods on Croatian land. However, the name “Kuna” was adopted as the national currency. Over the years, many Croatians have used the euro for informal transactions and savings, while prices of real estate, vehicles, and accommodations were often quoted in euros.
After joining the European Union in 2013, the introduction of the euro as the official currency became even more likely. Finally, in 2023, Croatia officially adopted the euro as its official currency.
10. The first country to recognize Croatia
Croatia was a part of Yugoslavia for over 45 years, but tensions grew over time. In 1991, Croatia sought greater autonomy and declared independence in December of that year. Iceland was the first country to recognize Croatia’s independence, on December 19, 1991.
Though it triggered a war, this declaration marked a significant moment in Croatia’s journey towards statehood.
