Five Locations Not to Miss in Croatia

And the traditions they cultivate

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Korčula Island

Korčula Island lays in the Adriatic Sea. It belongs to the central Dalmatian archipelago. Its main settlements are towns of Vela Luka, Blato and Korčula, where the sabre dance is still cultivated.

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The Island Up Close

The Moreska sword dance is held on Korčula on select dates from May to October - usually in July and August. These type of symbolic danced sword fights were once common in the region, but nowadays the sword dance of Korčula is the last of its kind.

Sword dance on Korčula Island, From the collection of: Croatian National Tourist Board
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Like many events that commemorate victory over the Ottomans, the Moreska sword dance is rich in history, costume and tradition. The sword dance is just what it sounds like — a danced, mock sword battle between an allegorical White King and Black King, both vying for the love of a princess. The battle inevitably ends in victory of the White King.

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Omiš

Omiš is a town and port in the Dalmatia region of the country, It is situated approximately 25 kilometres south-east of Croatia's second largest city, Split. Its location is where the Cetina River meets the Adriatic Sea.

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Festival of Dalmatian Klapas 

The Festival of Dalmatian Klapas in Omiš draws performing groups from across Dalmatia to sing, compete and share the cultural heritage of Klapa. A form of a cappella singing, Klapa is homophonic, with all voices singing the same melody in harmony.

A female Klapa in Omiš, From the collection of: Croatian National Tourist Board
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Klapa songs are usually about love, beauty of the homeland or yearning for home. Once a dying tradition, Klapa has experienced a resurgence of interest among younger performers and now they are keeping the tradition alive.

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Lastovo

Lastovo is an island municipality in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County. It consists of 46 islands. The biggest one is also named Lastovo, as it is the largest town. Lastovo has all the basic characteristics of the Mediterranean climate, dominated by mild, moist winters and long and dry summers.

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The Island

The island is mainly noted for the natural beauty, its 16th-century Venetian architecture and for its major cultural event - the Poklade (Lastovo Poklad), also called the "carnival".

Festival on Lastovo, From the collection of: Croatian National Tourist Board
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Lastovo Poklad centers on the stabbing, burning and setting of fireworks under the Poklad, a puppet effigy of an invading Ottoman. On Shrove Tuesday, the Poklad is paraded through town on a donkey before being brought to the middle of the village.

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Tribunj

A village and a municipality in Šibenik-Knin County. It is located about three kilometers northwest of Vodice and is known for its peaceful waterfront cafes. The municipality has only one major settlement, Tribunj.

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The Municipality

In medieval ages Tribunj city was known as "Jurjevgrad".

Donkey on Lastovo island, From the collection of: Croatian National Tourist Board
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On the first Sunday of August in Tribunj the annual Tribunj Donkey Race pays tribute to the region’s long relationship with the sturdy, sure-footed pack animals. The "race" is often a comical scene of rowdy spectators cheering riders as they try to coax and pull their stubborn donkeys to compete.

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Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a city in southern part of the country, fronting the Adriatic Sea. It's mostly known for its beautiful Old Town, encircled with massive stone walls that were completed in the 16th century. Its well-preserved buildings range from the baroque St. Blaise Church to Gothic Rector’s Palace and Renaissance Sponza Palace.

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Dubrovnik Seashore

The city is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea. This beautiful seaport city joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites in 1979.

St Blaise Relic by Ivo Pervan, From the collection of: Croatian National Tourist Board
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On February 3 every year, Dubrovnik celebrates its patron saint and saviour of the city with the Festivity of St. Blaise. The festival in his honor has taken place since at least the 12th century. Tens of thousands of locals and visitors attend the festivity, the high point of which is a procession with the gilded statue of St. Blaise and relics of the saint.

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