Croatia is rich in wonders which were created by nature or human hand. Many of them become famous and like this, a popular destination among tourists. While some of them haven’t received such publicity – undeservedly.
Nin – the smallest cathedral of the world
The Romanesque and Gothic Holy Cross church was built in the 9the century. It has a deliberately assymetric shape, because it was adjusted to follow the rotation of the Sun. It was used as a calendar and a sundial, and in the age of Croatian principality it was a royal chapel.
Stari Grad Plain
This plain is the most fertile area on Hvar-island, where there were very vibrant agricultural acitvity as early as the 4th centruy BC. The lands were diveded up by the Greek settlers, hundreds of them still can be seen today, surrounded with the original stone walls. The little stone-built shelters which also made by the Greeks, contribute the unique landscape too. Since in the whole Mediterran region this type of zoning remained the most intact here, Stari Grad Plain was declared by the UNESCO as a cultural heritage in 2008.
Ljubotic – tombs
Long time ago people who lived here had a special burial tradition. In the 17-20th century while they carried the bodies from the mountain down to the cemeteries, they came a long way and only once they supposed to have a rest. Then they put the body on the ground and placed a large stone to his head and feet. Later they laid stone slabs between them and various symbols carved on the rock. The mirila, the grave clearly shows that this is the tomb of a children or and adult, because the stones fitted for the size of the body. During the centuries every family had their own place where they stopped with their dead relatives, so the graves what remind family members, cluster in one place. As long as they carried the bodies to the cemetery, these stones always remind people to their loved ones.
These rocks can be found along many paths, but they are concentreted in the surrounding of Ljubotic. This funerary cult shows us the traditions and creativity of a bygone age.
Brod – fort
The fort of Slavonski-Bord was built in 1715-1780. This was built up here because Brod, the royal and imperial frontier town was an important hub and here was the crossing of Sava River to Bosnia. As for its size, this is the largest Baroque fortress in Croatia and one of the largest in Europe. The reconstruction of the fort has started in 1995 and since then it’s a popular tourist attraction.
Kaniza-Lepoglava – mystic altar of energy
To date there is nothing about the origin or the date of the altar which is found next to the forest. A legend said that at the place of the stone on Ivancica hill earlier a church stood but because of evil people angels moved it from here, left only the altar to remind. This is a 130 cm high stone without any sign or relief and one of its side is cascade. Many researchers have analysed the stone includes scientist who also made researches in Stonehenge, but no one has an explanation about it. So the altar is still the biggest myths of Ivancica hill. It’s sure that the stone was pulled up here from 400 m and placed it on the East-West line with geometric precision, so the altar is full of energy.
