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Tourist Board of Split-Dalmatia County has recognized the potential of cultural tourism as one of the priorities of tourism development strategy, to reduce seasonality and stimulate tourism activities for a larger part of the year.

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Around 37% of all international travel is attributed to trips motivated by culture. With three sites included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List, an extremely valuable and rich archaeological heritage and with the concentration of protected cultural and historical monuments, the Split-Dalmatia County is ideally positioned for the development of cultural tourism. Half of all Croatian, UNESCO-listed tangible and intangible cultural heritage properties, are located in the area of this county.

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Intangible heritage includes various forms of folk and traditional cultural expressions such as language, oral literature, music, dance, games, mythology, rituals, customs and traditional crafts, as well as cultural areas or living communities in which these forms are still nurtured – hence the extreme importance to protect, present and put in service to tourism all of this valuable heritage.

Croatia proudly boasts with thirteen items included the UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Five of them are from the Split-Dalmatia County:
*agave lace as part of lacework in Croatia
*religious procession on Hvar Island named “Za Križen”
*the knight tournament “Sinjska alka”
*the traditional “silent” dance “vrličko nijemo kolo”
*a cappella singing by “klapa”
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The agave lace in Croatia is made only by the nuns of the Benedictine monastery in Hvar town, and this skill has been present in Hvar since the mid-19th century. The lace is made of threads which are obtained by a special, painstaking process from the middle of the fresh agave leaves. After processing, the threads are white, fairly thin, and of a certain strength and length.

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The religious procession “Za Križen” is a unique ritual of particular devotion, an expression of the religious and cultural identity of the inhabitants of the central part of the island of Hvar, which continues for five centuries and connects six island towns (Jelsa, Pitve, Vrisnik, Svirče, Vrbanj and Vrboska).

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On the night from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday, processions start from six parish churches, guided by the “križonoša” – the cross bearer, carrying a cross weighing 18 kilograms. He is followed by a large number of believers and pilgrims, who stop at the churches and chapels of other villages and small towns, before they return to their parish church in the early morning hours. The procession takes eight hours and passes over 25 kilometers.

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Sinjska alka is a knight tournament held in Sinj since 1717, on the first Sunday in August, to commemorate the victory over Turkish invaders, on August 14, 1715. During the competition, the rider races on the horses in gallop down the main street, aiming for the “alka” –  the iron ring hanging on the rope. Tournament rules promote fair play and emphasize the importance of participating in community life. Also, Alka’s participants must be members of families from the area of Sinj and Cetina area. Sinjska Alka is the only surviving example of medieval knight tournaments that were regularly held in Croatian coastal towns until the 19th century.

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“Vrličko nijemo kolo” or the Silent Dance from Vrlika is unique for its performance, with no musical accompaniment or independent if such accompaniment exists (it is played by traditional “diple”, a bag-pipe-typed instrument, or by a specific way of singing in small groups by “shaking” the voice – “rera”, “ganga”, “ojkavica”).
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It is performed in a round – in a “kolo”, only in the area of Dalmatian hinterland, but it can also be broken into pairs or performed during the entire dance in pairs, which are moving freely in the “kolo” or the dance area.

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Klapa singing is a traditional polyphonic a cappella singing, without accompanying instruments. The tradition of klapa and klapa songs which we know today was formed in the mid-19th century, at the time when the cultural and musical identities of Mediterranean towns on our coast and islands, especially in Dalmatia, were profiled. The oldest model of klapa, the folk klapa, is an informal group of singers who occasionally sing to satisfy their love of singing, more than anything else. Tradition of oral expression, the simplicity of musical expression and spontaneous singing are part of the main features of this model of klapa. During the last decades, klapa singing has seen great changes and has gained great popularity even outside Dalmatia, the fatherland of klapa singing.

Photo: TB Split Dalmatia County, TB Stari Grad, TB Vrlika, TB Sinj

www.dalmatia.hr

SEVENTH ART GIANTS AT THE GATES OF CENTRAL DALMATIA – MAMMA MIA, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT WHEN OUR VIS EARNS WORLD’S RESPECT!

THAT DALMATIA IS ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE DESTINATIONS TO CAMERA EYE, is confirmed by the words of numerous film masters, like strict Hitchcock who was swept away by Zadar’s sunset, which he declared to be the most beautiful in the whole world! Also flattering fact is that, besides all world-famous destinations and potential filming locations, more and more attractive productions choose our coast as an ideal scenery for their movies.

Inside Klis Fortress. A private moment for Daenerys

In upcoming thriller with Katarina Radivojević, Hvar could soon be visited by Tom Hanks as well; Klis fort and Žrnovnica have already hosted famous Daenerys and her dragons (protagonists of world-famous “Game of Thrones”), while legendary uskoks rushed through our heroic town Sinj during filming of documentary-feature film The Age of Uskoks in autumn last year! Submarine of famous Jacques Cousteau circled around Hvar, Vis and Biševo waters during filming of great movie “Odyssey” – about the life and work of this legendary explorer.

Together with all these intriguing notes, one of the most recent confirmations of film-like nature of Central Dalmatia came from one of the most popular Hollywood motion pictures – romantic musical “Mamma Mia 2”, spiced with great hits of legendary ABBA, filmed on our beautiful and mysterious Vis – and we cannot wait to see its world premiere!

VIS IN A ROLE OF GREEK ISLAND. Mysterious an irresistible Vis, for almost half a century isolated as a military island, turned this fact into its advantage. Its secludedness from frenetic everyday life and truly intact nature, are real treats for those in search of Robinson tourism, and it also caught the eye of Hollywood producers who wisely recognized Vis’ potential for a role of Greek island, where first sequel of this global cinema-hit was filmed.

Great actors as unmatched Meryl Streep, one of the most attractive Bonds – Pierce Brosnan, charismatic Colin Firth, American beauty Amanda Seyfried who excelled in “Les Miresables”… – have one thing in common – all of them were delighted by the beauties of our Vis, and have marked it on a world-famous movie destinations map with their joint performance. Moviemakers on set were extremely satisfied with cooperation of domestic filmmakers, local authorities and people, their hospitality and professionalism which was indeed at the top level.

AND WHILE THEY ARE IMPATIENTLY WAITING FOR JULY, when this attractive film will be released, head people of Central Dalmatia tourism don’t just sit back and wait – they have recognized great potential in aforementioned facts and decided to introduce one more attractive note in region’s tourism. In this spirit, intensive effort is being made to open a film office in Split, like the ones already existing in Zadar and Istria. Exactly with this purpose, in late June last year, three-days International Film Convention was held, whose main goal was to promote creative industries, especially movie industry.

Observations about Split having great potential for film setting are, by all means precise, and this is shown by successfulness of materials made there. For example, two-part German crime TV series about detective Branka Marić, shot in Split in 2015, attracted no less than 4,45 million viewers, while Columbian part of the story about General Gotovina was also filmed there. Not only would establishing its own film office contribute to recognition of the destination in this sense, but it would also, according to Joško Stella, the leading man of the County’s tourism,   prolong high season, open possibilities for new jobs; and the most important thing, it would attract new and attractive film productions.

We support this attractive initiative, because, what more can we wish to Dalmatia, but to be put in itineraries of not only globetrotters, party lovers, gastronomads, but also the masters of the seventh art! What’s more to say but – Mammy mia, what can we expect when our Vis earns world’s respect!

Photo: TB Split-Dalmatia County, archive TB Komiža

www.dalmatia.hr

A vacation is not a vacation if it doesn’t have a bit of excitement? If you nodded in confirmation to this sentence, you are at the right place – what you’re looking for is Omiš!

ZIPLINE – DO NOT FORGET YOUR SMARTPHNE! Because this is the adventure you’re going to want to record, and which will attract a lot of envy on social media! A flight above a the Cetina canyon using steel ropes is one of the recent attractions that became famous and listed among the most spectacular ones very quickly. Namely, how else to describe three-hour rush on two kilometres long wires placed on a height of more than 100 metres? Warning: only for the brave ones!

GOOD OL’ RATFTING on the Cetina river is an activity whose lure doesn’t diminish, and all the more guests every year want to tackle its rapids! But, adjustability is a great characteristic of this river adventure – families with children and older persons can enjoy in slow paddling on calmer areas, with untouched nature. A peaceful excursion or an adrenaline rafting bomb – decide for yourselves!

THE SAME GOES FOR KAYAKING – depending on chosen route, you can choose a level of difficulty (and excitement!), while canyoning is the most comprehensive story that combines walking along (and through!) the Cetina; it is a unique experience of bathing under waterfalls and conquering river rapids!

IF YOU RATHER STICK TO THE LAND, you have at your disposal carefully arranged theme roads that lead to the highest surrounding mountains, old pirate forts, beautiful belvederes and picturesque villages, and you can also go on a hiking or trekking adventure on steep hills – Omiš Dinara, Komorjak and Mosor used to serve as a natural protection from enemies, but today they are ideal mountaineering location.

OF COURSE, THIS IS STILL A COASTAL TOWN, so it’s no wonder you can find great locations for diving there – on only 3 metres of depth near central town’s beach, there is a sunken ship from World War 2, and more experienced divers will be delighted by one of the best diving locations in Crotia – Vruja bay!

For those who like the surface more that diving over 100 m (which is alowed only with the help of experts!), will be pleased with sailing on board – if you don’t like it, it only means you haven’t tried it, say Omiš people – and they’re right!

IT’S NO WONDER PIRATED USED TO BE THERE – this is what you’ll probably think after looking at the list of Omiš sports manifestations. It’s like adventure spirit lingered on this area and instead of pirate duels, turned into those where physical fitness and competitive spirit play the key role!

Dalmatia Ultra Trail is an exciting race in postseason (from 20 – 22 October 2017) which will take you to the most attractive points of Central Dalmatia. 2nd Omiš half-marathon (30 September 2017) will invigorate the participants with a  view of truly perfect Mediterranean ambience and carvings of the Cetina River, which created of one the most beautiful canyons in Europe!

But, these are not the only sports competitions – in March 5th Imbertrek was held, in May 11th Mosor Grebbening (trekking race on rocks and slopes of Mosor) and 6th Mountaineering Festival; and 29 July is reserved for 24th Omiš Swimming Marathon. As these are mainly acclaimed manifestations,

Photo: TB Central Dalmatia, TB Omiš

www.dalmatia.hr