The value of Dubrovnik

The value of Dubrovnik was already recognised by UNESCO thirty years ago, in 1979., when the Festival of St Blaise joined the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in October 2009. The Dubrovnik Republic, representing the golden period of the Dubrovnik history, perfectly regulated the City and its life through its statute and other historic documents. The first fortifications were built earlier, but the most intense construction took place from the 15th to the 17th century.The ramparts are 25 metres high in places, and from 4 to 6 m. thick on the landward side and from 1-1/2 to 3 m. thick on the seaside.    More...

Solana Ston, one of the three salt works in Croatia, is the oldest in Europe and possibly in the world. Ston was recognized as the ideal location for the salt works which brought up 15 900 ducats a year to the Dubrovnik Republic,. There were many   acts of law regulating the salt production and trade in the Republic. Solana is divided into pools, each named after a Christian saint except for the pool Munda. Every year a summer camp is organized for the participants of the salt harvest, which provides them not only the accommodation, but also an appropriate program and nice gifts.

Moreška's name comes from the Italian name "Moresca" and means a war dance with the Moors. The oldest known Moreška was played in 1150 in Spain. Different sword dances spread throughout Europe until the late 14th century. While it was was "a fashion hit" in Europe, for the inhabitants of Korčula Moreška became an inseparable part of their lives and customs in the centuries that followed. So, forgotten in the rest of the world, it found its permanent shelter and jealous guardians in Korcula among the people of Korčula. Today Korčula knight game Moreška is the war dance with swords, which is characterized by short dramatic action. In the past it was recorded as a victory by the Spanish Christians against the Arabs - the Moors, while today it symbolizes the victory of love and good over evil. Throughout history, music has lost its authenticity and experienced many changes.For the last fifty years moreška has been  performed to the music composed by the famous Croatian composer Krsta Odak, the quality of wich gives Moreška an additional effect.
The baggy look of today's costume brings the understandable similarity and association with the medieval warrior costumes. The most important annual performance is on  29th July, which is also St. Todor's Day, who is the second Patron Saint of the town of Korcula. During the season Moreška is played 1-2 times a week.
It is a special honor and privilege to be one of the Kings in the game. Thus, Moreška is more than just a fencing game for the Korčula's people, it is a part of life, a story to be told in every family in Korčula. 

Arboretum of the Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences in Trsteno is the only arboretum on the Croatian Adriatic coast, the oldest Croatian monument of landscape architecture. It is well known for its historic gardens and the collection of Mediterranean and exotic plants.
On the terraced area around the villa at about 18000 m2 there is a park with lots of  terraces with numerous species of palm trees, eucalyptus, laurel, camphor, cacti and various exotic trees and shrubs whose seedlings were brought by sailors from their distant travels.
Arboretum  activities are focused on the protection and maintenance of cultural, historic and natural landmarks, the exploration and protection of biodiversity, the creation of living collections in terms of protecting genetic diversity, and on the research of the history of garden architecture.
This garden mansion with aqueducts, water mills, a Baroque fountain of Neptune and nymphs and a pavilion (a lookout point facing the sea and islands) is the finest example of garden architecture in Dubrovnik summer housing. Opening hours: May to October 7:00 am - 19:00 pm November-April 8:00 am - 16:00 pm
There is a possibility of professional leadership for the group. Ticket price:adults 35kn, children (up to 14 years) 20 kn, students 20 kn, seniors free

 

An old legend says that the Carnival is celebrated in the remembrance of the old historic event when Catalan pirates attacked Korčula and sent a messenger to Lastovo with a message for the islanders to surrender without a fight. Instead of surrendering, the male inhabitants of Lastovo took up arms, while the women and children climbed the hill to the chapel of St. Hom. George,  where they prayed for help. Help came in the form of a storm which destroyed the Catalan fleet on its way to Lastovo. The people caught the messenger and put him to ridicule on the donkey and carried through the town. Three times he was released on a series of "Uzza" (300 meters of rope), taken to the main square and burnt alive.
http://www.lastovo.hr/