Croatian cultural heritage - Business - Hrvatska turistička zajednica

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church interior was decorated with frescoes in 1602 (36), is
situated further inland into the the karst hills of the southeastern
desert of the Velebit mountain in the valley of the
river Krupa (32). In the Ravni Kotari and Bukovica districts
there are many other smaller, old churches (41), harmoniously
integrated with the surrounding landscape between
the slopes of Velebit and the sea coast (35).
The numerous ZADAR ISLANDS have a valuable historical
heritage, and the area of Zadar is exceptionally indented
(55), which makes it especially interesting for sailing. On
the island of Pašman, there are two valuable monasteries - a
Franciscan monastery from the 14th - 18th century (48) and
Benedictine Ćokovac, on the hill above Tkon, from the 12th
- 15th century (49). The latter is the only active Benedictine
monastery in Croatia and holds the most notable and valuable
collection of old paintings (47). Next to the island Ugljan
on the smaller island of Galevac is a beautiful monastery of
the Franciscan Third Order from the 15th century (51).
On the islands of Zadar there are many old forts and towers,
such as the Kaštelina on Vir (50) or Toreta, a viewpoint
on Silba (53), and the cape of Veli rat on Dugi Otok (Long
Island) has one of the most beautiful Croatian lighthouses
(43). However, the most valuable cultural heritage of the Zadar
islands is found on Pag, the island of salt, cheese and
lace. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge and is surrounded
with well preserved fortified towers (45 & 52). Today's
city centre originates from the 15th century Pag (46),
organised as an orthogonal grid of streets and squares, an
idea probably originating from the famous Croatian sculptor
and architect, Juraj Dalmatinac. At its heart is the church of
the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary from the same
period (44).
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