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Beaches of Central Dalmatia. Central Dalmatia, Croatia Beaches of Central Dalmatia, Croatia

Central Dalmatia is famous for its wonderful pebble beaches and pine forests. The air in Central Dalmatia is saturated with phytoncides - holidays here are useful for children, people with lung diseases and those who just want to relax, swimming in the clear turquoise sea and viewing the sights of the Roman Empire.

The tourist “capital” of Central Dalmatia is the city of Split. In addition to small pebble beaches, amazing historical monuments of different eras have been preserved here - from the ancient Romans to the present day. The Makarska Riviera unites the resort towns of Brela, Baska Voda, Makarska, Tučepi and Podgora. Young people and newlyweds come to these prestigious resorts to have fun at discos and beach parties. Families with children appreciate these places for their convenient access to the water, and older tourists enjoy leisurely walks through pine forests and fresh sea breezes.

Climate and weather

The mild Mediterranean climate of Central Dalmatia promises more than 280 sunny days per year for those who choose to vacation at the local resorts. The season starts in April and ends in October. The hottest month is August. The optimal time for rest is the summer months and the “velvet season”.

Beaches and sea

The beaches of Central Dalmatia are famous for the union of sea and pine trees - sometimes the trees “descend” to the water itself. Tourists willingly take advantage of their shade, hiding from the hot sun. All beaches are municipal and free. Rental of beach equipment is paid, the price varies at the resorts.

Most beaches are small pebbles and quite narrow. In the town of Tucepi the beaches are sand and pebble. Entry into the water is quite comfortable everywhere, there are no sharp stones, but sea urchins can be found, so it is better to use special swimming slippers.

The beaches of Central Dalmatia are perfect for families with children. Sea water It is distinguished by a high iodine content and a special color - it is bright turquoise due to bottom deposits of quartz.

What to see

Split - main city Central Dalmatia, the second largest in Croatia. The historical center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List - and for good reason. There are many monuments of ancient and medieval architecture preserved here, which are definitely worth visiting and taking a good look at.

For example, the famous Diocletian's Palace, built by order of the emperor 200 years BC. The grandiose palace is perfectly preserved - it is surrounded by impressive walls. The mausoleum and temple of Jupiter have survived to this day. Luxurious marble columns, spacious halls, graceful arches immerse you in the atmosphere of antiquity. By the way, some episodes of the famous series “Game of Thrones” were filmed here.

The prestigious resort of Makarska Riviera, which unites the towns of Brela, Baska Voda, Makarska, Tucepi and Podgora, is considered the best holiday destination in Central Dalmatia. A huge number of villas and hotels of different levels with a different range of entertainment and location will allow cheerful youth, families with children, and lovers of silence to relax in comfort.

In Brela the beaches are small pebble, covered with pine trees. On the embankment they masterfully prepare fish and sea creatures from the freshest catch to the delight of tourists. The town of Baska Voda is known for its large number of entertainment venues - bars, restaurants, nightclubs and discos. The resort of Makarska is one of the oldest resorts in Central Dalmatia. Here you can not only lie on the beach and swim in the turquoise waters of the Adriatic, but also wander through the ancient streets and visit the shell museum. People come to Podgora to see the springs of mineral water, which has healing properties and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. In Tučepi, the beaches have not only pebbles, but also sand - this resort will be appreciated by families with children. In addition, there is a yacht marina in Tučepi, where you can rent a yacht and take a ride along the coast.

Central Dalmatia is not only mainland attractions, but also the wonderful islands of Brac, Hvar, Biševo and others. On the island of Brac there is the famous Golden Cape beach, where young people from all over Europe come. Diocletian's palace in Split, as well as the American White House, were built from snow-white marble from Brac.

The island of Hvar is considered the most luxurious Croatian island resort. Luxurious hotels, snow-white yachts, expensive restaurants - all this is about Hvar. In the interior of the island there are heather and lavender fields. The island of Biševo is famous for its wonderful Blue Grotto: the sun illuminates the cave through a passage hidden under water and fills it with a magical silver-blue light.

Also worth a visit is the tiny museum town of Trogir; the city of Sibenik and the fortress of St. Anne, as well as the national parks Kornati and Krka. In Krka Park you will see amazing waterfalls and take a walk in the coolness of the forest.

The numerous resorts of Central Dalmatia - both small villages and cities - almost all have ancient history, which gives them a special flavor. The choice of resort depends on the type of holiday: for an active holiday, with a variety of social and cultural entertainment, a large city (for example, Split) is more suitable – however, prices here will be higher.

Beach resorts

The beaches of Central Dalmatia are some of the best on the Adriatic: there are many pebble and small-pebble beaches with convenient access to the sea, which makes local resorts attractive for families with children. The shores, as a rule, are overgrown with vegetation, often with pine trees - their esters and aroma make the sea air truly healing, and in the shade you can hide from the hot midday sun. The water here has a high iodine content. The region is one of the sunniest in the Mediterranean (for example, in Split a sunny day in July is 12 hours, and on average a year is 7 hours).

All beaches in Central Dalmatia are municipal and admission is free. They are clean and fairly equipped. Small pebble beaches are preferable for families with children. On rocky beaches special shoes for swimming are required. Umbrellas and sunbeds are often provided by hotels, and paid rentals will cost approximately 1 euro per item.

Makarska Riviera

South of Split, the cities of Brela, Baska Voda, Makarska, Tučepi and Podgora form the Makarska Riviera, a prestigious and expensive region of Dalmatia.

Brela famous for its magnificent pine forests, small pebble beach and local cuisine with an abundance of seafood dishes.

Baska Voda– a small town 75 km from Split airport. Small pebble beaches, clear seas and many bars, discos, and restaurants make the city an attractive place for beach, sports and youth recreation.

Makarska- one of the oldest resorts in Central Dalmatia - famous not only for its clean pebble beaches and sports grounds, but also for the atmosphere of an ancient city with quiet narrow streets, cafes and a Franciscan monastery with a shell museum. It is good for a beach holiday, as well as for a family and romantic holiday. This is one of the most prestigious expensive resorts region.

Tucepi has a well equipped sand- pebble beach with a gentle entrance to the sea, which is very favorable for vacationers with children, and the local marina, protected from the winds by a dam, will be appreciated by yachtsmen.

Podgora In addition to pebble beaches and the sea coast, it also has sources of healing mineral water.

Split

The capital of Central Dalmatia, the second largest city in the country, center transport communication with other cities in this region. Located at the foot of the Mosor Mountains, on the Marjan Peninsula, between the Split Canal and the Bay of Kastela. The architecture of the city is interesting, where medieval buildings coexist with modern buildings. The old town is under UNESCO protection. Main attraction: Diocletian's Palace (305 AD), occupying huge area. The sea in the Split area is bright turquoise due to deposits of marble-like quartzite at the bottom, and the small pebble beach stretches along the entire city coast. A resort with well-developed infrastructure and vibrant nightlife. The annual summer festival "Split Summer" takes place from mid-July to mid-August, both in theater halls and in open areas of the city. The resort is suitable for beach and excursion holidays, for sports lovers (3 diving centers and 2 Wellness centers are open here) and other categories of tourists. Split is a convenient starting point for excursions to other Croatian cities, islands and neighboring Italy. For children there is a city zoo and a walking park on Mount Marjan.

Sibenik

It has a unique location, located simultaneously on the sea coast, at the mouth of the Krka River and on the lake. A city with 1000 years of history and magnificent examples of Venetian architecture. The symbol of the city is the white stone Cathedral of St. James, combining Gothic and Romanesque styles. In summer, the International Children's Festival (June-July) and the Organist Festival (August) take place here. We recommend this place for lovers aquatic species sports (diving, rafting, rowing, yachting) and those who want to combine relaxation by the sea with sightseeing tourism.

Baska Voda

The resort belongs to the Makarska Riviera and is located 10 km from Makarska, at the foot of the Biokovo mountain range. The village is surrounded on three sides by pine trees, and on the fourth there is a sandy beach and the sea. There used to be a small fishing village here. We recommend the resort for youth and active recreation, as well as for water sports enthusiasts.

Makarska

The resort is located in a quiet bay, surrounded by the Biokovo mountains. The coast of Makarska is divided into 2 parts by Cape St. Peter. In the eastern part there is a port and marinas for yachts, and in the western part all resort life is concentrated. On the Marineta promenade, a favorite place for an evening promenade, life does not stop either day or night. Among the attractions are the Old Town and the Franciscan Monastery with the shell museum. Makarska is a convenient starting point for excursions in Dalmatia. The resort is suitable for active and youth recreation, for lovers of developed infrastructure and evening entertainment. Due to the proximity of the mountains, this resort has long been chosen by climbers.

Tucepi

A modern resort located 5 km from Makarska. Sand and pebble beach with a long coastline and a gentle entrance to the sea, it is convenient for families with children. Pines protect you from the scorching sun on the beach. For yachtsmen there is a pier protected by a dam from the winds. The resort is suitable for family vacation and for fans of different sports. Cycling is especially popular; the resort has special cycling routes.

Brela

Located 15 km from Makarska, between mountain range Biokovo and the island of Brac. Consists of two parts: old (Gornja Brela) and new (Donja Brela). Resort life is concentrated in the new part. This is where the Punta Rata beach is located - the calling card of the resort. In 2004 it was included in the top six best beaches in the world. The beach extends for several kilometers. The coniferous forest, which serves as a natural protection from the sun, approaches the very shore. Due to the transparency of the sea water, the resort has long been chosen by diving enthusiasts. In summer, Brela hosts the annual Fisherman's Nights festival. We recommend this place for all categories of tourists.

Brac Island

The third largest and highest Croatian island. The climate here is milder than on the mainland. It is said that the walls of the White House in Washington are lined with stone quarried on this island. Indeed, on the island there are quarries in which the unique Brac stone (snow-white limestone) is mined. Souvenirs from it are the main item of sale at the stalls of local sellers. The beaches on the island are some of the best in the region. They have a comfortable gentle slope and are ideal for families with children. Supetar and Bol are the most big cities islands. Ferries from Split arrive in Supetar (journey time - 45 minutes). Bol is located at the foot of Vidova Gora and has a noisier resort life. Here is an amazing natural object– pebble beach “Zlatni Rat” (Golden Cape). It protrudes 300 m into the sea and changes its shape depending on the strength of the waves and the direction of the wind. Brac is suitable for have a relaxing holiday away from the hustle and bustle.

The beaches of Central Dalmatia are considered the best on the entire Croatian coast. Many of them are marked with the Blue Flag. Small pebble beaches with sandy areas and pine groves on the coast are common.

Iberostar Supetrus 4* (all inclusive) and Waterman Supetrus Resort 4*. The hotels are located on the island of Brac and have small pebble beaches with convenient entry into the sea.

Afrodita 4 * (Tucepi) is a hotel complex consisting of bungalows and detached 2-3-storey villas. Located on the seashore in the central part of the resort town and ideal for families with children.

For active and youth recreation:

Hotels Split 4* (Split) and Park Makarska 4* (Makarska), which is located in close proximity to the Marineta promenade.

Apart-hotel Milenij Aparthotel 4* (Baska Voda) with a convenient small-pebble beach. Rooms with kitchens are suitable for families and youth.

Split - Old town with ruins of Diocletian's Palace.

Šibenik – St. Jacob's Cathedral, City Lodge building, Town Hall, St. Barbara's Church, Prince's Palace, which now houses the City Museum.

Trogir is an ancient city with narrow streets and medieval architecture. It is located on an island and is connected to the mainland by a bridge.

Krka National Park is a cascade of waterfalls and lakes, not inferior in beauty to the Plitvice Lakes.

Biokovo Nature Park is a mountain range located in the Makarska Riviera region.

Cave VRANJACA – located near Split.

The islands of Brac (with the Golden Cape beach) and Hvar (the oldest public theater in Europe is located here).

The resorts of Central Dalmatia have many opportunities for sports and leisure activities. For lovers of mountaineering and rock climbing - mountain range Biokovo with a mountaineering camp near Makarska. For divers – Brela, where there is a diving school designed for different levels of training. In Tucepi - Slatina sports center, with football field, tennis courts and a diving school.

For lovers of evening entertainment, Split and Makarska are suitable options. In the summer, music festivals and concerts take place in Split and Sibenik.

Dalmatia (Croatia) is a region located in the northwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula. The historical region is located on the coast Adriatic Sea, occupying part of modern Croatia and Montenegro. More than 920 islands are concentrated in the region’s waters. Some of them have stone labyrinths of ancient walls built on them, and in some places vineyards and olive trees are grown. Wherever you come to Dalmatia, you are guaranteed a comfortable holiday filled with unforgettable, vivid emotions.

general information

Dalmatia in Croatia is included in the list of the oldest geographical formations in Europe. On the map, the region looks like a coastal belt stretching for 400 km from Novigrad and Paklenica to Cape Ostro. Dalmatia is divided into three parts - Southern, Central and Northern. Each has excellent conditions for tourists to relax.

The regional centers of Northern Dalmatia are Sibenik and Zadar.
The center of Central Dalmatia is Split.
In Southern Dalmatia the center is Dubrovnik.

Thousands of islands have everything to attract travelers - historical and architectural monuments, picturesque nature, mild climate, luxurious beaches.

Good to know! The most large islands– Neretva, Krka, Cetina and Zranja.

There are four parks of national importance in the region, three natural park and numerous nature reserves. The list of sites that are under UNESCO protection includes the resort of Dubrovnik, the Church of St. James and the historical center of Trogir. The coastline is indented with bays and dozens of beaches; here nature itself has created excellent conditions for beach holiday Croatia, as well as fishing and water sports.

South Dalmatia

South Dalmatia in Croatia is rightfully considered the most luxurious and fashionable resort area on the territory of the Adriatic. This is where you can meet movie and pop stars, bankers, politicians, athletes, and representatives of the aristocracy. Many people have villas on the coast, because this part of Europe has the most sunny days a year. The resorts of Southern Dalmatia can be briefly described as follows: a land of picturesque bays, bays, clear, azure sea, delicious wines and numerous historical attractions.

Good to know! South Dalmatia in Croatia is famous for its excellent service, developed infrastructure and delicious oysters.

Information for tourists:

Dubrovnik

the territory of Southern Dalmatia extends from the Kvarner Bay to the Bay of Kotor;
the resort region is separated from Croatia by Bosnia and Herzegovina;
– is included in the list of objects that are under the protection of UNESCO, and it has been given the status of a museum city;
the climate of the southern part of Dalmatia is characteristic of the Mediterranean;
Almost all beaches are marked with the Blue Flag - a symbol of cleanliness and quality.

The main resorts of Southern Dalmatia are Dubrovnik, Cavtat, Mlini, Plate, Kolocep, Korcula, Mljet.

It is important! It is best to come to the southern part of Dalmatia with children from the second half of August to mid-October. For swimming you will definitely need special shoes to protect you from stones and sea urchins. Most beaches are free, but sun loungers and umbrellas are available for a fee.

Administrative center of South Dalmatia

Dubrovnik is the most popular and elegant town in Croatia. According to UNESCO, the resort, together with Venice and Amsterdam, is included in the list the most beautiful cities Renaissance.

In the 7th century, Dubrovnik was a prosperous settlement, where trade, culture and science actively developed. The historical center of the resort seems to be frozen in the past. Main attractions:

Franciscan monastery

Franciscan monastery;
temple of the patron saint of Dubrovnik;
Sponza Palace;
Princely Palace;
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary;
Pile central gate;
central street Stradun;
The central square is Lodge.

Dubrovnik welcomes guests throughout the year, but most tourists come here in the second half of spring and summer.

Central Dalmatia

Central Dalmatia in Croatia is located from to the small town of Gradac (from north to south). The shore is buried in pine trees, and secluded picturesque bays beckon with calm and amazing beauty. The beaches of Central Dalmatia are rocky and sandy, creating comfortable and picturesque places to relax. Small resort settlements are transported back to the Middle Ages.

Northern Dalmatia

Primosten

Northern Dalmatia in Croatia occupies part of the Adriatic coast from the island of Pagna to the village of Primošten. Geographically, the territory is divided into two parts:

Zadarskaya;
Shibenskaya.

There are about 500 islands in Northern Dalmatia, the most visited are:

Silba;
Murter;
Uglyan;
Pashman.

Also very popular in Northern Dalmatia are the islands belonging to the Kornati National Park.

National Park Kornati

The climate of the northern part is quite mild, typical of the Mediterranean. average temperature in winter about +7 degrees, and in summer - +27 degrees. The water in the sea warms up to +25 degrees.

The coast of Northern Dalmatia is considered the most picturesque in Croatia. Here tourists will find comfortable beaches, secluded bays, pine forests and beautiful nature. All settlements have a rich history that dates back to the period of antiquity.

Largest quantity Tourists are attracted by national parks: Paklenica, Kornati and Na. In addition, from Northern Dalmatia you can easily reach.

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The administrative center of Northern Dalmatia, known as the main cultural and political city of the region. This is the oldest settlement in Croatia with rich history and cultural heritage.

Interesting to know! At the end of the 14th century, the oldest educational institution in Croatia was founded here, and the first newspaper in the country was published in Zadar.

However, since for many centuries the city was under the control of various states, each left an indelible mark on the appearance of the resort, shaping its identity and flavor.

Zadar takes mainland, where the modern areas are located, and the peninsula, where Old city. The most visited and popular street is Kalelarga.

Good to know! Zadar in Northern Dalmatia is famous for its delicious liqueur made from cherries, and on the neighboring islands there is the national park Kornati.

Dalmatia (Croatia) is perhaps the most amazing and beautiful region of the country, where every traveler will find something for himself favorite place, warming the soul.

Dalmatia extends from Zadar in the north to the Bay of Kotor (now part of Montenegro) in the south. The coastline of this land is one of the most beautiful in Europe. In front of a wall of gray, harsh rocks, a ribbon of lush green vegetation stretches along the sea. In some places there are palm trees and olive plantations. There are many excellently preserved medieval Venetian towns along the coast. The sea water in this resort paradise is crystal clear. Numerous coastal islands attract travelers with ancient villages and mysterious caves. In the 70s and 80s Dalmatia experienced a tourism boom.

Then a crisis followed in 1991-1995, when due to the war the number of visitors dropped to almost zero. Now that the country has returned to peaceful life, Dalmatia has again become a favorite holiday destination. However, when you come here, you most likely won't see crowded beaches. The Adriatic islands are capable of “absorbing” any number of holidaymakers, and on the mainland tourist centers located at a decent distance from the main cities. The inland areas of Dalmatia are characterized by barren, rocky soil and an arid climate, while in the coastal areas, on the contrary, the climate is favorable and the soil is fertile.

This difference is reflected in the duality of the historical destinies of the region. Coastal cities and islands had long enjoyed the fruits of a thriving Mediterranean culture, while the sparsely populated interior was more prone to political uncertainty. The coastal inhabitants were always well off thanks to fishing, olive growing and winemaking, while life in the central parts of Dalmatia - especially in the drier area called "kamenjar" ("stone field") - was much more difficult. During its historical development, Dalmatia was exposed to various cultural influences: ancient Roman, Venetian and Italian, and each of them left its mark.

For example, Dalmatian children still call men in Italian – “barba” (“beard”, “uncle”). And respectable gentlemen are called “sjor” (that is, “senior”). Various influences are so mixed that it is difficult to determine what national culture modern Dalmatians represent. Residents of Northern Croatia will tell you that time slowed down in Dalmatia. Because of their slowness, Dalmatians are jokingly called “tovari” (“donkeys”). However, even after a short visit it becomes clear that established ideas are far from reality.

The true difference between Dalmatia is that it is somewhat poorer than the northern regions of the country. Local industry was destroyed during the war in the 90s and initially recovered extremely slowly. Fortunately, the construction of the Split highway in 2004 gave a powerful boost to the economy. Thanks to new road the journey to the coast now takes much less time, and the resorts of Dalmatia have become even more accessible to all Europeans. Culturally and historically, Dalmatia is a single region, but the description below is divided into two parts corresponding to the two main cities.

First we talk about the Zadar region, then about the Split region. Life in Northern Dalmatia revolves around the vibrant seaport Zadar. From there, ferries go to the islands of the Zadar archipelago, many of which have preserved their pristine nature. From Zadar, many tourists head south to explore the natural beauty of the islands of Kornati and National Park Krka. Main administrative center Dalmatia is Split. It is a bustling and chaotic, but still attractive city. From Split, many tourists go to their favorite resort islands: , and Korcula.

And Vis is relatively little explored by vacationers. The road from Split along the coast passes through resort town, and then through Dubrovnik. Traveling around Dalmatia is easy. There is only one big road - Jadranska Magistrala. There are frequent buses running along it any day of the week. Bus service connects all the main centers of the region. The journey from Zadar to Zadar takes about 7 hours. However, if you want to take a bus in a small town, you may have to stand on the side of the highway for a while and wait for a bus to stop.

For travelers with their own transport, the Zagreb-Split highway is not only the most fast way to Dalmatia from Northern Croatia, but also the most convenient road connecting Zadar, Sibenik and Split. It runs a few kilometers from the coastal highway. Ferries or catamarans go to almost everything inhabited islands. In addition, in the summer, ships ply along the coast five times a week: from to Dubrovnik, calling at the main ports and islands. Once a week these ships go further - to Italian city Bari. There is a ferry service between Zadar and Ancona.

A Brief History of Dalmatia

The territory of Dalmatia was first inhabited by the ancient Greeks. They founded colonies on the islands of Vis (in Greek - Issa) and Hvar (Pharos) at the beginning of the 4th century BC. The name "Dalmatia" was given to this land by the Romans. It comes from the Illyrian word “delmat” (proud, brave person). In the 1st century BC, when the Illyrian tribes came under Roman rule, the old greek cities began to lose their key importance. Continental centers became the new centers settlements Yadera (Zadar) and (Solin, near Split). Latin urban culture remained practically unchanged in them for a long time, despite the fall of the Roman Empire and the short period of Ostrogothic rule.

After some time, Dalmatia became one of the provinces of Byzantium. The Avar-Slavic invasion in 614 caused great damage to the cities. Zadar was significantly weakened, and Salona was completely destroyed. True, on the site of Salona, Roman-Illyrian refugees founded new town– Split, which later became the largest in the region. Byzantium soon nominally regained control over Dalmatia, but in the landlocked interior, the influence of the Croats, who arrived after the Avars, began to increase. By the 12th century. The Croatian state, and later its successor, the Hungarian-Croatian Kingdom, began to successfully compete with Byzantium and the new regional leader, Venice, for control of the coast.

More and more Croats moved to the cities, and the Croatian language became widely used, although Latin was still used for written language. The king of the Hungarian-Croatian kingdom, Ladislas of Nepolis, sold his rights to Venice in 1409. The cities submitted peacefully to the new rule, in return for which they were promised a degree of autonomy. However, contrary to the expectations of the Dalmatians, the Venetians kept the cities on a short leash. Municipal self-government was deprived of influence. In each city there was a governor (knez) endowed with all powers, reporting directly to the Venetian doge.

The entire flow of goods, both import and export, went through Venice. The sharp class division of Dalmatian society did not allow a concerted rebuff to the Venetians. For example, a riot ordinary people in 1510, under the leadership of Matija Ivanich in Hvar, it was directed simultaneously against the invaders and against the local oligarchy. Under the rule of the Venetians, Dalmatia again, as in the days Ancient Rome, became closely connected by economic and other ties with the rest of the Mediterranean. Thanks to this, the seeds of the Renaissance fell on its soil, and many wonderful examples of Italian architecture appeared in the cities.

However, numerous Venetian arcades and bell towers did not transform local population to the Venetians. Representatives of the urban elite of Dalmatia in the 15th century retained national identity. They cherished and developed the Croatian language as a symbol of their patriotic aspirations. In 1521, one of the leaders of the national cultural movement, Marko Marulić, who lived in Split, published the first epic poetic work translated into Croatian (“Judith”; Judita). And in the book of Zadar resident Petar Zoranic “Mountains” (Planine), published in 1569, there is a scene in which the Croatian nymph cries because in Dalmatia there are no people who would be proud of their language.

Venetian political power for a long time was unshakable, despite Turkish expansion in Europe. The merchant republic tried to live in peace with the Turks so that trade would go smoothly. However, during major conflicts, in particular during the Cyprus War (1570-1571) and the Kandyan War (1645-1669), the armies of the opposing sides sometimes found themselves in central areas Dalmatia. The defeat of the Ottoman troops near Vienna in 1683 made it possible for the Venetians to oust the Turkish armed forces from Dalmatia to Bosnia. However, during the decades during which the conflict continued, the population structure of Dalmatia itself changed.

Many Croats from the interior moved to the coast, and in the interior there were migrants from other inland areas of the Balkan Peninsula. Most of them were called Vlachs (“vlah” or “vlaj”). This name previously applied only to nomadic tribes descended from the ancient Roman-Illyrian population, but later began to cover all pastoral peoples of the interior regions. The population did not attach importance to their exact ethnic identification. A significantly larger role was played by the fact that the majority of the “Vlachs” professed Orthodoxy and belonged to the Serbian Orthodox Church.

As a result, they identified themselves more and more with the Serbs over time. It is difficult for historians of ethnography to answer the question about the nationality of the then population of Inner Dalmatia also because the Venetians called all these inhabitants “morlachi” (morlachi), regardless of their language and culture. It is believed that this term comes from a combination of the name “Vlachs” with the Greek word “mavro” - “black”. Morlachs were the name given to Dalmatians who lived outside the cultural environment of coastal cities and islands.

Foreign travelers romanticized the harsh, simple life of the Morlachs, but the inhabitants of the urbanized coast avoided their less civilized neighbors, meeting them only at fairs. Until the 12th century, even educated Croats knew little about the Morlachs, who were also called Zagorci and Vlaji. Nowadays in Split, those townspeople who cannot see the sea from their windows are jokingly called vlai. Venetian rule lasted for 350 years. It gave Dalmatian cities peace and quiet, but inevitably led to political and economic stagnation.

The fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797 was followed by a brief Austrian interregnum, and in 1808 Napoleon incorporated Dalmatia into the Illyrian Republic, which was an artificial union of Adriatic and West Slavic lands. The capital of the Illyrian Republic was located in. French reforms had a beneficial effect on the region and brought it out of economic stagnation. The construction of roads, the development of production began, the country opened up to new scientific and educational ideas. However, the French did not win the sympathy of the local population.

The decision to close the monasteries deeply offended the feelings of devout Catholics. In addition, because of foreign aliens, Dalmatia was drawn into wars with and. English troops occupied Vis in 1811 and bombarded Zadar in 1813. In 1815 Dalmatia became part of the Austrian Empire. There was hope that in this way the region would unite with other Croatian lands. Hope was dashed when Dalmatia was declared a separate province of the empire. Officials who spoke German and Italian were sent to govern the province. Italian was declared the official language.

In the middle of the 19th century, the population of Dalmatia was slightly more than 400 thousand people, among whom 340 thousand were Slavs and only 16 thousand were Italians. Nevertheless, until the 60s of the 19th century there were no Croatian schools in the country. Many Croats living on the coast viewed fluency in Italian as a sign of cultural superiority and believed that they had little in common with the inhabitants of the interior. This began to change in 1848, when the newly formed Croatian Council (parliament) in Zagreb raised the issue of uniting Dalmatia with the rest of Croatia.

The Viennese court rejected this idea completely, but from then on it could no longer hinder the growth of national consciousness in the Adriatic cities. In 1861, the creation of the Dalmatian Assembly opened up a political arena dominated by the populists (Narodnjaci), who advocated the unification of Dalmatia with historical center continental Croatia, and the Autonomians (Autonomasi), who considered Dalmatia as an independent socio-cultural unit. The Autonomists were supported by the Italians and those Croats who were oriented toward the unified government that emerged in the international arena in 1861.

However, the defeat of the Italian fleet by the Austrian fleet off the island of Vis in 1866 reduced to zero the likelihood of Dalmatia's imminent annexation to the possessions. The Battle of Vis was also very important for the local Croatian population. The Croats began to celebrate its anniversary with special pomp to annoy their Italian neighbors. In 1870, the populists won an overwhelming majority in the Dalmatian Assembly. From 1883 Croatian became the official language in the assembly, but it was not used in civil and judicial documents until 1912.

Despite Italian claims, all of Dalmatia, with the exception of Zadar and, in 1918 became part of the State of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (later Yugoslavia). However, the influence of Italian irredentism (a political movement for the unification of all lands inhabited by Italians) remained strong. It especially intensified after Mussolini came to power in 1922. The Italian occupation of Dalmatia in 1941-1943 only worsened interethnic relations in the country, and after the end of the war, most Italians were forced to emigrate.

The advent of socialism in 1945 failed to stop the mass emigration of the population to New World and Australia. After World War II, the traditional Adriatic economy, based on fishing and olive growing, gave way to an economy focused on heavy industry. As a result of the massive outflow of population to cities, the countryside was depopulated, and this imbalance in the distribution of human resources only partially began to be compensated with the development of tourism. In the 60s of the 20th century, the massive resort business in Dalmatia quickly took off, thanks to which the region reached such economic heights that it could not even dream of before.

Residents of large Yugoslav cities, in particular Zagreb and, began to purchase dachas (vikendice) on the coast. This radically changed the composition of the rural population and turned the Adriatic into a huge recreation area for the whole of Yugoslavia. After the collapse of Yugoslavia, many Serb-owned dachas were abandoned, sold or destroyed by right-wing extremists. Serbian forces at one point took control of the hinterland around and Benkovac, but despite attempts to capture Zadar, were never able to make their way to the sea.

The main damage to the coastal areas was that the war scared away tourists, and the seaside hotels were filled with refugees. After the establishment of peace, Slovenian, Italian and German tourists again began to come to the long-favored holiday destination, and with the advent of the new millennium they were joined by Hungarians, Poles, Czechs and the British. Thanks to this, Dalmatia has become one of the most cosmopolitan summer resorts in all of Europe.

Famous sights of Dalmatia

1). - Noisy seaport. Its narrow pedestrian streets around the cafes are bustling with life;

2). – Modern civilization has not had a destructive effect on the nature and ancient settlements of this island of the Zadar archipelago. The shores delight the eye with magnificent landscapes. Along the sea there are many villages, as if straight out of a painting;

3). Telaščica Bay– This small bay is a real kingdom natural beauty. The picturesquely rugged coastline, and majestic mountain cliffs, and an intricate labyrinth of coastal islands;

4). – A chain of barren islands with a sparse population, popular with travelers on boat trips;

5). – Tall waterfalls, bubbling rivers and a festive beach atmosphere attract many tourists here. It is the most visited natural monument in Central Dalmatia;

6). – An anthill of many cobbled streets, overlooked by a wonderful Romanesque cathedral;