Top 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia

There are a total of seven Croatian World Heritage Sites, and almost all of which can be found along the coast as you go through Porec, Istria, and Dubrovnik, in Dalmatia’s south. For those who want to go for the Top 5 Croatian UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you’ll want to read on about them so you know what exactly makes these places so special.

Euphrasian Basilica

In Porec you will find the complex known to be preserved of its components like no other. It is said that Christianity was established here as early as the 4th century. You’ll notice that all its parts, such as the Episcopal palace, the churches and chapels, have been well preserved. One of the things to look out for in the Basilica are the mosaics that date back to the 6th century and are now tiled illustrations featured within the structure.

The mosaics are one of the best representations of the earlier days of Byzantine Art. The Euphrasian Basilica was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site way back in 1997.

St. James Cathedral

This majestic structure found in Sibenik is a perfect demonstration of the result of the engagement of North Italy with Tuscany, way back in the 15th century. It is home to over 70 portraits of the citizens of Sibenik as they have lived during the Renaissance period.

The cathedral itself is a masterpiece, having been built by notable architects, which is probably why it eventually became a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the year 2000.

Trogir

From Split, head northwest and you’ll find the City of Trogir, a land whose urbanization was no hindrance to preserving its medieval town beauty. Drawing from the inspiration of Hellenistic and Roman designs, Trogir is also known for its churches and structures of Romanesque design.

Trogir is indeed a product of perfect city planning and urbanization, which earned its spot as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

Diocletian Palace

Also in Split is a Roman complex comprising of old mausoleums, Romanesque churches, and palaces of the Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance variety. The Palace itself was built by Roman Emperor Diocletian somewhere between the 3rd and 4th centuries. In fact, Split itself was built around the site.

This historical complex surrounded by Baroque buildings became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

Stari Grad Plain

Moving on to the island of Hvar, there you can find the beautiful agricultural landscape known as the Stari Grad Plain. While it was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site In 2008, very few people know of this place, let alone its history. The landscape was actually set up way back in the 4th century, and is actually still in use even today, with its originally form perfectly maintained, thanks to a careful maintenance of the walls surrounding the area for as long as 24 centuries.

The Plain is actually representative of the ancient agricultural methods of Greece, and even the methods of the Greek colonists were preserved in that system as well.