Did You Know Following Facts About Croatia?

Historical Inventions and Notable Personalities

Personalities and more

That the torpedo, in the form and structure that we know today, was invented in 1860 by Ivan Lupis-Lukić, a retired Austro-Hungarian naval officer, and that the first torpedo factory was located in Rijeka?

That scientist and physicist Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), a world-renowned innovator and inventor in the field of energy transfer and telecommunications, was born in Croatia. His most valuable contribution was the alternating current?

That Slavoljub Penkala (1871-1922) of Zagreb invented the mechanical pencil and fountain pen in 1906?

That the year 1936 is regarded as the official beginning of naturism on the island of Rab, when the British King Edward VIII came to the island when the Rab authorities allowed him and his friend to swim nude in Kandarola cove?

That St Marin, a stonemason from the island of Rab who moved to the Italian Peninsula, founded the Republic of San Marino in the year 301?

That the last resting place of Katarina Frankopan, one of the most famous members of that noble family, is located on the islet of Košljun (island of Krk)?

That the first-known drawing of a parachute (homo volans) was the work of the Croatian inventor Faust Vrančić (1551-1617) from Šibenik?

That during his stay in Zadar the famous film director Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980) stated that the sunset in Zadar was the most beautiful in the world?

That upon his return from the Crusades in 1192, Richard the Lionheart found refuge from a storm near Dubrovnik, and to honour a vow he then made, he gave the citizens of Dubrovnik money to start building their cathedral?

That the inventor of dactyloscopy, the fingerprint method for identifying those suspected of crimes, was Hvarborn Ivan Vučetić (1858-1925)?

That Ban Josip Šokčević introduced the Croatian language as the official language in administration and education.

That Lavoslav Ružička, the first Croatian Nobel Prize winner, was born in Vukovar?

That Vinkovci is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Europe (for more than 8300 years)?

That the only Roman emperors, brothers Valentinian I (364-375) and Valens (364-378), born on the territory of today's Croatia were born in Vinkovci?

That Nikola Iločki was the King of Bosnia, as well as the Ban of Croatia, Slavonia, and Mačva, and that he minted his own currency?

That the first car was brought over by the Count of Bombelles in 1898 who drove it to his estate Vinica near Varaždin? The car brand was Nesseldorfer.

That Milojko Mike Vucelić, NASA engineer and one of the key people in the Apollo mission without whom the Americans would not have made it to the moon, was born on 11 June 1930 in Garešnica?

That Ivo Robić, a pioneer of popular music with an impressive international career, was born on 28 January 1923 in Garešnica?

That the first shot against the Nazis was fired by David Frankfurter of Daruvar, born in 1909 as the son of a Daruvar rabbi? That Bjelovar was erected following a decree by Empress Maria Theresa?

That Josip Broz Tito lived and worked in Veliko Trojstvo and that two of his children were buried in the cemetery there?

That the players of the Bjelovar Handball Club Partizan won the European championship title in 1972?

That the great Croatian sculptor Vojin Bakić was born in Bjelovar?

That on his way from Vienna to Trieste in 1932, Charlie Chaplin spent the night at Villa Horvat, in the center of

the village of Plešivica, and that Isadora
Duncan was also a guest of this Plešivica
guesthouse? That Blessed Alojzije Stepinac,
Cardinal Franjo Kuharić (born in
Pribić), Bishop Juraj Jezerinac (born
in Prekrižje), Bishop Josip Mrzljak and
a number of other church dignitaries
come from the Krašić region? That Marija Jurić Zagorka, writer,
feminist icon and the first Croatian
journalist, was born in the village of
Negovec near the town of Vrbovec? That Milka Trnina, the greatest Croa-
tian opera artist and one of the greatest
in the entire history of opera, was born
in Vezišće, in today's municipality of Križ
near Ivanić-Grad? That Josip Jelačić, the national hero,
the most famous Croatian ban and
military leader, is connected to Zaprešić,
that is, the artistocratic complex Novi
Dvori?

Curiosities and Interesting Facts

That Toplice Lipik (Lipik Spa) was the
first health resort in Croatia? That the geothermal water in Lipik,
has been flowing at a constant tempera-
ture of 64ºC for hundreds of years? That Lipik thermal water 'Lipiker ther-
malquelle' was bottled and distributed in
Austro-Hungary and America in 1875? That Lipik got electricity in 1894,
only 6 years after New York did? That the first mint that produced
moneta banalis - Slavonian banovac -
was founded in Pakrac in 1256? That Zvečevo d.d. from Požega was
the first company in the world to pro-
duce chocolate with puffed rice 'Mikado'
in 1963/1964? That Istria has its own leaning
tower - the 22 metre-tall bell tower in
Završje; its inclination is 40 cm towards
the north. That the Opatija Riviera was, after
the Côte d'Azur, the main destination of
the Habsburg elite and it still carries the
name 'Nice of the Adriatic'? That the 45th parallel passes through
the town of Senj and island of Cres at
the 'sunčanik' sundial sculpture? That the Rijeka Carnival is regarded
as one of the three most attractive
carnivals in Europe? That Rijeka has its Leaning Tower,
located in the Old Town? That the first tennis match in Croatia
was played on May 15, 1892, in Županja That the first football in Croatia
originated from Županja? That the first football match in Croa-
tia was played in Rijeka in 1873? That Notizie del giorno, the first
newspapers printed in Italian (including
Italy) were printed in Rijeka? That Rijeka was an independent state
from 8 September 1920 to 24 January
1924 and its elected president Riccardo
Zanella demanded the restoration of
independence from the international
community and Tito in 1945? That the asteroid 11706 Rijeka was
named after the city of Rijeka?
That in the area of Rijeka and its
surrounding towns, visitors can ski on
snow and sail or swim in the sea on the
same day? That the permanent cultural and
historical exhibition Glagolitic, unique
in Croatia and the world, was opened
in the University Library of Rijeka on
December 1968? That the Crikvenica Riviera is a
tourist destination designed for guests
with pets that has the world-famous
dog beach "Podvorska" with the unique
"Monty's beach bar" that has a special
menu for pets? That the Vinodol Law, the oldest
fully preserved record of customary law
written in the Croatian language, was
signed in Novi Vinodolski in Frankopan
Castle? That thanks to the Dubec Water
Tower in 1925, Omišalj on the island
of Krk got running drinking water and
electricity in homes, decades earlier
than similar island settlements along
the eastern coast of the Adriatic?

That the island of Krk is inextricably linked with the number seven: in the seventh century it was inhabited by Croats, it successfully defended itself against pirates seven times, the seventh Frankopan was the last prince of Krk, today the island has seven main centers? That the fastest way to get to the moon is from the island of Krk? The "Path to the Moon" trail, most of which passes through a wooded area, is also home to a karst and rocky, completely bare "Moon Plateau", which resembles a rocky desert and offers a unique experience of a natural phenomenon? That Crikvenica is a town of marathons - in spring it hosts a cycling race, in summer the swimming marathon? That the city of Zadar has the first sea organ in the world. It produces sounds using only the power of wind and sea waves? That on 28 August 1895, the first hydroelectric power plant in the world started working at the Krka waterfall. The town of Šibenik received electric lighting before many other European towns including Vienna, Budapest, Rome, London and others? That the Trogir chapel is decorated with 150 sculptures of human figures; That one of the oldest public theaters in Europe was built in Hvar in 1612? That Dubrovnik has the oldest insurance law in Europe, dating from 1395 three centuries before Lloyd's, formed at the beginning of the 17th century? That the Republic of Dubrovnik was the first state to recognise the independence of the United States of America? That Croats have their own script. It is called Glagolithic, originating from the 9th century and was in regular use (together with the Latin script) until the 18th century? That Empress Maria Theresa had a resident lace-maker from Pag at her court in Vienna who produced lace for the needs of the court? That Osijek has the oldest tramway system in south-eastern Europe, from 1884? That Osijek has the oldest brewery in Croatia, from 1664?

That a hoard of Roman silver plate of
immeasurable value was discovered in
Vinkovci in 2012? That the oldest Indo-European cal-
endar Orion was discovered in Vinkovci? That in 1938, a cult ceramic vessel
in the shape of a bird was found in
Vučedol - the Vučedol dove? That Vukovar is the third city in
Croatia with the status of a free royal
city which it has held since 1231? That the first theater play in the
Croatian language was held in the
monastery of St Philip and James in
Vukovar, and it was the work of Fr Grga
Čevapovich? That the Vukovar church of St Philip
and James, 58m in length, is the third
longest church in Croatia? That the only horse-powered mill in
Europe has been preserved in Otok? That the only preserved example of
Military Frontier architecture in Croatia
is located in Županja? That the first Croatian sparkling wine
was produced in Slatina in 1864? That the 35-meter-high Skakavac
Waterfall located in the Jankovac Park
Forest is the largest Slavonian waterfall? That the Rupnica site, located in the
immediate vicinity of Voćin, and impor-
tant because of its unique square- and
hexagon-shaped volcanic rocks, was
proclaimed the first geological monu-
ment in Croatia back in 1984?
That the biggest living organism in
eastern Croatia is a 62-meter-tall giant
sequoia with a 5-meter-diameter trunk? That in 1785 an important Roman
excavation was found in Daruvar, Vas
diatretum Daruvarense, a fragile diatre-
tum ritual vessel made of opalescent
glass, 12 cm high and 9 cm wide? That the oldest male ginkgo biloba
tree in the Republic of Croatia is located
in Daruvar, planted around 1777, today
with a trunk circumference of approxi-
mately 7 m, and was even declaredthe
Croatian tree of 2019? That the oldest fish farm in the
Republic of Croatia is the Končanica fish
farm, where fish farming dates back to
the feudal era? That the oldest Croatian Easter
egg is kept in the Bjelovar Municipal
Museum? That the custom of waking up to the
sound of motorcycles rushing through
the city on International Labour Day is
unique in the world? That the popular small tractor Tomo
Vinković was produced in Bjelovar? That more than 20 national minori-
ties live in Bjelovar? That there is a Roma house in
Maglenča, a unique facility in Europe,
where you can find out everything
about the past of the autochthonous
Croatian Roma group the Lovari? That just five kilometres northwest
of Samobor, in Rude, there is the first
open-air mining museum in Croatia, the
St Barbara Mine? That Budinjak is a special type of
bronze helmet from the Iron Age, whose
archaeological site is in the area of
Žumberak, and that it was named after
the nearby village of Budinjak? That Croatia is one of only two sites of
medicinal Naftalan in the world, for which
the Naftalan spa in Ivanić Grad is famous? That the Turopolje dialect belonging
to the Kajkavian dialect of the Croatian
language is a Croatian cultural treasure? That near Velika Gorica (Šćitarjevo),
there is an archaeological site of An-
dautonia? That the first Croatian electric car
Concept One was manufactured in
Sveta Nedelja? That in the center of Jastrebarsko,
there is a collection of old cooper's tools
and products of the Golub family, which
has been declared a cultural good? That Kajkavian Donja Sutla Ikavica
dialect is protected intangible heritage?

Nature and Biodiversity in Croatia

That the oak trees hidden in the common oak forest in the Spačva Basin can be over 40 meters tall? That the iris is the national flower of

Croatia? That in Croatia you can, within a
distance of only 100 km, see the sea,
karst landscape, forests, mountains and
plains? That Croatia is one of the ecologi-
cally best preserved countries in Europe,
and one of the few countries on the old
continent which supplies its citizens
with drinking water from a public water-
supply system? That 'Winnetou', the famous adven-
ture series, was filmed at Plitvice Lakes,
on the Velebit Mountain and on the
River Zrmanja? That Zlatni Rat - the famous beach
in Bol on the island of Brač, changes its
shape depending on the wind;? That on the island of Mljet you can
see an island within an island: notably,
in the middle of the Large Lake is a tiny
island, a rare natural phenomenon? That Makarska has a Malacological
Museum with the largest collection of
shells and snails in the world? That the Dalmatian, a distinctive
breed of dog, was named after Dalmatia
and the Illyrian tribe of Dalmatia? That the last European habitat of the
griffon vulture is on the island of Cres? That approximately 1,400 species
of terrestrial plants grow on the island
of Krk - almost half of the total flora in
Croatia? That the islet of Prvić opposite Baška
is the largest uninhabited island in the
Adriatic, known for the Senj bura wind,
has oases of plants, is the habitat of
the griffon vulture, and was declared a
special ornithological reserve in 1972? That Glavine - Mala Lluka (Kuntrep,
island of Krk) is the oldest ornithological
reserve for griffon vultures in the world
and was declared protected in 1969?
That the first Croatian Interna-
tional Dark Sky Park of the highest gold
category is located in the Daruvar area,
adhering to the strict criteria of the
International Dark-Sky Association (IDA),
an American non-profit organisation? That one of the largest habitats of
the checkered lily (Fritillaria) flower can

be found in the area of Bilogora and Moslavina?

That the views from Bilogora extend all the way to the Julian Alps? That one of the rare specimens of ginkgo biloba thrives in Ilok Park, often referred to as a living fossil because all its relatives died 200 million years ago?

That Cret in the area of Zaprešić is one of only a few locations in Croatia where the round-leaved sundew, a rare and precious carnivorous plant, thrives?

That the Turopolje pig is one of the oldest native breeds of pigs that is mentioned in written documents as early as 1352?

That one of the largest linden trees, the Uskok linden tree, is located in Croatia in the very heart of the pure nature of Žumberak?

That the area of the Žumberak - Samobor Highlands Nature Park has the greatest biodiversity of cave fauna in the world?

That Zagreb County is the largest Croatian county and one of the largest global destinations with the Green Destinations certificate, and that the Zagreb County Tourist Board included stakeholders from Zagreb that also received this prestigious certificate in the Green Destinations Business certification process?

Croatian Fashion and Cultural Heritage

That Croatia is the home of the cravat? It was spread as a fashion accessory in the 17th century by Croatian soldiers; in 1667, during the reign of Louis XIV of France, a special regiment was formed and named after the Croats: the 'Royal Cravates'. The new fashion article, worn 'à la Croate', was adopted by the people of Paris. Soon, the expression became the root of the new French word 'cravate'. That the Bilogora folk costume is

unique in its whiteness? That silk was produced in Bjelovar in
the 18th century? That the bracelets with the motif of
Turopolje 'podgutnica' and 'poculica'
have become a new wearable and mod-
ern fashion detail as well as a souvenir?

Croatian Gastronomy and Culinary Traditions

That the Korak restaurant in Plešivica is the only restaurant in continental Croatia with a Michelin star and the prestigious Green Star for excellence in sustainability.

That the fine dining standard in Zagreb County is upheld through the prestigious Gault&Millau award. That every April 1st, when Ludbreg celebrates its day of being the center of the world, wine instead of water flows from the town's fountain?

That Maraschino is an authentic Zadar liqueur which, in the 18th century, was exported to almost all European countries and could be found on the tables of their rulers: George IV of the United Kingdom, Napoleon Bonaparte, and the Russian Emperor Nicholas?

That the Lipik area produces an authentic horse salami from a hundred year-old recipe?

That Belica has a monument dedicate to potatoes, the only one in the world?

That kvargl cheese is a specialty of the Bjelovar region and has been produced since 1756?

That traminac wine from Ilok was served at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II?

That lamb from the island of Krk was served at Nero's famous feasts in Rome?

DID YOU KNOW?

7 I. Radošević, 8 N. Ruszkowski, 9 TZ Grada Ivanić-Grada, 10 M. Šlafhauzer, 11,13 I. Biočina, 12 M. Bernfest 1 I. Šeler, 2 B. Kačan, 3 J. Grđan, 4 M. Šćerbe, 5 R. Kosinožić, 6 K. Zorović,

1 KAŽUN - traditional field stone house that farmers used for storing tools and for shelter from storms

2 BAŠĆANSKA PLOČA - THE BAŠKA TABLET - a scale replica of the tablet of the greatest Croatian written relic in the old Slavic Glagolitic script from the 12th century

3 LIKA CAP - part of Lika folk costumes and a traditional symbol of its identity

4 PAG LACE - handmade decorative item from the island of Pag embroidered by needle and fine thread

5 LAVENDER - souvenir bags of fragrant lavender flowers and bottles of essential oil of lavender

6 KONAVLE silk embroidery - handmade decorative embroidery made with homemade silk thread

7 MILESTONES - scale replicas of the historic road signs from the 18th and 19th centuries

8 LICITARSKO SRCE - GINGERBREAD HEART - colourfully decorated cake made of bright red honey dough that is traditionally given to a loved one or to a dear friend

9 LINEN TOWEL from Ivanić Grad - handmade from linen, decorated with a single or multi-colour ethnic motif

10 VUČEDOL DOVE - archaeological ceramic vessel in the form of a bird from the time of the Vučedol Culture

11 LIPIZZANER BREEDING TRADITION IN SLAVONIJA, BARANJA AND SRIJEM - intangible cultural heritage

12 ORION - Orion ceramic vessel, the oldest European calendar made in 2,600 BCE.

13 TRADITIONAL DANCES ŠOKAČKO KOLO AND NOVLJANSKO KOLO - intangible cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia.

CROATIA IN THE HEART