DID YOU KNOW?
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Distinct locations offer different sensations; each one is unique and is reviewed according to five categories. The scores can never be entirely objective as they reflect the opinions of individuals (the creators of the infographic in this case), but we’ve lived in Croatia all our lives, so you will have to trust us on this one.
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MOTHER
NATURE
9
HOW TO
GET THERE
HISTORY
& MYSTERY
Osijek
Pula
3
Zadar
3210
0
Šibenik
Split
CLICK THE
NUMBERS!
4
Boat
trip
Croatia has 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Also, it is second place in Europe and fifth in the world on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage.
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SLO BiH Karlovac ZAGREB Slunj Rastoke D1 A1 6
6
OUR REVIEW
Karlovac
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THE GREAT PICTURE
A1
Rijeka
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D1
Varaždin
SLO Pula Opatija Rovinj Poreč RIJEKA Pazin Tinjan Kringa A8 D48 1
Sl. Brod
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10
Wow factor
Level of uniqueness
1
Level of inner peace
Level of discomfort
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Possible comeback
(hover the mouse over circles
to get the full explanation)
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Infographic Box IDS is a specialized infographic production service that encompasses the entire visual content creation process – from analysis and strategy to writing and research; to design, visualization, and promotion. Besides static and motion graphics, we offer interactive infographics like the one presented. Visit the 'Inside the Box' section of our website for more of our production. The routes are indicative only. Travel distances and times are taken from the Via Michelin route planner, where you can find detailed instructions.
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Sometimes once is enough
and sometimes you just
want to relive the
experience over and over.
Dubrovnik
3
RIJEKA SLO Senj Rab Krk Goli otok D102 A7 Boattrip 2
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ZAGREB
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ALL
LOCATIONS
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HOW WE SCORED
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LEGEND
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5
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D48
A8
KRINGA
HOME OF CROATIAN DRACULA
Jure Grando is the first European vampire mentioned in historical records. The legend has it that, for 16 years after his death, Jure would rise from his grave by night and terrorize the village. Finally, a group of nine brave men decided to put an end to this menace and, after an unsuccessful attempt to drive a hawthorn stake through his corpse, managed to decapitate the body. According to the 2011 census, Kringa has 315 inhabitants. In recent years, a vampire museum and vampire themed bar have been opened to attract tourists to the town.
Jure Grando served as a model for many literary characters, and one of them is Bram Stoker’s Dracula. His story was included in an anthology published by the Nobel Prize winner Hermann Hesse.
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D102
A7
GOLI OTOK
THE “CROATIAN ALCATRAZ"
Goli otok was the notorious, high-security prison and labor camp, mainly for political prisoners, which was run by the authorities of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It is sometimes referred to as the "Croatian Alcatraz." Today, the island is uninhabited, with abandoned ruins of the buildings constructed by inmates.
Upon arrival, the new prisoner had to run naked through a human tunnel formed by the other inmates who beat and cursed him. Those who didn't hit him hard enough had to make the run as well.
Pag
Island
Ferry
D8
PAG
THE MYSTERIOUS TRIANGLE
The Pag Triangle is a natural phenomenon, an imprint in rocks, named for its location on the island of Pag. This land formation is in the shape of an isosceles triangle, with one side measuring 32 meters (105 ft.) and the other two sides measuring 22 meters (72 ft.). The stones inside the triangle are of a different composition from the rocks outside the triangle, and after being exposed to UV rays, they emit red light.
There is no scientific explanation for the triangle. Ufologists’ claim that it is the site of an alien landing is the most popular theory, but there are also those who view the triangle as a sign of the Holy Trinity.
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5140
KUTEREVO
THE BEAR REFUGE
Kuterevo is a small mountain village in the Croatian region of Lika, which is famous for its traditional handmade string instrument (kuterevska dangubica) and its one-of-a-kind sanctuary for young orphaned bears whose mothers have died in traffic accidents or through poaching and, thus, who have no chance of survival in the wild. It was founded in 2002 and is run by knowledgeable volunteers from all over the world.
There are about 1,000 bears living in Croatia. Their average weight is 100 kg (females) to 150 kg (males); the largest can reach 300 kg.
5126
SMILJAN
NIKOLA TESLA MEMORIAL CENTER
This memorial center was opened in 2006 for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Nikola Tesla, one of the world’s greatest inventors. It was built on the site of his birthplace and comprises a newly renovated home, the church of St. Peter and Paul, a multimedia center, and an educational, futuristic children’s playground. In addition, there are numerous open-air exhibits. The site’s total area is approx. 13,000 square meters.
Although the total number of Tesla’s patents has not yet been definitively determined, we know that at this moment, he holds at least 308 patents from 27 different countries on five continents.
RASTOKE
TRADITION AND NATURE SYMBIOSIS
Rastoke is a small watermill village settled where the Slunjcica river flows into the river Korana. It is a unique example of both natural and ethnographic heritage. The epithet ‘the Small Lakes of Plitvice’ implies that the beautiful scenery includes the water flowing across cascades and many playful waterfalls, but in contrast to the Plitvice, Rastoke is special for being a human settlement intertwined with mills driven by water power.
The oldest mill in Rastoke was built in the 17th century. At its peak, Rastoke had as many as 22 mills.
A2
A3
KRAPINA
THE NEANDERTHAL MUSEUM
This museum is located near the world-famous site of the Krapina Neanderthals Husnjakovo, where the largest collection of Neanderthals at a single locality was found at the end of the 19th century. Besides the mentioned finds, the exhibition takes the visitor on a journey, telling the story of the Earth’s long geological history.
Neanderthals lived between 30,000 and 300,000 years ago and share 99.7% of their DNA with modern humans.
3209
D36
CIGOC
THE VILLAGE OF STORKS
Cigoc is a village located in Lonja Field Nature Park, next to the Sava River. The area is the residence of many animal species, especially birds. In 1994, the EuroNatur Foundation proclaimed Čigoč the first stork village in Europe. Cigoc population: about 120 humans in approx. 70 homes and over 200 storks in over 40 nests.
There is a national celebrity couple in Croatia (in Brodski Varus) – the male stork Klepetan and the female Malena. Malena is disabled and cannot fly properly after having been shot, so they are separated in winter, only to be reunited every year when Klepetan flies back to their nest.
A5
DAKOVO
THE STATE STUD FARM
There is a long tradition of horse breeding in the Dakovo area, and the first documented evidence dates to the 14th century. The Dakovo State Stud Farm was founded in 1506, making it the first horse farm in Croatia and one of the oldest in Europe. It has an over 200-year tradition of breeding Lipizzans. Today, the farm has two locations – The Stallion Station in the center of Dakovo and Ivandvor, only a few kilometers away.
The Lipizzan is a long-lived horse, with an average lifespan of 30-35 years. According to the Lipizzan International Federation, there are only 10,000 Lipizzaners in the world.
Vis
Island
Ferry
6212
BLUE CAVE
THE ADRIATIC SAPPHIRE
The Blue Cave (Modra spilja) is located on the island of Bisevo and is known as one of the most amazing natural phenomena in existence due to the glowing blue light that it appears to emit at certain times of day. Depending on the season, the ideal moment to visit the cave is at noon, when the magical game of sunlight and water creates an amazing, blue, shining effect around the cave. The cave is 24 meters long, 10–12 meters deep, and up to 15 meters high.
The original natural entrance to the Blue Cave is only accessible by diving, but in 1884, Baron Eugen von Ransonet had the idea of constructing an artificial entrance above sea level, big enough for small boats to enter.
Once you visit, it’s about
how stunned and
fascinated you get … now,
close your mouth before
a fly gets inside!
Being special and
one-of-a-kind always
attracts the curious.
That wonderful feeling
of serenity and stillness
which overwhelms the
whole body.
Some places are famous
for their mystery
or cruel history
and give you chills.
Sometimes once is enough
but sometimes, you want
to relive the experience
over and over.