A Diamond in the Rough: The Dalmatian Coast

Picture yourself strolling along through an elegant village frozen in time during the Middle Ages. The Dalmatian Coast borders a 200-mile crystal-blue coastline encompassing lush scenes and varying towns representing different periods of time. A place such as this exists in one of the most surprising locations, the Middle East. Although traveling to Croatia has proved dangerous in the past, the current risks are worth taking as long as the traveler is aware and careful.

The Dalmatian Coast offers an astounding array of aesthetic beauty. Established in 10 AD, this area of Croatia acts as a display of history to those who visit. Dalmatia began as a Roman region with a romance culture where the Dalmatian Language, now extinct, was developed. Landmarks dating back from the Roman Empire to the Middle Ages, and Modern Period exist along the Dalmatian Coast. Split is the largest Dalmatia city, also the place where a treasured town dating back to the Roman times is located. The still-standing palace was built in 300 AD and serves as a major tourist attraction. Adjacent to the palace resides a 12^th century Cathedral. The town of Split has an astonishing display of historic sites in and of itself. South of Split is a 13^th century town known as Hvar. Hvar is a quaint village with cobbled stone streets and a centrally located four-story bell tower. The town square is rimmed with cafes and people enjoying their town. Hvar gives off the impression of being in the Middle Ages with the view of sculptured porticos, ancient wooden doors, and bridges. MIjet Island offers a beautiful National Park where travelers can take a bike tour around a salt-water lake while enjoying the aesthetically pleasing historic sites. Another place that warrants visiting is Korcula, a pedestrian village dating back to the 15^th century located within a lush and hilly peninsula enabling an amazing Adriatic view. From Split on the North end to Dubrovnik on the Southern tip, the varying attractions include historic villages, beautiful coves, lush forests, olive groves and vineyards.

Dubrovnik is known as the Adriatic’s “Crown Jewel.” Visitors enter through a gate and find themselves strolling along a wide, marbled pedestrian “boulevard.” At the eastern end of the town a place called Luza square is bordered by “entrancing Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque structures such as the clock tower, Sponza Palace, St. Blaise’s Church, the Rector’s Palace, and Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin.” Exploring the entire town of Dubrovnik cannot be missed, for the sites available offer an unparalleled array of anywhere else. Culturally, Dubrovnik consists of artistic interests, referring to itself as “the city of poets, writers, and scientists.” Today the town’s summer Festival has become popular, including music, theater, and dance.

Located along the Adriatic Sea, these coastal villages have an amazing view of the unparalleled cerulean water. Sailing along the coast offers the opportunity to experience otherwise inaccessible island coves and villages. The Adriatic Sea, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, “is deficient in life; nutrient content, as indicated by the amount of phosphates and nitrates, is extremely low.” The water is supposed to be extremely clean and clear, a site that Americans would surely enjoy seeing. However, until recently, Croatia was not a place tourists were encouraged to visit.

The violent Croatian War of Independence spanned from 1991 to 1995. Croatians sought to establish a sovereign Republic of Croatia apart from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Serbia opposed this motion and wanted to remain part of Yugoslavia. The tension arose after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, which resulted in the weakening of the Communist states in Eastern Europe where the communist party in Yugoslavia lost its ideological potency. After the first six months of war 10,000 people had died and hundreds of thousands had fled. The final number of casualties is estimated to be around 200- 400,000. Because of this, Croatia is still thought of as a war-ridden country, but in reality, it is just as safe as any other Eastern European country. According to Great Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth office, “there is an underlying threat of terrorism and organized crime in Croatia… Unexploded land mines are still a danger. Highly populated areas and major routes are not clear of mines and are safe to visit.” Travelers should, therefore, be cautious when visiting and be mindful not to stray into isolated areas in the mountains and countryside.

It might come down to whether the risk is worth the reward; the reward being the unmatched experience that the Dalmatian Coast has to offer. I propose that as long as the traveler is well informed and aware of the customs and recent tensions, then the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia is an experience that should not be missed. The best time to visit is from May to September when the sun shines and the sea is pleasantly warm.