Historical facts
Croatia is indeed unique, not only for its crystal clear, clean blue
sea, but also for a thousand years of different cultures that have replaced each other and
sometimes assimilated in these areas. The Adriatic Sea is not only a deep gulf in the
Mediterranean cut into the Continent of Europe thereby creating most economical trade route
between Europe and the East, it is also the cradle of ancient civilizations. There is much
material evidence about that which is finally beginning to come to light, from the depths of
Adriatic caves and from the deep blue sea. The east coast of the Adriatic Sea was inhabited
as early as the beginning of the early Stone Age, and there is proof that most of the
accessible islands were also inhabited (archaeological findings in caves near the islands
of Hvar and Palagruza, etc.). Thanks to the favourable geographical characteristics of our
coast, with its numerous bays, inlets and coves, the coastal belt has ever been a significant
mercantile and nautical route.
Archaeological findings prove that in the 6th century BC the ancient Greeks had commerce with the
Illyrians by means of the sea, and that they founded their colonies there
(Pharos, today's Starigrad, on the islands of Hvar and Issa - or Vis).
Later on, the Romans arrived, and they not only built palaces and summer residences but they also spent
a considerable amount of time on the sea, and there are many underwater findings located between Pula
and Cavtat which show this to be true. Such findings are mainly amphorae, which were at the time
commonly used for storing everything from wine to wheat, oils and perfumes. Wherever you choose to go
diving, you will find the remains of Antique ships and their cargoes. One of the most precious findings
from that time are remains of pythos or dolias, large pottery vessels which were built into ships and
used to transport bulk cargo (wheat, etc). One such site is near Cavtat, while another is near Murter.
A new era dawned with the arrival of the Slavs, a period characterized by constant struggle for
supremacy and by defence against diverse enemies. Dubrovnik, eminent in its position as a republic,
played a leading role in culture and trade. A 17th-century shipwreck bears witness to those
times - a galley which sailed from Venice carrying muran glass, window glass, and other valuable
objects, and was fitted with cannons. But during a storm it sank near the island of Olipe, off the
coast of Dubrovnik.
In the 18th century, Napoleon ruled for a short period of time, after which he was replaced by the
Austrian monarchy. During the next hundred years, Italy and Austria fought each other for supremacy
of the east coast, culminating in the battle of Vis in 1866. The Austrian fleet, led by Admiral
Tegetthoff, who commanded the battleship Erzherzog Ferdinand Max, was opposed by Admiral Persano,
commander of the Italian fleet. In the battle, Persano, on his flag ship the battleship Re d'Italia,
was roundly trounced by Tegetthoff, and the Italian fleet withdrew in defeat.
The oldest town on the east side of the Adriatic - the only and unique Pula, inhabited
by the ancestors of the Croats 3.000 years ago. The famous Pula Arena from the 3rd century of our
era is the symbol of a town of monumental heritage, admired by Roman rulers, Renaissance poets and
Venetian noblemen.
They left to Pula a rich heritage of their works of hands and mind, while nature gave it a mild
Mediterranean climate and the sea proclaimed to be the cleanest one in the Mediterranean.
Pula does not need to write an invitation card - its attractiveness speaks for itself.
Arena - the magnificent monument of ancient Pula; it is the sixth biggest preserved amphitheatre
in the world. It is an open summer stage where numerous cultural and entertainment events take place.
Testimony to those glorious times can be found not only on the mainland, but also under the sea in the
shape of shipwrecks and remains of the detritus of great ships. The period of Austro- Hungarian rule
commenced thereafter. Ports were built and fortified, trade and shipbuilding flourished. During the two
World Wars, the Adriatic was one of the more important areas of battle, and there are many shipwrecks
dating from those periods. Near Pula, for example, which at the time was a strategically vital naval
harbour, twenty shipwrecks have been located, including a number of submarines, destroyers, and
torpedo-boats The Adriatic Sea has always been an important maritime route between East and West,
which can still be seen today because of the numerous relics, which remind us that the past should
never be forgotten, but rather used as a lesson for the future.
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