Croatia includes most of the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, which is the part of the Mediterranean Sea the most situated inside the European mainland. With its islands, Croatia includes the most extensive part of the Adriatic coast as a whole.
ZAGREB
By choosing Zagreb as the destination of your dental vacation, you will have the opportunity to explore this typically Central European capital city, rich in monuments, theatres, elegant cafés, restaurants, terraces and parks, with numerous events that animate the nightlife, to suit all tastes.
The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The most important religious building in the city, built above the remains of a Romanesque cathedral, which was destroyed in the thirteenth century. The original cathedral was built in the Gothic style, but no trace of it remains, except the frescoes in the sacristy painted during the construction of Cathedral. At the end of the nineteenth century, the cathedral was destroyed by an earthquake, and rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style in the early twentieth century.
The Stone Gate
Once the gateway to the city of Gradec, but today a sanctuary; hosts a painting of the Madonna and Child, which survived a fire that destroyed the entire port except this painting, thus becoming a symbol of prayer.
The Municipal Museum
Exhibiting objects, documents, and works of art that represent and illustrate the history of Zagreb.
The Church of San Marco:
Dates back to the thirteenth century and was consecrated during the fair of St. Mark. It is characterised by a Gothic portal, consisting of 15 figures, and a bell tower, but it’s most particular feature is the roof, with tiles arranged to form the coat of arms of Croatia, Slovenia, Dalmatia and Zagreb.
Other important buildings to visit in the Upper Town are
Sabor (the Houses of Parliament), the Croatian political centre, with a particular balcony built in neoclassical style; Ban’s Palace, the presidential palace, which houses courts, archives and other government offices; the Gallery of Naive art, which exhibits more than 1000 paintings by artists from Croatia and Europe; St. Catherine’s Church, dating from the seventeenth century, destroyed several times by earthquakes and fires, whose only surviving feature is a facade built in the Baroque style.
The Mimara Museum
Located in a neo-Renaissance building, which displays a vast collection of different historical periods and different styles, works of art from Rome, Persia, Greece, Mesopotamia, and much of Europe. Major artists such as Raphael, Caravaggio, Rubens, Goya, Vasquez, Delacroix, Manet and Renoir works are exhibited in this museum.
Other destinations in Zagreb
The Art Pavilion, dedicated to exhibitions of contemporary art; the Contemporary Art Gallery, featuring works by artists from Croatia; the Archaeological Museum which displays objects and works of art from prehistoric, medieval and Egyptian periods; the Museum of Ethnography which displays ceramics, objects, tools, musical instruments related to the history of the city; Croatian Art Centre, previously a mosque, it now exists as space for exhibitions of contemporary art.
SPLIT
A dental vacation in Split offers you the opportunity to undertake your dental care treatment whilst at the same time visiting one of the most fascinating cities in the Mediterranean. The old city centre is situated within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace – one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Diocletian’s Palace
Majestic architectural complex of Roman origin, is among the most impressive in the world (UNESCO protected). It was built by the emperor Diocletian between 293 and 305, using the white stone from the nearby island of Brac, Italian marble and Egyptian columns and sphinxes. The walls of the building match with the original core of the historic centre of the city. Originally its walls, measuring 215m by 180m, contained within the imperial residence, various temples and a mausoleum. The building was remodelled during the Middle Ages, but the Roman style is strongly present even today. It was originally an independent structure, having features of an imperial residence and a fortified town. Its structure corresponded to that of a Roman military camp: two perpendicular streets, the cardo and the decumanus which intersect to form the peristyle (courtyard entrance to the imperial quarters which houses a number of buildings with facade blinds) to the south of which lies the atrium, with a carved door, leading into the vestibule (the roundabout).
The Palace had a slightly trapezoidal shape (the south side was slightly irregular due to the slope of the land towards the sea), with one side facing the sea and four square towers at the corners.
The Cathedral of St. Dominus retains all of its original structure which is octagonal with peripteral outside, and circular within; it is the imperial mausoleum and became the place of worship in the 7th century.
The bell tower (13th century) was rebuilt in 1882-1908. The baptistery is the temple, prostyle with a crypt, dedicated to Jupiter by Diocletian. On the People’s Square, there are typically Venetian palaces (City Hall: 1432, rebuilt in 1891, houses the Museum of Ethnography). Between the New Town and the Village Grande is the square surrounded by arcades, known as the Procurative, designed by the mayor Baiamonti.
The Archaeological Museum: exhibits a collection of objects that date back to Roman and Christian periods, and numerous sculptures inspired by the mythology of the Illyrians, as well as coins and jewellery.
The Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments
Dedicated to Croatian rulers of the Middle Ages, with tombstones, altars and furniture, gravestones, swords and jewelery.
The Ethnographic Museum
Exhibits photos and traditional objects that tell the story of Split. As in all the museums, descriptions of the objects and explanatory notes are in Croatian.
Other destinations in the Dalmatian region: a short distance from Split lays the city of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the summer season the Dalmatian islands that lie off the coast of Split are highly popular. The main island is Hvar, famous both for its beauty and for its warm weather. In the interior of the island there is a mountain range that does not exceed 700 meters above sea level, in the northern part there is a plain, with a rugged coastline full of inlets and coves.
Another interesting destination for holidays by the sea and relaxation is the island of Brac. The town of Bol has one of the most famous Dalmatian beaches, Zlatni Rat (the golden tooth), a stretch of golden sand that dips in the sea. The beach is accessed through a beautiful pine forest and the whole city is full of bars and restaurants. Lovers of the sea and unspoiled nature should not miss a visit to the island of Vis. Finally, other towns to visit along the coast of Central Dalmatia are Omis and Makarska.
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