Adriatic

Once upon a time in Croatia… the history of this country could begin with this time-honoured phrase, so distant are its almost legendary origins; the din of past battles and promises of new alliances still echoing in the corridors, and the talents of its builders.

On the doorstep of Central Europe, the Mediterranean and the Balkans, Croatia has been coveted by powerful neighbours throughout its history. Long after the Romans took possession of the Adriatic coast, Venetians, Ottomans and Habsburgs took it in turns to subdue the Dalmatian territories… here in a few lines are the main facts of the country’s history:

In medieval times, an independent Croat kingdom reached its peak in the 11^th century before entering into a union with the Hungarian crown.

Then, when the winds of history blew in from Venice on the other side of the Adriatic in the early 15^th century, the coastal province of Dalmatia became Venetian for four centuries, then French under Napoleon’s Empire.

Constantly seeking to defend its autonomy, but subject to the appetites of its neighbours, Croatia was integrated into the Habsburg territories in the early 16^th century, becoming part of the all-powerful Austrian-Hungarian Empire until 1918.

During this period yet another empire, this time the Ottomans, was trying to expand its influence as far as Croatia, which again became a battle ground.

The 20^th century marked another period of violent upheavals for the country with Croatia being brought into Yugoslavia after the Second World War, before finally attaining independence in 1991.

It is this long journey, through the maze of history, and the combination of all these influences which makes Croatia such a fascinating, colourful and multi-faceted country.

Onboard L’AUSTRAL, whichever cruise you have chosen, our guides will relate the turbulent history of a nation with thousand-year-old traditions.