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Makarska
Not far away from Split and its Diocletian Palace, which is on UNESCO's list of worlds heritage, lies Makarska. Embodying in herself all that one desires from a tourist destination which with its many facilities satisfies every- one's taste in each and every season, and on the other hand a destination which enables you to be only with yourself if you want, Makarska will be a proper choice for those that enjoy the atmosphere of stone cobbled Dalmatian streets, southern openness, all combined with a superb tourist offer. Makarska is tucked in a natural harbour fringed with the green peninsulas of Osejava and St.Peter, at the very bottom of impressive Mount Biokovo. Indeed, nature has been generous secluded beaches, bare rugged rocks, straits and immense sea. And as soon as your eyes have adjusted to the azure of the sea, it is enough to cast your eyes over the roofs of Makarska to spot Mt. Biokovo thus witnessing the extraordinary amalgam of Mediterranean and mountainous. There, of butterfly and flowers one does not learn from books. After all, nature and life are far better teachers. The town is the heart of the Makarska Riviera, a long coastal strip which will surprise you by its beauty and preserved nature. Long sand or pebble beaches, pine forests, ever clear waters are only a tiny bit of tourist values you may discover if visiting Tucepi, Zaostrog all the way to Brela, one of the most favourite spots for many tourists. From Makarska they are all at hand. But not only them. Day excursions to Split, Dubrovnik or Medjugorje are also possible. Or perhaps islands of Hvar, Brac or Korcula, which are, thanks to modern and fast ships, just across the road. Right from the very beginnings the town of Makarska has been the centre of the micro-region, Makarska Riviera, owing to its geographical position, cultural and historical importance. It is situated in a naturally protected harbour; the Osejava cape closing in from the southeast side and peninsula of St. Peter's from the northwest. The town expands amphitheatrically up to slopes of mountain Biokovo.
The Tabula Peuntingeriana from the first half of the fourth century mentions "the antique settlement of Inaronia" as a stop on the coastal road from Salona to Narona and the authenticity of the settlement has been proved by many archaeological remains. The antique finds on St. Peter's peninsula, at the central town square, and near the Franciscan monastery, as well as by Lower Harbour, prove that the town has grown on remains of a one-time Roman town or even an older, pre-historical settlement. According to the documents of the Synod of Salona on 4th May 533., Mucurum was the place where the diocese was founded.
The Ravenat's itinerary from 7th century mentions the settlement as "Aronia id est Mucru". All through the 7th century Croatian tribes settled the coast between the Cetina and the Neretva rivers. The Byzantine emperor Constantine Porphirogenet refers to them In this book "De administrando imperio", written in the middle 10th century, as to "the Arentanians" and he calls their land "Pagania". The same source mentions the district of "Mocro", "where there are vessels by the sea". That was the reason why the Venetian dodge Peter Candian carne down to Mucules on 18th September 877. There he was defeated in a sea battle and Venice had to pay to people living by the Neretva in order to sail the Adriatic free.
But the power of the Neretva Principality slowly expires in the 13th century. Centuries that follows witnessed continuos struggles for power among the princes of Bribir, Bosnia and Herzegovina sovereigns, Hungarian and Croatian kings, as well as Venice. Most of Dalmatian towns prosper under aegis of the Venetian Republic, and Makarska becomes the centre of Venetian and Turkish struggles of interests.
In 1502 Mohammed Musin, the town of Foca kadi, mentions in one of his documents Makarska by that name for the first time. By name time Makarska was the centre of Primorje nahija (district) and the Turks had their military troops. They took great care of maintaining a ferry used for trading with neighbouring countries. In the middle of the 16th century the Turks fortified the town of Makarska by three towers connected by protective walls in order to fend away Venetian attacks. One can still se what they looked like on the graphic made in 1572 by Venetian map-maker G.F. Camozio and at the same time that is the oldest picture-document of Makarska that is kept from decay. St. Peter's church on St.Peter's peninsula can easily be recognized and on the eastern side, outside the town walls, the Franciscan monastery and St. Mary's church have already been built.
In 1646 the nobility and the people of Kraina recognized the Venetian authority and yet, not until 1681 Makarska was "de facto" annexed to Venice. The foundations of the future town grew under a hundred-year-long rule of the Venetian lion. Alberto Fortis, the Italian writer of travels, wrote about it, admiring the beauty of new building and the three church towers. At the end of 17th century St. Peter's church was restored in baroque style. It was first mentioned in the sources in the early 14th century and later demolished. In 1962 it was by an earthquake, and in 1992 it was finally completely reconstructed. The Franciscan monastery has also been widened and reconstructed.
Makarska began to get its modern physiognomy at the time when bishop Nikola Bjankovic lived. St. Mark's cathedral was built and consecrated in 1766. Right in front of it is a spacious square and a late baroque style drinking-fountain built in 1775. In 1758 the church and the oratorio of St. Philip Neri were built on the very shore of Makarska. Due to intensive trading and profit the town of Makarska expanded to the west. Young aristocracy built luxurious houses and palaces in Dalmatian baroque style. It is important to mention the baroque palace owned by Ivanisevic family situated in the eastern part of the old town, as well as the Tonolli family palace that today houses the Town Museum.
The Campoformi agreement in 1797 declared Makarska as part of Austria and the Peace agreement in Bratislava 1805 declared it French. The new government introduced new way in order to modernize educational system, economy and infrastructure. An obelisk, raised in honour of the French marshal Marmont, today is located by the western entrance into town.
In 1813 Makarska comes again under Austrian crown. New ideas of the Croatian national revival in the 19th century that promoted freedom and the usage of Croatian language were readily accepted. Therefore it is easily understood why right in Makarska, among all Dalmatian towns, on 24th October 1865 the Croatian national party won elections and gained political power and predominance in public life. That is the day we now days celebrate as the City Day. But the act or raising the monument of Andrija Kacic Miosic, by the Croatian sculptor Ivan Rendic. crowned Croatian strains and attempts to unite all parts of the country. Through the 19th century libraries and reading-rooms in coastal towns, as well as in Makarska, became centers of cultural, public and political life. In the middle of 18th century Makarska was the first among all Dalmatian towns to get the public library owing to archbishop Antun Kadcic. On that tradition grew foundations of future cultural and public life. The existence or a theatre, a philharmonic orchestra, drama and singing companies witness the active society life of that time. That philharmonic orchestra made it possible to establish the modern City Music Band and in the first years of 20th century many sport clubs were founded (for ex. a rowing club, a mountain-climbing club, a football club ...).
During the period under the Austrian rule many new houses and public building were built. Just further up St. Marko's cathedral, towards the north, there is a "the old school" built in 2nd half of the 19th century in classicistic style. The original intention was to have Glagolitic monastery there and today accommodates The City Art Gallery of Antun Gojak, The City Library, The Elementary Music School, the editorial of the local newspaper "Makarsko primorje" and local radio "Radio Makarska Riviera". On Marineta, a part of town situated by the seashore, there is a romantic late 19th century palace that belonged to the noble Kacic-Peko family built in new-renaissance style and looking much like a fortified castle.
In the early twenties Makarska began to get the image of a tourist resort owing to its urban planning and natural advantages. And because of tourism Makarska (with approximately 15,000 inhabitants) makes every effort to modernize its infrastructure, economy and health system as well as tourism, cultural, recreational and sports life. Veliko Brdo, Puharici, Makar and Kotisina, small villages situated at the foot of Biokovo mountain, attract visitors because of their natural beauty, old fortifications, rural way of building and the traditional way of life. From there one can reach the highest peaks of Biokovo climbing up trodden down and well marked paths. You can enjoy walking through beautiful parks, valleys, pits, and meadows. The mountain is rich in endemic plants and big animals such as the chamois and mouflons which makes it possible to continue the long tradition of hunting tourism.
Sights
MAKARSKA TOWN MUSEUM
Today the museum holdings are sorted in several collections and sub-collections, and there are more than 2700 objects in its inventory, as well as considerable written sources, photographic documentation, drawings, blueprints and copies related to the abundant cultural heritage of the town of Makarska and the Makarska Littoral.
Museum's priority task, apart from the preparation of annual thematic exhibitions accompanied by catalogues – monographs, organization of scientific symposiums, realization of archaeological research projects and the publishing of the museum magazine is the final realization of the permanent museum display.
The museum exists and operates in the baroque palace Tonoli, a cultural monument situated at the coast itself. The museum institution in the town of Makarska was founded in 1962, when the Museum of the National Liberation Struggle of the Biokovo area was established. The museum holdings contained a collection of archivalia and objects from the Makarska region from the modern history period. In 1973, the Museum was integrated with the Makarska Municipal Centre for Culture, thus becoming a dependent unit within the Centre, and changing its name into The Museum of Revolution. Through a gradual change of the manner and scope of work, as well as an expansion of the area of activities and collection of items, the foundation for the future formation of museum collections representing all historic periods was made. At that time, the museum library and archive were established.
In accordance with the social changes in 1991, the Museum changed its name into the County Museum of the Makarska Littoral. The Archaeological, Ethnographic and Cultural-Historical collections were formed, and the Modern history collection was expanded with a series of sub-collections. The Gallery department, established through a donation of the heirs of paintings and drawings of Antun Gojak, a painter from Makarska, became a constituent part of the Museum.
When the Makarska Municipal Centre for Culture was dissolved in 1995, The Makarska Municipal Musem was founded as an independent cultural institution. Following the separation of the Gallery department from the Museum, the Town Gallery of Antun Gojak was also established.
MALACOLOGICAL MUSEUM MAKARSKA
Founded by Fra Jure Radic in 1963, this magnificent display of snails and shellfish of the Adriatic and the whole world is today touristic the best-known malacological collection in Croatia. Besides the Fra Jure Radic malacological collection, the museum also has a fine herbarium of Biokovo plants, and a small local palacontological collection.
The Malacological Museum in Makarska displays the shells of sea molluscs. This museum resulted from the systematic and self-sacrificing work of the theologian and natural scientist Fra Jure Radic and the support and cooperation of many people, scholars, museum workers, collectors, and especially his faithful colleague Fra Franjo Carev. They worked under the slogan: "BY THE PEOPLE - TO THE PEOPLE - FOR THE PEOPLE".
The museum was opened to the public on 30th April 1963 in the old part of the Franciscan Monastery, which is under protection as a cultural monument. Over 3,000 shells include not only those from the Adriatic, but also many species from tropical and subtropical seas, in colour and shape the most magnificent of all shells.
ANTUN GOJAK TOWN GALLERY
Antun Gojak city gallery is situated in the ex Classical high school building called “The old school” (Don Mihovila Pavlinovica 1) with the 91,45 square meters of exhibition place and 67 square meters for depot and office.
In 1988. Marin Gojak donated to the City of Makarska 132 pictures and 201 graphics from his brother Antun Gojak. With that donation begins establishment of the Gallery. With efforts of few art lovers this donation is presented to the public, and become a collection for final establishment of City gallery. Donation is property of City.
Through various donations, number of pictures grown to 400. Every year was organized about 12 exhibitions.
VEPRIC - CROATIA LOURDES
Vepric, a Croatian sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes was founded in 1908 by Bishop dr. Juraj Caric (1867 - 1921), who himself was buried on the premises of the sanctuary.
The natural cave as well as the surrounding landscape formed by hills and the creek running in the valley, greatly reminds pilgrims of the famous sanctuary of Lourdes in France, where Our Lady appeared 18 times at Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.
On the sanctuary, a chapel and a sacristy with an outside altar, as well as well as several confessionals, a Way of the Cross, a house for retreats and paths for processions have already been constructed. A new house is currently being built for the purposes of the sanctuary.
Because of its natural beauty and its peaceful surroundings, this sanctuary is visited by a great number of pilgrims, through the year. Te most important dates for pilgrimages are: February 11th , March 25th , August 15th , September 7-8th
CHURCH OF ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST
The construction, according to the original plan, two long, broad wings are still lacking, however, in 1756., the church is blessed in it's current form by the bishop of Makarska, Stjepan Blaskovic.
Situated on the right, upon entering the church, is the alter containing the remains of St. Clement, martyr and patron saint of the diocese of Makarska. In the year of 1725, during the office of Bishop Nikola Bijankovic, the remains of St. Clement were brought from the Roman catacombs to family Kacic and thereafter were transferred to the church of St. Mark. this is accounted for by a silver plaque on the alter.
On the left side of the entrance is situated the alter of Our Lady, above which rests a second small silver plated alter of Our Lady of the Rosary. The latter alter depicts the Virgin and Child painted on wood in the style of the Byzantine school. According to accounts from the inhabitants of Makarska, this alter was produced in the year of 1815, during the plague. The second alter on the left side of the entrance is the alter of the Sacred Cross. This alter portrays the Cavalry using human sized statues. During the earthquake of 1962, the church suffered damages, the renovation of which brought substation changes of the church's interior.
The main alter was relocated back to the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament. This alter is regarded by many as the most beautiful of the church's alters and is a work of Venetian masters. Two marble statues are situated on the alter, one of St. Mark, patron saint of the parish and the second of St. Jeronim, who is co-patron. Located at the front of alter we can see a marble relief based upon the masterpiece of Leonardo da Vinci, the Last Supper. The two large wooden statues of angels on the outer sides of the alter ha previously belonged to a Venetian church, a fact attested to by an inscription. There are other inscription to be found in the church which chronicle the history of the church's construction.
Between main alter and Bishop's Seat, is stated the grave of Bishop Nikola Bijankovic who initiated the construction of St. Mark's church. He died on the 10th of August 1730 and was considered a saint during his life, he is remembered as referring to himself as "dust, ashes and nothing".
Also buried within the church are other past Bishops of Makarska, but their inscriptions are covered by today's floor. Moreover the church is home to the remains for distinguished families of Makarska and religious brotherhoods. However at one point, when the floor was being restored, the tombstones and inscriptions were moved to the town's present graveyard.
Modern additions, build after the earthquake of 1962, include the choir balcony and, in 1970, the current church organ, built by J. Jenko using the parts of the old Nakic organ.
FRANCISCAN CHURCH OF BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Old monastery Church of St. Mary exists in Makarska no later then in 15th century. More times was burned and damaged but also repaired. With that reparations are imported a new elements, often provided by island constructor for cheaply and therefore some have obsolete build. We know that church has serviced, and possibly and expanded 1502. Again is widen and obtain sacristy in the time of servicing of monastery (1576). After the year 1671. chorus is mount, stone fence before altar, statue St. Ante is provided and crucifix and separately poliptih of Petro Costero, Ascension of St. Mary (1680) and large picture by Antonio Molinar. At the beginning of XVIII. century church is decorated with stone altar of St. Ante and pulpit which are from carver workshop has withhold renaissance element at that time already lapsed. In XVIII. century large altar and altar of St. Ante is ornate with baroque altar, baroque silver crucifix, wooden sculpture, and provided are chalice and other ecclesiastical furniture. Church is afterwards repaired and gain onto facade two neo romantic windows. In church are funeral plinths, many with Croatian inscription. Amongst them is grave of family Kacic with their coat of arms. Whereby is church long serve like Minster of Makarska bishopric, in her are embed two bishop fra Petar Kacic and fra Marijan Lisnjic . Diggings from the grave are keep in collection (sacristy). Beside church is campanile onto two floors, with ornamental head onto arch. Lay of the foundations was in 1712. and completed 1715. Builder was Andrija Ruspini. Campanile has lightning damage and was 1721-1722. renewed and likewise 1881. and 1996-1997.
monastery church
Old church after transition of all divinity in Makarska become scrimp, so them begin round year 1910. think onto building new church and prepare material. However, merely g. 1930. was beginning of building new church by the project of Ark. Stjepan Podhorski. Church has complete and consecrate 1940. She is a type of centric building with cupola. Large altar is made from marble and above him is baldachin. In gallery are simple marble altar of St. Mary and St. Ante, work of carver Ante Franko. In church is baroque Crucifix way, from old church. Year. 1961-2. emplacement are little organ made by firm Rieger, which previously was on Dobri in Split.
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