Vrboska Celebrates 400 Years of the 'Crying Cross'

The year is 1614.

Over in Hvar Town, the oldest public theatre in Europe has been open just two years. It is exactly 100 years since the end of the Great Rebellion under Matej Ivanic in Vrboska and Vrbanj.

Vrboska and Vrbanj are once more the centre of attention on the island. The source of the tension revolves around religious differences between two communities, one of whom is grouped around the Church of St Mary and the other the Church of St Lawrence. One parish wants to continue under the control of Vrbanj, the other was for independence for Vrboska. The conflict of the two camps is threatening to destroy the community.

Young Katarina, the daughter of seaman Petar Ordinanovic notices tears coming from a small cross.
The tears were interpreted as an appeal for unity. The legacy of the Crying Cross of Vrboska has been an annual procession on the first Friday in March, and this year's procession will mark the 400th anniversary of Katarina's vision.

In order to mark the occasion, Vrboska will have a special programme from March 6-9 (see below in Croatian), and it represents a unique opportunity to take part in a landmark religious tradition.

To learn more (in Croatian), Slobodna Dalmacija journalist Mirko Crncevic recently featured a 91 year-old Vrboska resident and her recollections of the processions of the past. Click here.

ČETVRTAK:
otvaranje zavjetne svetkovine
17:30 Sv. MISA

PETAK:
10:30 RECITIRANA Sv. MISA
17:30 KONCELEBRIRANA Sv. MISA
koju predvodi
hvarsko-bračko-viški biskup
msgr. Slobodan Štambuk

SUBOTA:
znanstveni skup
18:30 u crkvi Sv. Lovre
"POVIJEST ŽUPE VRBOSKA"
Tema: Postanak i urbanistički razvitak Vrboske
dr.sc. Ambroz Tudor, Ministarstvo kulture, uprava za zaštitu kulturne baštine
Tema: Povijest župe
prof. Joško Bracanović, Hvar
Tema: Umjetnička oprema crkava u Vrboskoj
akademik Radoslav Tomić
Tema: Župna crkva sv. Lovre u Vrboskoj
dr. Darka Bilić, Institut za povijest umjetnosti
Tema: Tradicija štovanja Čudotvornog
sv. Križa
don Ivica Huljev, Vrboska

NEDJELJA
Završno slavlje
10:30 KONCELEBRIRANA Sv. MISA
koju predvodi splitsko-makarski nadbiskup i metropolit msgr. Marin Barišić
Nakon mise:
svečana procesija sa zavjetnim Križem po mjestu
Završetak slavlja u župnoj crkvi

Brac and Hvar Promoted on Spanish National Television

In June last year, the Central Dalmatia Tourist Board assisted a Spanish film crew with logistics for a documentary they were making about islands in Croatia. Here they are filming in Vrboska, ably assisted by the Vrboska Tourist Board.

The one-hour programme, featuring six islands in Croatia - including the jewels of Hvar and Brac in Central Dalmatia - is now available online. And although it is in Spanish, you don't really need to speak Spanish to enjoy the beauty of the islands as portrayed on Spanish television.

Croacia: Un mar de islas

New Game of Thrones Trailer Highlights Cental Dalmatia

There are less than two months to go until the start of the Game of Thrones series, much of it which was filmed in Central Dalmatia, and several local tourist agencies are already gearing themselves up for Game of Thrones tourists wanting to see the locations of the filming.

Can't wait for the series and wanting to see Diocletian's Palace as never before? An extended official trailers has just been released which gives a little more insight into the filming.

Brac, the Island of Culture and Adventure

One of the most popular destinations in Central Dalmatia is the island of Brac. Most famous perhaps at the source of the world-famous Brac stone, the island is one of the most fascinating in Croatia, a gorgeous mix of culture, heritage, gastronomy, adventure sports and beaches. Branded as the island of culture and adventure, it is not difficult to see why with this excellent new video which has just been released.

Post by SUPETAR - People, Places & Events.

Is Johnny Depp Listening to the Omis Tourist Board?

With the eagerly-awaited release of the new Game of Thrones series - much of which was filmed in Central Dalmatia - is Croatia about to get another major tourism boost from a blockbuster filming on location? In the words of Croatia Week:

Rumors are circulating in Croatia that Johnny Depp and the cast of Pirates of the Caribbean will be in town to shoot the latest in the popular series later this year…

Production company Embassy Films Croatia, who were also involved in Game of Thrones filming in Croatia, have advertised castings on their official Facebook page for those who want to appear as extras in a ‘pirate story’, with Croatian media reporting that the story is none other than Pirates of the Caribbean.

Casting and auditions will take place in Zagreb on Saturday 15 February, and in Dubrovnik on Tuesday 18 February. Filming is scheduled to start in March in Dubrovnik.

Johnny Depp and friends would obviously be very welcome, but is the Omis Tourist Board maybe responsible for this pirate interest in Croatia? The tourist board invited Johnny to Dalmatia in August 2012, for its own pirate show. Johnny couldn't make it then, but perhaps this year in combination with a little filming. Check out the highlights of the 2011 Pirates of Omis Battle in the video below - a great event for all the family.

Get to Know Sinj: Free Tourist Day This Friday!

Next Friday, February 21, the tourist board will be hosting its third annual ''Turist u svom gradu''! event (A Tourist in Your Own Town), allowing people to take advantage of their considerable knowledge of the history and attractions of the town.

There will be two tours, one in the morning at 11:00 and the other at 16:00, and you don't have to be a local to take part.

Follow the Sinj Tourist Board on Facebook for the very latest from one of Dalmatia's most fascinating towns. 

Touristar TV Features the Makarska Riviera

Award-winning producer Ashley Colburn is back, and even more in love with Croatia than before!

Winner of an Emmy for her documentary Wow Croatia, Colburn spent time in Central Dalmatia last year with the help of the tourist board, recording for a new series for Touristatr TV.

So grab a coffee, take a seat, and dream of summer in the following video, especially if Makarska is in your heart...