December 12, 2021 - The third Split Gastroadvent at Cornaro Hotel honored TV journalists and Romanian cuisine, attended by representatives of the city and tourism, along with project partners.

Gastroadvent is a unique event that has promoted the Mediterranean diet for decades through a fusion of nutrition, gastronomy, and tourism. Thanks to the engagement and participation of dedicated journalists, who continue to bring light to Split, the event persistently shares scientific knowledge woven into gastronomic skills, the numerous health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, and the preparation of dishes from unique ingredients.

The theme of this year's Gastroadvent is "Mediterranean nutrition is sustainable, achievable, and responsible."  In its original form, the stated principle is the basis of action and, as such, should remain the foundation of behavior. The Mediterranean Sea connects all the countries founded on the Mediterranean diet. For the Mediterranean diet to be sustainable, we must responsibly dispose of our waste and use resources rationally.

The holiday season is a time to imbibe and socialize with family and friends, which is why both Dalmatian and Romanian holiday delicacies were in the spotlight at the lighting of the third Advent candle. Romania was honored at today's Gastroadvent thanks to Stjepan Roglić, Honorary Consul of Romania in Split.

The most delicious prosciutto is produced in the Mediterranean region. Resources are used rationally, especially the sea and the bura wind, to obtain a dried ham product. The first recorded mention of prosciutto dates back to 100 BC and is preserved in the Italian city of Parma. And they, just like us, have kept the tradition of producing prosciutto all these years. 

But this is more than just a 2,000-year-long tradition. In addition to gastronomic quality, it is essential to know the nutritional facts of prosciutto.

The tradition of Croatian production has been preserved in Hrvace for decades. The Lovrić family researched and produced traditional meat products in the 1980s when every MEL product was created thanks to hard work. The company's wide range includes products made from fresh meat (beef, pork, veal, lamb) and products that bear the "Originally Croatian" and "Croatian Quality" labels. The company MEL-JAKOV LOVRIĆ distributes its products to stores and also supplies restaurants and hotels. MEL products represent the tradition of excellence and the best Dalmatian taste. Alkar salami is their jewel among the products.

The sumptuous culinary table was designed and prepared by chef Duje Terze (Hotel Cornaro) and his team, paired with Nikolica winery's top-quality 2019 Dingač and Postup, made by the Radović family, Cornaro Hotel owners. 

Today's menu included Dalmatian prosciutto with sweet and savory tapenade and skuta, a selection of quality Dalmatian cheeses, chickpea and prosciutto spread, tapenade with olives and prosciutto, puff pastry and prosciutto, bruschetta with onion jam, skuta, and prosciutto, bruschetta with tuna pate, bruschetta with pear, gorgonzola and prosciutto, salty baskets with prosciutto, melon and prosciutto, cold cuts, a selection of quality Dalmatian cheeses, goat cheese and prosciutto tart, Vis pie, foccacia with olives, tomatoes, herbs, bakalar, monkfish fillet wrapped in prosciutto, octopus with prosciutto and chickpeas, homemade gnocchi with prosciutto and sage, tagliatelle with shrimp and prosciutto, veal breast stuffed with prosciutto and leeks, prosciutto,cold salad, French salad, caprese salad, octopus salad, and rožada, Split cake, and fritters for dessert. 

The Romanian food table was presented by Frane Ivan from the Community of Croats in Romania and included mature sheep cheese, cold plates of dried meat products with pickled vegetables, fish caviar spread, traditional vegetable spread, mushroom spread, Christmas cake, sweet quince dessert, salty pretzels, and ROM chocolates and Puffs as gifts for guests to take home!

Split-Dalmatia County and the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board are avid supporters of Gastroadvent in Split, thus promoting the Mediterranean diet and local producers, entrepreneurs, and tourism workers.

The Split Tourist Board has worked hard to position the destination, harnessing a natural combination of history, gastronomy, and modernity, all to protect the components of the Mediterranean diet. The City of Split is determined to support projects that benefit its residents and demands guests after authentic experiences and new technological opportunities.

The Croatian Chamber of Commerce has advocated for years to encourage the representation of domestic products, and since 1997 has implemented the national project "Let's Buy Croatian." The project aims to increase the consumption of local products and thus support the economy. This project is of particular importance, emphasized by the director Joze Tomaš, and confirmed by the cooperation with Gastroadvent.

JU RERA S.D., as part of the MD.net project to establish innovative food products, has cooperated with primary and secondary schools in Split-Dalmatia County and stakeholders involved in producing or marketing Mediterranean food products and promoting the Mediterranean way of life. The MD.net project focuses on development opportunities and problem-solving related to popularizing the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet is a part of the Mediterranean identity inscribed in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. The project aims to strengthen research in this area following the UNESCO Convention on Mediterranean Nutrition, raise the quality of nutrition and life in 9 project partner countries, and promote the Mediterranean diet, which is recognized as the gold standard of proper nutrition with far-reaching health benefits.

Apart from the desire to involve as many people as possible and bring them closer to the importance of the Mediterranean diet in everyday life, as well as its impact on their health, the other goal of the project is to establish a standard in the Med Diet Declaration logo to classify Mediterranean areas. The ultimate goal of awarding the Declaration is to position Split-Dalmatia County as a desirable Mediterranean culinary region.

This Sunday's Gastroadvent was enhanced by Dance Studio "Dimache" under the direction and choreography of Remus Dimache, ballet soloist of the Croatian National Theater in Split. For this occasion, Remus Dimache added elements of Romanian folklore to the choreography of modern dance. 

The designer of this year's Gastroadvent wreath is artist Tonka Alujević, who depicted the Advent wreath from a lifebuoy as "a maritime object that serves to save a man who, for various reasons, is helpless in the sea and is in mortal danger." And that is precisely the health and political position we are in at the moment. 

Split Gastroadvent is held every Advent Sunday at a new location, honoring a different group of journalists with new culinary creations at each event. 

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

September 21, 2021 - The 21st Split Marathon will hit the streets this weekend, organized by the Marjan Club. On Saturday, September 25, at 6 pm, the five-kilometer 'Slobodna Dalmacija Trophy' will also take place. 

Dalmatinski Portal reports:

"For the first time, I hope we will organize the last marathon in early autumn. We were forced to do this because of the coronavirus. Split is known for being the sportiest city in the world. We are one of the few who will hold marathons in these two years without interruption. The number of participants is slightly smaller than usual, but we are specific in that we have many foreign competitors from as many as 46 countries. That's a record. I hope everyone enjoys what we provide them. I want to ask for the understanding of all our fellow citizens to show patience and support for this event. Everyone who participates in the race will need to have a Covid certificate. For all those who do not have it, we have provided on-site testing," said the president of the organizing committee, Kristijan Sindik.

The Deputy Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County, Stipe Čogelja, emphasized the importance of this event.

"This is a very valuable event. Mr. Čular recently said at the Paralympic reception that our County won more medals at the Paralympics than India. This speaks volumes about the uniqueness of this region and how important sport is. The county recognized that, and this is one of the significant events."

Last year, Ivica Puljak ran the marathon. Today, Puljak is the mayor of Split. 

"The atmosphere that is being created around the Split Marathon makes us happy. I ran the marathon last year, and I can testify to how interesting this event is. It is perhaps the most beautiful sporting event I have participated in. I persuaded 13 people to run the marathon. It prompted me to participate. I wish you a sports and tourist weekend this year as well. We prove once again that we are the sportiest city in the world. I won’t run this year, but I will next year."

The mayor of Solin, Dalibor Ninčević, announced that he would also participate in the half marathon this year.

"For the second year in a row, the city of Solin is part of this significant event, which is an important tourist period for the entire Split-Dalmatia County. I am grateful to the organizers for connecting Split and Solin even more. We are a proud sponsor of this event. I will try to run the half marathon this year."

Split Tourist Board director, Alijana Vukšić, is also satisfied.

"The city of Split is constantly branded as a city of culture and sports. The city offers many opportunities and can be branded in all markets. Our guests want to continue their active lifestyle when they come to a destination. This is a specific year, but I hope that this event will return to the pre-season."

The director of the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board, Joško Stella, compared this event to Ultra.

"This is a sports Ultra. We watched marathons on television and wondered when they would come to us. That is a huge achievement. We from tourism see that sports tourism is on the rise."

Celebrated Split Olympian Igor Boraska is also looking forward to the marathon.

"Running and marathons have become the lifestyle of hundreds of thousands of people around the world. I was very pleased to be with 60,000 people at the New York City Marathon. I want to congratulate the organizers for bringing the marathon to our city. I wish all marathon participants a good time and time."

For more, follow our lifestyle section.

June 22, 2021 - The Bene beach lift has been installed to facilitate the lives of people with disabilities and limited mobility. in Split! 

Summer is well and truly here, and while Croatia's beaches are a dream for many, they can be quite difficult to navigate for people with limited mobility. 

Due to jagged coastlines, uneven pebbles, and rather awkward points of entry, everything that makes Croatia's beaches a wonder can also be a nightmare. But that has changed thanks to the City of Split, which has installed a lift for people with disabilities and limited mobility to facilitate swimming this summer! 

"This year, the city of Split has installed a lift on the beach in Bene, which enables easier entry into the sea for people with disabilities and people with limited mobility. The new elevator is from 2019 and is ready to use on the beach during the summer swimming season. 

Along with Žnjan, Bene beach is the second beach in Split with a modernized elevator and other facilities necessary for easier entry into the sea for people with disabilities.

Aqualifter is an automated device that safely allows independent entry and exit from the water without the intervention of outsiders. It is made of stainless steel and is equipped with a remote control radio for maneuvering with minimal effort and maximum user safety," said the City of Split.

You can see the new lift in action below:

"We hope that enjoying swimming and summer days for people with disabilities will be beneficial for health, as well as for rest!" said the City of Split. 

Bene beach is a favorite Split swimming spot located on Marjan hill. With a restaurant, sports activities, and dense pine forest, Bene becomes a popular summer gathering place for locals and tourists alike! 

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May 29, 2021 -  The Gajo Bulat Square renovation in front of the HNK Split is finally complete. The new space will officially open tonight with a concert and fireworks show!

The evening before the Statehood Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders of Split, on Saturday, May 29, starting at 8 pm on the newly renovated Gajo Bulat Square, the Choir, Orchestra and Soloists of the Opera and Drama Actors of the Croatian National Theater Split will perform a gala concert as a gift to all Split citizens.

Under the direction of maestro Ivo Lipanović, tenor Božo Jurić Pešić, soprano Antonija Teskera, and bass Božo Župić will perform as soloists. The program includes arias by Split composers Josip Hatze, Ivo Tijardović, and Jakov Gotovac, as well as an aria "In battle, in battle" from the opera Nikola Šubić Zrinjski by Ivan Zajc.

Considering it is the 500th anniversary of the first edition of the epic "Judith" by Marko Marulić, actress Katarina Romac will perform a monologue by Judith, and Trpimir Jurkić will give a solemn speech given by Mayor Gajo Bulat when opening the new theater building on May 6, 1893.

After the program, fireworks will follow in front of the HNK Split building at around 9 pm, from Bedema Priuli.

For more on lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

April 24, 2021 - The new coastal promenade from Duilovo to Stobreč is closer to becoming a reality.

Dalmatinski Portal reports that as part of the large infrastructure project 'Improving Water and Communal Infrastructure of the Split - Solin Agglomeration', a 1,700-meter pipeline route with a service road by the sea will be built.

The construction project for the pipeline from Bačvice to UPOV Stupa with a planned total value of approximately HRK 253 million (including VAT), which includes the Duilovo-Stobreč section with a coastal embankment and service road, is financed in part from European grants from the project for Improving the Water and Communal Infrastructure of the Split - Solin Agglomeration. The total value of the entire project amounts to HRK 1,791,760,602.63, which with HRK 975,315,032.88, i.e., 68.71% of eligible costs is financed by grants from the European Union from the Cohesion Fund through the Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014 - 2020. The remaining HRK 444,093,449.22 or 31.29% will be co-financed by national funds.

Realizing the Split-Solin agglomeration project has been blocked for many years by a lawsuit of a small group of dissatisfied citizens, led by Nebojsa Knezevic, who challenged the issued location permits. The project could finally come to fruition after the High Administrative Court ruling in September 2020.

The investor of the pipeline and service road is Vodovod i kanalizacija d.o.o Split and the City of Split will participate in horticultural costs and paving the service road along the infrastructure embankment on the Duiolovo-Stobreč section, which will also serve as a coastal promenade.

In addition to the construction of the road, it is also planned to plant greenery with autochthonous varieties of trees and low vegetation. The promenade will be beautified by approximately 559 trees, 4087 shrubby plants, and 2377 traditional Dalmatian plants such as lavender and rosemary.

The new sea view of the city will be ideal for walks, socializing and cycling. Citizens will soon enjoy the attraction that will give a special atmosphere to the city," said ViK.

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April 21, 2021 - The new City of Split bike path from the Tourist Palace in the center to the neighborhood of Trstenik has been revealed. 

"As announced, marking the bicycle route from Trstenik Bay to the Tourist Palace, about four kilometers long, has begun. We would like to remind you that the consents of the Ministry of the Interior and Hrvatske ceste have been obtained previously, and the traffic signs have been made according to the detailed design. Given the spatial conditions and the previous spatial planning documentation that did not provide for the construction of this type of communal infrastructure, the arrangement of traffic signals will contribute to increasing the safety of bicycle traffic in this part of the city," said the City of Split on its Facebook page Tuesday. 

The works are co-financed by the European Union within the strategic project "Choose a bicycle!" - "URBAN MOBILITY - Development of public bicycle system in the Urban Agglomeration of Split (UAS)", implemented by the Service for International and EU projects with funds provided through the ITU mechanism of the Urban Agglomeration Split. In addition to the mentioned cycling route, as part of this project, the City of Split will prepare an analytical basis - a study of the development potential of bicycle roads for the establishment of an integrated system of bicycle roads, which will achieve one of the prerequisites for the development of bicycle roads in Split and Split.

Recall, the total value of the project "Choose a bike!" amounts to HRK 13,609,435.83, with HRK 10,893,396.68 in grants. In addition to the aforementioned activities within this integrated project, the City of Split and 7 partners - cities and municipalities from the Urban Agglomeration of Split (Solin, Trogir, Kaštela, Podstrana, Klis, Dugopolje, and Dicmo), will receive 41 new stations with a mixed contingent with a total 242 bicycles and a bicycle road will be established in Trogir (in the area of ​​Brig-Lokvica). The project implementation period is from March 6, 2020, to July 6, 2022.

For more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

April 17, 2021 - The Sudamja 2021 event has been announced to commemorate Split City Day, celebrated on May 7 each year. 

"The feeling of belonging to Sv. Duje, the patron saint of our Split, will remain the same even though this year, due to the pandemic, traditional events within Sudamja 2021 will be absent," said Mayor Andro Krstulović Opara about the celebration of Sv. Duje - Split City Day 2021.

The secular part of the celebration of the most important city holiday will be adapted to the circumstances and current epidemiological measures. Thus, on May 6, a ceremony will be held at the Croatian National Theater in Split, where the City will present awards to this year's laureates. Following the circumstances and without major gatherings, the holiday will be celebrated within the city institutions.

The "Judita" exhibition on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Marulić's first edition of Judita will open in the renovated Old Town Hall on Pjaca, and in the Diocletian Gallery of the Split City Museum, visitors can enjoy an exhibition on Italian design "Rosso, il colore della passione", realized in cooperation with the Consulate General Italy. Concerts for a limited number of spectators, which are broadcast online, will continue at the Hrvatski Dom concert hall. On May 3, a concert featuring Matej Meštrović and Kristina Bjelopavlović Cesar, and on May 5, 2021, opera soloists Valentina Fijačko Kobić and Domagoj Dorotić was announced.

This year, like last year when we were hit by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no traditional events such as the raffle, concerts on the waterfront, fish market spectacles, or the regatta of rowing legends. There will also be no Sv. Križ Feast, nor the performances of Split singing groups on the Riva.

As part of the Novena, which begins on April 28, the Archdiocese of Split and Makarska will hold daily Mass at 6 pm, which will be broadcast live on TV Laudato and social networks. Archbishop Coadjutor Msgr. Dražen Kutleša will lead the Central Mass. Following epidemiological circumstances, there will be multiple Holy Masses on the feast of Sv. Duje. The first will be held at 7 am and 8 am before the Central Mass, which starts at 10 am and will be broadcast live on HTV, and at 16:00, 18:00, and 20:00.

On behalf of the Split-Makarska Archdiocese, the Vicar General thanked the Committee members for their cooperation and wished and prayed that next year the feast of Sv. Duje would return as usual. 

Source: City of Split Facebook

To learn more about Split, follow our Total Croatia page.

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April 15, 2021 - HRK 9.2 million was invested in the comprehensive renovation of the Split Old Town Hall as part of the strategic City of Split and EU project "Palace of Life - City of Changes."

"Despite the pandemic, we have completed the realization of this extremely demanding activity within the Palace of Life - City of Changes project, following the previously announced deadlines. There is still some work left, but the facility is being prepared for a technical inspection that will take place tomorrow," says Radojka Tomašević, Head of the Service for International and EU Projects of the City of Split. This is a comprehensive renovation and valorization of the Old Town Hall, in which 9.2 million kuna was invested from the strategic City of Split EU project "Palace of Life - City of Changes." Namely, in March 2020, in parallel with the Covid-19 pandemic and after the completion of archaeological research, the adaptation and arrangement of this valuable city's cultural heritage began.

The Old Town Hall is an object of monumental importance, protected as part of the old town on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and an individually protected property. By renovating the Hall, Split gets a modern multifunctional space for exhibitions, lectures, smaller concerts, receptions, and other purposes. A smaller part is dedicated to the permanent exhibition that thematizes the City Hall through history.

There is a reception with a souvenir shop on the ground floor of the newly renovated Town Hall and an exhibition space of about 50 square meters. The first floor is reached by a semicircular staircase and an elevator to a large exhibition, multifunctional space with storage, and a smaller permanent display, which is also a reading room. Visitors will sit there and read books from the shelves but not take them out, as they are protected by special technology. According to sources, a book by Robert Adam about Diocletian's Palace was exhibited in the 19th century City Hall. A facsimile of that same book will be displayed under glass, and on a touch screen, it will be viewed and read.

With the removal of modern interventions in the interior, stone fragments came to light, of which the Gothic arch stands out, which extends through two floors and is additionally prominent in the space.

On the second floor, there is a large multifunctional space with a projector for lectures or exhibitions. There is a storage room, installation systems for ventilation, and regulation of microclimatic conditions in the attic.

The exhibition space is relieved and cleaned. The first and second floors have controlled microclimatic conditions that allow the display of the most sensitive and valuable exhibits in the world, with a modern lighting flexible LED system without UV radiation with the ability to regulate lighting intensity. It will range from 200 lux for paintings to 50 lux for other exhibits made of paper, textiles, metal, glass, and the like.

For years, it has been pointed out that the potential of heritage, especially Split's, is not sufficiently developed or adequately presented. It ultimately remains unrecognized and generates costs instead of profit and jobs. Preserving and strengthening the cultural identity, quality, and thoughtful restoration of heritage also increases the destination's recognition on the market. To this end, it took almost two years to prepare and resolve property-legal and other preconditions for the application of the project "Palace of Life - City of Changes" for funding from EU funds.

The renovation of the Old Town Hall was made according to the Office of Authorized Architect Josipa Ružić. Designer Nikolina Jelavić Mitrović is the author of the interior, as well as the permanent exhibition, designed according to the concept of Dr. Josip Belamarić. Neir d.o.o worked hundreds of ours under the constant supervision of the Conservation Department in Split and the expert supervision of Atesti i zaštita d.o.o and Linir d.o.o.

The reconstruction value of the Old Town Hall is worth HRK 9.2 million, provided within the strategic EU project "Palace of Life - the City of Changes" implemented by the Service for International and EU Projects with funds provided through the ITU mechanism Urban agglomerations of Split. The total value of the project "Palace of Life - City of Changes" is HRK 25.4 million, of which HRK 18.2 million are grants from the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund. The project holder is the City of Split, the partners are the Split Tourist Board and the Split City Museum, while the Development Agency Split - RaST coordinated the successful preparation of the project application. The project includes the renovation of sites that were mostly not presented to the public - the Southeast Tower with part of the building at Lukačićeva 5 and access to the medieval procession on the east wall of Diocletian's Palace and the renovation of the ground floor of the Museum of Split, which will soon be accessible to people with disabilities. 

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March 20, 2021 - The Split Technology Park will be the beginning of a new Split, one that turns from tourism to technology. 

Slobodna Dalmacija reports that a total of HRK 105 million was allocated to the City of Split for the first phase of the future Split Technology Park in Dračevac, which is almost 64 percent of the total value of the project, estimated at HRK 165 million! This is the largest individual project of the City of Split in the European Union's programming period. A public procurement procedure has been launched to design and construct the Split Technology Park central building with a total area of more than 17 thousand square meters.

But most importantly, this project is the beginning of a new Split, which emerges from the monoculture of tourism and turns to high technology. It results from many years of work and cooperation between the City of Split and competent ministries, primarily the Ministry of State Property, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Culture during 2018, and continuous cooperation with the Ministry of Regional Development and European Union funds.

If the market survey and survey of entrepreneurs, which was also conducted during the project's preparation, proved to be correct, 1470 employees would work in only the first of the three phases of the Split Technology Park in Dračevac. Thanks to this project, 404 new jobs would be created in Split, which would be structured so that more than 94 percent would be employees of higher education. The total capacity of all three phases is 7,000 new employees who could work in Dračevac.

The idea of ​​the technology park on Dračevac dates back to 2009 when the Croatian Government donated 146 hectares of land worth HRK 276 million to the City of Split for the first time. The City aimed to turn it into a business and fair center where there would be 952 employees in the early years. To realize the project worth about HRK 400 million, the City then established the Split Development Agency - SRA, adopted a Detailed Development Plan for the Dračevac Work Zone, which provided for an ABC center, fair center, and technology park. However, the City had not started the process or parceled the zone according to the adopted DPU, issued a geodetic study, or defined its intentions towards the competent authorities. Therefore, as stipulated in the contract, the Croatian Government was to confiscate the donated land to the City due to inactivity.

In the summer of 2017, the City of Split, led by Mayor Andro Krstulović Opara, drafted the Urban Agglomeration Split Strategy and the ITU Urban Agglomeration Project Action Plan, which envisaged changing the Dračevac project to accommodate two strategic projects - relocating the JGP Promet garage and the Split Technology Park, abolishing the fair center as an idea that depends on a strong consumer market that Croatia does not have. Then talks began with the Ministry of State Property, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Culture, and the Split-Makarska Archdiocese on the future content of Dračevac, and in January 2018, Mayor Krstulović Opara reactivated the Development Agency, renaming it the Development Agency Split - RaST d.o.o.

Then the amendment of the DPU of the Working Zone Dračevac began. Given the strongly expressed will and desire of the City of Split to revitalize this area, the Croatian Government, at its session in Split in May 2018, decided to donate land to the City of Split Promet and the Technology Park Split, as well as the decision to donate part of the land in Dračevac to the Split-Makarska Archdiocese for the needs of the development of the Educational Center-kindergarten, primary and secondary school.

In the meantime, the City of Split made amendments to the DPU of the Dračevac Working Zone and prepared project-technical documentation of the preliminary, main implementation project and feasibility study as a basis for co-financing from EU funds. On the feast of St. Domnius, May 7, 2020, the Croatian Government turned its intention to donate land to the City of Split from 2018 into a Decision, and the City then performed a subdivision study and submitted a request for registration of ownership.

At the end of 2020, the City of Split obtained a valid location permit for the entire first phase of the Split Technology Park and then, together with the Development Agency, Split applied for two projects for co-financing and direct allocation of EU funds, according to calls issued by the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds mechanism, within the Operational Program "Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020."

Decisions to accept the project arrived in February. The first stage of construction of the central building of the Technology Park, i.e., the project entitled "Development of the Dračevac Zone - Technology Park Split - Dračevac" includes the implementation of activities related to the reconstruction of the former barracks "St. Križ” to create the infrastructural preconditions to establish the technology park. The project's total amount is HRK 77.1 million, while the grant amounts to HRK 44.2 million, or 56% of the total project funds.

The second stage of construction of the Technology Park central building, i.e., the EU project called "Constructing and equipping the central building of the Technology Park Split - Dračevac," includes finishing works and equipping the central building to the stage of usability and includes all necessary construction and craft works, installations, ventilation, heating and cooling, water supply and drainage, equipping common areas, conference rooms, 3D laboratories, etc. The project's total amount is HRK 87 million, while the European Union grant amounts to HRK 60.8 million, or 70% of total project funds.

For the realization of the initial section of the Split Technology Park, i.e., the construction of the central building, the total amount of both registered projects amounts to HRK 164,754,315.70, of which a total of HRK 105,074,234.69 of EU grants has been provided, and the deadline is 31 December 2023.

The technology park in Dračevac is divided and will be built in three phases. In the already mentioned first phase, the most important is the central building of the Technology Park, the construction of which will be co-financed by EU funds, with emphasis on office and production space. For the entire first phase, a unique preliminary design was prepared, based on which a location permit was obtained in October 2020, and the preliminary design was prepared by the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Geodesy with the chief designer Darija Gabrić.

Thus, the reconstruction and upgrade of the existing central building of the 4th GBR "Pauci" barracks, which is largely retained, except for one dilatation that is removed to build a new road, will create a new central building, the future headquarters of high technology in Split. In addition to 1,010 parking spaces, employees of the future Technology Park will have at their disposal laboratory and office space, a coworking center, canteen, kindergarten, gym, and parks, and the city of Split will get the first large conference center with up to 800 participants.

Thanks to the approved funds, the City of Split initiated the procedure. They announced a preliminary consultation on procuring the design and construction of the central building, with a total estimated value of HRK 116.8 million without VAT. The remaining funds will be provided in the budget over three years.

The deadline for realizing the rest of the first, second, and third phases of the Split Technology Park is, as stated in the government's grant, 25 years. The second phase of the Technology Park (about 75 thousand square meters) focuses on offices, laboratories, and production halls. In the third phase (20 thousand square meters), they will build a business tower with aparthotel and a business office center, additional large congress facilities in Split.

Without a doubt, the Split Technology Park is a capital project of the City of Split in the years to come and a ticket to the world of the highly developed IT industry. The former barracks on Dračevac will be the base of a smart city. 

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February 8, 2021 - The transformation of Gajo Bulat Square began in Split last week, which should be completed by May this year. 

By removing the asphalt layer, the transformation of Gajo Bulat Square, the famous mayor of Split, and the great Croatian national revival from the end of the 19th century, began last week. The beginning of the works was attended by the Mayor of Split, Andro Krstulović Opara, together with associates and contractors, designers, and authors of the monument, which will soon be located on the future square.

"Gajo Bulat Square has a prominent historical, urban, and cultural significance in the city of Split. We will restore the aesthetic and urban identity to this valuable urban space, which it has lost in the past decades. With the figure of Gajo Filomen Bulat, we offer the honor and lasting memory of the leader of the populist movement of the Croatization of the Split municipality. With the future fountain, we emphasize the water which was of crucial importance in this part of the city and which, in fact, as good water, gave the name to this part of Split - Dobri. The key thing is that we return the squares and parks to the people of Split," said Krstulović Opara.

The works envisage the renovation of the staircase in front of the HNK building, erecting a monument to Gajo Bulat, then arranging the associated area with a monument to former sources of drinking water, and arranging the parks with trees and lush shrubs. It is important to note that the floor and public area around the monument to Gajo Bulat will be paved with stone slabs. The entire space of Gajo Bulat Square, after its renovation, can also serve as an outdoor, open stage of the Split Theater. The works are worth 3.7 million kuna, and the renovation is expected to be completed in early May.

The renovation of the Square was preceded by the renovation of the facade on the Croatian National Theater building, worth 500 thousand kuna. The foyer inside the building was also renovated, and an elevator for people with disabilities was installed last year. In May last year, the asphalt around the Square was repaired, and the Priuli rampart is currently undergoing conservation and restoration. By May this year, when Gajo Bulat Square's renovation is complete, this part of the city will take on a completely new look, says the City of Split. 

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