According to authentic historical documents, there is a 150 years old tradition of organized Carnival processions in Imotski, writes Dalmacija News in their article.

Traditions of the carnival time came to Imotski with the descendants of the Venetians, while  they still resided in significant numbers in these parts of Dalmatia. After the initial imitation of such carnival customs, a carnival tradition, or simply called "mačkare" were soon adopted and got some authentic features.

(all photos: Imotski Svitnjak)

 

It is interesting to follow some of the features that have characterized the carnival in Imotski throughout history. Even as there still was a visible categorization of the population to social classes, the carnival period was celebrated by all people, everyone according to his abilities. The goal of the carnival was to have fun and bring joy to all people, so it was a time, when all the visible boundaries within the population simply disappeared. At leas for the time of the carnival. Of course, wealthy families took care for richer and more luxurious costumes, which were at that time purchased throughout Europe. It was a paramount to obtain a more representative costume, which was sending the desired message.

 

One of the special features of the Imotski Mačkare Carnival was Bako. Bako was created after the old Roman God Bacchus, who was tied to wine, fertility and pleasure. He was an indispensable part of each carnival season in Imotski. Bako was imbodied by a person, who deserved it with his qualities and character. In other words, Bako has to be well known, respected and sociable, loving jokes, fun and joy. He has to be a proven fan of wine and food, which is in the spirit of devotion to the ancient Roman tradition. He is dressed in a long white robe, to be visible in the crowds.

His face has to be flushed, to prove his love for good wine and he is wearing a crown made of wine. Usually, he sits on an old wooden barrel, a kind of throne. He holds a pot or a "Bukara", constantly toasting with the gathered crowd, pouring jokes up until he starts to sing.

Biokovo is the largest and most interesting mountain of the Dinara mountain in Dalmatia, which has a remarkable landscape diversity, playfulness of karst forms, a richness of wildlife and an abundance of cultural and historical details. A fraction of the beauty of this 70-kilometer long mountain can be discovered in this photo gallery by Joško Vukosav published at the Imotski Svitnjak website. Follow Imotski Svitnjak on Facebook to enjoy more of the beauty of the Imotski region.

Congratulations to Imotski and Luka for these great results. We wish you all the best in this new year.

Imotski Svitnjak is a great source of information about the Imotski region. No wonder, as the skilled and experienced Imotski tourist board director Luka Kolovrat is keeping the site updated and full of really interesting info about Imotski, both historical and the most recent. Today, we bring you a short, but very important message about the very popular book - Blue Waters of Imotski:

The book can be ordered at Webknjizara.hr.

Christmas and New Year´s Concert of the Croatian Brass Orchestra - City Music Imotski and their guests (Vanna, Vedran Mlikota, Choir of the Music School of Dr. fra Ivan Glibotić Imotski..) will take place on Sunday December 27, 2015 at 20:00 at the Croatian National Theatre in Split.

The Croatian Brass Orchestra of the City Music Imotski was established in 1870 and celebrates its 145th anniversary. The best brass orchestra in Croatia with numerous national and international awards and recognitions. Whenever they appears at the national competition, they win (as they did 5 times already). After 2 CDs, they are preparing another one.

The CBO City Music Imotski often cooperates with the Croatian National Theatre in Split - they were involved in operas Mefistofelle and Aida last year. This is what the two famous Croatian conductors say about the CBO City Music Imotski (according to Radio Split):

"It is my 47th Aida at Peristil. Thanks to you (CBO City Music Imotski) and your work, dedication, discipline and quality of musicians, this was the best stage music ever", said maestro Nikša Bareza in Split (2014).

"CBO City Music Imotski is a cultural phenomenon. It is the first amateur symphonic orchestra in Croatia", said maestro Mladen Tarbuk from Novi Vinodolski.

They will be in Split on the 27th and the day before (on the 26th) in Imotski at the Matice Hrvatske Sqare at 12:00. Enjoy!!

Here is a little taste of the orchestra:

An interesting article about the "Manastir" islet from the Imotski Svitnjak (written by Ivan Alduk, photos by Luka Kolovrat and Ante Fedor Kukavica, translated by Ivana Župan)

At the islet of "Manastir", under the northern cliffs of the lakes of Prološko Blato, the remains of the Franciscan monastery lies. At the time of the Turkish threat, probably in late 15th century, the Franciscans abandoned the monastery at the source of the river Vrljika and build a new monastery on the island "Manastir". Relying on the Turkish firmans, dr. fra Karlo Jurišić said, that the building of the monastery began between 1600 and 1605. The impetus for building of monastery and relocation to Prološko Mud gave perhaps the vicar of the Bosnian Franciscan Vicary st. fra Jakov Markijski, in the middle of the 15th century.

 

 

The Franciscans have repeatedly left and returned to the monastery to finally leave it in 1715, when it was destroyed. So, this year marks exactly 300 year since fra Stipan Vrljić temporarily moved to Omiš, where the monastery was built in Skalice. After liberation from the Turks in 1715, the Franciscans organized a parish in Fort Topan first and soon afterwards they establish a new monastery in Imotski, which owns the old monastery on the island "Manastir" to this day.

 

 

The remains of the monastery are located on the western slope of the island where you can see the ruins of several rooms with the chapel connected to the building of an elongated rectangular ground plan. In addition to the chapel, there is a gateway to the shore mud/lake and stone benches where preserved in that passage. The other side of the aisle closes a water cistern. Judging by the preserved stone walls and cleared lands, the islet was pretty organized during the stay of the small Franciscan community.

At the top of the island, an inscription carved on a cliff was preserved: "This AD. 1609 F.M.R. - LET IT BE KNOWN", that is most likely related to the vicar fra Mijo Runović, who is credited for construction of the monastery. The remains of the Franciscan monastery on the islet of "Manastir" in Prološko Mud are an extremely valuable part of the Imotski culture heritage. Therefore, in organization of the Franciscan monastery in Imotski and the local Conservation Department and local associations, the cleaning of the islet and the remains of the monastery, which are in a very poor condition has begun. This year, the Ministry of Culture allocated modest financial resources for the conservation of the walls to rescue this monument from oblivion and prolong its life for future generations.

Although the Blue Lake in Imotski is the one, where most people dive in looking for refreshment during the summer, there are special occasions, when bathing in the Red Lake is possible too.

With the assistance of the Croatian Moutain Rescue Service (HGSS) a large dose of courage and much needed good physical condition, these expedition made of young men (including the actor Vedran Mlikota and the director of the Imotski tourist board Luka Kolovrat) were pleasantly surprised to discover the temperature of the lake to be 25°C on the surface.

A rather interesting way to cool down in Imotski..

(all photos: FB page of Luka Kolovrat)

How does a Pumpkin Festival sounds to you? Are you curious about how many delicious meals can one prepare from the Hokkaido pumpkin? Then this festival is the one for you. Taking place in Vinjani Donji tonight (August 7, 2015) at the Bistro Pizzeria Lučica from 19:00.

Come and taste meals, sweets and other yummy things made out of pumpkins from the Vinjani fields. Enjoy the "Tikvijada (Tikva = Pumpkin) in Vinjani Donji tonight.

(photos: Lučica Vinjani Facebook page)

The numbers for July are out and Imotski has set new records as it has more then doubled the number of overnights in July (from 2258 in 2014 to 4852 in 2015). Most overnights were from guests from Germany (1104), then followed by guests from Croatia (747), Great Britain (443), Netherlands (424), Belgium (352) and Norway (252). The total number for the first 7 months in Imotski is at 7948 overnights, which is 80% more than in the same period last year.

According to the director of the Imotski tourist board Luka Kolovrat there are almost no available beds currently in Imotski as everything is full and the expectations for August are even higher than for July in terms of setting new records for overnights. Congratulations to Imotski and Luka! May you continue this very positive trend.