On Friday morning at around 4 am, the strongest bura wind in the history of meteorological measurements in Split was measured at Marjan. At that time, the brutal bura reached 176 km/h (48.9 m/s), which is the highest known wind speed ever measured in Split, reports Index.hr on February 23, 2019. 

The average winds at that time were 118 km/h (33 m/s). The bura wiped out numerous trees and branches on Marjan, as is evidenced by the scenes near the former zoo, which you can see at Dalmacija Danas. 

It is officially the strongest bura since November 14, 2004, when the strongest winds reached 174.6 km/h (48.5 m/s) during the cyclone Dorothy.

Three fires even broke out on Friday night. The first fire hit Split on Friday night, followed by one in Makarska. At about 5 am this morning, another fire occurred in Solin. The winds also ripped off the roof of a greenhouse in Solin over the night, which flew into busy traffic. Fortunately, the object was quickly removed and the traffic normalized.

The Split Police sent out an announcement this morning in response to the many calls they received over the night. 

"During the night in the area of Split-Dalmatia County, and especially in the City of Split, we recorded many reports about trees on the roads, vehicle damage, damage to windows on buildings, and the like, all because of the strong winds. The police officers, together with the firefighters, were on the ground all night and acted on alerts. At this moment, we have not received a notification or know that anyone has been hurt during the event. We assume that throughout the morning we will receive further reports of material damage to objects and vehicles during the night.”

The bura also wreaked havoc on the roads. 

Due to strong winds, the following roads are closed for all groups of vehicles:

Highway A1 between Posedarje and Sveti Rok, DC27 and DC50 via Karina, Obrovac and Gračac, the A6 Rijeka-Zagreb highway between Kikovica and Delnice, DC3 - old road through Gorski Kotar, state road DC54 Maslenica - Zaton Obrovački, Dr. Franjo Tudjman bridge near Dubrovnik, Mokošica-Komolac-Dubrovnik.

The following roads are open only for passenger vehicles: 

Highway A6 Rijeka-Zagreb between Čavle and Kikovica, Adriatic Highway (DC8) between Novi Vinodolski and Senj, Karlobag and Svete Marije Magdalene, Pag bridge (DC106).

On the fast road Solin-Klis (DC1), the A7 motorway Draga-Šmrika, the local road Križišće-Kraljevica (LC58107) traffic for buses, caravans and motorcycles (Group I) is prohibited. On the Adriatic highway (DC8) between Bakar and Novi Vinodolski and Senj and Karlobag, there is a ban on delivery vehicles and vehicles with covered cargo spaces (Group I and II).

Due to a fire on the Adriatic Highway (DC8) at Jasenovo, only one lane is open.

ZC6246 Drniš-Roški slap is closed for all traffic due to trees on the road. 

To read more about news in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

The Croatian Meteorological Institute (DHMZ) has issued the highest warning level for Split and Dalmatia on Saturday as the bura comes back with a vengeance. 

A red alert has been marked for Split and the entire Dalmatia region. Split, and the surrounding areas will see gusts of wind reaching 110 kilometers per hour, with an average speed of 90 kilometers per hour on Saturday. A sudden change in the weather is expected from Friday afternoon, reports Slobodna Dalmacija on February 22, 2019. 

“Be careful. There is a risk for personal safety due to fallen trees, broken branches, and flying debris. Widespread structural damage, interruption of traffic and power failures are expected,” warns DHMZ.

DHMZ alerts that this severe weather for Dalmatia poses a danger for health hazards and life-threatening situations, especially for sailors.

“There is also a significant risk of damage to coastal infrastructure. Be aware of the dangers, and pay attention and follow the latest weather reports. We advise the public to avoid traveling and coastal areas. It is very likely that the ferries will not operate, so if you are traveling, follow traffic information,” emphasizes DHMZ

DHMZ also predicts that temperatures will drop below zero.

Be careful out there!

To read more about news in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

The sport, recreation and fitness fair START 2019 is a unique manifestation taking place during the Split Half-marathon, from February 22 to February 24, 2019, at the Gripe sports center in Split, reports Dalmacija Danas on February 21, 2019. 

START 2019 is the first fair of its kind in Split that aims to unite the passion for sports and a healthy lifestyle. The fair is organized with the aim of bringing together sports professionals, clubs, associations and enthusiasts, as well as presenting everything that has an active connection with sports - from athletes to sports equipment and nutritionists, clubs, companies and associations involved with sports activities.

As a place to create new business opportunities in the fast-growing market of sports in Dalmatia and Croatia, START enables companies to present their products and services related to sports, recreation and fitness to a broad spectrum of visitors and the target market, or new consumers or customers. It is also an opportunity to improve contacts with existing and future partners, participate in interesting professional programs and present innovations and new trends from the sports world while being a part of an exclusive media campaign.

The professional program of the START 2019 fair will be an educational and competitive event. Within the educational program, expert workshops, training sessions and conferences will be organized, as well as presentations of clubs, sports associations and institutions for rehabilitating injuries. There will be a series of events related to the fitness fair such as the Fitness Convention, aiming to promote a healthy lifestyle, movement, and fitness, with presentations of contemporary aerobics programs, led by instructors from Split and the surrounding area that have many years of experience. The secondary goal is to revive aerobics in Split and to interest practitioners of all ages to work together and support such manifestations that, through their participation, encourage the development of recreational programs and raise them to a higher level. In addition, future instructors will be educated and will discover the latest trends in fitness.

Within the educational part of the START 2019 and Fitness Convention Fair, a workshop on the methodology of aerobics titled "How to create a quality group training with music" will be held for students of kinesiology, instructors, interested practitioners and anyone who wants to learn how about the methods of modern aerobics. Afterward, there will be seven seminars on how good practices can create a fun and challenging training for both absolute beginners and more advanced and experienced aerobics practitioners.

The fitness program, which will take place on February 23rd and 24th, includes the most popular and classic, high-quality pilates, yoga, and functional training currently available. Participants will even have the chance to take part in Zumba for children and adults with the idea of encouraging mothers to continue being motivated and practice being the best example for their children in maintaining an active lifestyle.

Also, for the first time in Split, the START 2019 fair will host the Split Power Challenge where all interested parties will be able to compete in three disciplines: bench press, squat and lift. The goal of this competition, which will be led by the Croatian champion and Balkan record holder in the bench-press, Marijo Rukavina from the Ruxpowerlifting club, is to find Split's strongest person.

The 2019 START program competition consists of two other competitions: a hand-wrestling contest and one in functional fitness. In all the competitions within the START 2019 fair, participants will receive symbolic awards for memberships in fitness centers or other perks related to fitness, recreation, and a healthy lifestyle.

The exhibition program of the fair includes professional sports equipment, recreational equipment, fitness equipment, sports nutrition and accessories, a children's program, footwear and clothing for athletes, recreation and fitness, and healthy diets. 

You can find out more at www.sajamstart.com. You can also find the program of events here. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

 February 22, 2019 - An important new chapter in Croatia's emerging medical tourism story, as Bagatin Clinic, one of the industry heavyweights, officially opens in Split.

 Another important piece in the jigsaw is now in place. 

Medical tourism in Croatia has the potential to become one of the driving forces of the country's tourism sector, and experts agree that Croatia could easily be one of the top ten global players in this lucrative industry within 10 years, a topic we have covered in depth in the past.  

And while official bodies have been slow to seize the opportunity (something which is slowly changing with the new Health Spot Croatia initiative), private clinics have been forging forward and creating their own story. Zagreb, Kvarner and Istria have become established medical tourism destinations, as foreign clients realise the savings to be made with no compromise on the quality of care. 

No clinic in Croatia has done more to promote Croatia's impressive health tourism story that Bagatin Clinic in Zagreb. A small family business which has mushroomed into one of the region's medical stars in a short time, with a focus on the best of everything - equipment, surgeons, marketing and customer care. 

And while some businesses use strong marketing to compensate for a poor product, the Bagatin experience is even better than the impressive marketing experience. 

The number one dermatology clinic in all Europe in 2018 - see the video below.

2018 Dental Implants Award for Full Mouth Reconstruction from American platform, Dental Implants Friends. And if you want to see a real-life example of how Bagatin's dental expertise literally changed an American's life, while saving tens of thousands of dollars, there is no finer example than Carl's incredible story. (see Carl below, but I really encourage you to read his story).

International Cosmetic Surgery of the Year 2017 at the International Medical Travel Journal awards.

Each year, the Bagatin surgeons are recognised among Croatia's best, with no less than 11 making the Najdoktor list in 2018.

Bagatin Clinic welcomed guests, clients, partners and the media to its gala opening last night at the luxury Dioklecijan Hotel and Residence in Split last night, as the Bagatin expansion hit the Dalmatian coast for the first time. As with the clinic in Zagreb, which is located on the 10th and 11th floor of the 4-star Hilton Double Tree Hotel, Bagatin has chosen a strong accommodation partner to offer patients a comfortable and luxurious accommodation experience while they undergo treatment.

While there are clinics in Split already, the arrival of Bagatin will put the city on the health tourism map, finally connecting the dots for the millions of tourists who visit the city each year. The potential of Bagatin to boost Split as a health tourism hot spot was not lost on local officials, and Split Tourist Board director Alijana Vuksic was among last night's attendees to welcome Bagatin to the Dalmatian capital. 

Bagatin Clinic CEO Ognjen Bagatin (pictured with TCN on the right, above) is clearly excited about the opportunities the Split opening will bring, posting on LinkedIN before the opening:

"I am very happy that we have outgrown the initial phase of the whole health and medical tourism story and that concrete efforts are being made for the development of this incredibly potential branch of tourism. Not just from the private sector; the local and national community has joined us with their efforts as well. Together, with just one goal, to show Europe and the world that Zagreb and Croatia can and actually are the new European destination for medical and health tourism.On Thursday, we officially open our new branch office in Split, which will help us attract even more international clients; there is an enormous potential here and now is the right time to take advantage of it."

You can find out more about the services at the Bagatin Clinic in Split on their website, where they introduce their Split services as follows:

"Our premium 5-star service awaits you across our departments specializing in dentistry, cosmetology and aesthetic dermatology."

Planning a holiday to Split this summer and want to save a little money to pay for it? Think ahead a little about your medical and dental needs, do a little homework and planning, and your unforgettable visit to Split could also include great news for your health and your wallet. 

To learn more about health tourism in Croatia, here are 25 things to know.

For the latest news, follow our dedicated Croatian health tourism page.

In 2013, when he was in his final year of computer science at Split's FESB, Nebojša Veron came up with the idea of launching an online food ordering service you might know today as Dobar tek.

It's a big year for public transport in Split!

The Croatian Paralympic Committee and the Croatian Paralympic Swimming Federation have organized the Open Paralympic Swimming Championship of Croatia - Croatia Open 2019, which will be held in Split on February23 and 24 at the Poljud pool, reports Dalmacija Danas on February 21, 2019. 

The competition will feature 102 competitors from five countries. While Croatia boasts 78 swimmers from 10 clubs, there is one swimmer from Montenegro, 17 swimmers from Slovenia, three swimmers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and three swimmers from Austria.

“The Croatia Open is held as part of our preparations for the world championships which was supposed to be held in Malaysia, but unfortunately was canceled three weeks ago for political reasons, so we are waiting for a new host to be named. We want to check out the current form of the team in Split because in this period we had to change our participants in some of the other competitions we wanted to play. In April, I travel to America with Dino Sinovčić and Ante Rađa. In May, we will play in Lignan, Italy, and in mid-June, we will head to the Open Championship of Germany,” said Slobodan Glavčić, the coach of the Croatian national Paralympic swimming team ahead fo the tournament in Split. 

“Of course, it is hard to predict, but for the world championship, we are preparing for a Dino Sinovčić medal and for Kristijan Vincetić to fight for a medal, as well as Ante Rađa and the standard for the world championship, Leonard Renić. I hope that this year we will preserve the trend of winning medals on the world's largest Paralympic swimming stage. Our swimmers have matured, and I certainly need to mention Tomi Brajša and Karlo Knežević. Behind them comes another seven or eight young swimmers who are seriously knocking on the doors of the national team," said coach Glavčić.

The organizers of the Championship are PK Cipal and PK Mornar and the Sports Federation for the Disabled in Split. 

To read more about aport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

February 21, 2019 - Slobodna Dalmacija's Tihana Marović details her winter walk through the bleak Split city center.

February 20, 2019 - Brasserie on 7 is back! And there is no better place to begin your mornings. 

February 20, 2019 - The recognizable badge of Hajduk Split has caught the eye of one of music’s greatest frontmen.