February 14, 2020 - The Zagreb train to Split may not be the fastest way to travel, but it has many advantages over the bus. 

Croatian trains do not have the best reputation in the world. The network itself is fairly disconnected, and big destinations such as Dubrovnik no longer have a train station (although they used to until recently), for example, and Ploce connects only to Metkovic by rail before continuing to Sarajevo and beyond. 

And Croatian trains are certainly not the quickest, more than three times slower that the likes of Spain and France, according to this European overview, above. 

So why take the train at all?

I love trains, always have, ever since my Interrailing days in my youth, as well as those long, slow overnight journeys in the Soviet Union undercover for MI6. I had a business trip to Split this week and had to leave the car with the family, and I really could not face another 5-6 hour bus journey, so decided to give the train. 

Although there are only two Zagreb train departures for Split each day, as well as one overnight, the afternoon departure fitted my plans perfectly - leaving at 15:20 and arriving at 21:26. Just over six hours on the train versus 5-plus on the bus. 

When I first came to Croatia, the trains were fairly dated, but there are some new kids on the block these days, and the train was both modern and spotless.  

And spacious. With only 6 other people in the entire carriage, I had a table of four all to myself, plenty of time to catch up on the many blogs I need to write for clients, as well as plenty of opportunity to stretch my legs and enjoy the scenery until nightfall came. 

And, at just 110 kuna one way, it is significantly cheaper than the bus. I got more than 4 hours of work done before my laptop battery died - sadly there are no plugs available. 

There are also no refreshments, but a little forward thinking can overcome that problem. 

We arrived, just 10 minutes late, in Split, with me feeling refreshed from the extra space unavailable on the bus, as well as feeling accomplished on 4 hours of work completed. Something that would never happen on the bus, or driving.  

And after a successful three days in the Dalmatian capital, the return journey. 

I love taking the overnight Zagreb train from Split for a number of reasons. The main reason is time, the one thing I lack most in life. The reality is that commuting between Split and Zagreb takes out a good chunk of the day and is therefore quite inefficient. The night train - also just 110 kuna currently - leaves at just before 10pm and arrives around 6am. It is almost always deserted, and I have never failed to get a whole cabin, such as the one above, to myself. The trains are heated, and apart from a ticket check within minutes of departure, there are no other disturnances, and a sound night of sleep ensues. An early morning coffee in Zagreb and a shower at a friend's apartment, and a full working day in the Croatian capital awaits. 

For more options on how to get from Zagreb to Split, check out the Total Croatia guide. 

February 14, 2020 - The Poljud Museum and Hajduk Interpretation Center projects were presented in Split on Hajduk's 109th birthday. 

Hajduk.hr reports that the Poljud Museum and the Hajduk Interpretation Center will be housed on approximately 2,500 square meters, located below the eastern stand of Poljud Stadium. Through a series of interactive interpretive elements, visitors will be told through three floors (basement, ground floor and first floor) the centuries-old story of Split sport and Hajduk and the unique architectural narrative of the stadium.

The biggest challenge for the project team was certainly to interpret and present the unique relationship between the Split club and Split and Hajduk fans in general, that specific, almost phenomenological connection that is created by birth and never breaks.

It is these topics that open Hajduk’s story. Through the first topics - 'Idea and Genesis' and 'A Brief Overview of the History of Split Sports', visitors will be introduced to Split's sporting beginnings, the development of the most important sports and sports clubs, trophies and historical moments and the most influential athletes throughout history. Fabjan Kaliterna, the initiator of the development of a series of sports in Split, is also represented within the whole. 

After exploring the rich sports history, visitors are presented with a series of the interactive content as a key theme of the setup - the relationship between the fans and the club through the ‘Outside View' theme. First, through the testimonies of numerous famous and celebrated Split athletes who talk first-hand about what it was like to take their first sports steps in Split and how the city rewarded and celebrated their greatest sports achievements. It will also tell the story of the city's specific attitude to sports in general. 

In addition to showing Split as a sports city through these stories, it will also give the visitor an insight into the special sports heart of Split, the habit of citizens to celebrate the greatest athlete achievements and organize grand receptions for their winning athletes. This element of interpretation is crucial to understanding the relationship between Split and Hajduk, which rests on the aforementioned mutual appreciation, but is far deeper and more specific. Visitors see this relationship and its features in the 'Inside View' theme, which will offer a series of testimonials from fans who will talk about why they love Hajduk and what role that club plays in their lives. It will be intimate confessions, personal perspectives, and emotions conveyed to a specific multimedia platform. The original stories conclude the first stage of the setup, which continues on the first floor.

The first floor is reserved entirely for Hajduk’s history. Through introductory stories in the theme 'Development of the club's coat of arms and kit over time', through presenting the most important facts from the club's past and interactive multimedia systems, visitors will uncover the club's centuries-old history, and the most valuable sports figures - from the founders to the players and coaches through 'Hajduk 1911 to today'. 

The emergence of the Torcida fan group, an integral part of Hajduk, is also interpreted in this topic. The interpretation will be placed on specific visual platforms that accompany the decades. Visual platforms are a kind of homage to the unique construction of the Poljud roof, built by the MERO technique. The same technique is applied in the implementation of the aforementioned visual platforms, which are also unique in the world (surface banners in combination with graphic maps from the rear and interpretation texts from the front, with integrated multimedia and product design solutions, all in harmony with the dominant glass floors of the floor first floor).

After learning about the club's history, visitors descend into the basement, which is a kind of showroom setup. In this section, the topic "The Museum of Poljud" presents the origin of the idea and the construction of the Poljud Stadium into its basic features. The entirety of 'Historic Retrospective', 'Hajduk and Torcida', 'Torcida First Hand' is replaced, and the latter offers a personal experience by showing the fans in the north stands and the most beautiful choreographies of Torcida. The space is equipped as a 9D cinema.

The basement also contains a corridor through which visitors can enter the eastern stand or take a tour of the stadium and club rooms with prior notice. It is important to note that visitors are allowed to continually update their lineups through booths where they will be able to record their testimony of the Hajduk and Split experience, or comment on a Hajduk match, and the content will then be played on one of the screens in the facility.

With accompanying facilities - a souvenir shop/fan shop, multifunctional halls for various exhibitions, lectures and games, a tasting room designed after the Prague beer pub 'U Flek' where the Hajduk story began - the Poljud Museum and the Hajduk Interpretation Center will be a place that is attractive and educational, and where interactive content presents the unique story of this Split club.

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

February 12, 2020 - 3T conference is coming back to Zagreb in March for the 4th edition. This year will bring new topics related to technology, climate, and sustainability. 

3T is a conference that tries to answer the question of how to optimize business processes in tourism with the use of technology. The main goal of the conference is to bring together tourism and IT professionals. The tourism and travel industry is not declining, and accommodation capacity is just growing, which gives more possibilities to the IT sector. The conference will try to answer questions such as how did technology change tourism processes and how it contributes to a tourism business? How can continuous growth be sustainable? How to keep quality of life for the locals and keep the tourism numbers growing? Can technology help with sustainability in tourism? Could apps for tourism of the future like VR and AR decrease actual visits to the destination, and who would like to travel like that?

This year's keynote speaker is Zoran Pejović, a Hotel development specialist who will give more insight into luxury travel with the lecture "Modern Luxury Travel – between the technology and ideology." The conference will have a panel discussion, moderated by conference director Oleg Maštruko, with the topic "Are climate changes and sustainability an opportunity for Croatian tourism?"

There will be a range of lectures, presentations, and discussions. One of the lecturers is leading Croatian chef Mate Janković as well as Ilija Brajković with the topic "How to present great content and build personal branding on social networks". 

The previous conference had about 280 visitors, and tickets are limited. To secure your spot at Kaptol Boutique Cinema on March 19, get your tickets and see more information on the conference's official website.

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

February 10, 2020 - Recover, reshape, and recharge at Marvie Hotel & Health in Split. 

Wellness is the ‘active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life’. 

The World Health Organisation considers it “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being,” while it is "a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential” by The National Wellness Institute.

With more stressors surrounding us today than ever before, wellness has become the focal point that aids us through the day-to-day. Whether we turn to meditation, yoga, skincare or eating better, wellness shows its face in many ways and comes in a selection of shapes and sizes. 

Travelers today are increasingly turning away from the busier tourist cities and instead opting for wellness breaks, healing retreats, or spa getaways to help improve their physical or mental health. With that idea in mind, wellness tourism has taken off. 

Thus, in the heart of Split, you’ll find a hub for health and wellness - Marvie Hotel. 

After opening its doors in 2017, Marvie became Dalmatia’s first hotel focusing on medical tourism, targeting quality self-care in all of its segments. 

Located in Split's quiet residential area of Zenta, just a five-minute drive from the bustling city center, Marvie is spacious and modern, boasting an underground garage on three floors, 74 rooms and two suites, and modular halls that can accommodate up to 65 people. 

However, what truly makes Marvie the heart of medical tourism in Split is its health and wellness offer. 

The Renevie wellness zone is where guests can recover, reshape, and recharge. With relaxation at its core, the Renevie wellness zone offers an indoor hot tub and pool, as well as an outdoor rooftop infinity pool that boasts breathtaking views of the city. In the summer, the rooftop becomes an oasis for guests looking to enjoy the easygoing Mediterranean lifestyle, where sunbeds are offered for you to kick back with a cold drink and light snacks, while summer yoga sessions and exercise programs are held to encourage the more active vacationers. 

The Renevie wellness zone offers two private saunas that provide a variety of ways to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. The Finnish sauna is for those looking to detox or enhance their skin elasticity, while the Turkish sauna benefits the immune system and helps with hydration. A fully equipped gym is also available for guests looking to push their fitness limits. 

AquaMed Medical Wellness, which is a modern clinic for physical medicine and rehabilitation, is a fundamental part of Marvie’s wellness offer. With a focus on physical therapy, manual therapy using the Maitland concept, hydrotherapy pool exercises, massages (medical, sport, AquaMed, aroma, anti-cellulite), beauty treatments, acupuncture and nutritional counseling, AquaMed aims to prevent and eliminate health and aesthetic challenges, while preserving your power and beauty.

Whether you require a physician, acupuncturist, nutritionist, masseuse, beautician, or pedicurist, Marvie’s specialists provide a full range of physical therapy and aesthetic services for guests to enjoy. 

Because Mediterranean cuisine is a vital organ to the region, Marvie fuses fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients with a scientific approach to ensure your dietary needs are fulfilled. Whether you have a specific medical condition or are looking to detox and adopt healthier eating habits, Marvie’s nutritional experts will craft plans tailored to your wishes. 

The Da’Mar restaurant at the hotel adds a modern touch to Mediterranean-inspired dishes, which are adjusted to service the gluten-free guests. Everything at the hotel, from light bites to dessert, is prepared fresh and in house daily. 

Finally, what completes Marvie is its partners. 

The Mediderm clinic at Marvie, which is led by dr. med. Sanda Peric-Susak, boasts twenty years of experience and specializes in dermatovenerology and anti-aging treatments. Their team of experts focuses on aesthetic and vascular surgery, immunology, endocrinology, allergology, orthopedics, and sports traumatology. Whether you’re looking to reduce the signs of aging or want a clearer picture of your overall health, the Mediderm clinic is at your service to ensure your body is taken care of. 

Therapists Vanja and Kristijan Kasalo are on hand to look after your mental health. After years of experience from Split to Norway and back, their private practice of integrative psychotherapy will give you professional insight and offer techniques to help you maintain a healthy mindset.

IDC Ruzevic, on the other hand, is the most modern facility for dental medicine and implantology in Dalmatia. Led by Niki Ruzevic, M.D., who boasts 35 years of experience as a dentist and more than 15 years of experience in implantology, its modern facilities include four dental offices, a surgical room, a sterilization room and an X-ray area. Offering a range of treatments for your oral health, IDC Ruzevic uses sophisticated methods, premium materials, and modern devices to care for each patient individually. 

With a full range of quality services on offer for its guests, there is no better way to optimize your well-being than at Marvie Hotel. 

You can find out more about Marvie Hotel here.

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

February 11, 2020 - The City of Split has allocated 850,000 kuna in its 2020 budget, which includes adapting the Croatian National Theatre Split, or HNK Split, for people with disabilities. 

Dalmacija Danas reports that the Croatian National Theatre building in Split was built in 1893 and destroyed in a major fire in 1970. The reconstruction itself lasted almost ten years, with the program performed in the Lora House Hall and the Kina Split Hall. Ownership relations have not been regulated since then, and on January 25, 2018, the City of Split initiated proceedings before the Split Municipal Court to enforce the registration of ownership of the City. The procedure was completed after two years. 

Thus, the City of Split has provided funds for one of the most important civil engineering infrastructural interventions in the 2020 Budget, which is the adaptation of the building for the accessibility of persons with disabilities. During the last year, the project documentation was prepared - the entrance to the building itself, the entrances to the lodges and the installation of an elevator will be adjusted, and all projects have been approved by the Ministry of Culture, Conservation Department in Split.

Preparations are underway for the procurement process for the installation of an elevator at the location of the cashier to be relocated. The entrance door of the lodge will be adapted as well as the main entrance to the building itself by installing a new ramp, which, unlike the existing one, will meet all the conditions for disabled people to enter independently. The budget for this year’s projects is 850,000 kuna. 

Recently, the renovation works on the ground floor of the theater were completed. The funds were secured by the application of the City of Split to the competition of the Ministry of Croatian Veterans Affairs and by the sponsorship of HEP and the Split “Lionsa” at a humanitarian concert.

The inaccessibility at the most important theater institution in Dalmatia will soon be a thing of the past.

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

February 10, 2020 - The 21st round of the Croatian First League was held from February 7 to 9, and saw wins for the top three teams in the standings - Dinamo, Hajduk, and Rijeka.

Istra 1961 v. Varazdin (1:0)

Istra and Varazdin opened the 21st round on Friday, February 7, 2020, in Pula in front of 625 spectators. 

The only goal of the game came in the 30th minute when Grzan scored for Istra’s lead and, ultimately, the win. 

Istria is currently in 9th place with 15 points, while Varazdin is in 10th place with 12. 

Osijek v. Inter Zapresic (1:1)

Osijek and Inter met at City Garden Stadium on Saturday, February 8, 2020, in front of 2120 spectators. 

Osijek’s Lopa was sent off the pitch in the 16th minute after a double yellow, forcing Osijek to play with a man down for the remainder of the game. Inter took the lead with a goal by Tsonev in the 32nd minute, though Maric equalized in the 37th for 1:1, which is how the game ended. 

Osijek is currently in 4th place with 35 points, while Inter is in 8th with 17.

Hajduk v. Lokomotiva (1:0)

Hajduk and Lokomotiv met at Poljud on Saturday, February 8, 2020, in front of over 11,000 fans. 

Hajduk’s goal came in the 28th minute thanks to Eduok for 1:0 at the half. Mujakic received a red card with four minutes to go in the game, though Lokomotiva was unable to equalize. 

Hajduk is currently in 2nd place with 41 points, while Lokomotiva is in 5th with 31.

Rijeka v. Slaven Belupo (1:0)

Rijeka and Belupo met on Sunday, February 9, 2020, at Rujevica stadium.

Colak scored the only goal of the game in the 33rd minute for 1:0. Belupo’s Mikulic was given a red card in the 72nd minute. 

Rijeka is currently in 3rd place with 37 points, while Belupo is in 7th place with 18.

Dinamo v. Gorica (2:0)

Dinamo and Gorica closed out the 21st round on Sunday, February 9, 2020, at Maksimir stadium. 

While the first half went without goals, Theophile-Catherine scored in the 72nd minute for 1:0, and Kadzior increased Dinamo’s lead to 2:0 in the 86th minute for the final score of the game. Gorica’s Suk received a red card in the 50th minute. 

Dinamo is currently in 1st with 53 points, while Gorica is in 6th with 30.

You can see the full HNL table here.

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

February 9, 2020 - Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, but do you know where you’re taking your special someone yet? Don’t fret, Zinfandel Food & Wine Bar in Split has you covered.

Valentine’s Day comes around once a year, and while it’s a silly Hallmark holiday for some, it is a big deal for couples looking for a foolproof way to celebrate their love. 

While holidays are meant to be carefree, Valentine’s Day has always carried an extra bit of weight. From choosing the right flowers and chocolates to making sure you’ve chosen a dinner location romantic enough. This year, however, you can throw your worries out the window.

Zinfandel Food & Wine Bar won’t let your Valentine’s date turn into a deal-breaker. 

Namely, this Valentine’s Day, Zinfandel has crafted a fail-safe, three-course menu fit for even the pickiest partner. 

Begin by choosing one of three appetizer options, from beef tartare to octopus with a cream of fired vegetables, white beans, romesco and salsa verde, or the cauliflower soup with chimichurri and roasted pistachio. 

For main courses, you and your loved one can choose from the lamb knuckles with potato cream, pickled onion, and broad beans, the pork filet wrapped in pancetta with polenta, broad beans, demi-glace, and caramelized pears, or the sea bass filet with a cauliflower cream, red quinoa, and young peas.

Finally, for dessert, try the kadaif cannoli with pastry cream, caramel and pistachio, or the chocolate soufflé with white chocolate crumble, vanilla ice cream, and raspberries. 

And the best part? All of this for just 220 kuna per person, with a glass of champagne, included. This time, February 14 won't break the bank!

There’s no better way to show how much you care this Valentine’s Day. Book a table by calling 021 355 135 and visit the Zinfandel Facebook page for more info. 

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

February 9, 2020 - It is that time of the year again…. Split Carnival (or Krnjeval) returns to the city!

Valentine’s Day isn’t the only thing happening in Split this month. Split Carnival returns to the Riva with an opening party on Sunday, February 16!

Namely, the keys of the city will be handed over by Krnjeval masters at the already traditional Cubisma concert that will result in a raging Riva dance party next Sunday. This spicy salsa spectacle will take place with the instructors of Centar Plesa, dancers of local clubs, and tourists in Split.

Cubismo plays energetic dance music based on Afro-Cuban rhythms, but in its own distinctive style. The band members come from Croatia, Venezuela, Cuba and Slovenia; they are the most significant band playing this type of music in this part of Europe. Cubismo has released seven CDs so far, most of them worldwide.

Throughout their career, Cubismo has collaborated with many global music stars. The "Motivo Cubano" CD was recorded in Cuba with members of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club, and the "Viva la Habana" CD featured Yolanda Duke, who was the lead singer of the Tito Puente Orchestra at the time. Regarding musicians from Croatia, Cubismo has hosted many icons on their albums and at their concerts such as Josipa Lisac, Gibonni, Gabi Novak, Stjepan "Jimmy" Stanic, Oliver Dragojevic and many others, as well as musicians from wider areas such as Vlada Divljan from Idoli, The Brass Band from Macedonia and the "King" of Roma Music Saban Bajramovic. They have always been proud of their "multi-cult" concept, which they believe contributes greatly to the expansion of musical and human perspectives.

Cubismo is known for its high-quality music and skillful members and has been regularly awarded the Porin and Status. The band was founded in 1995 and is celebrating 23 years this year. They are named after the jazz trumpet player Dizzy Gillespie's "Cu-bi cu-bop", which was one of the first to mix Afro-Cuban jazz with jazz rhythms and rhythms of other musical directions.

This year’s Split Carnival will close with the famous Love Carnival Rave, to be held on February 22 with the sounds of house and techno. Popular Parisian DJ and producer DJ SONIC will take the stage, as will Split DJs Yelle and Pero FullHouse, who is in charge of warm-up & cool down. 

We will uncover this year's Carnival theme, masters, as well as the full program details in the coming days. 

The complete Split Carnival program, which will run from February 16 to 25, 2020, can be found here. 

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

February 8, 2020 - The Split Half Marathon returns this month to celebrate its 20th edition with new events and a new name - Split Marathon. 

Who says the offseason is boring in Split? February not only boasts Carnival, but just two weeks away, the racing season begins with the Split Marathon. 

Namely, on February 23, 2020, this Split racing event will kick off for its 20th edition with a series of new events, including the full marathon and marathon relay, and the already well-known half-marathon, 5K race, and kids’ races (650 m, 1,250 m and 2,500 m).

The biggest news is certainly the inaugural Split marathon.

The Split Marathon is an AIMS certified trail that tours the peninsula of Split, with a short excursion to Solin and a tour of Vranjic (known as Little Venice). The start and destination are at the Riva, right next to Emperor Diocletian's Palace (which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List). On the course, there are 12 refueling stations and 10 lap times with live tracking of each runner. 

The relay marathon is run in 4 shifts (according to IAAF rules), 3 sections of 10 km and one section of 12,195 km, and can be run as men's relay (4 M), women's relay (4 W) or as mixed (2W + 2M).

Route: Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda – Marmontova ulica – Ulica kralja Tomislava – Zagrebačka ulica – Manuška poljana – Livanjska – Ulica Domovinskog rata – ulica Zbora narodne garde – Ulica Domovinskog rata – Solinska ulica – Splitska ulica – Krešimirova ulica – Obala pomoraca – Krešimirova ulica – Splitska ulica – Solinska ulica – Hercegovačka ulica – Put Supavla – Lora – Zrinsko Frankopanska – Osmih mediteranskih igara – Stadion Poljud – Osmih mediteranskih igara – ZrInsko Frankopanska – Ulica 7 Kaštela – Matoševa ulica – Šetalište Marina Tartaglie – Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića – Obala kneza Branimira – Trumbićeva obala – Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda – Obala Lazareta – Obala kneza Domagoja – HŽ Bačvice – Plaža Bačvice – Šetalište Petra Preradovića – Put Firula – Spinčićeva ulica – Šetalište Kalafata – Šetalište pape Ivana Pavla II – OKRET – Šetalište pape Ivana Pavla II – Šetalište Kalafata – Spinčićeva ulica – Put Firula – Šetalište Petra Preradovića – Hatzeov perivoj – Ulica Matije Gupca – Prilaz braće Kaliterna – Plaža Bačvice – HŽ Bačvice – Obala kneza Domagoja – Obala Lazareta – Hrvojeva ulica – Ulica kralja Tomislava – Marmontova ulica – Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda – FINISH

The 20th edition of Split Half Marathon will run on an AIMS certified track that has been modified with fewer ascents. The start and finish are on the Riva, with 6 refreshment stations on the course and 6 lap times with live tracking of each runner. 

Route: Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda – Marmontova ulica – Ulica kralja Tomislava – Zagrebačka ulica -Manuška poljana – Livanjska – Ulica Domovinskog rata – ulica Zbora narodne garde – Ulica Domovinskog rata – Stinice ulica – Put Supavla – Lora – Zrinsko Frankopanska – Osmih mediteranskih igara – Stadion Poljud – Osmih mediteranskih igara – Zrinsko Frankopanska – Ulica 7 Kaštela – Matoševa ulica – Šetalište Marina Tartaglie – Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića – Obala kneza Branimira – Trumbićeva obala – Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda – FINISH

In the starter pack, along with the starting number and a chip, participants will receive a backpack, T-shirt, a towel, accreditation with numerous discounts during the race weekend and sponsor gifts. Every participant who finishes the race will receive a medal, which will be even better than last year.

Last year, the race saw 3,300 participants and 15,000 visitors. This year, numbers should be even larger.

All information about the race can be found here.

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

February 6, 2020 - The bura came back with a vengeance this week, blasting its way through Dalmatia with up to 270 km/h winds in some parts.

After a relatively mild offseason with temperatures in the teens, the harshness of winter hit in the form of hurricane-like bura winds on Wednesday. The already dead Dalmatian towns turned even more ghost-like as the powerful winds swept through the towns. 

As expected, the traffic stopped, ferries came to a halt, and the damage was inevitable. 

In Makarska, for example, a crane toppled at the Romana Hotel, construction material flew, and trees were cut from their roots. A similar scene could be found on the city beach, where pines fell to the ground. The wind even caused two traffic accidents and blocked traffic in the city center, but luckily no one was hurt. 

Wednesday’s storm caused extensive damage to the Star Village Mosor observatory in Gornji Sitno. The large dome of the observatory was completely destroyed and the large telescope housed beneath it was damaged. Because of this, the observatory will not continue to receive visits on Fridays and Saturdays, the Mosor Star Village Facebook page announced.

Photojournalist Matko Begovic visited Biokovo on Wednesday, where he made it to Sv. Jure, just about a hundred meters from the top. 

A little lower, on the platform that will one day be the glass skywalk, the bura howled. 

The boats rocked in the nearby Baska Voda.

Not even buildings could withstand the bura's force. Namely, Dalmacija Danas reported that the Tugare Community House in Srednje Poljice saw a lot of destruction, as parts of its roof 3 meters wide flew through the sky.

And it wouldn't be bura if it didn't come with a bit of fun. Like this trash bin flying through the busy streets, on its way to find work in Ireland...

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