Saturday, 20 April 2019

Stork Which Returned To Malena Might Not Be Klepetan

Although we celebrated the return of Klepetan to his beloved Malena just a month ago, Stjepan Vokic and his son Dario, who take care of Croatia's widely adored love birds, are concerned that the male stork who returned to Malena might not be Klepetan.

As Vecernji list writes on the 19th of April, 2019, in the Facebook group managed by Stjepan's son ''Malena i Klepetan, najljepsa ljubavna prica'' (Malena and Klepetan, the most beautiful love story) Dario Vokic claims that this male stork has been behaving rather strangely, and is likely not the famous stork it should be.

''Dear members, if you didn't know... The real Klepetan probably didn't arrive. The current stork is acting weird, he came for a meal and then he went for two days. Malena is probably frustrated and that's why she destroyed two eggs. She even demolished the nest, not completely, but all of the new material this male bought has been removed. My dad thinks that Klepetan is old and that he is going to die. I don't believe this is him, so these thoughts will remain here in this group'' wrote Dario Vokic in English, before apologising for his English skills, which are of course excellent.

Unsurprisingly, Dario's post was followed by many questions from members, and they found it odd that upon his arrival, Klepetan ate some fish in Stjepan's yard, and only after that did he go to Malena.

''It's worrying, we'll have to see what happens. There about 3-4 storks in Varos, and some of them go to eat fish in Stjepan's yard,'' wrote Vokic.

Despite the worries and suspicions, there is as yet no official information that the male stork which is apparently behaving oddly isn't actually Klepetan, however, the concerns of the pair's longtime care givers are likely correct, although we hope this time they got it wrong.

Make sure to follow our dedicated lifestyle page for much more.

Wednesday, 3 May 2017

Photos: Smell of Sardines Mark the Beginning of Sv. Križ Festivities in Veli Varoš!

The traditional Sv. Križ celebration is held from May 2-3, 2017. 

Tuesday, 4 April 2017

Vida Boutique Hotel Begins an Impressive 2017 with International Bookings

Vida Boutique Hotel kicks off 2017 with impressive bookings from around the world.

Thursday, 2 March 2017

PHOTOS: A Walk through Split's Most Charming Neighborhood, Varoš

Today, we take a look at Varoš.

Thursday, 5 May 2016

Split Off the Beaten Path: New Varos Walking Tour

It is already May, and Split and its tourist season has really kicked off. With its proven position as one of the most interesting destinations in Croatia, Split is definitely one of the champions of Croatian tourism. For the average tourist, the main sight is definitely the UNESCO-protected Diocletian's palace and old town area. When a tourist sees the Palace, (followed by sometimes hilarious questions) afterwards they usually decide to visit something outside the town – the choice is usually one of the natural beauties - islands like Hvar and Vis or Krka national park. In case they want to stay in Split and explore a bit more. this often stops at different gastronomic and nightlife experiences (note these have improved a lot during the last few years).

From now on, in addition to various heritage and walking tours around theUNESCO- protected old town and, we have new walking tour which can be great extension of popular walking tours, or it can be unique tour off the beaten path.

New Veli Varoš walking tour had its premiere on Wednesday. Tour guide Jelena Tabak presented her new tour around one of the most intriguing areas of Split to the representatives from Tourist board Split, hotels, tourist agencies and tour guides association. She has been a tour guide for years, and after she started to work in the Varoš area, she noticed this part of town was poorly presented and evaluated as a tourist attraction. She came to the conclusion that people who visit Split might want to explore more than just the Palace and well know tourist sights. Also she saw potential in expanding the tourist offer in terms of new tours and activities as well as an opportunity for local guides to get more work. The more she explored Varoš, the more facts and curiosities she found and decided to unite them in tour which covers it all.

Varoš is an area of Split, centrally located under Marjan hill, and during history was part of fortified Split and traditionally a fishermen and peasant area. Varoš is well known for its narrow streets (locally called kaleta) and houses built really close together - so close your neighbour is almost your household member. The area is famous for its old churches and the fact it nurtures traditional Dalmatian life. In more recent times, Varoš is known for its great number of private accommodation units and lodgings but it still has the soul and vibe it used to have.

The tour of Varoš started off at Prokurative and St. Frane church and continued to Šperun with a visit to all the main sights - small churches, narrow streets (kaleta), fountains, birth houses of local artists. After learning interesting facts and legends about Varoš, the best way to end the tour was with last stop at local konoba for some grilled fish and wine. Finally, a local fisherman from Matejuška presented some aspects of his work.

TCN got a comment on this tour from Tourist board Split director, Alijana Vukšić: „ I am sure the guests are going to love this tour. I like the combination of the gastronomic tour with local dishes and the opportunity for guests to join local fishermen and see genuine lifestyle of this part of Split. Varoš has a great story to tell and this tour shows a completely different vision of Split.“

This approximately hour-long tour is new way for a both tourists and locals to see Split off beaten path and to learn more about lifestyle and culture of Varoš. The tour definitely has potential to become new thing to do in Split, and there is plenty of space to do different tour options ranging from gastronomic, religious and fishing workshops to live like a local tours. Lets hope this tour will get the attention it deserves from local tourism workers in order to present this lovely area to visitors.

Monday, 11 March 2013

Two Charming Old Neighborhoods: Veli Varoš and Radunica

On either side the historic core of Split you will find two charming neighborhoods with each their personal history to tell. They are known as the oldest suburbs of Split.

Veli Varoš (Varoš) is located above Trumbićeva obala street just west of Riva, on the southern slopes of Marjan. You can venture into Varoš through many winding roads that lead you into this labyrinthine neighborhood. Easy access points include; next to St. Francis church, beyond Prokurative, or via stairs at the western end of Trumbićeva obala

This charismatic neighborhood takes more after an island village with traditional Dalmatian rural-like stone houses, narrow lanes, and scattered churches. This is becuase Varoš was developed by fishermen and farmers who came to Split to make a living and to seek shelter from the Ottoman invasion. Varoš however, was indeed later havocked by the Turks. Today, Varoš is not only the living quarters of fishermen who are surviving off their daily sardine catch but is quite a prestige joint to invest in. Varoš’s real estate market has boomed and many boutique luxury apartments have chosen the cute houses of this neighborhood to be their home.

The most notable structure in Varoš is the adorable Church of St. Mikula from the 11th century. Notice the inscriptions on the portal; the names of a couple from the neighborhood. If you pass by in spring, the roof blooms with a few colorful flowers. Other prominent churches include the Kris church with an onion dome and Gospe o' Soca.

Radunica is located east of the city across the street from the vegetable market built in a medieval urban style. Radunica was the central street of the Lučac suburb that was settled 500 years ago by the arrivals from the Republic of Poljica, an autonomous community of “peasants” from Omiš. Although Radunica is in essence a street name, the whole neighborhood is referred to as such today. The many intersecting streets are named after those original families; Kuzmanić, Ninčević, Kuzmić, Ružić, Bubalo, Trumbić, Duplančić, Dumanić, Petrić, Prvan, Vešanović, Dvornik, Čulić and so on.

Radunica is famous for its popular street festival “Days of Radunica” first held in 1994 in an attempt to spark independent Croatia’s socials and cultural identities. It is held during the last week of June every year during the celebrations of St. Petar; also the name of a church in Radunica that was destroyed in WWII. The Days of Radunica take on a real folk feel with klapa performances, traditional bingo, poetry readings, traditional food and drinks.

Salona

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