Veliki Kaštel Interpretation Center New Makarska Tourism Product
January 5, 2021 - The modern Veliki Kaštel Interpretation Center was opened in the Kotišina village of Makarska, as the central place for interpreting and presenting the cultural and natural heritage of Kotišina through three exhibition themes.
HRTurizam writes that Makarska has long been one of Croatia's most popular tourist destinations, thanks to its natural beauty, hospitable hosts, and mild climate. In the vicinity of this widely known area, in the small village of Kotišina, with a rich history, a new tourist story and attraction has developed.
Kotišina is a small, sea-facing village that developed at the foot of the cliffs of Biokovo in the highest massif. Thanks to the project "Revitalization of the cultural and historical heritage of the Kotišina hamlet," funded by the European Structural and Investment Funds, the area received several educational trails and the modern Veliki Kaštel Interpretation Center.
Thus, the Veliki Kaštel Interpretation Center was opened in Kotišina, which will be the central place for interpreting and presenting the cultural and natural heritage of Kotišina through three exhibition themes.
The Veliki Kaštel Interpretation Center is located in the multi-story fortress of the same name, which is a historical sensation of Podbiokovlje. The fort on the Biokovo cliffs was built during the Cretan War to provide shelter for the population during the conflict with the Ottomans. Today, its interior has been turned into a modern wonder that tells this beautiful region's story.
The interpretation center is spread across several floors and is the central place for the interpretation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage of the village of Kotišina. The modernly equipped interactive space is divided into three exhibition themes: archaeological, ethnological, and natural heritage. In the center, you can see the archeological exhibits found at the Kotišina site under the guidance of the Makarska City Museum. Through ethnological objects and stories, you can get to know the way and lifestyle of the local population in a fun and interactive way.
As the Biokovo Botanical Garden is located in Kotišina, most of the Interpretation Center is dedicated to the natural heritage and rich plant diversity in the wider local area, especially the heritage of the Biokovo Botanical Garden in Kotišina and the legacy of its founder Fr. Jure Radić.
The garden is designed as "a miniature Biokovo." It is specific for its appearance and characteristics because it contains native flora that is indigenous to the area of the Nature Park and Podbiokovlje. In the garden, you can find various habitats, rocks, cliffs, arable land, cliffs, and the Proslap canyon, where during heavy rains, a waterfall of the same name is created. About 250 different plants can currently be seen in these habitats, many of which are endemic or strictly protected species. Since all species are native, flowering plants can be seen in every part of the year, regardless of climatic conditions, so this garden is also called the "Garden of Twelve Flower Months."
As part of the project, three new thematic interpretation walks were made in the village of Koština near Makarska. All programs have been prepared according to the Interpret Europe Heritage by a licensed tour guide and a certified Heritage Interpreter (CIG). Programs follow the authentic location of the hamlet of Kotišina, including the Church of St. Ante, the Church of St. Martin, Kaštel, the Interpretation Center, and the Botanical Garden.
The programs follow the theme of life in Kotišina, the community of inhabitants, respect for tradition, understanding the context of the time, admiration for nature, and respect for coexistence with it. The programs are ideal for younger or older children, groups or families, and are available in Croatian, English, and Polish. Interpretation walks are intended for tourists and agencies as a new quality and attractive tourist content in the area of Makarska.
The Revitalization project also included the reconstruction of the Church of St. Martin, damaged by the 1962 earthquake. The rich tangible and intangible heritage of Kotišina can be seen in the program of the Integrated tours of the Paths of St. Martin's Brotherhood, while the area around the Church, also part of the ecological network Natura 2000, has been revived for bird watching.
In addition to the Neolithic Church of St. Anthony, an open-air stage PROSLAP was built. The stage gives visitors the impression that the events occur in the middle of untouched nature, at the foot of the mountain cliffs with an unforgettable panoramic view.
As the crown of the project itself, the promotional film Kotišina was made as part of the element of promotion and visibility. All the beauties of Kotišina, the Biokovo Botanical Garden Kotišina, and the Biokovo mountain are summarized in this video.
All activities result from the project "Revitalization of the cultural and historical heritage of the hamlet of Kotišina," funded by the European Structural and Investment Funds.
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