Croatia | holiday | living - All about Croatia

Friday we went to visit the observatory on the Mosor Mountain south of Split, the Observatory, or the star village as it is called, is fairly unknown even among the locals, I actually never heard about it, but “discovered” it my selves from a visit to the top of the hill above Gornje Podstrana.

The staff at the observatory was very friendly and helpful with information, as we arrived before it got dark; we had a guided tour in the building before we went to the roof and looked at Jupiter, Venus and the moon through the big telescope, especially the look at the moon was very interesting, as the detail level which you get through the telescope is quite impressive.

Information about the Star village:

• To find the observatory you have to take the road from Split direction Omis (South), just a few km south of Split you turn left and go direction Žrnovnica, from Žrnovnica you have to go direction Gornje Sitno, as there is no signs you might have to ask, follow the road for about 6-8 km, until you see the sign saying Zvjezdano selo Mosor (which is the place you are heading for), about 2.5 km before you reach your final destination you will make a right turn on the main road, and follow a gravel road which will take you to the star village 700 meter above see level.

• Observatory is open to public Friday and Saturday evening – you don’t have to announce your arrival

• Group and School classes can sleep at the observatory, where they have 20 beds. And give course in Astronomy

• The Observatory is mainly financed by the 10 kuna entrance fees and the fees from school classes staying overnight, so if you can afford it, I am sure they would appreciate a few kuna extra.

• Official webpage Zvjezdan Selo

On our last trip to Split we’ve visited my brother in law in ACI marina Split. He is helping a friend in repairing his sailing boat. They were mostly painting – this needs to be done yearly because the wood without good protection gets damaged by salt water. We were not happiest with the weather, but they like strong winds - they are sailing lovers.

The sailing boat they were working on is specially designed for regattas and it is old model, but still in great conditions and its owner was many times between winners.

The ACI marina Split is one of biggest and best equipped on Adriatic, with 364 berths and 60 places on the land. It is great protected from winds, placed in town centre, with beautiful view to Diokletian’s palast and Marjan hill, two most important town’s symbols.

From 21.-28 April 2008 in Split, Croatia, start days of Festival of Croatian drama and authors’ theatre and scientific, literary and publishing program.

Culture manifestation has international character dedicated to Croatian drama words and act of Marko Marulic.

Days of Marulic, has been establishing in 1991 and from that year has been holding every year in April. At memorial date when Marulic finish writing his epic poem Judita.

Marulic "father of Croatian literature was born in 1450, after Split had been for thirty years under Venetian rule. His early life appears to have been sober and godly, although not entirely lacking in worldly pursuits. He had a number of excellent Paduan teachers in Split, and probably followed the customary path of young Dalmatians to study in Padua himself. All his life he lived the full life of a patrician of his time: above all involved in the group of writers; managing his estate; working as a lawyer and judge. He also took an interest in archeology and there is evidence that he painted, illustrating his epic poem, Judita, himself.

One of Marulic`s own illustrations from his epic poem JUDITA

By the second half of the fifteenth century Split had developed into a lively literary centre with a wide circle of ecclesiastics and educated men from secular professions writing prose and verse in both Latin and Croatian. At the centre of this circle was Marko Marulic: one of the outstanding figures of early Croatian literature. He gained an international reputation with his Latin works, which were widely read for many years, and he set what proved for a long time to be an unattainably high standard for vernacular literature. He was also involved in various aspects of public life, from which he emerges as an exceptionally dignified, responsible human being.

He was the most famous spiritual writer of his time in Europe, and also the first who defined and used the notion of psychology, which is today in current use.This year program can you find at: www.hnk-split.hr

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Yesterday we went on the boat show in Split, which meanwhile has become the largest in the region, the boat show attract buyers from several countries looking for everything from small boat to 100 foot yacht, also there is a large number of exhibitors presenting equipment like engines, sailor clothes, water sport equipment etc. can be found on the fair.

So if you have a look at our photos from the boat show, you might want to visit your selves next year in April when the 11th Croatian boat show takes place here in Split.

Photos from Croatia Boatshow 2008

Sonday i was on the boat show for the second time, this time i was invited by a business partners who had arranged for us to see the largest boat on the show a 110 foot luxury yacht.

As you can see that boat has more or less everything you need (-:

Its special feeling to come in centre of Split city at fish market or Peskarija as it is called here. To me like to the most of people from Dalmatians it’s a ritual. We take a short way around tables full of fresh fish and exchange couple words with fish seller about from where and how fresh fish is. After a while when my eye’s get tired from all kind fishes and prices I do as almost every citizens here, I went to the table with small sort fish.

Around 12 a clock they reduced price on almost half so its very cheep to buy a good and quality fish. People buy most picarels, sprats, mackerels, sardines and anchovies.

After that we bought fish for lunch we take opportunity to take a cup of coffee in café bar near. What I can offer you its old traditional fish recipe called “Sardine in marinade”. So here comes an ingrediens

1 kg  fresh sardine

1 middle big garlic

1,5 dcl oliv oil

4 spoons vinegar

1 twig rosemary

3 spoons threaded parsley

Salt and pepper

It only takes 5 min to prepare it.

wash sardines and remove their intestine but not heads, we sponge them with clout. Straw with salt and pepper and put some drops of oil on. Put sardine on heat grill or In 250 degree warm oven without any oil. When they are ready we put them in no metal base so the one fish head is next to others arrears. In the pan on oliv oil we put threaded garlic on low heat an we add parsley and about 20small blades of rosemary and vinegar. When all of this boild up we throw it ower sardins and cover base. Then we put them in the frige untill tomorrow.They could stay in this marinade for couple days without any problems and they are best test after some days. We can also  use tuna fish instead for sardines. Sardines is blue fish, rich on insatable acids, Omega-3 and Omega 6 wich are very important for blood system structure. To hunt sardines, the best period is May when the big fishing period starts. Boats went out from hourbors and with speciall nets called “plivarica”they hunt sardines.

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