Croatia – Places I've Been, Beauty I've Seen

2010- Hidden in the center of Croatia there is a piece of paradise known as Plitvice Lakes National Park. This almost secluded park has pristine lakes, waterfalls, and lush vegetation protected for hundreds of years; the beauty and peacefulness made me wish I could have stayed there forever.

Croatians are protective of their traditions based on a daily life in harmony with the environment. The Old Town of Zagreb, capital of Croatia is like an open-air museum of art and history preserved for everybody to enjoy.

Plitvice National Park is located in the center of Croatia.

Plitvice National Park is located in the center of Croatia.
A pristine chain of sixteen terraced lakes.

A pristine chain of sixteen terraced lakes.
Plitvice became World Heritage Site in 1979

Plitvice became World Heritage Site in 1979
Refuge for rare bird species, bears, and wolves.

Refuge for rare bird species, bears, and wolves.
Plitvice have been protected since 1949.

Plitvice have been protected since 1949.
Paths to walk around without disturbing nature.

Paths to walk around without disturbing nature.
Slunjcica River flows by the town of Rastoke.

Slunjcica River flows by the town of Rastoke.
At the Historic Center of Rastoke.

At the Historic Center of Rastoke.
Saint Mark Church shows the coat of arms of Croatia.

Saint Mark Church shows the coat of arms of Croatia.
Ban Josip Jelacic, a politician and military leader.

Ban Josip Jelacic, a politician and military leader.
Theatre, Ballet, and Opera, opened in 1834.

Theatre, Ballet, and Opera, opened in 1834.
Glavni Railways Station, built in 1892 is near center of Zagreb.

Glavni Railways Station, built in 1892 is near center of Zagreb.
Philharmonic Orchestra is promoter of the music of Croatia.

Philharmonic Orchestra is promoter of the music of Croatia.
To Glavni Station on our way to Zadar.

To Glavni Station on our way to Zadar.
He might wonders what goes on outside his home.

He might wonders what goes on outside his home.
Passage between hotel and Ban Jelacic Square

Passage between hotel and Ban Jelacic Square
Old Town Zagreb

Old Town Zagreb
Towers helped protect Zagreb in medieval times.

Towers helped protect Zagreb in medieval times.
Prislin Tower located Kaptol neighborhood.

Prislin Tower located Kaptol neighborhood.
Ban Josip Jelacic Square, Zagreb

Ban Josip Jelacic Square, Zagreb
On the way to the Dolac Market.

On the way to the Dolac Market.
Children enjoy the field trip, Jelacica Square.

Children enjoy the field trip, Jelacica Square.
The National Bank that issues of the Kuna, currency of Croatia.

The National Bank that issues of the Kuna, currency of Croatia.
The statue of poet Antun Gustav Matos, born in 1873.

The statue of poet Antun Gustav Matos, born in 1873.
Bishop Gregory of Nin fought for the right to use Croatian Language in liturgical services. instead of Latin.

Bishop Gregory of Nin fought for the right to use Croatian Language in liturgical services. instead of Latin.
Diocletian’s Palace was built by Emperor Aurelius Diocletian in the 4thc.

Diocletian’s Palace was built by Emperor Aurelius Diocletian in the 4thc.
Greek architects designed the palace, Split, Adriatic Sea.

Greek architects designed the palace, Split, Adriatic Sea.
The cellars of Diocletian Palace were also supporting walls.

The cellars of Diocletian Palace were also supporting walls.
St Domnius, one of the oldest Catholic cathedrals in the world, 7thc.

St Domnius, one of the oldest Catholic cathedrals in the world, 7thc.
Fortress protect the Kamerlengo Castle, Trogir.

Fortress protect the Kamerlengo Castle, Trogir.
Berislavic School, children enjoy sea view while in classrooms.

Berislavic School, children enjoy sea view while in classrooms.
In Trogir, founded by Greeks, UNESCO Site since 1997.

In Trogir, founded by Greeks, UNESCO Site since 1997.
Dubrovnik is known as the Pearl of the Adriatic.

Dubrovnik is known as the Pearl of the Adriatic.
Dubrovnik, once a trading power, now summer destination.

Dubrovnik, once a trading power, now summer destination.
Degenia flower is endemic to this region.

Degenia flower is endemic to this region.
The water was clear but cold for early June, Dubrovnik.

The water was clear but cold for early June, Dubrovnik.
Walls and bastions were needed to protect Dubrovnik in medieval times.

Walls and bastions were needed to protect Dubrovnik in medieval times.
Dubrovnik was completely enclosed within walls by the 13thC.

Dubrovnik was completely enclosed within walls by the 13thC.
The wall circles Dubrovnik and is about 1940mts long.

The wall circles Dubrovnik and is about 1940mts long.
Weather, history and charm makes Dubrovnik tour destination.

Weather, history and charm makes Dubrovnik tour destination.
Onofrio Fountain, only source of fresh water within city walls in old times.

Onofrio Fountain, only source of fresh water within city walls in old times.
Looking for independence Croatia was bomb by opposition (1991-1992)

Looking for independence Croatia was bomb by opposition (1991-1992)
The old-tile-roof house, one of few that escaped the siege.

The old-tile-roof house, one of few that escaped the siege.
Bullet marks still show in many houses of Dubrovnik.

Bullet marks still show in many houses of Dubrovnik.
With travel buds in Old Town Dubrovnik.

With travel buds in Old Town Dubrovnik.
Adriatic Sea, view from restaurant perched on a hill.

Adriatic Sea, view from restaurant perched on a hill.
Hotel Zagreb, from 1929, holds its beauty and charm.

Hotel Zagreb, from 1929, holds its beauty and charm.
Most beaches around Dubrovnik are of pebble sand.

Most beaches around Dubrovnik are of pebble sand.
The Slunjcica River, village Rastoke.

The Slunjcica River, village Rastoke.
A waterfall in Rastoke, area protected by Croatians.

A waterfall in Rastoke, area protected by Croatians.
Mill from the 17thC on the river Slunjcica.

Mill from the 17thC on the river Slunjcica.
The flour mill still operates on waterfall power.

The flour mill still operates on waterfall power.
Modern structure just blocks from Old Town Split.

Modern structure just blocks from Old Town Split.
A step-ramp outside an art gallery in Zagreb.

A step-ramp outside an art gallery in Zagreb.
Central Square was on the way to exchange currency.

Central Square was on the way to exchange currency.
Mirogoj Cemetery was designed by same architect who designed the Cathedral.

Mirogoj Cemetery was designed by same architect who designed the Cathedral.
She likes to visit Mirogoj Cemetery.

She likes to visit Mirogoj Cemetery.
Over three hundred thousand souls of all faiths are buried in Mirogoj.

Over three hundred thousand souls of all faiths are buried in Mirogoj.
The Holy Mary Column survived invasions, fires, and earthquakes.

The Holy Mary Column survived invasions, fires, and earthquakes.
Two generations at a music festival in Zagreb.

Two generations at a music festival in Zagreb.