Adriatica is a part of Mediterranean basin - many people say the most beautiful part. As the Latin word says - Media Terra - meaning Land in the middle - Mediterranean Sea and territories that lean on it, have from ancient times been considered as a center of the known world.
Being in the center has its advantages as well as disadvantages. Adriatica was always influenced by different peoples, conqerers, imperators, vladars, rulers... But also there was richness of different cultures, habits, ways of life... Remains of Ceasar Deocletian palace still stand in the city of Split showing us splendid architecture from many centuries ago. Arena in Pula is better preserved than Romaean Colloseum... Present day, Adriaticas' cultural life is the result of the external influences received throughout its history, exemplified in its richness and diversity. Small communities are fully immersed in modern life whilst being deeply linked to traditions and history.
Big names in the Adriatica' Arts have been strong enough to break the established moulds: Vlaho Bukovac, Virgille Nevjestic and Mersad Berber in Painting, Ivan Mestrovic in Sculpture, Marulic and Andric in Literature, Jakov Gotovac in Music; and they are just a few examples.
Masterpieces from Art history can be found in many museums and galleries in towns and cities along Adriatic coast - Kotor, Dubrovnik, Vid, Mostar, Split, Livno, Zadar, Sibenik, Rijeka, Pula...
In Adriatica, in addition to Christmas, Easter and Carnival, many towns and villages have their own Patron Saint whose festivities last sometimes a few days. These include 'Sveti Tripun' in Kotor, 'Sveti Vlaho' in Dubrovnik, 'Sveti Duje' in Split and "Sveti Donat" in Zadar.
Folk dances are another famous cultural expressions; the folklore tradition Lindjo from the south of Croatia, particularly from Dubrovnik, has crossed boundaries and become very famous entertainment. Various music festivals like "The sunny stairs" in Herceg Novi, produce each year plenty of popular mediterranean songs.
Adriatica is also very important with reference to cooking. The quality and variety of its gastronomy is one of the main attractions. We cannot talk about a single traditional gastronomy, but of several regional ones.
Brudet, pasticada, paska janjetina, crni rizot, prsut, livanjski sir, soups and pies from Dalmatia, sarma u lozi from Herzegovina and kostradina from Sibenik are some of the thousands of famous dishes in Adriatica.
The wine industry is especially worthy of mention. Region of Adriatica is one of the most important wine producers in the world.
Adriatica’s geography means it is a privileged region for sports.
The favourite sports are football, basketball, water-polo, sailing, sport fishing, scuba-diving and windsurf; the countryside is suitable for horse riding or biking and there are also favourable conditions for flying in ultralight planes or paragliding.
Other sports to enjoy are golf, tennis or ski.
While living in Adriatica, foreigners should bear in mind that customs here might be slightly different from the country of origin as regards time, as here meals are eaten a little later than usual.
Eating out is not a luxury in Adriatica either.
Most people work from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; therefore, many of them eat in restaurants.
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