History has its way of creeping into the present as it is fused with certain images, sounds, gestures, or customs. For locals, they’re quite obvious (or culturally embedded), but they may not be as clear to those visiting.
Have you ever paid attention to where the drugs your doctor prescribed you come from? If so, you may have noticed that a popular antibiotic for throat infections comes from Croatia.
If you hear a live performance of Croatian klapa even once, you will certainly not remain indifferent to this kind of music. Because klapa has been binding people together for years, stealing their hearts and enchanting them with its unique sound.
"All the world’s a stage. And all the men and women merely players," Shakespeare wrote in “As You Like It.” What if we took a break from the roles in our daily lives to go to a real theater? Perhaps to oldest theater in Europe?
Have you ever wanted to vacation on another planet? While traveling to distant plants like Mars isn't possible just yet, there is an Earth-bound alternative on the Croatian island of Pag. How did Pag become a famous tourist location dedicated to Mars?
We all have different spices in the kitchen for various dishes, but one always stands out. Vegeta is an unmistakable blend of salt and spices that has become a kitchen staple in many homes across the world. The story of its inventor is almost as rich as the condiment itself.
Croatian car manufacturer Rimac Automobili launched in 2009 intending to make the world’s fastest cars and has been leaving the competition in the dust ever since. The wunderkind behind the company, Mate Rimac, has no intention of slowing down now.
As you walk along the seaside in Zadar, Croatia, the air is filled with the melancholic sounds of the sea. The notes might not mirror any type of classical composition, but they nonetheless create a sound that is in perfect in its harmony.
Want to see one of the three great cities of the Bay of Dragons? In that case, you won't want to miss the majestic Klis Fortress, a prominent filming location for "Game of Thrones". It was here that the fictional village of Mereen was built.
Almost everyone knows Michael Jackson's 1980s worldwide smash hit song "Smooth Criminal", but slightly fewer people know how a cover of this song brought viral fame to two cellists. So how did 2CELLOS become a world-famous musical sensation from Croatia?
As you take in the extraordinary sights of the country, especially the city of Dubrovnik, it's easy to see why film crews from massive productions like "Star Wars" and "Game of Thrones" have chosen to shoot some of their most most meaningful scenes here.
The clock strikes 12, and we all suddenly find in a new year. New Year's Eve is the one day that unites people of all religions (and time zones) in celebration and has always been connected with many traditions.
Ho! Ho! Ho! With the merriest time of year around the corner, the cities of Europe are getting into the festive spirit. What better way to do so than by eating, dancing, and Christmas shopping? What are the best destinations to travel to?
In the Slovene Alps, there is a valley called Planica. Although incredibly beautiful, that isn’t what sets it apart from other alpine valleys. What makes it unique is a century-old tradition of ski flying, an extreme version of ski jumping, with much longer distances.
There are places on earth that were created as a result of great hardship and human sacrifice. Blaca Hermitage on the island of Brač is one of them. The buildings, which were built into rock under harsh and inconvenient conditions, impresses with its uniqueness and history.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if animals behaved like humans? One incredibly unique Croatian museum is dedicated to exploring this question and is full of exhibits where frogs go to school, work, and even play tennis. Well, kind of.
Have you ever wondered where Europe's shortest river is? Or maybe the question has crossed your mind how long can it be? If your answer is "yes," then be sure to read this text – you will find all the answers.
For most of us, art is associated with galleries and museums. In these places, you can see the works of various artists. But what if we told you there is a town that is a huge art gallery in itself?
Rimac Automobili's limited-edition Nevera Time Attack hypercar, restricted to just 12 units, has broken over 20 records in 2023, including a groundbreaking performance at the iconic Nürburgring circuit.
Croatia's DOK-ING ramps up demining support in Ukraine with a projected delivery of 25 machines by 2023 amidst a prolonged conflict.
The world's shortest cable car is in the heart of old Zagreb! The cable car has been a symbol of the city and an attraction among tourists for years. Take a [surprisingly comfy] seat and indulge in the charms of exploring Croatia's capital.
Zagreb's Eccos, with 25 years of expertise, penetrates the German market, spearheading a Frankfurt data center project after their acclaimed 80-facility European Commission contract.
The Istria region is divided between three countries - Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy. It was always a bit of "someone else's" - the tug of war took decades. And the scars are still visible.
Jabil's massive manufacturing site in Osijek, Croatia, represents the largest post-independence private venture in Croatia.
Coffee. Can you imagine a day without it? It puts you on your feet, gives you energy, and is simply irreplaceable. And did you know that Croatia is a country of coffee drinkers?
Long gone are the days when making a beloved mix tape involved hours of sitting at your computer trying to download a single song that half the time still ended in an error message. You can thank a genius Croatian invention born from a master's thesis for that.
Deposits in Croatian banks increased by 600 million euros.
Hidden among pastures and vineyards, these igloo-like stone houses, forged through skill, determination, and great patience, are an inseparable part of the landscape of Istria and Dalmatia in Croatia.
In the first half of 2023, Croatian Telecom (HT) saw a 6.2% YoY increase in revenues, reaching €492m.
Most countries worldwide have declared national animals, with eagles and lions favored by many. Although Croatia has not explicitly declared a national animal, most Croatians (and a Google search) will tell you it's the pine marten. What is so special about this beloved creature?
The air transport sector led with an average net wage of EUR 1,962, while clothing manufacturing stood at the lower end with EUR 747
The new investment by DPD Croatia will serve both the Croatian and Slovenian markets.
Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy signed the Ancona Declaration, enhancing North Adriatic Sea cooperation for safety and growth.
A new report, The Global Wealth Report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), reveals that Croatians become wealthier.
For the first time since 2008, Croatia recorded a positive migration balance in 2022 with 11,685 more immigrants than emigrants, largely owing to the influx of foreign workers.
Rimac Automobili, the Croatian-based automaker, has delivered its first Nevera hypercar to the United States. The vehicle was personally handed over to its owner by Rimac’s dealer, Manhattan Motorcars, in New York.
British, French, and Spanish colonies are probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of colonialism, but other European countries also ventured abroad. How did the famous Dubrovnik Republic establish its colony in distant India?
We've all had that moment on an open stretch of highway when the speed starts creeping up. Luckily, these days we've got handy speedometers to help us avoid awkward meetings with the local police officers. You can thank Croatian inventor Josip Belušić for that.
At the turn of the 20th century, Croatians who were driven out of their own land by poverty tried to find a place of opportunity that would remind them of their homeland. But how exactly did that lead them to the Los Angeles suburbs?
In the last few decades, the idea of a skincare routine has become increasingly popular. Effective products based on natural ingredients are especially valued. And which multi-functional product hides the secret of the Croatian skincare routine?
Have you ever forgotten your Facebook password? You probably changed it via SMS confirmation using the service created by Infobip. How did this Croatian start-up become a unicorn in digital communication?
Have you ever wanted your own private underground tunnel so you could leave your house without anyone noticing? This is precisely what some prominent people from Zagreb demanded - and received.
Lavender seekers should definitely head to the island of Hvar in Croatia. The small village of Velo Grablje has beautiful lavender fields that look like a spreading purple carpet in late June and early July.
The apple. Such a ‘common’ fruit. So common, in fact, you might think that this staple of your 5 a day is simple to grow wherever you live. Rightly so. But did you know that globally the most apples consumed come from Poland?
Croatia has beautiful beaches, a pristine sea, and a unique underwater world. For centuries, locals have been interested in the treasures that the sea has to offer. Shells, in particular.
Ten years, ten editions, and over 100,000 visitors. These are the stats of Central and Eastern Europe's most influential comic book convention in numbers. But what does it like behind the doors?
Although his colleagues, such as Johannes Kepler and Tycho Brahe, are more remembered today, Šibenik-born Fausto Veranzio can be credited with many inventions, including the suspension bridge, parachute, and wind turbine - all in the 17th Century.
The history of Leo Sternbach, the inventor of benzodiazepines, including Valium, is as Central European as it gets, requiring mention of about half a dozen of countries from the area.
The ice-cold winds known as a bora, bura, or burja in the Adriatic region might seem violent and terrifying for visitors. The locals believe in its good energy and the upcoming change it brings.
Important inventions in military weapons are often created during wars, but the Croatian invention of the torpedo has a different story, one of the desire to defend. How did the torpedo revolutionize sea warfare?
Despite being part of only one episode of “The Simpsons,” a 19-second show-within-a-show became legendary. Few people know that the inspiration for it came from an Oscar-winning animated short from Zagreb.
Sometimes the best things in life come from moments of tension and difficulty. That's how Luka Modrić started his football career - in exile from a raging war. How did he go from shepherd to Ballon d'Or winner?
Pioneering female architect Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky may have stayed close to the stereotype by choosing not to focus on designing monumental architecture but rather on a kitchen laboratory. Nonetheless, her designs started a revolution.
There's little doubt that one of the best holiday destinations in Europe is Croatia's Dalmatian coast. This is somewhat old news, as the area was already known as a dream retirement spot 1,700 years ago, attracting even the likes of Roman emperors.
The tiny Croatian island of Biševo attracts huge numbers of tourists every year thanks to a magnificent sea cave. The Blue Cave truly lives up to its name, mesmerizing visitors with its stunning blue vistas.
Do you want to be a happier person with nothing standing in your way? All you have to do is learn the Croatian practice of fjaka. The people of Croatia have found their own foolproof recipe for happiness and joy every day – and it’s something that anyone can bring home with them.
At a time when European states were looking to establish and reaffirm their culture, Romania decided the best way to cement its identity was through… architecture! Cue the birth of Romanian Revival style that, to this day, continues to brighten up the streets of Bucharest.
Croatian cuisine is famous for its variety of dishes, bridging the gap between Mediterranean cuisine and typical Balkan flavors. Each region has its own specialties, but they’re all connected by a traditional preparation method.
Despite worldwide usage in the past, timber rafting is very rare today. Last year, a group of countries led by Czechia and Poland nominated and safely navigated it to the UNESCO heritage list.
Bulgarian folk costumes, once considered a thing of the past, now live on Instagram, attracting younger crowds along the way
Predjama Castle is a unique medieval castle in Slovenia that was built into a cave entrance in a mountain wall. Thanks to its position, it has never been truly conquered and impresses visitors and architects from all over the world. Its heritage includes a legend of a bad knight and his end.
The original traveler-storyteller is thought to have been born not in Venice but on the Croatian island of Korčula.
A UFO-like set of discs sits atop a mountain peak on the Czechia-Poland border. However, its inhabitants are not extraterrestrials, rather meteorologists who come from far and wide for the unique weather.
Believe it or not, winter in Croatia can get pretty cold. Most households used to have fireplaces, which served as the basis for developing an interesting Christmas tradition.
The second largest island in Croatia is the home of the town of Pučišća. I know – it most probably doesn’t tell you anything. And it should, as its quarry has been supplying the world with marble for centuries.
Some claim it's a myth, but it's possible that at some point, you could take a sleigh ride from Poland to Sweden and break your journey with a stay at an inn - on ice.
The Lithuanian medical startup Oxipit has harnessed AI and Machine Learning into radiology. By scanning and analyzing chest radiographs (CXRs), ChestEye and ChestLink, the apps detect pulmonary module signs of pneumothorax and other lung diseases.
As beautiful as autumn is in its many colors, you wish summer would last longer. This is quite possible in Sandanski, a small mountain town in Southwestern Bulgaria.
Long before anybody had any idea of sustainable energy Nicola Tesla was preoccupied with finding new energy sources. Europe’s first hydropower plant is just one of his genius inventions. Get to know the man behind your dynamo.
1848, 1918, 1938, 1948: these are just four recent examples of important years in Czech history ending with number eight. Four out of 40. Should the Czechs get superstitious?
It is surprising how the charming little town of Nin in Croatia is the home of many wonders. Among such riches as salt and mud (yup!) is a Cathedral fit for the size of the town – namely, very small. In fact, it’s the world’s smallest.
As the old saying tells us: good fences make good neighbors. And it is pretty convincing since, throughout history, great rulers have insisted on building walls to stop their enemies. It happened in China, Great Britain, and… Croatia.
For most of the world, 1 April is know as April Fools’ Day. However in Ludbreg, a tiny village in the north of Croatia, this is a day for a much larger celebration - to commemorate its position at the center of the world
Prosecco’s Italian name is a direct descendant of the Slavic prošek. The latter word is still used in Croatia, but for a different kind of wine. Now the argument has made it to the European Council.
Like the American Great Plains, Hungary's "puszta" has its unique version of horseback herders and easy riders
When German author Karl May wrote his most famous story of Winnetou he must have been thinking of the wild, North American landscapes with their waterfalls and the Rocky Mountains. But why go so far when you can travel to Croatia - where the movies were filmed?
Croatia, now one of Europe’s prime holiday destinations, has long been an actor in the complicated historical drama of the Balkan states. And by no means a boring one! Here’s the story of how your favorite holiday resort came to be.
Zlarin, also called the Golden Island, is a place known for its natural treasure – the unique coral (and sponges. Natural sponges – nothing to do with cakes.) It also must be the least motorized place on the planet. But let’s start at the beginning.
Polish vodka can be safely claimed by Poles. When it comes to rakija, well… opinions are as divided as there are varieties of this alcoholic drink. Taking into account its unfading fame, it’s no wonder Croatia claims ownership of the best recipe.
Have you ever wondered why there is the same word for a tourist bus and a person who trains athletes? There is a good reason, and it comes straight from a small village in Hungary.
You might think tracing an origin of a breed of dogs is a simple task. Not quite so simple when it comes to the adorable white dogs covered in characteristic black spots.
Every now and again, a genius is born. A person of so many talents that during their lifetime they come to invent several everyday items later generations cannot imagine their lives without. One of such people came from Croatia.
Far from a centuries-old tradition, cider making in Latvia arose in the 1990s. Since then, the industry has blossomed, and cider makers and pub owners have united to create a local Cider Route - a rival to the wine routes of Western Europe?
With a narrative spanning from the famous CIA headquarters in Langley, VA to exotic Thailand, Netflix's latest blockbuster set most of its action in-between the two, right in the heart of Central Europe. And don't worry – thanks to the power of CGI, no actual locations were harmed during filming.
The French word for necktie is 'cravat' – and it comes from Croatian soldiers, who one 17th-century French king found to be trés chic.
Also called the Dubrovnik Republic, this progressive country was the bridge between medieval Venetian and Napoleonic empires.
Central European countries have become hubs for the automotive industry in recent years. Now, we are entering an era of turbulence when traditional business models will be deeply reshuffled, creating challenges and possibilities in the automotive sector.
Thanks to massive advancements in technology, distance is becoming less and less important. In April 2021, a group of doctors from Lublin became the first in Europe to bring surgery to a realm so far only imagined in science-fiction novels.
Central Europe is, well… central, but different countries claim to be more central than others. This is where you can look for the most central place in Central Europe.
With the use of curved graphene, Skeleton Technologies is able to build better ultracapacitors than the world has ever seen.