Addressed by Pope John VIII as “dux Croatorum”

Croatia, officially the Republic of Croatia, is a sovereign state at the crossroads of Central Europe, Southeast Europe, and the Mediterranean. Its capital city is Zagreb, which forms one of the country's primary subdivisions, along with its twenty counties. The region was settled by Liburnians and Illyrians, while the first Greek colonies were established on the islands of Korčula, Hvar and Vis. In 9 AD the territory of today's Croatia became part of the Roman Empire. Emperor Diocletian built a large palace in Split when he retired in AD 305.

During the 5th century, one of the last Emperors of the Western Roman Empire, Julius Nepos, ruled his small empire from the palace. The period ends with Avar and Croat invasions in the first half of the 7th century and destruction of almost all Roman towns. Roman survivors retreated to more favourable sites on the coast, islands and mountains. The city of Dubrovnik was founded by such survivors from Epidaurum.

The name of the Croats is first documented in a source from the 9th century. The name “Hrvat” itself has no Slavic roots, but most likely arose as a foreign name for Slavs from Iran (Sarmatians). It is believed that the “Hrvati” people come from the area of the Persian river (in the Sarmatian language) “Harahvaiti”, which is now called “Sarasvati” due to the sound shift (“h” to “s”).

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The ancient amphitheatre of Salona
Boat tour on Cetina River next to Omis
New contacts in Shkoder, Omis and Salona
Arrival at Omis and first exploration hike
Exploration hike Omis - reverse trail
Adventure on the Zip Line high above Cetina River
New archaeological concepts in Siculi
Narona - Roman colony and trading town at Neretva River
Hike to the medivial fortress of Starigrad
Descent from Starigrad passing old stone houses