Croatian history

One can certainly say that the Croatian past was exceptionally turbulent and complex. Numerous wars, rulers and civilizations interchanging and, the most important thing of all, the lives of people who inhabited this area from the ancient times to this day, have all intertwined in a story of the country we nowadays call Croatia. The first people had inhabited this area way back during the Paleolithic period and the Illyrians, the Celts and the Greek arrived somewhat later (1st millennium BC). The second century BC was marked by the Romans who conquered the Illyrians.

This strong world power began setting up colonies with economic, trade and harbour centres. One of the most important monuments of that era is by all means the Diocletian's Palace - an impressive and preserved monument of what used to be a powerful civilization. Strong trade, maritime and economic foundations were set then as well.

Sometime during the 7th century, the Croats inhabited the area from the east to the Adriatic coast. Several principalities were founded in the period from the 9th to 12th century with a couple of rulers alternating on the throne. A large area of today’s Republic of Croatia was a part of the national community with Hungary which existed in the period from the 12th to 16th century, Dalmatia was under the Venetian rule from the 15th to the end of the 18th century and he 15th and the 16th century were marked by the Turkish raids of the Croatian territory. A significant part of today’s Republic of Croatia was under the Habsburg rule in the period from the 16th to the 19th century, followed by the Croatian National Revival in the 19th century, and the Illyrian movement against Germanization, Hungarization and Italianization of Croatia which was supported by many prominent individuals.
Following few more wars and changes in the social orders during the 20th century, in 1990 Croatia declared its independence and in 1991 the war to keep the independence started, after the military troops of the Yugoslav People’s Army had attacked and occupied almost one third of the Republic of Croatia. The territory was returned to the Republic of Croatia in 1995.

Many years under foreign rule have left their mark on the today’s culture and tradition along the entire coastline, as well as the hinterland. Numerous nations had passed these paths fighting for the country and its natural wealth, but the persistent Croatian people were the ones who managed to maintain their cultural identity and establish the Croatia we speak of today.