MAKARSKA

The inhabitants of Makarska say that they have their feet in the water, and their heads among the lightning flashes, because there, the mountain of Biokovo rises far above the city, from which it's possible to see across the Adriatic to Italy , it's neighbour

From whichever direction you come, the beauty of Makarska's nature's gifts will thrill you. The monumental mountain of Biokovo rises in all its impressive greatness and beauty above the crystal-clear seacoast of Makarska. The Riviera of Makarska has been considered the most beautiful Croatian riviera for more than half a century and is one of the most famous destinations on the Adriatic . It is about a hundred kilometers long of picturesque hamlets. Among which, it is hard to single out the most beautiful. Tučepi, Podgora, Živogošće, Brela, Baška Voda, Igrane and Drvenik are the larger places adjacent to Makarska. Which when viewed from Biokovo are almost joined into one.

For the Tourist

Due to its geographical location and its significance culturally and historically, the city of Makarska with its 15.000 inhabitants is the center of the Makarska Riviera. Makarska, the town, has spread in an amphitheatrical form back towards Biokovo, and contains the older core of the typical Mediterranean-type town. The new part has hotels, restaurants, and shops. Its inhabitants themselves will describe it as a small city that lives from tourism and for tourism, a city of youth, culture, sport and fun. The antique findings on St. Peter's Peninsula and at the city Square demonstrate that the today's city of Makarska is founded on the site of an ancient Roman settlement. The actual history of the city is perhaps most evident at the Franciscan Monastery that recently celebrated its 500th anniversary. It has an extremely valuable library, a unique Malacology (study of molluscs) Museum and an Institute of Mountains and Sea. The Malacology Museum is a museum of shells and sea snails from the Adriatic , but there you can also see the exhibits from the world's oceans. It is the most famous Malacology collection in Croatia. Makarska has always been noted for its sandy and pebbled beach which is about two kilometers long. Along the promenade, rimmed with pine trees, adjacent to the beach there are many facilities, from modern hotels to numerous catering facilities with gastronomic specialties of Dalmatian cuisine, and a lot of occasions for fun for both children and adults. Athletes and those looking for recreation will find many sports' fields and fun facilities both on land and sea.

There are tennis courts near the beach, and a football as well as a rugby court. Catering to therapeutic needs there is also contemporary spa center, Biokovo.

The view of Italy

The President of the Tourist Union of Makarska, Mr. Tonči Lalić, tells us that the most frequent visitors of the Makarska Riviera are Germans, Italians, English, Norwegians, and the citizens of the neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina . In the Tourist Union they distinguished themselves with the first, and as far as we know, the only, monument erected in honour of the Tourist. The Tourist Union, as the initiator of the project, located it on the waterfront and each coastal Croatian city's waterfront is said to be the mirror of its character. According to the plans of the City Management of Makarska, which are confirmed by Mr. Lalić, in the near future Makarska is going to become an even more interesting tourist destination when the cable car project up the mountain, Sv. Jure (St George) is realized.

The full article can be found on pages 70-73 of Vol 2
2007 issue.