Makarska
Updated: May 17, 2023
Sights/Znamenitosti
· Sanctuary Vepric/Svetište Vepric
· Makarska Concathedral of St. Marko/Makarska konkatedrala sv. Marka
· Natur Park Biokovo/Park prirode Biokovo
· Franciscan Monastery and its Malacological
Museum/Franjevački samostan i njegov Malakološkimuzej
· Baroque fountain on Kačić Square/Barokna česma na Kačićevom trgu
· Napoleon's monument/Napoleonov spomenik
· Monument to the fallen anti-fascists
in the Second World War/Spomenik poginulim antifašistima u Drugom svjetskom ratu
· Biokovo Botanical Garden Kotišina/Biokovski Boranički vrt Kotišina
· Street Kalalarga/Ulica Kalalarga
· Osejava Forest Park and Nugal Beach/Park šuma Osejava i plaža Nugal
· Observatory/Zvjezdarnica
· St. Peter's Peninsula/Poluotok Sv. Petar
· Sundial/Sunčani sat
· Church of St. Ante in Kotišina/Crkva sv. Ante u Kotišini
· Church of St. Andrija in Kotišina/Crkva sv. Andrije u Kotišini
Makarska has always been well known for its sand and pebble beach, which is almost 2 km long. Various tourist facilities, comfortable hotels, and catering facilities that offer culinary specialties are all lined along the promenades surrounded by pine trees, and there is plenty of entertainment for both children and adults. Makarska is located at the foot of the Biokovo mountain range (1762 m), which protects the city from the harsh continental climate. It has lush Mediterranean vegetation, mild winters, and long and warm summers with a refreshing wind called maestral.
Makarska is surrounded by nature. It has more than 2750 hours of sun a year, with an air temperature of more than 20°C from June to September, and its crystal-clear sea has a temperature above 20°C from June to October. The town of Makarska has developed around a natural harbor that is protected by the picturesque peninsula of Sveti Petar (St. Peter) and cape Osejava. It is the largest and only harbor of this kind between the mouth of the rivers Cetina and Neretva. Today, there is a ferry line from Makarska to Sumartin on the island of Brač, which runs several times a day. In the summer evenings, the harbor is full of yachts and tourist excursion boats, and the Kačić Square in the center of town is full of youth enjoying entertainment and cultural performances. As the night goes on, Makarska becomes more and more alive, and its cafes, restaurants, and disco bars fill up.
LEGEND OF ST GEORGE
There is a legend (attributed to Giacomo di Varazzeu) about a dragon that lived in the lake near the town of Silene. People daily fed it with sheep, lambs, calves, or any other animal. However, the dragon became greedy, so it started to ask for the sacrifice of young boys and girls. The least fortunate ones would become dragon's food. On one occasion it asked for a princess, and as she walked to her death, she met St. George (Sv. Jure). He promised to save her life if the king would, in return, abandon the pagan gods and turn to Christianity. The king agreed. When the dragon came out of the lake, St. George stabbed its neck. Then he bound silk rope around the dragon and led the dragon to the king's palace, where the king once again confirmed he accepted Christianity.
Biokovo is the largest, longest, most beautiful, and most cruel mountain in Dalmatia. It extends to 196 square kilometers. The highest peak, St George, with its 1762 meters of height, is the second-highest mountain top in Croatia, and the highest one on the entire Adriatic coast. At the peak sits a church dedicated to St. George, after which the top was named. The oldest hiking trail to St George (on the south side of the mountain) leads from the village Makar (229 m), over mountain lodge Vošac (1422 m), and to the mountain hut by the peak St George (1762 m).
LOVELOCKS
We all know about Lovelock in Paris, New York, Moscow, Dublin... It is time to find out about Lovelock Makarska. Situated on a peninsula St. Peter the chains of love padlocks grow every year, from long-lasting couples from around the world to those lovers that begin their adventure right here in Makarska.
Couples in love are supposed to inscribe their names on a padlock, then lock it onto the bars of a specific fence along the promenade. The small piece of iron becomes a standing monument to love. Apparently, not even rust can destroy it.
There is a reason why the Lovelock is situated on the peninsula of St. Peter. According to the Bible, St. Peter holds the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Locating Lovelock behind the statue of St. Peter, loving couples receive new and important protection, protection of their hearts. It doesn’t even matter whether the ending of such love is a happy or a sad one because they will always have their love moment, sealed in the padlock, locked on the coast of Makarska Riviera.
MAKARSKA RIVIERA’S SEAGULLS
If you’re a single, young, or even older woman visiting Makarska Riviera prepare for the invasion of “seagulls”. They are local, tanned, perpetually single, handsome guys whose age range extends from 20 up to 60 and will do anything to engage in an unforgettable, summer adventure with you. They will not resist complimenting a woman, even with her man right next to her. The male part of the statue represents just that.
Look closely, and you’ll notice that the female tourist has a striking luster to her right boob. This perhaps reminds you of that big, golden toe on the sculpture of Chancellor Grgur Ninski in Split. Yes, it’s believed, like in the toe story, that giving a friendly squeeze to right boob brings good luck upon the squeezer, as well as the fury of feminists all over the world. But not to be mad at it, it is just a funny, modern monument which brings that silly touch to your vacation from the most beautiful country in the world.
TRADITIONAL DALMATIAN FOOD
MAKARANA CAKE
One of the most famous dishes of the Makarska gastronomic tradition. This cake, with a recipe several hundred years old, was reserved for people of aristocrats' houses. No wonder, when the cake is rich with the necessary ingredients.
The delicate aroma of almonds certainly will not leave anyone indifferent. Today, everyone can enjoy it. Makarana is an essential detail at local weddings and celebrations. No ceremony is complete without it. Unlike other cakes, Makarana is cut into rhomboids and each piece represents a delicious energy bomb.
Every year there is a competition in making the cake. The event always draws a big crowd, winners get both the prize and pride and for the rest of us there is free cake. And a lot of it. :)
The main ingredients in the filling are almonds, sugar, and eggs, then add a variety of spices, which are the secret of every housewife. :)
here's the recipe:
for the dough: • 150 g rough flour • 150 g smooth flour • 20 g icing sugar • 1 teaspoon salt • 150g butter (cubed) • 1 egg • 20 ml maraschino
for the filling: • 650 g almonds • 10 eggs • 650 g sugar • 30 g clarified butter • 1 orange • 1 lemon • 6 ml vanilla flavor Italian; • 60 ml maraschino
BUZARA
When in a restaurant, etiquette mandates the use of cutlery, but when it comes to „buzara“ – just forget about the rules. The word buzara is borrowed from Italian, and it marks an iron bowl that the fishermen used to prepare the dish. There are two versions of buzara: red and white (with or without tomatoes). The ingredients ratio depends on each chef's preferences. Probably the most popular version of the dish is buzara with scampi. Some people don't even wash the scampi before cooking them, so they would preserve even more of the taste of the sea.
Buzara is not a complicated dish to prepare: You heat the olive oil in a big cooking pot and add onions. Simmer them. Then add garlic, tomato puree, and wine. Right at the end, add parsley and fresh scampi. A very long simmer (often up to an hour) is a key to great buzara. The timing of adding seafood (scampi, seashells, etc.) is very important – you don't want to overcook them.
The side dish to buzara is most often polenta, but if you are not a fan, there are always legumes like green beans, fava beans, lentils, ... Sometimes even a big basket of bread will do the trick! Whatever it ends up being, no doubt you will enjoy this traditional Dalmatian dish.
PAŠTICADA
Croatian cuisine certainly is an incredibly rich and versatile one. In every part of the country, you’ll come across typical, local, traditional dishes. And Dalmatia is by no means an exception.
Pašticada is a representative dish, made with beef. It can be prepared in different ways but the best ingredients for Dalmatian Pašticada are beef flank, red wine, dried figs, and gnocchi. First, you stuff beef flank with bacon, garlic, carrot, and garlic cloves. Then marinade it in homemade wine vinegar for at least 36 hours. Then, you roast beef in a well-heated greased pan. The next step is to cook root vegetables (carrots, celery, parsley) and chopped onions, pay attention to the number of onions, there can not be too much! At the end you put beef with vegetables, add red wine or sherry and cook for a few hours until the meat is done. Add some spices, such as thyme, nutmeg, bay leaf, marjoram, cinnamon, vanilla, etc. There is nothing left to say then Bon Appetit, or in Croatian 'U slast'! :)
Villa Yanko is an homage to ultramodern design, with four bedrooms looking across the Adriatic to islands Hvar and Brac. Just above lovely Tucepi, with its seafront tavernas and beach, the property has four sea-view bedrooms, each with its own bathroom ensuite. A kid’s pool off the main one is a bonus for toddlers, likewise a little play park, playground, and a garden offering natural shade.
Villa Yanko is situated in Tucepi, one of the most famous tourist destinations of the Makarska Riviera. This part of Dalmatia is known for its crystal clear sea and for kilometers of beautiful pebble beaches, which are known to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia. Villa Yanko is the perfect starting point to explore some of the natural beauties of that region. And those who are more into sightseeing or nightlife, will not be disappointed as some of the most beautiful islands of Hvar and Brač are easy to reach from there.
Book your stay in Villa Yanko directly at
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