These two emperors, considered by many as the most significant Roman emperors, played a crucial part in the history of Dalmatia, one as its founder, and the other as its heir. After several wars, the first Roman emperor Augustus, whose full name is Caius Iulius Caesar Octavianus, finally managed to conquer the Illyrian tribe of Delmatae in the year 9 AD, occupying their land and founding the Roman province of Dalmatia with the capital of Salona. The emperor Diocletian, on the other hand, was important not only for his Dalmatian origin, but also for having constructed a grandiose palace in 305 AD, which was the core of the present-day city of Split, the capital of the region and the second largest city in the Republic of Croatia.

On the island of Vis, cricket has been played since 1809: it was first introduced by Sir William Hoste, an officer of the British Royal Navy known as the Young Nelson, famous for his historical victory in the last sailing ships battle against a considerab ly superior Napoleon’s fleet. Two hundred years later, Oliver Roki, a winemaker and restaurant owner from the island of Vis, picked up where Sir Hoste had left off, which is why cricket is played again today in the island of Vis, in Plisko Field near the WW2 British airport, in the club named after the famous captain.

Dalmatia is one of the most ancient regional toponyms in Croatia. It was first mentioned in the year 9 AD, when it was founded by the Roman emperor Augustus, encompassing the area inhabited by an Illyrian tribe of Delmatae, i.e. when it was a synonym for a part of the former Illyricum. Although the territorial range of Dalmatia changed significantly throughout history, encompassing the neighbouring countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania, today this name applies only to a part of Croatia. It covers an area of about 12 260 km2 or approximately 22% of Croatia’s surface, but due to a lack of fertile soil, it is inhabited by only 20% of Croatia’s population. It is important to highlight that Dalmatia is an exclusively geographic and cultural term, which encompasses two entirely different territories, each with its own past and tradition: one part of it comprises the coastline and the islands which can be classified under the Mediterranean area, while the other part comprises the mountains and the inland and belongs to the continental land area. Thus, its fate as the land of cultural polarity was sealed from the very beginning. The patron saint of Dalmatia is St. Jerome.

Stećci are monolithic stone blocks, horizontal or vertical tombstones from the 14th and 15th century, characteristic for Dalmatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, parts of Montenegro, west Serbia and Kosovo. Stećci cannot be found anywhere outside this territory. Most scientists agree that these monuments belonged to the Vlachs. The Vlachs were a nomadic tribe, probably of Illyrian origin, who were cattle breeders and often also merchants and mercenaries. The area around the town of Imotski particularly abounds in stećci. These roughly and somewhat unskilfully carved tombstones, these monumental stone blocks, have found their place in the past of the Imotski Region, testifying to the literacy, culture, faith, and power of this area.

The identity of Dalmatia is largely determined by centuries-old interfusion of the East and the West in this area, which is evident in countless and often rather dramatic contrasts present at every step, from cultural and historical heritage, through theway of life, to the mentality of its inhabitants in particular. Thus the Dalmatian coastline and islands have inherited the western European civilization and cultural heritage, while the Dalmatian Hinterland bears witness to oriental influences. Nonetheless, the creative power of the Dalmatian folk has always been successful in using all those different influences and subordinating them time and time again to their own spirituality, thus forming a unique identity thanks to which we are recognized in the world, and remembered for the impression we provide. Therefore, if you at least once properly experience the true Dalmatia, you might become a Dalmatian forever!

Hill-forts are the most important remains of the Illyrian material culture. The Illyrians erected their hill-forts in natural elevations which were difficult to access and easily defensible against the enemies. The economic factor was an important element in the selection of the location in which they were built. Hill-forts were constructed next to fertile plains on which agriculture could be developed. Ideally, somewhere in the vicinity there would have been a river, for the purpose of irrigation and defence of the borough. The hill-forts were also fortified with walls. Oftentimes, a tower was erected next to the main gate for a better protection of the borough. The buildings were made of dry-stone walls until the arrival of the Romans. That is when the Illyrians begun to use mortar.

Bikla is an alcoholic drink which is well-known in Dalmatia, both in the hinterland and on the islands. It is made by mixing red wine and milk, usually in equal parts. Bikla can be made with either goat or cow milk. Its colour ranges from lighter to darker shades of purple, depending on the quantity of the red wine used. It is made at any time of year, but for medicinal purposes only. It is administered to a person suffering from a mild illness.

The Principality of Neretva (10th century) was an Early Croatian state occupying the territory between the rivers Cetina and Neretva. Unlike its neighbouring lands, a pagan, non-Christian religion was predominant among the people of this highly isolated state due to a belief that Christianity was a tool of oppression. Thus, the Croats who lived in this territory were called “the Pagans”, and the land was named “Poganska” (Latin: Pagania). The inhabitants were predominantly fishermen and fig and olive growers. However, the most lucrative business was piracy.