Heritage and Technology as Makarska Expands Its Tourism Offer

Makarska is rightly famous for its great beaches and vibrant nightlife, but there is much more to the popular Central Dalmatian town and nearby riviera.

2018 was the Year of European Cultural Heritage, and Makarska was extremely active in a number of projects. Under the motto, Heritage and Technology, the Makarska Development Agency (MARA) worked with key stakeholders, including the City of Makarska, Makarska Tourist Board, Makarska City Museum, City Gallery of Antun Gojak, the Franciscan Monastery and others to launch cultural projects in a modern and innovative way.

Lidija Vukadin Vranjes of MARA spoke to the media about the progress they had made:

“I am particularly proud of the ‘Heritage and Technology’ project funded by the European Regional Development Fund. It is about the revitalization of the cultural and historical heritage of the hamlet of Kotisina. The project encompasses both content and theme-related investments that affect the development of the hamlet of Kotisina, which contribute to its socio-economic development through the valorization of cultural heritage, making it a tourist destination.

“The project encompasses the reconstruction of the 17th-century Veliki Kasteli, housed in the Botanical Garden of Kotisina, which is set between cliffs. There is also the cemetery Church of Sv. Martina from the second half of the 14th century, which is extremely valuable for the architecture of Makarska because it represents the only construction with partially preserved, intact medieval parts and the church of Sv. Ante, whose construction lasted from 1891 to 1901, in front of which a stage will be set nature. The Church of Sv. Martina and Veliki Kasteli were previously archaeologically explored by the Makarska City Museum as one of the critical, starting activities.

“In addition to the renovation of valuable heritage, the project includes establishing a bicycle path, a signaling system, organizing two new tourism tours in the hamlet of Kotišina and the most attractive activity – developing a modern interpretation center for Veliki Kasteli.”

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