Motovun, Croatia

Motovun is a village in central Istria, Croatia. The population of the village itself is 531, with a total of 983 residents in the municipality (2001); 442 of the residents have Italian as their mother language. The Parenzana was a narrow gauge railroad that ran from Trieste to Poreč between 1902-1935, passed valley below the town.

Since 1999, Motovun has hosted the international Motovun Film Festival for independent and avant-garde films from the U.S. and Europe. The biggest current local issue is the battle between foreign developers, who have proposed two 18-hole golf courses and a 500+-bed resort in the valley below the town, extending the existing 9-hole course and some of the local community, who are opposed to the proposals because of objections against the real estate speculation around the project, rejection of 123 building sites for villas in the protected natural environment and concerns about possible damage to their truffles growing on the other side of the river. The community is divided on the issue, as many welcome the development as a year round aid to jobs and local tourist revenues. An environmental impact study has now been completed.

Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately 122 m (400 ft) above sea level. In 2008, Zagreb's population was 804,200.

Its favourable geographic position in the southwestern part of the Pannonian Basin, which extends to the Alpine, Dinaric, Adriatic and Pannonic regions, provides an excellent connection for traffic between Central Europe and the Adriatic Sea. The transport connections, concentration of industry, scientific and research institutions and industrial tradition underlie its leading economic position in Croatia. Zagreb is the seat of the central government, administrative bodies and almost all government ministries.

Cover from Croatia

Many thanks to Bogdan for this nice cover from Croatia!

Cover from Croatia

Many thanks to Josip for this nice cover from Croatia!

FDC from Croatia: Lighthouses

Many thanks to Bogdan for this wonderful FDC from Croatia! The stamps show three lighouses in this country.

Cover from Croatia

Many thanks to Josip for this nice cover!

Osijek, Croatia

Osijek is the fourth largest city in Croatia with a population of 114,616 in 2001. It is the largest city and the economic and cultural centre of the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia, as well as the administrative centre of Osijek-Baranja county. Osijek is located on the right bank of the river Drava, 25 kilometres (16 mi) upstream of its confluence with the Danube, at an elevation of 94 metres (308 ft).

During the war in Croatia from 1991 to 1995 the city avoided heavy destruction (unlike nearby Vukovar, for example) and sustained moderate damage, especially to the centre and Co-cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul and to the periphery. More than a thousand (over 1200) civilians also died in the daily shelling of the town. On the other hand, at least five Croatian officials were condemned for war crimes against Serb civilians in Osijek, including General Branimir Glavaš. While some buildings still have mild damage, most often the occasional superficial pockmark from artillery and mortar fire, the city's facades are generally in good shape, due to extensive restoration in recent times, preserving the charm of its intricate Austro-Hungarian Baroque architecture in the older quarters of town.

Cover from Croatia

Many thanks to Josef for this nice cover with clear postmarks!

Fažana of Istra

Fažana is a village and a municipality in Istria, Croatia, a small port and fishermen's centre in the south-western part of the western Istrian coast in the Fažana Strait, 8 km northwest of Pula. It is located on a low part of the coast, well protected from the sea by Brijuni Islands. Today, Fažana is the transport hub for boat excursions to the Islands. Gentle hills in the interior are under orchards, vineyards and olive-groves; the landscape is dominated by pine forests. Chief occupations include fishing, fish-processing and building of smaller fishing boats. Glass-processing is also well-developed. The town is located on the regional road Vodnjan - Fažana - Veli Vrh - Pula.

In 1379, the fleets of Venice (under the command of Vettor Pisani) and Genoa (under the command of Luciano Doria) fought a battle in the Fažana Strait. Yugoslavia's Cold War President, Marshal Josip Broz Tito, is reputed to have loved Fažana and the Brijuni Islands, spending up to six months of his year there. Yugoslav President was reported to have joined local fisherman in their work during his stays in Fažana.

Cover from Croatia

Bogdan always sends me nice Croatian stamps with registered letter. I have also shown another FDC from Croatia on the theme "Expo 2010 in Shanghai", which was sent by him. Thank you very much, Mr. Koric!

FDC from Croatia: Expo 2010

On April 29th Post Croatia issued a block on the theme Expo 2010 in Shanghai. Many thanks to Koric for this nice FDC from his hometown. On the left you may see the Croatia Pavillion.
Last month I visited the Croatia Pavillion and here are two photos of it. The first one shows the gate of the pavillion.
The second one is just the same as it is printed on the cover.

Cover from Croatia

Many thanks to Mr. Koric for this nice cover with beautiful stamps of Croatia.

Nacionalni Park, Croatia

Covers from Croatia

Actually I'm a philatist and have been collecting stamps for a long time. And I often swap mint stamps with other collectors from Europe. All the covers are kept by me in good condition. Although they are not FDC's, they are just pretty beautiful.

Pula, Croatia

Two weeks ago I sent an email to Lucil and asked him if he could send me a postcard from Croatia. He was so kind and sent one to me at once. Today I receive this card and enjoy it quite a lot! I will vist Pula,this old city and Amfiteatar Arena,which is shown on the back of this card.