For many, the
Christmas season is the most beautiful time of the year that
brings people together and connects them. Experience the winter magic in the Croatian cities that are decorated with countless Christmas decorations and thousands of lights. The gastronomic offer is excellent - the smell of freshly baked cookies and mulled wine will surely attract you.
We will be happy to tell you a little more about the
Christmas traditions of the Croatians. Maybe you will take some of the Croatian traditions home with you :)
On the first Sunday of Advent, the first candle (of a total of four) is lit on the
decorated Advent wreath. In the past, Croatians used to tie the Advent wreaths themselves from branches in a way that the wreath had no beginning and no end, to symbolise infinity.
This is followed by December 6 -
St. Nicholas Day, which is
especially awaited by children. The night before, children clean their boots and put them in front of the door or on the windowsill. St. Nicholas rewards well behaved children with gifts. He is accompanied by the Krampus who leaves sticks for the naughty children.
Another important day is December the 13th, the
day of St. Lucija. On this day, people plant Christmas wheat with the belief that the higher the wheat grows, the more successful the new year will be.
On
Christmas Eve (in Croatian "Badnjak") December 24, the Christmas tree and the manger are set up and decorated, gifts are wrapped and placed under the tree, and a
festive meal is prepared. The dishes are different from region to region. According to tradition, no meat is eaten the day before Christmas. In the evening, the main dish on the menu is “Bakalar” (stockfish). It can be prepared in a red and white version and is enjoyed from Istria to Kvarner and Dalmatia. In some families, fish stew or another fish dish is also served. At midnight people go to church for
midnight mass.
On December 25 at Christmas the gifts can be unwrapped early in the morning. Generally families visit each other to
celebrate the feast together. For Christmas dinner the dishes usually served are roast, "Sarma" (cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice), homemade sausages, bacon and cheese. In the region of Gorski Kotar, as well as in Zagreb and the North Adriatic, turkey is served with homemade mlinci (pasta dumplings) and with French salad, a mix of vegetables with mayonnaise and eggs. The most famous Christmas dessert is "
Fritule" (fried dough balls) followed by poppy seed and nut plait and other types of cakes which are baked on Christmas Eve.
Epiphany on January 6 marks the
end of the Christmas season. On this day, the Christmas decorations are taken off.
Spend Christmas with your loved ones in one of
our villas in Istria, Dalmatia or the Kvarner Bay.
Valentina Novak
16.12.2021
MY ISTRIA GUIDE
