Croatia Underrated artwork

Croatia Underrated

49 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 9 ratings

Uplifting stories and hidden gems of Croatia with Iva Silla. If you'd like to get a taste of Croatian cultural and natural diversity, there is a chance you might enjoy this podcast. Let's share the fascination with the underrated side of Croatia! Short episodes talk about little-known places and stories of Croatia, about hidden gems that sometimes even the locals don’t know much about... There is a share of Croatian legends and dark history, unique folk customs, historical anecdotes, and curious personalities. Expect some interviews, too, mostly with people connected to creative tourism. The overlooked corners of Croatia, travel to every corner of the world with Croatia Underrated. And the other way around.

Places & Travel Society & Culture History croatia croatia underrated travel off the path mystery culture history legends fun facts secret zagreb
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

S02 Ep18 - News - Best of Croatia Underrated in 2021

December 30, 2021 08:00 - 23 minutes - 16 MB

In this season’s last episode and the very last episode in this first year of Croatia Underrated, I'm bringing you an end-of-the-year special.  An overview, the best of this podcast in 2021. This podcast covers a variety of topics. I’m hoping this episode will help you understand better what to expect, in case you haven’t listened to it yet. Maybe you bumped into just some of the episodes that weren’t really your thing. For those of you who enjoy listening to it regularly, I'm hoping to bri...

S02 Ep17 - Folk Customs - Srčeka or Little Hearts

December 26, 2021 20:00 - 12 minutes - 8.61 MB

A special tradition of crafting licitar heart has been preserved for centuries. One of the oldest Croatian souvenirs still exists thanks to the rare craftspeople who continue it with love.  This is also this year's last Xmas special since the little red hearts make a perfect Christmas tree ornament, and a typical one in Northwestern Croatia.  Support the show

S02 Ep16 - Quick Croatian Class - Holiday Greetings

December 14, 2021 09:00 - 13 minutes - 9.23 MB

Here we are with another Quick Croatian Class.  In these past few months, it so turned out that I prepared a bunch of seasonal episodes. There were several episodes inspired by the Halloween season, and then, throughout December, you’ve been listening to the episodes inspired by the Christmas season in Croatia. It’s about time, then, I tell you more about the names of various holidays in Croatia. Maybe you can use some of this word wisdom for your holiday greetings this year.    I’m going...

S02 Ep15 - Folk Customs - Lucy's Little Christmas

December 11, 2021 04:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MB

I'm back with some more Croatian Christmas customs. Let’s meet Saint Lucy!   Just like St Nicholas from the previous episode, Lucy is a gift-bringer. It’s another one of those days of joy for Croatian children. Joy with a twist, I’d say. Luckily enough, usually, it’s not the same parts of Croatia that give gifts for St Nicholas and St Lucy’s. Because I’m sure the kids wouldn’t survive both.  Learn about the feast day of St Lucy's colorful customs and traditions. Learn how to foretell the f...

S02 Ep14 - Folk Customs - St Nicholas Feast Day Joys and Scares

December 05, 2021 04:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MB

There are many symbols of the Christmas season, and the joy of children is definitely one of them. That joy is often connected with receiving gifts.  Here in Croatia, the first important gift-bringer is usually St Nicholas. He visits the homes somewhere in the night before his feast day, and that’s December the 6th. He leaves gifts for good children and ceremonially opens up the joyful Christmas season. We could call St Nicholas Day an overture to Christmas. Small gifts, children’s anticipa...

S02 Ep13 - News - Croatia Has What It Takes for the Season to Be Jolly

November 25, 2021 18:00 - 13 minutes - 9.49 MB

It’s 25th November, people! St Catherine’s. We have this saying in Croatia: Sveta Kata snijeg na vrata! Find out what it means as a small introduction to wintertime in Croatia.  The first thing winter brings is Christmas festivities. The end of the year is one of the most magical periods in Croatian folklore. All over Croatia, you will find curious customs, strange beliefs, fortunetelling routines, throughout December. Actually, you won’t always find them, they are sometimes forgotten, lost...

S02 Ep12 - Shout Out - Horror Movies, a Podcast, and Ghost Tours

October 30, 2021 23:00 - 12 minutes - 8.36 MB

This is our very last of Halloween Specials. In this short episode, I’m bringing you a bunch of recommendations.  Have you already made a list of movies to watch this Halloween? Fear not (or be afraid, be very afraid), Croatia Underrated is here to help. Even if you’ve never been to Croatia, you might be more familiar with it than you’re aware of. You might have seen it - on the TV screen. Learn about the movies filmed in Croatia, and links between the country and some famous horror movies...

S02 Ep11 - Get Lost in Croatia - Cemeteries

October 28, 2021 11:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MB

In another Halloween Special episode, i’s time to travel through Croatia in an attempt to find the most interesting cemeteries. I chose the ones that I had visited. The ones that surprised me and left a deep impression on me.  In this episode, find out about All Saints' Day in Croatia. Learn about the most significant cemeteries that are part of the European Cemeteries Route, and about some smaller curious ones.  Support the show

S02 Ep10 - Legends & Mysteries - Witches

October 19, 2021 19:00 - 30 minutes - 21 MB

As announced in the previous episode, we are continuing with the Halloween Specials.  Do you know how we call Halloween in Croatian? Noć vještica. The Night of the Witches.  I guess that it’s only fair to dedicate the entire episode... to the witches! We have an abundance of both mythical and historical witches in Croatia.  Hear their stories! Support the show

S02 Ep09 - Folk Customs - Children's Games

October 13, 2021 18:00 - 17 minutes - 12.4 MB

This warm-up episode of the Halloween season brings you the spooks and chills of childhood in Croatia. Squid Game, step aside! Meet Croatian scary children's games.  Support the show

S02 Ep08 - Nature - An Autumn Hike to Sljeme

October 09, 2021 16:00 - 5 minutes - 3.97 MB

Mount Medvednica, popularly known as Sljeme, is a perfect weekend getaway for Zagreb locals. It has a special kind of magic in autumn. Enjoy this short story taken over from Love Zagreb blog.  Love Zagreb is a blog managed by Zagreb Tourism Board and it gathers stories by real locals - I am one of the writers. You can find my articles in the Untold Stories section.  Support the show

S02 Ep07 - Quick Croatian Class - Tongue Twisters

October 07, 2021 18:00 - 10 minutes - 7.16 MB

It’s finally time for another Quick Croatian Class. A lot of you told me that  you had a great time listening to the first Quick Croatian Class that was published as Ep08 of S01. In fact, it’s been the second most popular episode so far, believe it or not. That’s why I decided to prepare as much as two of those for this season. With this one, I’m raising the bar for you. Now that you successfully mastered how to say Croatia in Croatian, I’m dedicating this entire episode to Croatian tongu...

S02 Ep06 - Curious Personalities - Bakar Water Carrier

September 29, 2021 04:00 - 11 minutes - 7.64 MB

A story about Ivan Čop,  known as the blind watercarrier of Bakar.  There is no better medium to tell this story. This way, you will simply have to imagine how he and the world around him looked like. That’s as close as you can get to his experience of his own town.   Support the show

S02 Ep05 - Shout Out - Living Castles

September 26, 2021 07:00 - 9 minutes - 6.43 MB

There is a project called Living Castles, building a network of 7 castles in Croatia and our neighbor country Slovenia. The project is mostly funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The project partners invested in the enhancement of their heritage presentation. It's mostly through digital technology, such as virtual reality and 3D mapping. Without a doubt, it all adds to a more spectacular experience for a visitor. What I love most is the fact that together, they’re building a net...

S02 Ep04 - Legends & Mysteries - Wonders of Rogoznica

September 22, 2021 08:00 - 18 minutes - 12.9 MB

This episode takes us to Croatian coast, exploring the wonders of my favorite town on the Croatian coast - Rogoznica. Some call it the heart of Dalmatia.  Listen to the story about the Dragon Lake, the medieval church of St Nicholas, and a mystical 13th-century graveyard that surrounds it, about the magical sunsets, the call of the waves, and about Punta Planka - one of the deadliest points of Adriatic.  Join me in picturing a fantasy map of Rogoznica.   Support the show

S02 Ep03 - Shout Out - Perunfest

September 21, 2021 17:00 - 9 minutes - 6.54 MB

Perunfest is one of the most artistic and creative festivals in the country. It gathers so many artists, craftsmen, and performers who, through their shows, revive the myths of old. The name of the festival derives from the word Perun. That’s the ancient Slavic thunder god. Stories related to Perun bear some similarities to the Norse Thor or Greek Zeus.  This year’s main topic was mythical creatures of the region called moguts. Zdenko Bašić, a famous Croatian artist, and the Museum of Turop...

S02 Ep02 - 1 Star Croatia - Churches

September 14, 2021 07:00 - 9 minutes - 6.6 MB

1 Star Croatia episodes contain funny reviews of Croatian attractions. This episode is all about churches.  It's not easy to please everyone. Even Croatian UNESCO sights easily receive 1-star reviews, let alone other churches. Check out what the travellers are complaining about when it comes to churches and chapels around the country.  Support the show

S02 Ep01 - Train of Tought - What's in a Name

September 07, 2021 20:00 - 13 minutes - 9.55 MB

This episode shares two stories from Love Zagreb.  Love Zagreb is a blog managed by Zagreb Tourism Board and it gathers stories by real locals - including me. You can find my articles in their Untold Stories section and the particular stories from this episode are filed under "Z is for Zagreb" and "No Fish in Zagreb's Fishpond". Support the show

S02 Ep00 - Intro to Season 2

September 07, 2021 19:00 - 7 minutes - 5.46 MB

This episode is an intro to Season 2 of Croatia Underrated.  Find out what's new and what to expect from this season.  Support the show

S01 Ep14 - Nature - The City and Its River

April 27, 2021 21:00 - 10 minutes - 7.42 MB

Zagreb lies on the banks of the river Sava. I bet that some of you who don’t live in Croatia, even if you visited Zagreb once, are asking yourselves as you’re reading this: “Wait, there’s a river in Zagreb?”  If that thought occurred to you, don’t be too hard on yourself for not noticing. It sometimes even slips our minds to define Zagreb as a city by a river. If you don’t believe me, just take a look at blogs and info about Zagreb online. Or simply search for Zagreb images. Our river is ra...

Ep14 - Nature - The City and Its River

April 27, 2021 21:00 - 10 minutes - 7.42 MB

Zagreb lies on the banks of the river Sava. I bet that some of you who don’t live in Croatia, even if you visited Zagreb once, are asking yourselves as you’re reading this: “Wait, there’s a river in Zagreb?”  If that thought occurred to you, don’t be too hard on yourself for not noticing. It sometimes even slips our minds to define Zagreb as a city by a river. If you don’t believe me, just take a look at blogs and info about Zagreb online. Or simply search for Zagreb images. Our river is ra...

Ep13 - Folk Customs - Green George

April 23, 2021 23:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MB

The spring arrives in Croatia today and it's brought to you by the Croatian version of the Green Man. We call him Green Jura or Zeleni Jura.  This episode brings you the peculiar folk traditions related to St George's Day. Magical rituals left behind from ancient times, bonfires,  purifying rituals, and even a dragon, all come together on what used to be one of the most important holidays of old. As promised in the episode, here are a few links where you can listen to traditional (or tradi...

S01 Ep13 - Folk Customs - Green George

April 23, 2021 23:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MB

The spring arrives in Croatia today and it's brought to you by the Croatian version of the Green Man. We call him Green Jura or Zeleni Jura.  This episode brings you the peculiar folk traditions related to St George's Day. Magical rituals left behind from ancient times, bonfires,  purifying rituals, and even a dragon, all come together on what used to be one of the most important holidays of old. As promised in the episode, here are a few links where you can listen to traditional (or tradi...

S01 Ep12 - Curious Personalities - 500 Steps

April 20, 2021 13:00 - 14 minutes - 9.75 MB

This episode shares a story about a peculiar man-made sight in the woods of mount Medvednica and its curious builder Vladimir Horvat: 500 Horvat's Steps. The story is based on an old article that I wrote for the Secret Zagreb blog. Click here to read the article. You can find the Croatian version at Croatian blog Krajolici baštine, edited by my friend Silvija Jacić.  Click here to enjoy the text in Croatian.   Support the show

Ep12 - Curious Personalities - 500 Steps

April 20, 2021 13:00 - 14 minutes - 9.75 MB

This episode shares a story about a peculiar man-made sight in the woods of mount Medvednica and its curious builder Vladimir Horvat: 500 Horvat's Steps. The story is based on an old article that I wrote for the Secret Zagreb blog. Click here to read the article. You can find the Croatian version at Croatian blog Krajolici baštine, edited by my friend Silvija Jacić.  Click here to enjoy the text in Croatian.   Support the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/cro_underrated)

Ep11 - 1 Star Croatia - Castles

April 12, 2021 21:00 - 13 minutes - 9.64 MB

Judging by the stats and your comments, you’ve been enjoying very much the previous 1 Star Croatia series - the episodes dedicated to poor reviews of Croatian sights. Some travelers are not easily fooled and their helpful reviews might save you the trouble! This episode of the 1 Star Croatia series features poor funny reviews of Croatian castles. You can read what do particular travelers think about:  Old town of Samobor Dubovac castle near Samobor beautiful Trakošćan castle Kaštel Gomi...

S01 Ep11 - 1 Star Croatia - Castles

April 12, 2021 21:00 - 13 minutes - 9.64 MB

Judging by the stats and your comments, you’ve been enjoying very much the previous 1 Star Croatia series - the episodes dedicated to poor reviews of Croatian sights. Some travelers are not easily fooled and their helpful reviews might save you the trouble! This episode of the 1 Star Croatia series features poor funny reviews of Croatian castles. You can read what do particular travelers think about:  Old town of Samobor Dubovac castle near Samobor beautiful Trakošćan castle Kaštel Gomi...

Ep10 - Legends & Mysteries - Mysterious World of Zagreb Legends

April 09, 2021 08:00 - 7 minutes - 5.27 MB

I've been writing for a blog called Love Zagreb since the beginning of this year. It's a blog run by the Zagreb Tourism Board and it gathers stories by Zagreb locals. I joined the Love Zagreb team in January and have been writing for the section Untold Stories.  Some of my Love Zagreb stories are going to be included in Croatia Underrated podcast. For starters, enjoy this episode with stories about my favorite mystical creatures: the Black Queen, the green sleeping dragon, and the witch of ...

S01 Ep10 - Legends & Mysteries - Mysterious World of Zagreb Legends

April 09, 2021 08:00 - 7 minutes - 5.27 MB

I've been writing for a blog called Love Zagreb since the beginning of this year. It's a blog run by the Zagreb Tourism Board and it gathers stories by Zagreb locals. I joined the Love Zagreb team in January and have been writing for the section Untold Stories.  Some of my Love Zagreb stories are going to be included in Croatia Underrated podcast. For starters, enjoy this episode with stories about my favorite mystical creatures: the Black Queen, the green sleeping dragon, and the witch of ...

S01 Ep09 - Folk Customs - Easter

April 04, 2021 14:00 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MB

It's Easter - and this calls for the first episode dedicated to Croatian folk customs. This episode brings you an overview of vivid Croatian Easter customs, such as: Croatian traditional Easter eggs pisanice Typical local children games, such as egg hunt Croatian way and the competition in breaking each other's eggs Magic of Easter - unique night processions and bonfires At the very end of this episode - a fun Zagreb tradition that caused this whole episode to be marked as explicit Supp...

Ep09 - Folk Customs - Easter

April 04, 2021 14:00 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MB

It's Easter - and this calls for the first episode dedicated to Croatian folk customs. This episode brings you an overview of vivid Croatian Easter customs, such as: Croatian traditional Easter eggs pisanice Typical local children games, such as egg hunt Croatian way and the competition in breaking each other's eggs Magic of Easter - unique night processions and bonfires At the very end of this episode - a fun Zagreb tradition that caused this whole episode to be marked as explicit Supp...

Ep08 - Quick Croatian Class - Hrvatska

April 01, 2021 08:00 - 24 minutes - 16.7 MB

This is the first episode of the Quick Croatian Class series. In the future, when you find the episodes with this name, get ready to learn some Croatian! More specifically, I will talk about how the Croatian language can be both familiar and unknown. The familiar part opens the door to friendship. But only when you unlock the unknown, you will be on the path to true appreciation. This first episode dedicated to learning Croatia starts with a mysterious word that confuses the unsuspecting t...

S01 Ep08 - Quick Croatian Class - Hrvatska

April 01, 2021 08:00 - 24 minutes - 16.7 MB

This is the first episode of the Quick Croatian Class series. In the future, when you find the episodes with this name, get ready to learn some Croatian! More specifically, I will talk about how the Croatian language can be both familiar and unknown. The familiar part opens the door to friendship. But only when you unlock the unknown, you will be on the path to true appreciation. This first episode dedicated to learning Croatia starts with a mysterious word that confuses the unsuspecting t...

Ep07 - News - Full Year Since the Zagreb Earthquake

March 22, 2021 06:00 - 13 minutes - 9.31 MB

Croatia owes its beauty to the powerful forces of nature. But every now and then, those forces come to collect their debt. We all hoped we wouldn’t meet those forces in our lifetimes, but boy were we wrong.  In this episode, published on the first anniversary of the recent Zagreb earthquake, we remember two big earthquakes that happened in Croatia in 2020.  Support the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/cro_underrated)

S01 Ep07 - News - Full Year Since the Zagreb Earthquake

March 22, 2021 06:00 - 13 minutes - 9.31 MB

Croatia owes its beauty to the powerful forces of nature. But every now and then, those forces come to collect their debt. We all hoped we wouldn’t meet those forces in our lifetimes, but boy were we wrong.  In this episode, published on the first anniversary of the recent Zagreb earthquake, we remember two big earthquakes that happened in Croatia in 2020.  Support the show

Ep06 - 1 Star Croatia - Croatian Karst

March 19, 2021 07:00 - 7 minutes - 5.15 MB

I received some feedback that you enjoyed the 1-Star-Review episode about Zagreb, so I decided to record another one, dedicated to some karst phenomena in Croatia. I will refer to some poor reviews in hope you will never do the same mistake as the travellers who wrote them, and actually visit the places. Btw, I visited all of these and was absolutely amazed, but hey, Tripadvisor is what counts, so let’s check what it says. Support the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/cro_underrated)

S01 Ep06 - 1 Star Croatia - Croatian Karst

March 19, 2021 07:00 - 7 minutes - 5.15 MB

I received some feedback that you enjoyed the 1-Star-Review episode about Zagreb, so I decided to record another one, dedicated to some karst phenomena in Croatia. I will refer to some poor reviews in hope you will never do the same mistake as the travellers who wrote them, and actually visit the places. Btw, I visited all of these and was absolutely amazed, but hey, Tripadvisor is what counts, so let’s check what it says. Support the show

S01 Ep05 - Curious Personalities - Best Known Croatian Women

March 15, 2021 23:00 - 15 minutes - 10.6 MB

In the first Croatia Underrated episode dedicated to curious historical personalities,  I’m going to talk about “the B-side of history”, and that’s herstory: about Croatian women. After all, I started this podcast in March - female history month - so it’s only fair to talk about women. Beware, tough, because I will keep mentioning them throughout the year, just as well.  Support the show

Ep05 - Curious Personalities - Best Known Croatian Women

March 15, 2021 23:00 - 15 minutes - 10.6 MB

In the first Croatia Underrated episode dedicated to curious historical personalities,  I’m going to talk about “the B-side of history”, and that’s herstory: about Croatian women. After all, I started this podcast in March - female history month - so it’s only fair to talk about women. Beware, tough, because I will keep mentioning them throughout the year, just as well.  Support the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/cro_underrated)

Ep04 - Shout Out - Dark Tales of Medieval Dubrovnik

March 15, 2021 13:00 - 3 minutes - 2.44 MB

In the Shout Out series of Croatia Underrated, I'm sharing my recommendations of experiences in Croatia. Just the other day, I finally tried the online experience called Dark Tales of Medieval Dubrovnik and I'm sharing my impressions in this short episode. If you prefer to read about it, find the text here.  Support the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/cro_underrated)

S01 Ep04 - Shout Out - Dark Tales of Medieval Dubrovnik

March 15, 2021 13:00 - 3 minutes - 2.44 MB

In the Shout Out series of Croatia Underrated, I'm sharing my recommendations of experiences in Croatia. Just the other day, I finally tried the online experience called Dark Tales of Medieval Dubrovnik and I'm sharing my impressions in this short episode. If you prefer to read about it, find the text here.  Support the show

Ep03 - 1 Star Croatia - Zagreb

March 10, 2021 15:00 - 7 minutes - 5.52 MB

Some episodes of Croatia Underrated are dedicated to - underratings... that is, poor reviews of Croatian attractions or precious places. In this episode, Iva shares several bad reviews of the top attractions of her home town of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.  Support the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/cro_underrated)

Ep01 - Castlebusters - Valpovo Castle Part 1

March 10, 2021 15:00 - 12 minutes - 8.9 MB

This is the first part of a two-episodes story about the Valpovo castle and its beautiful park. Valpovo is a lovely town in Croatian region of Slavonia, off the path of the most typical tourist. In this episode, Iva is taking you on an audio-tour of the castle and its past, starting from the park that surrounds it. We will then enter the Museum of Valpovo Region within the baroque castle and hear about the interesting noblemen and women who lived there. You can also read the full story on ...

S01 Ep03 - 1 Star Croatia - Zagreb

March 10, 2021 15:00 - 7 minutes - 5.52 MB

Some episodes of Croatia Underrated are dedicated to - underratings... that is, poor reviews of Croatian attractions or precious places. In this episode, Iva shares several bad reviews of the top attractions of her home town of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.  Support the show

S01 Ep02 - Legends & Mysteries - Valpovo Castle Part 2

March 10, 2021 15:00 - 11 minutes - 8.19 MB

This is the second part of a two-episodes story about the Valpovo castle and its beautiful park. This episode shares the tales about the mysterious ghost lady and the strange dragon society that left a mark inside of the castle's tower. Enjoy the first part here or read the full story on Croatia Underrated blog: Valpovo Castle - Pineapples, Dragons and Ghost Ladies.    Support the show

S01 Ep01 - Castlebusters - Valpovo Castle Part 1

March 10, 2021 15:00 - 12 minutes - 8.9 MB

This is the first part of a two-episodes story about the Valpovo castle and its beautiful park. Valpovo is a lovely town in Croatian region of Slavonia, off the path of the most typical tourist. In this episode, Iva is taking you on an audio-tour of the castle and its past, starting from the park that surrounds it. We will then enter the Museum of Valpovo Region within the baroque castle and hear about the interesting noblemen and women who lived there. You can also read the full story on ...

Ep02 - Legends & Mysteries - Valpovo Castle Part 2

March 10, 2021 15:00 - 11 minutes - 8.19 MB

This is the second part of a two-episodes story about the Valpovo castle and its beautiful park. This episode shares the tales about the mysterious ghost lady and the strange dragon society that left a mark inside of the castle's tower. Enjoy the first part here or read the full story on Croatia Underrated blog: Valpovo Castle - Pineapples, Dragons and Ghost Ladies.    Support the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/cro_underrated)

S01 Ep00 - Intro to Croatia Underrated

March 09, 2021 21:00 - 3 minutes - 2.24 MB

Pozdrav i dobrodošli! Hello and welcome to Croatia Underrated - find out what to expect in the new podcast Croatia Underrated in its short intro episode. Support the show

Ep00 - Intro to Croatia Underrated

March 09, 2021 21:00 - 3 minutes - 2.24 MB

Pozdrav i dobrodošli! Hello and welcome to Croatia Underrated - find out what to expect in the new podcast Croatia Underrated in its short intro episode. Support the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/cro_underrated)