Culture, art & history trip
Come to Split and get to know the works of Ivan Meštrović, the most famous Croatian artist of the 20th century. An absolute must if you’re an art student or cultural history buff.
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Ivan Meštrović is the most famous Croatian artist of the 20th century. He was a sculptor, stonecutter, painter, architect, and writer, and lived in Vienna, Paris, Rome, Zagreb, Split, and the USA (whose citizenship he later obtained). He was a former chancellor of the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and he left an immense artistic legacy to his native Croatia as well as to the city of Split. Meštrović derived his architectural inspiration from ancient central buildings, such as Diocletian’s Mausoleum.
For this trip, you will be staying in Split, Mediterranean city that was home to Ivan Meštrović most of his life
Garden view of the Meštrović Gallery, home to the artists' masterpieces sculpted from marble, bronze, and wood, as well as his drawings
The Meštrović family mausoleum, also made by Ivan Meštrović, will also be one of the stops at this tour
In Split, when you visit Meštrović's large statue of Grgur Ninski, a Croatian bishop, don't forget to rub its toe and make a wish - it's the tradition around here
It was Split where the young Meštrović started his apprenticeship in a stonecutter’s workshop surrounded by inspiring and monumental buildings, such as Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located at the heart of the historic part of the town.
Split and its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was not the only architectural inspiration of the most powerful European artist in the first half of the 20th century. In the period between the two World Wars he was amazed by Michelangelo and made a vast number of stone reliefs. The most famous is a large statue of a Croatian bishop, Grgur Ninski. It is believed that touching its big toe will make your wish come true.
Visit the Meštrović Gallery, which used to be the sculptor’s residence, and which is located on the southern slopes of Marjan Hill. The gallery holds Meštrović’s masterpieces sculpted from marble, bronze and wood influenced by Impressionism, Art Nouveau and Art Deco, as well as his drawings.
The grand central hall on the ground floor of the Meštrović Gallery is intended for sculpture exhibitions, but at times it is also used for hosting cultural events, such as the performance of Puccini’s opera Turandot.
We will also take you to the Meštrović family crypt, colloquially known as the Meštrović Mausoleum, located on a hilltop in Otavice. The stones from the nearby mountain were used for its construction, and the crypt’s interior is adorned with stone reliefs depicting Biblical scenes.
During the period between two World Wars, Meštrović started making a number of stone reliefs, statues, and portraits drawing inspiration from Michelangelo. The most famous of those is the statue of Gregory of Nin, a medieval bishop of Nin, which was erected in 1929 in Split. The gilt bronze toe of the towering statue has been worn away by passers-by that believe that rubbing the toe will bring them good luck and make their wishes come true.
Arrival to Split and check-in at the hotel. Take a stroll through the streets of this dynamic city, which provides the warmth of the Mediterranean as the urban and cultural centre of Dalmatia and offers the breathtaking remains of Diocletian’s vast palace, or go on foot to Vidilica, a scenic overlook with the most stunning view of the city, located on the 178 m high Marjan Hill and reachable by steps leading from the shore.
Breakfast is followed by a tour of the city that includes a visit to Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located at the heart of the historic part of the town. You will also visit the ancient cellars as well as Peristyle, the central court in Diocletian’s Palace.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Meštrović Gallery, which used to be the sculptor’s residence, and which is located on the southern slopes of Marjan Hill with a gorgeous Mediterranean garden offering a view of the sea. The Gallery holds Meštrović’s masterpieces sculpted from marble, bronze, and wood, religious sculptures, works influenced by Impressionism, Art Nouveau and Art Deco, as well as his drawings.
Afterwards, you will visit the Crikvine-Kaštilac complex where the Chapel of the Holy Cross is located, and which serves as the venue for showcasing Meštrović’s wooden reliefs. Return to the hotel.
Breakfast is followed by a half day excursion to Otavice, a village in the Dalmatian hinterland where Meštrović spent his childhood years. The Meštrović family crypt, colloquially known as the Meštrović Mausoleum, is located on a hilltop in Otavice. The stones from the nearby Svilaja Mountain were used for its construction, which lasted from 1926 to 1930. The crypt’s interior is adorned with stone reliefs depicting Biblical scenes. Sightseeing is followed by a trip to the Stella Croatica complex in the vicinity of Klis where you will get the chance to experience the authentic lifestyle of a typical Dalmatian family. You will also visit an ethnographic village with an olive grove, ecological orchard and aroma park, and taste olive oil and traditional local sweets. Return to the hotel.
Breakfast and check-out. If you will have enough time, we recommend a trip to the medieval town of Trogir, where a statue of Petar Berislavić sculpted by Ivan Meštrović is located, or visit the picturesque farmer’s market in Split and take a walk on the Riva, the vibrant main promenade.
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