Page 253 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

SHOPPING IN CRO A TIA  251

clothes and a vast assortment
of souvenirs. There is a local
saying which has it that if you
cannot find what you are
looking for at this market, it
probably does not exist (at least
not in Split).

Shopping Centres
Large shopping centres can also
be found in Croatia, mainly in
the larger towns and cities. Here
you will find a number of shops
selling assorted merchandise
under one roof, usually including
a large department store or
supermarket. Decorated ceramic objects on display
In Zagreb one of the busiest
and best-known department themes. You can also buy background. This design is used
stores is Nama, which is right in good reproductions of objects to decorate table linen, pillow
the centre of the city. Another from the era of Roman rule in cases and blouses.
useful shopping centre, also in the underground area of In 2009 lace making in
the city centre, is Importanne Diocletian’s Palace (see p122). Croatia was inscribed on the
Centar. The Importanne In Osijek, many shops in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural
Galerija is open weekdays centre of the city sell typical Heritage of Humanity list. This
and Saturdays. locally made handicrafts. Here includes three different
Avenue Mall is another huge you can also find dolls dressed traditions of lace making,
shopping centre has over 130 in beautifully made costumes, namely Pag needlepoint lace,
shops, including international packages of special lace and Lepoglava bobbin lace and
names such as Benetton, in particular fabrics finely Hvar aloe lace.
Adidas, Esprit and Marks & embroidered with gold and The lace of Pag is justly famous
Spencer. Westgate Shopping silver thread. and widely admired. The origins
City is a huge shop ping centre of the lace date back to the
just outside Zagreb. Renaissance period, when it was
Embroidery and Lace
used to decorate the blouses of
One important typical Croatian the ladies of the island of Pag.
Traditional Handicrafts
craft is the art of embroidery, However, it was not until
There are lots of opportunities which is carried out more or the beginning of the 20th
for the visitor to buy a variety less everywhere. century that this particular
of typical Croatian handicrafts One very characteristic handiwork assumed its well-
and produce, which make very design is a red geometric deserved fame, thanks to a
tempting souvenirs. pattern stitched onto a white beautifully decorated blouse
The country has a long given by a noblewoman to the
tradition of skilled production Archduchess of Austria Marie
of a rich range of handicrafts Josephine. This gift was so
and typical produce. Production greatly appreciated and
of these crafts is encouraged admired that the archduchess
and supported by the local went to Pag in person to order
authorities, who see it as a more items of clothing. At that
good way of preserving the time, the Austrian court set
cultural heritage and the trends for others to follow, and
ancient traditions and crafts this was enough to guarantee
of the country. the future success for the
In Zagreb, you can buy production of this lace.
clothes, handbags, fashion The lace is made on a
accessories, pillow cases and long cylindrical cushion by
table linens embroidered with lacemakers of great skill and
Glagolitic (ancient Slavic) letters tremendous patience. The lace
and traditional motifs at Etno patterns produced are the
butik Mara. In Split you can lacemaker’s interpretation of
find a large assortment of patterns and designs which
souvenirs, including objects Gold thread embroidery produced in the have been passed down from
clearly inspired by maritime town of Osijek generation to generation. In this

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