The cultural heritage Skule national park in Sweden

Early Croatian Churches

Early Croatian churches (Middle Ages)

by Dora Glavaš

When Croats first came to this land in the 7^th  century, along with other Slavs, they inhabitated near already built cities. They accepted Christianity and started building churches.

First churches were made out of roughly cut stone (lomljenac) and bounded with layers of mortar. They had strong semi-circular buttresses and a bell positioned in front of the entrance.

Here are some of the most famous examples:

Church of Holy Salvation 

It is located in village Cetina and it was built in the 9^th century. Its characteristics are very common for that time. It was built in the form of trefoil and has a bell that stands to this day. It has a very big cultural and historic significance, because a lot of graves, tombs and architectural fragments were found around it. The most valuable found was a golden censer that they used to baptize Croats.

It was damaged a few times in the past (Ottoman Empire, war…) but it has still managed to save the original position and features.

Church of St. Vitus 

It is located on island Krk and it was built in 1100. It has a longitude shape and a high stone bell. It was mentioned in a document by Dragoslav, written in Glagolitic script. It was also restored with a new roof so it's an important representation of Romanesque architecture.

Church of St. Donatus 

It was built in the 9^th century in Zadar. It was named after a bishop Donat, who was later pronounced a saint. It represents a mix of Pre-Romanesque and Carolingian period. It is a circular shape, 27 meters tall, has three apses and an ambulatory. The shape is typical for Mediterranean medieval buildings. Throughout history, it was used as a warehouse, archaeological museum and today, music festivals are held in it (Musical Evenings in St. Donatus). 

Church of St. Dunat 

It is a Roman catholic church built in Krk, and the exact century is speculated (9^th to 12^th century span). It has a four-leaf layout and a square entrance.

As I already mentioned, early churches were made out of roughly cut stone. Throughout the years, the church has lost some of its original look, but there is still evidence of roughly cut stone look at the bottom. One of the reasons for that could be because of the explosion that happened on the island in World War II. They believe it was decorated with mosaics and frescoes from the inside.

The church was dedicated to bishop and saint Dunat, who died during the persecution of Emperor Julian the Apostate. 

Island Pag Lace

ISLAND PAG LACE

by Ina Delić

Pag lace (in Croatian called Paška čipka) is a type of lacework from the island of Pag. It requires a needle, a thread and a backing which needs to be a round or a square stuffed pillow. Lace-makers of Pag did their work without any drawing samples . Each woman used works from her mother and grandmothers as examples, while each of them were adding a personal touch, unique and special details to their lace designs. The tradition has been kept going for over 1400 years and was originally used to make tablecloths and ornaments for clothing.  Each lace piece was a symbol of the anonymous, modest and self-sacrificing life of its maker.

In 2009, Lacemaking in Croatia, represented by Lepoglava lace, Pag lace and Hvar lace, was inscribed in the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.  You can find Pag lace in many souvenir shops all over the island of Pag and visit „The Gallery of the Pag lace“ in the city of Pag. There is also a monastery of Saint Margarita in Pag where the school of sewing the Pag lace originated.

GREEK CHRISTMAS SWEETS -No2

DIPLES

Diples is a typical Greek-Peloponnese type of dessert, usually served

in New Years Celebrations.

It is a deep fried thin dough, dipped in honey or syrup made of sugar, 

water, lemon and cinnamon.

Commonly shaped like a bow tie or spirals.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/Home_made_diples.jpg/1200px-Home_made_diples.jpg

Method by Greek Chef Akis Petretzikis

(akispetretzikis.com/en/categories/glyka/diples)

• In a bowl, combine the flours, eggs, salt, olive oil and sugar with a fork.
• Continue mixing with your hands until all the ingredients come together to form a dough.
• Divide the dough into 5 balls. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2-12 hours (the longer the better).
• When ready, roll out each ball of dough on a lightly floured working surface. Dust continuously so that the dough doesn’t stick to the surface. You need to be quite patient at this stage since it will be hard to roll out the dough for the first 2 minutes. The longer you work with the dough, the more it will soften and be easier to work with (if you like you can use a pasta machine to help you).
• Roll out a very thin strip of dough that is 10-15 cm wide. Then cut it 20-25 cm in length (should be 25x15 cm).
• Place a pan full of a generous amount of vegetable oil and let it get hot.
• Using 2 spoons to help you, turn it into a roll as you fry it. Make sure you add a few pieces of dough at a time so that they don’t stick together.
• In the beginning it may be a little hard to give them the right shape but you will soon get the hang of it.
• When ready, remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to paper towels to drain from excess oil.

For the syrup

• In a saucepan, combine the sugar, water, lemon juice and cinnamon.
• Place over medium to high heat and boil for 5 minutes.
• Add the honey and remove from heat.
• Drop the honey rolls into the hot syrup and allow each one to soak for 2 minutes.
• Serve with honey, cinnamon and walnuts.

GREEK CHRISTMAS SWEETS

Melomakarona

In ancient times after funerals people were offered a «makaria»

which was a small baked good in a round shape.

In later times honey was added to the recipe of “makaria” 

and that is when the name changed to “melomakarono”, 

which means “honey (meli) and makaria”.

Today, we eat them mainly at Christmas to celebrate birth

(the birth of Jesus) as opposed to mourn.

Their main ingredients are olive oil, sugar and honey.

How we celebrating Christmas in Sweden.

In many swedish families we are starting the celebration the 23 of December in the evening with bingo. We are preparing with very good tasting snacks. Like different kinds of cheese, meat, fruit and drinks. The bingo is called “uppesittarkväll” which means “up sitting night”. In the Christmas morning we eat porridge with an almond in it. In the afternoon the whole family meets and we watch  Donald Duck together. After that We have dinner consisting traditional Swedish food. It’s herring, ham, meatballs, sausage, salmon, potatoes and much more. In the evening Santa is coming with gifts.

Merry Christmas from Spain

MERRY CHRISTMAS