Advent in Split / Advent u Splitu

 As far as I'm concerned, Santa can keep all the snow for himself. This is my kind of Advent. Split city soaked in sunshine. Mediterranean Christmas is my kind of Christmas. Sunshine, sunshine and more sunshine....I couldn't be happier about the amount of sunshine we've been having.

 Now, about the outfit. My foot is still swollen and walking is still quite painful. Dr. Martens boots  and startas sneakers are the only pairs of shoes that I can wear and I'll probably be wearing them for a while. I've been living in dr.martens boots and startas sneakers for the last ten days. There is no indication that my foot will get better anytime soon, but at least nothing is broken. Things will return to normal sooner or later. In the meantime, life without heels has been strange. I was so used to wearing them all the time, I feel like I have lost my balance. We're all creatures of habit sometimes.

Što se mene tiče, djed Božičnjak može zadržati za sebe sav snijeg. Ovo je pravi Advent za mene. Split okupan u suncu. Mediteranski Božić je Božić po mome guštu. Sunce, sunce i još sunca...ne bih mogla biti sretnija što se tiče količine sunca koje imamo u zadnje vrijeme.

 Sada, to se tiče odjevne kombinacije. Moja noga je još otečena i hodanje je bolno. Marte su jedine cipele koje mogu nositi, a vjerovatno ću ih nositi još neko vrijeme. Praktički živim u njima i startasicama. Nema indikacija da će mi noga biti nešto bolje uskoro, ali barem ništa nije slomljeno. Prije ili kasnije, biti će po starom. U međuvremenu, život bez visokih potpetica je čudan. Tako sam bila navikla da ih nosim da sada osjećam kao da sam izgubila ravnotežu. Svi smo mi robovi navika ponekad.

A FEW LOVELY CLOSE UPS SHOT BY MY HUSBAND WHO IS A TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHER!

SPLIT IS FILLED WITH CHARMING LITTLE SQUARES AND STREETS 

There's so much to see and do in Split!

MORE ABOUT HISTORY OF SPLIT (CITED FROM https://visitsplit.com/en/398/the-history-of-split)

The history of Split

The history of Split is over-flowingly rich and turbulent to fit in just a couple of sentences. Although the Split area was earlier inhabited by the Greek colonies, Emperor Diocletian should be considered its first citizen and founder, starting his lavish villa of around 300 square meters near the great city of Salona in 293 AD, only to retire from the Roman throne within its walls after building it for ten years.

Turbulent centuries that followed turned the villa into a city, conceived by the fugitive inhabitants of Salona who fled from the Avars and Slavs. Many authorities changed hands in the city which, in the years to come, grew beyond the Palace walls, from the Croatian Kings in the 10th century, through the Hungarian and Venetian administration, to the French rulers and the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Modern age and the 20th century "moved" Split from the kingdom of Yugoslavia, through tragic, yet heroic times of the Italian and German occupation during the Second World War when Split was one of the centres of anti-fascist resistance, to the Socialist Yugoslavia and the present period of the free and independent Croatia, member of the European Union.

POST UPDATE.....Ivana from the future coming here. I like to add links to my old posts when there's relevant content to refer to, so here we go. 

MORE POSTS ABOUT SPLIT CITY

A SPLIT CITY GIRL WHO LOVES PAINTING THE SEA

In this recent 2024 post, you'll find photographs of beach Žnjan, a summer outfit and my meditations about painting the sea. Below there are more links to explore from posts shot in Split city.

SPLIT CITY GUIDE: THE PALACE  & SPLIT CITY GUIDE: CHURCH OF SAINT DOMINIC

 A SHORT VISIT TO SPLIT CITY, WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO DINE?

HOW TO FIND PHOTO WORTHY LOCATIONS IN SPLIT CITY?

 VISITING SPLIT CITY IN WINTER TIME

 A FLORAL DRESS FOR SIGHTSEEING SPLIT CITY

RESTAURANT ASIA, SPLIT CITY 

 WHAT TO DO IN SPLIT CITY IN AUTUMN?

FEMININE STYLING & SUNSET IN SPLIT CITY

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SPLIT CITY

IS SPRING A GOOD TIME TO VISIT SPLIT CITY?

STROLLING SPLIT 3

WHERE THE SEA IS CRYSTAL CLEAR...

 STREET STYLE PHOTOGRAPHY SPLITSUNSET IN SPLIT CITY

WHAT TO WEAR FOR SIGHTSEEING SPLIT CITY?

 IS DOMINUS CATHEDRAL TOWER WORTH THE CLIMB?

 SUMMER ISN'T OVER YET IN SPLIT CITY

WHY VISITING SPLIT IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA?

WINTER IN SPLIT CITY, CROATIA

 MUSTARD DRESS AND UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN SPLIT

 SPLIT CITY CENTRE AND A MIDI DRESS

SPLIT CITY SPRING STYLE 2021

SPLIT CITY SUMMER 2021

SPLIT CITY RESTAURANT DALMATINO 2021

SPLIT CITY, SEPTEMBER 2021

I LOVE SPLIT CITY (TWO OUTFITS)

 PURPLE AND RED IN SPLIT CITY

 SPRING IN SPLIT CITY

CHURCH AND MONASTERY OF SAINT FRANCIS IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE FOUNTAINT

I blogged about different sights to see in Split city quite a few times, but the church of saint Francis deserves additional mention.  It is located on the western side of Riva (the famous promenade), quite close to the historical city fountain (another cool spot to visit). On the photograph above you can see me standing next to the fountain.

 The church and the monastery of Saint Francis were both build on an early Christian site. Prior to the construction of Saint Francis' church, there had been a smaller church and grave of saint Felix (an early Christian martyr) located here. The little brothers (i.e. monks of order of Saint Francis) have inhabited this church and monastery since the thirteenth century. The monastery's library boosts of about 3000 books, some of them dating back to the sixteenth century.  The church and the monastery guard some valuable historical art as well as the graves of prominent Split citizens, such as the father of Croatian literature Marko Marulich. 

YOU CAN FIND MARKO MARULIĆ'S TRANSLATED TEXTS HERE.

HOW MANY TIMES HAS SPLIT APPEARED IN TRAVEL WITH MY ART SERIES? 

I shared A COUPLE of my paintings inspired by Split city in my Travel with my Art series. That was not the first time I painted my home city. It has appeared in Travel With My Art series a couple of times. 

SEE HOW I ILLUSTRATED AND PAINTED SPLIT BEFORE

  MATEJUŠKA, SPLIT CITY (CROATIA)

  ZENTA MARINE, SPLIT CITY (CROATIA) 

ŽNJAN BEACH, SPLIT CITY (CROATIA)

  A SEAVIEW FROM A PARK (SPLIT, CROATIA)

Besides in this regular feature, Split city has appeared in my other art posts as well. Have a look and follow the links below to see how Split inspired my art.

Back in Spring 2021, I took advantage of wonderful sunny weather to do some en plein air sketching in Split city, Croatia.  The weather was so warm that it felt like summer. The beach I sketched is called Firule and what you can se in the distance is island Čiovo. I drew this seascape with watercolour pencils, What made me choose this spot to sketch were the colours. I was fascinated by the colour of the sea and the rocks. Moreover, I really like the background. I do enjoy working outdoors and it is fortunate to  live in a warm climate so one can sketch outdoor without risking a cold. I don't have any major issues with people looking at me while I sketch or paint. I'm mostly so concentrated that I don't even notice it. It was definitely nice to be out and about in Split city again. 

OIL PASTELS VS. WATERCOLOUR

 PENCILS, FIRULE 

I completed this watercolour pencil sketch the same day I started it. There was also a version I made with oil pastels. In case anyone is wondering, I don't have these two with me anymore. I shipped some of my art to one (amateur) art gallery. The watercolour landscape I'm sharing with you today was among the paintings sent while the pastel version of this scene was sent to a friend.  Both of them were sketched on a lovely sunny day on Firule beach in Split.

Fashion & Location Illustration of the Day ( Split)

Why do location and fashion illustrating often go hand in hand? I found myself asking that question today. I love exploring all aspects of fashion illustration, because well it's something I'm passionate about, and I've pretty much always been into it. Seriously, my elementary schoolbooks are filled with fashion illustrations. Anyhow, as of late, I find myself wanting to make fashion illustrations that will be as much about the location as about the outfit. I know I'm not the only one. There are many fashion illustrators out there who do location illustrating as well. I'm not sure what is the secret connection, but location art sure gets along with fashion art.

SUMMER 2024: WHEN THE SUN SETS IN SPLIT 

My beautiful city, nicknamed the pearl of the sea, is a fascinating mix of the old and the new. Originally build as a summer residence for an ancient Roman emperor Diocletian, it has had an eventful and interesting history. 

 The main square of Roman times is located next to the cathedral that  started its long life as a mausoleum of emperor Diocletian.  That makes perfect sense, if you think about it. The purpose of the square was to be the centre of social and religious life. This is where the emperor Diocletian would appear before his folk to be celebrated as the living son of Jupiter. Emperor Diocletian is no more, but Split city lives on and I like to think that he would be proud seeing what happened to his Palace. What I love about Split the most is how full of life it feels. People are still sitting under those columns every day and night.  It's like a museum in the open. 

As much as I love Split being a living museum, what I saw this Summer worried me. A lot of drunken Europeans wondering the streets like zombies! I feel like it goes against everything in our culture. Split's nights used to be about music and art.  

MATEJUŠKA PORT IS BEAUTIFUL ANY ALSO FOLLOWED BY NEWLY BUILD  LUXURIOUS MARINE WHERE YOU CAN HAVE DRINKS IN LOVELY BARS OR JUST CHILL AT ONE OF THE BENCHES

Matejuška has been a small port for local fishermen for centuries. This is where the fishermen from historical neighbourhoods such as Veli Varoš kept their boats. This iconic traditional oasis is also a place of socialization. That is why the city of Split has done its best to preserve Matejuška in its original form. Approximately 14 million kunas were spend in preservation of this small port that now has a small park area as well. You can still see small fishing boats with their traditional nets here. It is still the meeting place for locals (and tourists) as well. Besides being an authentic location, Matejuška also offers a nice view of Split city itself. I would definitely recommend visiting it. Why stop there, though? If you continue your stroll and pass by Matejuška, you can also walk in and see the newer port: a luxurious modern marine and the so called 'new coast' where you can enjoy drinks at trendy bars with views of yachts and Split city panorama. 

necklace/ogrlica: shimmerdeals 
jacket/jakna: Azel
jeans/ traperice: Y.U.O
shoes/ cipele: dr. martens
bag/torba: no name