The Croatian National Bank (HNB) is issuing gold and silver numismatic coins titled "King Tomislav," featuring commemorative motifs representing the Croatian ruler. The gold coins will be available in denominations of 10, 100, and 200 euros, while the silver coins will be issued in 4 and 6-euro denominations, the HNB announced.

The designer of the "King Tomislav" gold and silver coins is Nikola Vudrag, a university graduate in sculpture. The numismatic coins will go on sale on March 20, 2025, except for the 6-euro silver coin, which will be available in May.

The coins will be sold by the Croatian Mint, with an expected initial price of around €11,000 for the 200-euro gold coin, approximately €3,280 for the 100-euro gold coin, and around €220 for the 10-euro gold coin. The 6-euro silver coin is expected to cost around €239.99 (including VAT), while the 4-euro silver coin will be priced at approximately €79.99 (including VAT). The final sale price will depend on the market prices of gold and silver at the time of purchase.

The 200-euro gold coin will be issued in a limited quantity of 100 pieces, the 100-euro gold coin in 300 pieces, and the 10-euro gold coin in 1,000 pieces. The 6-euro silver coin will have a limited edition of 500 pieces, while the 4-euro silver coin will be issued in 2,000 pieces.

Interested buyers can find ordering and purchasing details for the "King Tomislav" coins on the Croatian Mint's official website, the HNB stated.

Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković participated in the Smart Cities conference held in Zagreb, where he presented Dubrovnik as the first city in Croatia to successfully implement its own affordable housing model.

Although the issue of affordable housing was only sporadically discussed for years, it has now become one of the key political topics. However, while others debated, the City of Dubrovnik took action—systematically working on the Dubrovačka Stanogradnja program. Through this model, the city has so far provided housing for 91 families, either by allocating apartments with affordable rent or through a one-time financial aid of €30,000 for purchasing a home.

In addition, Dubrovnik has strategically planned for the future development of affordable housing. By constructing the Dr. Franjo Tuđman Bridge – Pobrežje road and acquiring 70,000 m² of land in Pobrežje, the city has secured space for new residential zones. This model is fully aligned with the Croatian Government’s program and the initiative led by Deputy Prime Minister Branko Bačić, which allows for the rapid rezoning of city- and municipality-owned land from agricultural use to affordable housing zones.

Furthermore, the City of Dubrovnik has a ready-to-go project for the construction of youth housing in Solitudo, which will be implemented through the Croatian Government’s program, giving 50 young families the opportunity for affordable housing in their hometown.

By participating in the Smart Cities conference, Dubrovnik once again positioned itself as a leader in tackling the challenges of modern urban environments, demonstrating that responsible planning and strategic investment can make a city a role model for others in Croatia.

The Dubrovnik police received a report yesterday about a fraud case involving a 26-year-old Slovak citizen who paid a deposit of €1,050 for an apartment rental in Dubrovnik, only to later realize that the advertisement was fake.

The victim found the ad on a website and, in an attempt to arrange the rental, contacted an unknown individual via email. This person introduced themselves as an Italian citizen and the supposed owner of the apartment. Following the instructions of the alleged owner, the victim made the deposit via a payment link, only to later discover that the apartment did not exist.

After receiving the criminal complaint, the police launched an investigation into the case. The Dubrovnik-Neretva Police Department is warning citizens to be cautious when searching for accommodation through online ads and websites. It is advisable to verify the property owner through publicly available sources to ensure they are the person advertising it. The recommendation is not to send money to unknown individuals.

The Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board held a presentation in Warsaw on Saturday, March 15, for around 40 Polish journalists and travel agents. The event was organized with the support of the Croatian National Tourist Board's office in Poland and in collaboration with the Linđo Folklore Ensemble.

The presentation took place in Orębusy, at the headquarters of the Polish folklore ensemble Mazowsze.

Following the presentation, guests enjoyed a performance by the Linđo folklore ensemble, followed by a tasting of wines from the Dubrovnik-Neretva region.

The evening concluded with a joint concert featuring Mazowsze and Linđo, presenting a three-hour program showcasing traditional Polish and Croatian dances and songs.

In 2024, Dubrovnik-Neretva County welcomed 99,129 Polish tourists, who recorded 614,087 overnight stays—an 11% increase in arrivals and a 7% rise in overnight stays compared to the previous year.

Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovačić has emerged as a key target for Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, with reports suggesting the Spanish club is keen to bring the Croatian international back to LaLiga.

Following Atletico’s recent Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid and a league defeat to Barcelona, speculation is growing that Kovačić could make the move from Manchester to Madrid this summer.

According to journalist Rudy Galetti, City is open to negotiations, with a reported asking price of €30 million—slightly above Kovačić’s current market valuation. The 29-year-old, who previously played for Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Chelsea, remains under contract at City until 2027. So far, he has made 79 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals.

With Simeone looking to reinforce his midfield, Kovačić’s return to Spain could be a move to watch in the coming transfer window.

Fourteen Croatian winemakers are showcasing their wines at the world's largest wine fair, ProWein 2025, held in Düsseldorf from March 16 to 18. The Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK), which is organizing the participation of Croatian companies at the event, announced the news on Monday.

The national stand features winemakers including Badel 1862, Kutjevo, Osilovac, PP Orahovica, Vina Belje, Dingač Skaramuča, Požega Impex, Vina Bedekovich, Lagradi, Galić, Vina Bibich, Royal Hill, Lipa interijeri, and SATO.

Croatian wines presented at ProWein - Photo - HGK

"Although we have made significant investments in new wineries in recent years and achieved notable technological advancements—evidenced by numerous awards and recognitions at the most prestigious international wine competitions—Croatia has yet to secure a strong position on the global wine map," said Dragan Kovačević, HGK’s Vice President for Agriculture and Tourism.

He emphasized the importance of presenting Croatia’s wine industry at major international wine fairs like ProWein to further establish its reputation worldwide.

Dubrovnik’s enduring appeal as a top tourist destination has once again made international headlines, with The Dubrovnik Times featured in a recent article by the UK’s Mirror. The piece highlights how our historic city continues to thrive as a Game of Thrones hotspot, drawing fans from around the world even years after the series ended.

The Mirror article underscores the significant impact of Game of Thrones tourism, noting that between 2012 and 2015, around 240,000 tourists visited Dubrovnik specifically because of its connection to the show, injecting an estimated 126 million euros into the local economy. As we reported, this fascination has not waned. Tour operators and local businesses continue to benefit from the global fanbase eager to walk the real-life King’s Landing.

As the Dubrovnik EXPO approaches on March 20-21, three students from Dubrovnik—Ana Brnadić, Jakov Šutalo, and Bruno Pregelj—are actively involved in promoting university life, proudly highlighting the benefits of student experiences. They share insights from their studies at the Zagreb School of Economics and Management with prospective students from their hometown.

After graduating from Dubrovnik Gymnasium, Ana Brnadić took full advantage of student exchange opportunities and traveled the world. “ZŠEM has partnerships with as many as 170 universities worldwide. In my first year, I attended a two-week Winter School program at KEDGE University in Paris. This experience strengthened my bond with fellow students, helped me become more independent, and allowed me to immerse myself in a new culture. Besides Paris, this year I also participated in a Winter School program in Dubai. I believe such programs are excellent preparation for further education and professional growth. I plan to go on exchange during my fourth year, but before that, I want to make the most of my university opportunities—learning, connecting with professors, and gaining work experience!” says the versatile Ana, who recently started working in the university’s International Office.

Student life can be challenging, especially at the beginning of one’s studies. “My student experience has been extremely positive. From the very start, the professors and staff were approachable and ready to help, making my adjustment to the new environment much easier. Their expertise and dedication create a professional atmosphere that encourages learning and personal development. Also, my fellow students are very friendly, which adds to the pleasant atmosphere at the university,” says Jakov Šutalo. He adds, “Right now, I’m most excited about student travel opportunities, and I’m particularly looking forward to my upcoming trip to the Spring School in Cappadocia in April. I expect it to be an extraordinary experience that will allow me to explore a new culture and broaden my horizons!”

Bruno Pregelj has had a fast track from high school to his professional career, already working as a junior buyer for one of Croatia’s largest retail chains while still studying.

“After my first year, thanks to my strong academic performance, I was honored to receive the Dean’s Award. Shortly after, I became a scholarship recipient of the Ivan Hodak Foundation. I also decided to join the mentoring program for first-year students because I knew from my own experience how challenging it can be to adapt to life in Zagreb—both in terms of academic responsibilities and the everyday challenges of moving away from home,” says Bruno Pregelj. He adds, “In my second year, we had a mandatory one-month internship. After attending several Student Future Day events and speed-dating sessions organized at ZŠEM, I became interested in several positions and decided to apply for an internship in the retail industry, which is one of the most developed sectors in Croatia!”

All three students from Dubrovnik share the same positive message with future university students: one of the most beautiful periods in life can be even better with quality education and a great academic environment.