The City of Dubrovnik and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Croatia signed an agreement today in Zagreb for the transfer of a MiG-21 UM aircraft, which will be displayed on Srđ in front of the Imperial Fortress, a symbol of the city's defense during the Homeland War.

The agreement, signed by Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković and acting Chief Spomenka Lešnjaković, will enable the placement of this historic exhibit in front of the Dubrovnik Homeland War Museum.

The MiG-21 UM aircraft was donated to the City of Dubrovnik free of charge and will be permanently exhibited. This step symbolizes respect for all those who contributed to the defense of Dubrovnik, as well as for all citizens who laid the foundations for a free Croatia during the Homeland War. The City of Dubrovnik has allocated budget funds for the transportation and installation of the exhibit.

It is worth noting that the Republic of Croatia recently acquired new Rafale fighter jets, enhancing national air security. Meanwhile, the MiG-21 BIS fleet has been retired from service. Consequently, the City of Dubrovnik submitted a request to the Ministry of Defense for the donation of a decommissioned aircraft.

The city will receive the aircraft in its current condition and send it for restoration, which involves disassembling it into parts, refurbishing it, and then transporting and assembling it on the Srđ plateau according to the approved design plan. This process is expected to take several months.

The placement of the MiG-21 fighter jet in the planned sculpture park on Srđ carries deep symbolic significance. It was in this very area, during the 1992 military operation to liberate southern Croatia, that Croatian Air Force supersonic jets first engaged in combat. Two MiG aircraft flew over Srđ as part of the operation, which played a crucial role in the liberation of the southernmost part of the country.

As part of his stay in London for the ABTA Travel Convention, Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković visited the headquarters of the British Telegraph at the invitation of senior travel editor Greg Dickinson.

During the meeting, discussions focused on the sustainable tourism strategies Dubrovnik is implementing, with a particular emphasis on regulating cruise tourism. Mayor Franković presented the "Respect the City" project, a sustainable tourism management model aimed at preserving cultural heritage and improving the quality of life for residents. He highlighted that, thanks to smart visitor management, crowds remained under control despite a 10% increase in tourists in 2024. The success of these measures was further confirmed by the Dubrovnik Pass, with 453,000 cards sold and revenue of 16.8 million euros.

“Dubrovnik is now an example of a destination that successfully balances tourism and the quality of life for its residents,” Mayor Franković told The Telegraph.

Sustainability and overtourism are key issues in the UK tourism sector, and international media’s interest in Dubrovnik continues to grow. It was, in fact, this very media outlet that first placed Dubrovnik on the list of destinations to avoid eight years ago. However, in recent times, they have frequently mentioned Dubrovnik as a prime example of sustainable tourism.

This feature in the prestigious newspaper, which reaches 50 million readers every month, will further highlight Dubrovnik as a global leader in sustainable tourism.

Real Madrid legend Luka Modrić is stepping into a new world that’s a far cry from football pitches – and it’s brewing up excitement! The Croatian football star, who captained his national team to World Cup glory, is now diving into the craft beer business. And he’s doing it in the heart of Croatia’s Bilogora region, reports klikni.hr

In what can only be described as a game-changer, Modrić has reportedly become a co-owner of the renowned Zeppelin Craft Brewery in Bjelovar, known for its top-notch, unpasteurized, and unfiltered brews. The brewery has been creating a buzz across Croatia, winning rave reviews from beer lovers nationwide.

This latest venture marks an exciting chapter in Modrić’s already glittering career, which saw him bring home a silver medal at the 2018 World Cup and a bronze from the 2022 tournament. Now, the midfield maestro is expanding his brand off the pitch – and it looks like beer lovers are in for a real treat.

Rumor has it that Zeppelin could be launching a special beer in Modrić's honor, taking his name, already famous worldwide, to a whole new audience. Could Luka’s craft beer rival his football fame? 

Luxembourg and Ireland once again led the EU in 2024 in terms of GDP per capita, measured by purchasing power standards, while Croatia remained on par with Hungary, with a slight reduction in its gap compared to the EU average, according to Eurostat estimates.

Luxembourg’s GDP per capita, expressed in purchasing power standards, was nearly two and a half times the EU average last year, according to preliminary estimates from Eurostat.

Statisticians note that Luxembourg’s firmly established position at the top of the EU rankings is largely due to the high proportion of foreign workers.

“These workers contribute to GDP creation but are not included in the resident population used to calculate GDP per capita,” they explain.

Estonia, Poland, and Romania lagged behind the EU average by approximately 20%, according to Eurostat calculations.

Croatia was close behind, with its GDP per capita in 2024—measured in purchasing power parity—falling 23% below the EU average, according to preliminary Eurostat estimates. This marks a slight improvement from 2023, when the gap stood at 24%.

Hungary recorded the same shortfall last year, while Slovakia was also close, with GDP per capita exactly 25% below the EU average.

Ryanair carried over 1.3 million passengers through its Zagreb base last year, cementing its position as a key driver of the airport’s strong performance in 2024. According to Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical office, the low-cost airline maintained a robust network of thirty destinations over the peak summer season, with an average cabin load factor of 87%, reports EX-YU Aviation. 

London Stansted remained the busiest route, while Dublin recorded the highest annual occupancy rate at 95.4%, followed closely by Girona and Palma de Mallorca—both introduced in 2023.

In total, Ryanair launched five new routes from the Croatian capital last year, with Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, and Girona among the top performers. However, not all routes fared equally well. Pisa recorded just 20,021 passengers and a relatively weak load factor of 69.5%, below typical budget carrier expectations.

This Sunday, the airline is set to introduce a new Italian route to Palermo, further expanding its presence in the region. Ryanair also plans to ramp up frequencies on several routes in the coming months, particularly in April to accommodate increased demand over the Easter period. As a result, next month it will surpass all competitors to become the largest airline at Zagreb Airport by available seat capacity for the first time. 

Archaeological research at the Gomile site in Zakotorac on the Pelješac Peninsula continued in March this year, uncovering numerous metal, glass, amber, and ceramic finds dating from the 6th to the 3rd/2nd century BC. These discoveries, along with two complete Illyrian-type helmets from the 4th century found in 2020 and 2024, contribute to the understanding of Illyrian burial rituals in the second half of the last millennium BC and position Pelješac as one of the most significant archaeological zones on the eastern Adriatic coast.

The research is led by Dr. Hrvoje Potrebica, with Dr. Domagoj Perkić as deputy leader. The expert team includes archaeologists Dr. Marko Dizdar, Dr. Borut Križ, Dr. Aleksandar Kapuran, mag. archaeol. Marta Kalebota, Miroslav Vuković, Paula Knego, Krešimir Grbavac, Mirna Šandrić, archaeology student Mila Erceg, and conservators-restorers Dr. Miona Miliša and Sanja Pujo.

The Iron Age necropolis of Gomile is located at the southern foot of the prominent hillfort settlement of Kotorac, which sits on a steep limestone elevation above a small karst field, dominating the landscape.

"Conical mounds, believed to be older (Bronze Age) and previously unexplored, are scattered along the natural route leading to the Vidohovo spring and the western part of Pelješac. In contrast, a group of Iron Age mounds lies just below Kotorac, categorized into two types: those with a peripheral ring and a leveled stone embankment, and stepped mounds with two or three rings and a central tomb. Between the mounds, as well as along the rock formations, dry-stone-built tombs are also visible. All these Iron Age mounds contain multiple graves and tombs with the remains of several individuals," explained Dr. Domagoj Perkić, head of the Archaeological Museum of the Dubrovnik Museums.

One particularly intriguing aspect of this relatively small site in central Pelješac is the presence of grave goods from all corners of the ancient world.

"We have amber beads from the Baltic, glass beads from the Levant, bronze jewelry from the western and central Balkans, and the most luxurious ceramic vessels from Greek colonies in northern and southern Italy. This indicates highly developed mobility and trade networks, with the Illyrian community on Pelješac playing a crucial role in them. The reason for their importance—and, consequently, their wealth—likely lies in their strategic position along a major maritime route, controlling navigation through the Mljet, Pelješac, and Neretva channels, as well as trade routes from the Mediterranean to the interior," Perkić stated.

Further interdisciplinary research will provide new insights into Illyrian communities and their role in the Mediterranean cultural sphere during the last millennium BC. As in the past five years, the research is coordinated by the Center for Prehistoric Research, in collaboration with archaeologists from the Department of Archaeology at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb, the Institute of Archaeology, and the Archaeological Museum of Dubrovnik Museums. They are joined by colleagues from the Archaeological Museum in Split, the Dolenjski Museum in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, and the Academy of Arts in Split.

The Mayor of Poreč, Loris Peršurić, accompanied by Željko Kukurin, President of Valamar’s Management Board, visited the construction site of Hotel Pical and the Pical zone, marking progress on one of the most significant projects in Croatian tourism. Construction is proceeding according to plan, with the opening scheduled for early 2026.

Hotel Pical will offer top-tier year-round tourism, create new permanent jobs, and enhance the overall quality of life for Poreč residents. The €200 million investment in the Pical zone will develop public tourism infrastructure, including promenades, cycling paths, a beach, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a range of other facilities available to both tourists and the local community. Additionally, in collaboration with sports clubs, Valamar will ensure access to a 25-metre indoor pool and a 50-metre outdoor pool for training local children and athletes, thus strengthening Poreč’s sports infrastructure.

Photo - Valamar 

“The Pical project brings a new dimension to tourism in our city—one that operates all year round and benefits not only visitors but also our citizens. I am particularly pleased that we have worked together to ensure that Pical, a place where we Poreč residents grew up and enjoyed the sea, remains accessible to everyone, with high-quality public amenities such as promenades, cycling paths, beaches, and, most importantly, swimming pools available to our sports clubs and residents. Poreč has long been setting tourism standards, and projects like this ensure we continue evolving into a year-round destination where tourism benefits everyone—from hospitality businesses and entrepreneurs to our athletes and families,” stated Loris Peršurić, Mayor of Poreč.

Hotel Pical 5* will deliver the highest level of quality, welcoming 2,000 guests throughout the year. The hotel will also feature the largest conference centre in Istria, with a capacity of 1,200 participants, further strengthening position of Poreč in the business tourism market. Expanding this segment will extend the tourist season to 365 days a year and increase tourism revenues outside the summer months.

Photo - Valamar

Other key features include the Maro World play area for unstructured play and the development of multiple children’s playgrounds, all of which will also be available to Poreč residents.

“The investment in Hotel Pical represents a transformation of Poreč tourism towards year-round operations and high-quality offerings. The direct economic impact of opening Hotel Pical includes an additional €3 million annually for the city’s budget, as well as nearly €15 million in new spending at restaurants, cafés, and other businesses outside the hotel, particularly in historic centre of Poreč. The beaches, promenades, and recreational facilities in the Pical zone have always been, and will remain, available to residents and visitors alike. Most excitingly, Poreč will now have pools for swimming and training, benefiting our local sports clubs,” said Željko Kukurin, President of Valamar’s Management Board.

Photo - Valamar

The project will have a strong positive impact on the local economy and entrepreneurs. The hotel’s construction is being led by Croatian companies, with numerous local businesses and tradespeople involved, including designers, construction firms, suppliers for interior fittings and equipment, subcontractors, and many others.

The contribution to the local economy will continue beyond the hotel’s opening, as Valamar ensures a high proportion of domestic products in its operations—78% of food and beverages come from Croatia.

Furthermore, Valamar consistently collaborates with Croatian producers, including more than 100 local suppliers from Istria. Upon completion, the Pical zone will gain immense value—not only as Croatia’s most attractive tourism area but also as a vibrant, year-round space with extensive amenities for both local residents and visitors.

Starting April 1, 2025, Dubrovnik Museums will operate on summer hours until October 31, 2025, adjusting opening times across their locations.

• Cultural-Historical Museum (Rector’s Palace): Open daily, 9 AM – 6 PM

• Maritime Museum (Fort St. John): Open 9 AM – 6 PM, closed on Wednesdays

• Ethnographic Museum (Rupe Granary): Open 9 AM – 6 PM, closed on Tuesdays

• Archaeological Museum Exhibitions (Fort Revelin): Open 9 AM – 4 PM, closed on Wednesdays

Visitors are encouraged to plan accordingly and enjoy Dubrovnik’s rich history throughout the extended summer schedule.