Camino routes in Croatia: Active five routes with several more planned

Camina tradition it dates back to the 9th century, and today the Camino network stretches throughout Europe. Croatia, on the other hand, has a very rich history of the Camino, from local fraternities that operated as early as 1203, pilgrim robes made in this area, to special privileges granted to pilgrims who walked in the Middle Ages. from Croatia to Santiago de Compostela and back. Also, Croats have been known as pilgrims in Europe since ancient times - even Dante Alighieri in his Divine Comedy mentions the character of a Croatian pilgrim, and Croats were among the first Camino to the pilgrims.

A group of Croatian Camino enthusiasts gathered in the Brotherhood of St. James decided to renew this rich Croatian Camino tradition, so a project was launched to restore the medieval Camino routes through Croatia. The Camino France is also under the protection of UNESCO as part of the World Heritage.

They are currently active in Croatia Camino Krk, Camino Imota, Camino Podravina, Camino Banovina i Camino Sibenik, and the plan is Camino southern Istria. Reportedly, several more Camino routes are being seriously discussed in Croatia, so the story about Camino trails in Croatia is becoming more and more interesting.

Camino Krk

World circular route Camino Krk it is 150 kilometers long and monitors the infrastructure of existing hiking and biking trails. The tour of the Krk route is divided into seven pilgrimage chapters, seven days to be exact. For easier navigation on the island Camino Krk it is marked with recognizable, blue-yellow markings, and in addition to signalization, it is also available interactive digital map which also allows tracking the route using a smartphone.

The starting point of the route is located in the island center - the town of Krk, ie the Krk Cathedral, and the final one in the village Kornić, in the parish church dedicated to All To the Apostle James.

Krk Camino route, in a kind of synthesis of the pilgrimage inherent in the contemplation and discovery of the island's natural, historical and cultural treasures, following almost entirely the contour of the island on the first day it leads from Krk to the settlement of Brzac (23 kilometers), another day from Brsca to Malinska (22,9 kilometers), on the third day from Malinska to Omišalj (19 kilometers), on the fourth day from Omišalj to Čižić (21 km), on the fifth day from Čižić to Vrbnik (21,6 kilometers), on the sixth day from Vrbnik to Baška (23,3 kilometers) and the last, on the seventh day from Baška to Kornić (21,4 kilometers).

Camino Krk as part outdoor offers of the island of Krk it quickly gained great popularity, which was recognized by professional members of the tourism sector. The project thus won a high third place in 2021 International awards for Sustainable Tourism - Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards and the Golden Charter at 9. Sunflower of rural tourism in Croatia - Sunflower Award, in the category Active tourist facilities in rural areas.

You can also find it on the portal described route day by day.

Camino Imota

The first Camino Imota weekend which attracted a large number of pilgrims was held in June 2021 when and Camino Imota trail conveniently "open".

According to more experienced participants, this route looks reminiscent of the one through Galicia. The Camino Imota route is long about 75 kilometers and for crossing the stock takes three days walking. The route is marked with a bright yellow stylized shell - Jacob's cap, applied to a dark blue background, as a recognizable candle attribute. The beginning of the trail is in Biorine (locality Pištet), and through the church of Sv. Jakov and the site of Crkvina goes towards Lovreć where it is also the end of the first day. Other day starts from Lovreć and through Nikolić, Strinić, Lokvičić to Prološki Blato and further through Proložac to the Green Cathedral. Third day the road leads from the Green Cathedral through Kamenmost, Zmijavac and Runovići to Vinjani and Imotski, where in the church of Sv. Frane completion of the trip.

Camino Imota passes by exceptionally interesting sacral buildings, but also important sites of natural and cultural heritage. There are also a total of 12 sites commemorative seals for pilgrim passports as proof of travel. All with a filled pilgrim passport in the office Imotski Tourist Board I can get certificate of pilgrimage - Compostela.

It was held this April as well, and you can read more about the maintenance program ON THE LINK.

Camino Podravina

Camino Podravina, is conceived as separate tourist product and motive for coming for a multi-day stay in the destination area. The total route Camina Podravina has 6 daily shares an average length of about 20 kilometers, and began last July when it attracted more than 60 pilgrims.

Six-day route:

1. Ferdinandovac - Podravske Sesvete - Kloštar Podravski - Kalinovac
2. Kalinovac - Đurđevac - Virje - Molve
3. Molve- Hlebine - Koprivnica
4. Koprivnica - Bakovčica - peak of Bilogora - river
5. River - Močile - Rasinja
6. Rasinja - Kuzminec - Ludbreg

Camino Podravina project realized by the Brotherhood of St. Jakov with the support of the Koprivnica-Križevci County Tourist Board and the Dravski Peski Tourist Board. 

Camino Sibenik

Camino Sibenik is a newly renovated Camino route that was officially opened in October 2022, and this year a greater interest of walkers in this attractive route is expected. The route is divided into six days:

• Marina – Rogoznica (21 km) – departure 7:30 a.m. – TZ Marina info center
• Rogoznica – Primošten (16 km)
• Primošten - Vrpolje (20 km)
• Vrpolje - Šibenik (14 km)
• Šibenik – Okit – Vodice (20 km)
• Vodice – Pirovac (17km)

Camino Banovina

The Camino Banova route is about 100 kilometers long and the routes are divided into 5 days of pilgrimage. This newest Croatian Camino route was officially opened last year, and that's when it was part of the track is marked from Sisak towards the interior of Banovina. The promotion of the route was announced at the end of April. We found mileage information only for the first two days of the route.

1. Sisak – Petrinja 17,30 km
2. Petrinja – Prnjavor Čintićki 20,00 km
3. Prnjavor Čuntićki – Glina 19,80 km
4. Glina – Marinbrod 16,80 km
5. Marinbrod – Petrinja 17,50 km

Let us add at the end that the task of this project in Croatia is to discover and form new tourist potentials, more precisely the creation of preconditions for development of religious or pilgrimage tourism and active recreation. Therefore, this is a complex and long-term initiative which, with the support of the Brotherhood of St. Jacob, but also all stakeholders in tourism.

The goal is to encourage as many pilgrims of different nations and worldviews to feel this special "Camino experience" in Croatia.

Which Way to Walk? What is Truth? What kind of life to live?

"The Camino is not a matter of physical fitness. It's a camino food for the soul. The Camino is a struggle with oneself and one’s inner turmoil. Fight with your big self. The Camino is a path that is psychologically demanding. You have to prepare for that, and that’s something you can’t prepare for. This time it will break you down into the smallest particles. It will blow you away literally. Disassemble into atoms" - she wrote Mirjam Jukić, describing his experience after the Way of St. James from Saint Jean Pied the Porte in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Read the whole story on the LINK.