Episode 109
Dobro jutro studenti!
For all of us who travel by plane or just like visiting Croatian airports, we have a great lesson for you.
We’ll learn the important words you’ll see and hear in any Croatian airport whether it’s Zagreb, Dubrovnik or Split!
Grab you bags!
Lesson - Airport
Airport - Zračna luka, aerodrom
Airplane - avion
Traveler - putnik
Arrivals - dolasci
Departures - odlasci
Baggage/luggage - prtljage
Customs - carina
Currency exchange office - mjenjačnica
ATM - bankomat
Super Slatko Report
Klis has a population of just bout 4,800 people from a census done back in 2011. Its total area is about 149.1 km2 (57.6 square miles).
As some of you out there that may have heard of Klis will know, you can’t mention Klis, without mentioning Klis Fortress. Before you can know the importance of any fortress, you need to understand where it is and why it was put there.
To begin, Klis Fortress was built probably in the 3rd century BC, which was a little over 2,000 years ago! That was a long time ago, according to Wikipedia there is no actual date, only a period of when it was believed to be built. We also know that it was initially built by the ancient Illyrian tribe Dalmatae. To put things into perspective for you a little bit, the Dalmatae were active during the Roman period, if thats helps your mental history at all.
located 11 kilometers from the Adriatic Sea (6.8miles)
Situated on a pass that separates the Mosor Mountains and Kozjak Mountains
It’s 360 meters above sea level (1,180ft.)
Sits on a jagged rock inaccessible on 3 sides
And overlooks Split, Solina (an ancient Roman settlement), Solin, Kaštela, Trogir and most of the Central Dalmatian Islands.
Legend has it that during the Ottoman invasion during the 16th century, a Croatian Captain by the name of Petar Kružić led the defenses against a Turkish invasion and siege that lasted 2 and half decades. Kružić and company were able to use Klis Fortress and all its prowess to defend an attack that lasted 25 years! During this time, the mighty bands of Uskok were utlilized. These folks could be a Super Slatko topic all on their own, but the Uskok were a military unit made of men who were able to get away from the Ottomans attack survivors. The name Uskok, coming from the word Uskoci, meaning “the ones who jumped in” or the “ones who ambushed.” The Uskok military fought under Kružić and were in charge of marauding and Piracy of the Turkish military and supply ships.The Uskok who were uprooted from their homes, were given a place to stay and payment for their services.
And if thats not enough, its most recent claim to fame is that Klis Fortress was used as a backdrop and location for the hit HBO Series Game of Thrones. The Mother of Dragons, Khaleesi herself visited the Klis Fortress, set in the show as the City of Mareen.
You can visit Klis Fortress today and take in all its glory, there are day trips available from Split, worth a visit if you ask me.
While visiting Klis Fortress don’t forget to take in Klis itself!
The idea for this Super Slatko originally came from Dundo. He recommended that I look into Klis Spit Roasted lamb as a potential topic to look into, knowing how much I like to cook he thought this might be a cool topic to cover. Dundo said that people driving from the major inland cities on the weekends will drive to the coast and make it a point to stop at local Road Side eateries to take in this fabulous meal. And that Klis is actually known to have a few of the best Spit Roasted Lamb establishments in all of Croatia.
Looking into this Road Side phenomenon a little further, apparently when taking a long drive, stopping for lamb is a thing people do a lot. I actually found an article that speaks to which roads you’ll have the best luck of encountering such a meal.
roads leading inland from Zadar
Roads leading from Šibenik towards Trogir
Going through Donje Polje, Vrpolje and Boraja
The old road from Central Croatia to the coast that passes Plitvice Lakes and crosses the Lika Plateau before traveling inland Dalmatia has locations as well
The article also makes mention of how this road side attraction is going away with all the new construction and industry moving in, road side spit roasted lamb is taking a back seat to quick service stations and other convenient locations made for short stops.
So why is this particular meal so popular?
Well it goes back to the whole idea that lamb is a celebratory/special occasion type of meal. Of all the proteins consumed in Croatia, lamb is the least consumed and a lot of it has to do with price. These aren’t the same types of lamb found world wide, fattened up on hearty grains and vegetation. These are Croatian lambs brought up on local vegetation and herbs, lending to leaner more flavorful cuts. So much so that the only seasoning I found to be used at these road side eateries is salt. Wow! This meal is known as Janjetina.
Something else Im going to have to keep my eye open for.
And thats it for the Super Slatko Report.
