Creation 30 Dec 2021, 8:10 p.m. - Last update 21 Mar 2022, 1:17 p.m. - User: juraj.randelj
KAZUP
ITEM
Name of the POI
St. John's bonfire - Karlovac
POI ID
St-Johns-bonfire
Type
POI Experience
FORM FILLER
Name
Juraj
Surname
Randelj
E-mail
jrandelj@apsolon.com
Role
Consultant (An external expert)
Other info
CONTACT PERSON
Name
Ana
Surname
Barković
E-mail
ana.barkovic@ra-kazup.hr
Role
Project manager
Other info
POI BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Description of the POI
The oldest written records concerning the St John’s Eve bonfires date back to 1779. The location has been the same ever since. The first bonfires were lit up on a field on the Kupa bank in the so-called Struga, in the Gaza neighbourhood, and the opposite bank, Banija, soon took up the tradition. The custom of setting ablaze bonfires at the time of the summer solstice, when days are the longest and the Sun in its highest position in the sky, is very old and has been observed in the Karlovac region for centuries. It used to symbolise the Sun and served as an attempt to invoke blessings for a bountiful harvest. The bonfires became a symbol of the Karlovac boatmen spreading the grain trade along the Kupa.
Numerous guests from Croatia and abroad are always welcome with merry songs and dances, the tug of war between Gaza and Banija competitors, boat rides, hot air balloon and hand glider flights, various culinary treats and the lavish fireworks. The whole event usually lasts long into the night, until the last spark of the fires is still visible.
POI GEOREFERENCE
Georeference
45° 29' 31" N 15° 33' 34" E
Street address
-
City
City of Karlovac
State/Province/Region
Croatia, Karlovac County
Postal/Zip Code
47000
MULTIMEDIA FILES
Filename and typeKarlovac-St._Johns_bonfire_photograph-01.jpg - (Photograph)
DescriptionSt. Johns bonfire
Visibility and other infoVisibility: Public.
Filename and typeKarlovac-St._Johns_bonfire_photograph-02.jpg - (Photograph)
Less than 20 min by walk from the nearest accommodation/car parking/bus station
Accessibility/limitations to access
The event is accessible to everyone
Popularity of the attraction among the locals
9
Influence on destination choice
5
Tag
Information regarding the key informants and stakeholders involved in the research
Boris Šušnjar, Association of Tourist Guides of Karlovac County – Bastion
Morana Rožman, Association Pavilion Katzler 1897
Marina Grčić, City of Karlovac
Marijana Tomičić, City of Karlovac
Marinko Pleskina, City of Karlovac
Marinko Kečkeš, Institute for Physical Planning of Karlovac County
Krešo Rogoz, Croatia Open Land Tours DMC
Biserka Cukina Tropčić, City of Karlovac
Ivana Kaleb Vukelić, Aquatika - Karlovac Freshwater Aquarium
Darka Spudić, Public institution NATURA VIVA for the management of protected parts of nature in the Karlovac County
