Spending a Day in Croatia with Limited Mobility
During my Mediterranean cruise in 2010, our ship stopped in Split, Croatia for the day. I really didn’t know much about the country of Croatia then and wasn’t sure what to expect. I had heard that it isn’t the best with accessibility, but was curious to explore it more. This is how I spent the day in Croatia with limited mobility.
Please note, that I had better mobility (although limited) in 2010, so I will be coming at this post from a limited mobility perspective and I was not taking note of full wheelchair accessibility at the time.
Having no experience with Croatia and little ability to do research into the country ahead of my trip, I decided to take a ship shore excursion that was classified as “easy”. I was travelling with friends that were able to help me up the steep steps onto the motorcoach from which our tour was conducted.
Our tour included transportation to the town of Trogir, where a short walking tour was conducted before we had free time to explore more. Our second stop was a small living museum that displayed traditional clothes and other daily living tools that were once used in the country. We also got to sample some local food while there.
Trogir
This small town lies along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast and is home to ancient buildings and quaint outdoor cafes. It’s easy to walk around as it’s mostly flat (there are some inclines, but none are very steep). Cobblestones make up small alleys and other pathways, but they are large and mostly flat. There were some steps throughout the town.
If you like architecture and the charm of smaller villages, this is a great place to stop as you explore Croatia. You can still see remnants of the gated walls that once surrounded the city. On our walking tour we learned about the history of the town and the significance of some of its churches.
We were even lucky enough to see a local musician playing his guitar in a small square outside one of the churches.
Cathedral of St. Lawrence
The current building dates back to the 13th century and is an iconic landmark of Trogir. There are many works of art from local Croatian artists throughout.
Radovan’s Portal
Master Radovan is an important sculptor of Croatian medieval art and this portal is another trademark of Trogir. Located on the exterior of the cathedral of St. Lawrence, it’s hard to miss this intricate piece of work. Built over time, and continued after Radovan’s death, the doorway depicts several intricate scenes from the Bible.
Saint Sebastian Church
Originally built in the 15th century as a sign of gratitude to have survived the plague, this church has had many uses. Today, it serves to honor the people who died during the Homeland War and is no longer used as a church.
Kamerlengo Castle and Fortress
Built in the 15th century, expanding it from a tower that was bult in the 14th century. We only viewed it from the outside, but for a fee, visitors can go inside and climb the steep steps to reach the walls for views of the town.
Since there is essentially no accessibility for the differently abled, I would advise to not go inside and just enjoy the scenic view from outside of the fortress. It’s situated along the waterfront, that contains a paved walk, so it’s easy to get to and has lovely views along the way.
Burni
On the drive to Burni, we passed some lovely scenery including a shell farm and marina. It was hard to find a bad view wherever we went.
Passing through the small town, we stopped at the living museum. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the name of it, and there’s a chance that the cruise ship had a special deal worked out as any of my google searches have not been able to find this beautiful place.
Upon arrival, we were given fresh figs (which if you’ve never tried them… they are delicious)! There were also musicians playing traditional/local songs. The flowers were in bloom and the whole place was beautiful.
There were steps throughout though, so definitely not wheelchair accessible. As I was walking with a cane, I could navigate okay. The stone buildings housed collections of Croatia’s past and were interesting to learn about.
Sibenik
This is the final town we visited on our tour. As it lies along the Adriatic Coast, it too offered beautiful views and had an old-world charm. We were treated to a short walking tour to experience some of the highlights.
Saint Barbara Church
Built around 1400, this church is one of the oldest sacred buildings in the town. The church was partially commissioned by a doctor, and therefore has a medieval relief depicting a doctor on its exterior. Something truly unique.
St. James’ Cathedral
Constructed between 1402 and 1535, this church features many sculptures on its exterior. The interior (which we were lucky enough to visit) was constructed by several different builders. Although somewhat dark and stark, it does contain some sculptures and interesting architecture throughout.
Final Thoughts on Spending a Day in Croatia with Limited Mobility
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the beauty that Croatia had to offer. From its small charming towns full of ancient architecture to the scenic drives and wonderful coastline. I would be happy to visit Croatia again.
Unfortunately, the towns had steps throughout and cobblestones that lined most paths. Although, they aren’t the worst cobblestones I’ve seen, they still will make for a little bit of a bumpy ride.
While I had a wonderful time exploring, it did take its toll on me. Most of the buildings and churches had at least one or two steps to go inside. I would love to see the possibility of temporary ramps or other such devices that would allow these towns to keep the historical charm, while making them more accessible. I wish the accessibility was better so more people of all abilities could explore this lovely country, but I did enjoy spending a day in Croatia with limited mobility.
