Mobility in Croatia – A different view of the world

The fifth learning and teaching activities were organised by the partner school Srednja škola fra Andrije Kačića Miošića, Ploče, Croatia, from October 7^th to October 11^th 2024.

Monday, October 7^th 2024

Opening ceremony for student exchange, artistic programme

Visit school – educational system in Croatia

Ice-breaking activities

Photography workshops in groups:

Light in photography

Our Arts and Philosophy teacher Klaudia Soldatić held a workshop with students about light in photography. Afterwards, during the visit to Dubrovnik, students had the task to take photos with light and shadow motifs.

Presentation_Light and shadow in Photography Download

https://padlet.com/erasmusssploce/breakout-link/65XOvBOEMRra4GBQ-EDj3vrlyOa5Lz9r6

Lightning and light painting photography – Storm Chasing and Long Exposure Photography

Our Maths and IT teacher Marija Selak Bilušić and photographer Krešimir Bilušić held a workshop for students about storm chasing and long exposure photography.

Presentation_Storm Chasing and Long Exposure Photography Download

Here are some of the students’ collaborative works:

https://padlet.com/erasmusssploce/breakout-link/Bk5x4drDRBOwqZgz-EDj3vrlyOa5Lz9r6

Visit Baćina Lakes

Ride in traditional boats

On the first day of the learning and teaching activities we visited Baćina Lakes and had a ride in traditional boats called “lađa” to learn about their geographical characteristics and the flora and fauna.

There are seven interconnected lakes in total. Six of them are interconnected: Crniševo, Podgora, Sladinac, Vrbnik, Oćuša, and Plitko jezero. The seventh lake, Šipak, is separated but still part of the same system. Despite their proximity to the sea, the Baćina Lakes are freshwater lakes fed by underground springs and karst rivers. They are part of the unique karst landscape of Croatia. Some of the Baćina Lakes are classified as cryptodepressions because their lake beds lie below sea level, despite the water surface being above sea level. The total surface area of the lakes is about 138 hectares. The lakes vary in depth, with the deepest lake reaching up to 34 meters. The lakes are rich in flora and fauna, including endemic species. The area is home to: various bird species, diverse aquatic life, such as freshwater fish, and mediterranean vegetation and wetlands surrounding the lakes.

Tuesday, October 8^th 2024

Trip to Dubrovnik – visit the old town and City Walls

On the second day of learning and teaching activities we visited Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik, often referred to as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” is a historic coastal city in southern Croatia known for its well-preserved medieval walls and stunning architecture.

The city’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features iconic landmarks such as Stradun (the main street), Onofrio’s Fountain, and the Rector’s Palace.

Dubrovnik’s imposing city walls, built between the 12th and 17th centuries, stretch for nearly 2 kilometers and offer breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea.

The city was once the capital of the Republic of Ragusa, a maritime republic renowned for its diplomacy, trade, and cultural achievements.

Dubrovnik gained global fame as a filming location for the popular TV series Game of Thrones, with its landmarks doubling as the fictional King’s Landing.

The Franciscan Monastery in Dubrovnik houses one of the oldest working pharmacies in Europe, which has been in operation since 1317.

Dubrovnik’s Lovrijenac Fortress, built on a cliff outside the city walls, played a key defensive role and now serves as a spectacular venue for theater performances.

Visitors can take a cable car ride to the top of Mount Srđ for panoramic views of the city, the surrounding islands, and the shimmering Adriatic Sea.

The nearby Lokrum Island, a lush nature reserve, is a popular destination for day trips, offering beautiful beaches, botanical gardens, and historical ruins.

Dubrovnik is known for its annual Summer Festival, where the city’s streets, squares, and forts transform into open-air stages for concerts, plays, and cultural events.

Photo quest for students & Photo competition – light in photography

In Dubrovnik, students participated in a street photography challenge.

Dubrovnik Street Photo Challenge Download

Here are some of the students’ photos:

https://padlet.com/erasmusssploce/breakout-link/Vnr04VQ1oBGovBdW-EDj3vrlyOa5Lz9r6

https://padlet.com/erasmusssploce/breakout-link/eo1R47MXLDMpqZDL-EDj3vrlyOa5Lz9r6

https://padlet.com/erasmusssploce/breakout-link/GyPQvXlkMnmGv3OL-EDj3vrlyOa5Lz9r6

https://padlet.com/erasmusssploce/breakout-link/BbjnqxrxbeVk493Q-EDj3vrlyOa5Lz9r6

https://padlet.com/erasmusssploce/breakout-link/kQlGq5QKp1D6qYW5-EDj3vrlyOa5Lz9r6

https://padlet.com/erasmusssploce/breakout-link/65XOvBOEMRra4GBQ-EDj3vrlyOa5Lz9r6

Wednesday, October 9^th 2024

Visit Mouth of the river Neretva

On the third day of learning and teaching activities we visited the Mouth of the River Neretva.

The mouth of the Neretva River is a delta region is characterized by its rich biodiversity, extensive wetlands, and fertile agricultural land, making it one of the most important ecosystems in the Mediterranean.

The Neretva Delta covers an area of approximately 12,000 hectares near the towns of Ploče, Opuzen, and Metković.

The river originates in Bosnia and Herzegovina and flows for 225 km, with its last 22 km in Croatia before reaching the Adriatic Sea.

The delta has a unique network of lagoons, channels, small islands, and lakes, with the river splitting into multiple distributaries as it approaches the sea.

The main channel of the Neretva meets the Adriatic near the port city of Ploče.

The Neretva Delta is home to more than 300 species of birds and serves as an important stopover for migratory birds along the East African-European flyway.

The area supports rich wetland flora and fauna, including numerous fish and amphibian species.

The delta is protected as part of the Natura 2000 network due to its ecological significance.

The fertile plains of the delta are ideal for agriculture, particularly the cultivation of citrus fruits (especially tangerines), olives, figs, and vegetables.

The region is often referred to as the “Tangerine Valley” because of the large-scale production of this fruit.

Traditional wooden boats, known as “lađa”, were historically used for fishing, transportation, and farming. These boats are still celebrated today in events such as the famous Neretva Boat Marathon.

Workshop – Mathematics, geometry and patterns in photography

Photo competition – patterns

Photography Challenge: “Morning at the Mouth of the Neretva river”
During our visit, the students had a photo task – to capture the essence of the Neretva River at it’s mouth in the morning by focusing on three specific themes: Patterns, Lines, and Reflections.

Task_Photography Challenge Neretva Download

Here you can see some of the students’ works:

https://padlet.com/erasmusssploce/breakout-link/J7z0qjK0Ww6AvmWQ-EDj3vrlyOa5Lz9r6

Photography workshops in groups:

Light in photography

Lightning and light painting photography

Thursday, October 10^th 2024

Visit to Vranjača Cave

On the fourth day of learning and teaching activities, on our way to Split, we visited the cave Vranjača.

The Vranjača Cave is situated in the heart of the Dalmatian hinterland, in the village of Kotlenice. It is located at the foot of the central part of Mount Mosor, on its north-facing slopes, and consists of two parts.

The entrance has been known to the locals since ancient times, whereas the other part was discovered in 1903 by the owner of a piece of land where the cave is located, Mr Stipe Punda. The Vranjača cave was opened to the public in 1929. A small natural passage leads from the entrance chamber to a chamber composed of 9 smaller parts full of cave decorations in all shapes, sizes and colours.

A specific feature of the cave is that its interior maintains a constant year-round temperature of about 15⁰C. Full of stalactites and stalagmites, pillars and arcades, Vranjača is one of the most beautiful pearls of the karst landscape, declared a protected geomorphological natural monument in 1963.

Trip to Split – visit the old town

On the fourth day of learning and teaching activities we visited Split.

Split is the second-largest city in Croatia, located on the Dalmatian coast, and is known for its rich history, stunning coastline, and lively atmosphere.

The heart of Split is Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s best-preserved Roman architectural complexes, built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian in the 4th century.

Split’s Riva Promenade is a popular gathering spot for both locals and tourists, lined with cafés, palm trees, and views of the Adriatic Sea.

The Cathedral of Saint Domnius, originally built as Diocletian’s mausoleum, is now a Roman Catholic cathedral and one of the oldest surviving Christian churches in the world.

Split’s Marjan Hill offers panoramic views of the city, the sea, and nearby islands and is a popular spot for hiking, jogging, and picnics.

The Peristyle Square within Diocletian’s Palace is a stunning Roman courtyard where tourists can see live performances, including reenactments of Roman rituals.

Split is a gateway to the Dalmatian islands of Hvar, Brač, and Šolta, with ferries departing regularly from the city’s bustling harbor.

The Green Market (“Pazar”) and Fish Market (“Peškarija”) are vibrant places to experience local culture, sample fresh produce, and buy traditional Croatian goods.

Split hosts the popular Ultra Europe music festival every summer, attracting thousands of electronic music fans from all over the world.

The city’s blend of ancient Roman ruins, Venetian influences, and modern Croatian life makes it a unique destination that beautifully combines history, culture, and entertainment.