Camping Stobreč - Split

Christmas in Dalmatia

Christmas is a special time of the year in the whole Christian world and Dalmatia, as traditionally Catholic, is no exception.
Preparations for Christmas start with the first Advent Sunday. It is a tradition to light up one candle for each Sunday of the Advent. Gift giving for children starts at the beginning of December on St. Nicholas ( 6th of December) and St. Lucy’s Day. On that day wheat is sowed, the symbol of life and fertiliy. On Christmas day it is tied with a ribbon in the colors of the Croatian flag – red, white, and blue. Sometimes a candle in the combination with other symbolic items is placed within the wheat. Christmas Eve, called Badnjak in Croatia,  is celebrated in a similar manner to other countries of Eastern Europe. People spend the whole day at home preparing everything for the arrival of Jesus. On Badnjak houses are decorated and as well as Christmas tree. Traditional food served is fish, usually cod fish in Dalmatia. Traditional pastry prepared in every home are fritule. In the evening people attend masses in their churches. On Christmas day families get together and exchange gifts. Under the Christmas tree children get gifts from Santa Claus, called Djed Božićnjak (Grandfather Christmas), or Baby Jesus. A special family meal, including traditional pašticada, veal or turkey, is an important part of the holiday’s celebration. The Christmas festivities officially end on the Epiphany, when priests visit their parishioners to bless their homes.