1100th anniversary of Croatian Kingdom set to be celebrated

Coronation of King Tomislav (modern painting by Oton Iveković/Public domain)

ZAGREB, 16 Dec (Hina/CW) – Events celebrating the 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom will begin in Split on 16 February, commemorating the coronation of King Tomislav in 925 on Duvno Field, and Split-Dalmatia County will organise 15 events throughout 2025, County Prefect Blaženko Boban said on Thursday.

In March, parliament declared 2025 as the Year of the 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom, and Split-Dalmatia County will contribute to the commemoration of King Tomislav’s coronation with 15 events, Boban said during a presentation of the programme.

“We will involve neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina in the activities since Tomislav’s coronation took place on Duvno Field, which will be the centerpiece of the celebration,” Boban said, adding that exhibitions, symposia, and theatrical performances will be held throughout the year to revive the memory of 11 Croatian kings.

The programme announcement highlights that the celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom aims to affirm the Croatian identity and the connection of Croats to the Christian cultural and civilisational heritage.

The Kingdom of Croatia covered much of present-day Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Established in 925, it thrived as an independent entity for nearly two centuries.

The kingdom’s golden age occurred under the reign of Peter Krešimir IV and Demetrius Zvonimir in the 11th century.

During this period, Croatia consolidated control over Dalmatian coastal cities as Byzantine influence waned. Efforts to integrate the Croatian language into religious services, championed by Bishop Gregory of Nin, led to conflicts with the papacy, reflecting the kingdom’s cultural aspirations.

Baška tablet (Image: Neoneo13/Public domain)

After a succession crisis in 1091 and internal conflicts, the crown transitioned to the Hungarian Árpád dynasty in 1102, uniting the Croatian and Hungarian realms under one king.

While Croatia retained significant autonomy, including local governance by its nobility, its relationship with Hungary varied over time. Modern interpretations describe this union as an unequal partnership, with Croatia maintaining internal self-rule under a shared monarchy.