Croatian
currency: Kuna
The official currency of the Republic of Croatia is the Kuna, which
has 100 Lipa. (local abbreviation kn, international abbreviation
HRK). 1 Euro is approx 7,4 kunas and 1 USD approx 6 kunas
For more precise information on Kuna exchange rates follow this
link to Croatian National
Bank Exchange Course
For more info on Croatian numismatic collections, special editions
and other useful info visit the page of Croatian
National Bank
(only in Croatian but anyway worth the visit)
For info on how to distinct an original banknote from forgery download
this short picture guide: download PDF
Short history of Kuna
Back in the Roman times, in provinces of upper and lower Pannonia
(today Hungary and Slavonia) taxes were collected in then highly
valued marten skins, the animal which lived abundantely in these
areas. Hence the Croatian word 'marturina' or tax, derived from Latin
word 'martus' (Croatian: 'kuna').
Learn about the animal: Martens
The
Origin of the symbol of a Marten on Croatian money
Between 1235
and 1384 the Croatian Viceroys started making a marten-adorned silver
coin called Banski (Banic) denar or Banovac in mints in Zagreb and
Pakrac. This money disappeared with diminishing autonomy of
Croatia inside the Croatia-Hungarian Kingdom.
The marten currency, Kuna, reappeared in 1939 when the Banate Croatia,
established within the Yugoslav Monarchy, considered issuing its
own money. Although the design and plans were made and everything
was prepared, this money was never published.
However different design of Kuna was launched in 1941 by the Croatian
collaborationist government, abolished with the end of World War
II.
Finally, following Croatia's declaration of independence in 1991,
Kuna currency was introduced as of 30 May 1994 replacing the Croatian
Dinar.
Croatian Kuna coins
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one lipa coin |
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50 lipa coin |
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2 lipa coin |
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1 kuna coin |
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5 lipa coin |
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2 kuna coin |
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10 lipa coin |
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5 kuna coin |
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20 lipa coin |
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25 kuna coin |
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Croatian Kuna banknotes
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Bank note shows Croatian Duke Fran Krsto Frankopan and the
Croatian Ban Petar Zrinski. They were Croatian aristocrats
and leaders of the movement for emancipation from Vienna. They
were both executed in 1671 after their revolt against Vienna
failed.
More on Zrinski and Frankopan |
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Keep and the ground plan of Varaždin Castle, 12th-16th
century.
Learn
about Varaždin |
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Portrait of Juraj Dobrila, Bishop of Poreč and
Trieste from the 19th century. He was the leader of the Croatian
Revival Movement in the battle for Croatian rights in Istria.
In one of his first demands to the Istrian Parliament in Poreč,
he asked that the Croatian should become the official language
along with the Italian language. |
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Arena in Pula, Istria built in the 1st century is one
of the six still preserved Roman amphitheaters. Below is
a ground plan of the small city of Motovun in Istria
Learn
about the Arena
- Pula |
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| Portrait of the Croatian Ban and general Josip Jelačić from
the 19th century. He abolished serfdom and defended Croatian
autonomy.
Life of Ban Jelačić |
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Motif of the castle of Count Eltz in Vukovar and the motif
of the dove of Vucedol, an eneolithic ceramic cult vessel in
the form of a bird (3rd century b.c.), one of the most beautiful
preserved pieces of Vucedol culture.
More on Vučedol Culture |
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Portrait of Ivan Gundulić (1589-1638), the greatest poet
of the Croatian Renaissance literature, author of the ode to
independence of the Dubrovnik Republic "Oh, beautiful,
oh dear, oh sweet freedom!"
Ivan Gundulić Liberty Hymn |
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Motif of The City, the old center of the city of Dubrovnik,
until 1808 the capital of the independent Republic, today on
the UNESCO's World Heritage List.
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Portrait of Ivan Mažuranić late 19th century Croatian Ban
and poet, who declared Croatian language official and imposed
obligatory education. Furthermore, a fragment of the
Baška Inscription from the Convent of St. Lucy in Baška on the
island of Krk can be seen.
Ban Ivan Mažuranić |
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Motif and a ground plan of the church of St. Vid in Rijeka,
patron of the city. The church is specificl for its octagon
ground plan (early 17th century)
Saint Vidus, patron of Rijeka |
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Portrait of Stjepan Radić (1871-1928), a charismatic Croatian
political leader between the two world wars, who was assassinated
1928 in the Yugoslav parliament for speaking his mind and acting
against the injustice.
Stjepan Radic |
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Motif of the building of the general headquarters in Osijek,
the command for borders of Vojna krajina, as well as the ground
plan of the old fortress in Osijek
More on Osijek |
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| Portrait of Marko Marulić (1450-1524), writer and humanist,
the father of Croatian literature. In 1501 he wrote the first
Croatian epic "Judita".
About Marko Marulić |
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Diocletian's Palace, Split, a late Roman building from the
3rd century on the UNSECO's World Heritage List. The birthplace
of Split, the great Dalmatian capital. Below is
the figure of a Croatian ruler from the 11th century.
Split and the Diocletian's Palace |
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| Portrait of Ante Stračević, 19th century politician and
the foremost advocate of his time for the idea of the Croatian
nation.
Ante Starčević |
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The bill shows the monument to the first Croatian king from
925 Tomislav, located on the Tomislav square and a motif of the
front elevation of Zagreb's neogothic cathedral of St. Stephan.
Zagreb Cathedral
Croatian
King Tomislav
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