Postal History of Croatia

Croatia is located in southeastern Europe, along the Adriatic Sea.

Croatia’s postal history began in the 19th century when it was part of the Austrian Empire. It issued its first stamp in 1850. Over the years, Croatia’s postal system was influenced by the different countries that ruled it, including the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and, more recently, as an independent nation since 1991.

Stamps Through the Years

1850: The stamps of the Austrian Empire were used, with a simple design showing the country’s name.
1918: After World War I, Croatia became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. The stamps were redesigned to reflect the new political changes.
1941: During World War II, Croatia was under Axis control, and new stamps were issued with different designs to reflect the wartime government.
1991: Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia, and new stamps were released to mark this important event. These stamps featured "Republika Hrvatska" (Republic of Croatia) and national symbols like the Croatian coat of arms, symbolising the country’s newfound sovereignty.
1992: The first officially independent Croatian stamps were issued, celebrating the country's sovereignty and identity.

Did You Know?

Zagreb is the capital and largest city of Croatia. It’s located in the northwest of the country, along the Sava River. Zagreb is the main city for politics, business, and culture in Croatia. It’s also where Croatian postage stamps are designed and printed, by the "Zagreb" printing company.
Croatian stamps have featured the famous Game of Thrones filming locations in Dubrovnik, showcasing the connection between Croatia and this global TV hit.
In 2002, Croatia released a stamp to celebrate the Glagolitic script, an ancient alphabet used by Croatians that reflects the country’s cultural heritage.
Nikola Tesla, the famous inventor, was born in what is now Croatia. His name has been honoured by Tesla Motors, the electric car company founded in 2003, which helped bring electric vehicles into the spotlight.
Croatia released a special stamp in 2013 to mark the country’s accession to the European Union (EU), showing the excitement of becoming part of Europe.

Issued 1941 - Landscape Definitives

Issued 1941: Waterfall at Jajce is located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a stunning sight where the Pliva River flows over a 21-meter high cliff into the river below. It's right in the heart of the town, making it a beautiful landmark.

Issued 1941: Velebit is Croatia's largest mountain range, part of the Dinaric Alps. Its highest peak is Vaganski vrh at 1,757 meters. The range features steep cliffs, forests, and rich wildlife, and is a protected nature park.

Issued 1941: Zelenjak is a scenic area in Croatia, known for its green landscapes, waterfalls, and a historic wooden bridge. It's a great spot for hiking and enjoying nature.

Issued 1941: Zagreb Cathedral is a tall Gothic church in Croatia's capital, known for its beautiful architecture and rich history.

Issued 1994 - 150th Anniversary of Tourism in Croatia

Issued 1994: Plitvice Lakes National Park is famous for its 16 interconnected lakes, formed by rivers and underground water, with natural travertine dams. The lakes change colors from azure to green, depending on minerals and sunlight.

Issued 1994: Krka River. The Krka is a river in Croatia's Dalmatia region, famous for its waterfalls. It is 73 km long.

Issued 1994: Kornati Islands. The Kornati archipelago in Croatia has 89 islands and covers 320 square kilometers. It's the most crowded island group in the Mediterranean, with the largest island called Kornat. The islands are located between the cities of Zadar and Šibenik.

Issued 1994: Castle Trakošćan, in Northern Croatia, was built in the late 13th century. It looks like a fairy tale castle, with tall towers and beautiful surroundings. The castle was once home to noble families and has been carefully preserved.