ZAGREB, 30 March (Hina) - Croatia will present its maritime heritage in southern France’s Occitanie region from 31 March to 6 April at Escale à Sète, the Mediterranean’s largest maritime heritage festival.

The project “From Batana to Tartana – A Journey Through Adriatic Heritage”, led by Split-based association Cronaves along with partners from Pula and Rovinj, will feature model ship and photography exhibitions as well as workshops on traditional shipbuilding, maritime culture and gastronomy.

Participation in the festival is part of ongoing efforts to promote Croatian maritime heritage internationally, Cronaves president Plamenko Bavčević said.

He added that the event is not only about showcasing traditional vessels but also an opportunity to highlight Croatia’s living maritime culture and present its tourism offer ahead of the summer season, in cooperation with the Croatian National Tourist Board’s office in Paris.

The project traces the evolution of coastal maritime culture, from the small batana fishing boat to the larger tartana sailing vessel historically used for trade across the Mediterranean.

A restored tartana, originally built in 1927 in Viareggio, Italy, will be among the highlights. The vessel was found abandoned in Sardinia and has been refurbished using only traditional materials.

It previously represented Croatia at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice in 2025.

Croatia’s participation is organised by Cronaves in cooperation with the foreign and culture ministries, the national tourist board and local authorities. A separate programme will also be presented by the Palagruža association from the island of Vis.