During the 17th century, the participation of Croatian soldiers in European conflicts left such a strong impression on Europe at the time that the Croatian name outgrew geographical and ethnic frameworks and became synonymous with an entire army.
In addition to the army branch, the name Croats started being used also in connection with a unique clothing item worn by the Croat horsemen around their necks – knotted kerchiefs, which soon spread through the world from the French royal court as a fashion accessory a la Kravat, the actual cravat – today’s necktie.
Elite Croatian cavalry guards were formed in France and Saxony, which were a status symbol and a touch of exoticism from the Ottoman border. The members of these guards were some of the most prominent Croatian nobles and Krajina commanders, and one of them, the Uskok from Žumberak, Janko Šajatović, entered the folklore and turned into a myth.
Croats – men behind the myth is an exhibition staged by the Ethnographic Museum in Zagreb on the occasion of the Croatian presidency of the Council of the European Union. The inspiration was the story about Croat, Janko Šajatović Krabat, who well-known even after four hundred years in Saxony. His name was turned into a real brand, so schools and products were named after him, novels were written, and he also has his own museum.
Thanks to many years of acquaintance and cooperation between the Historical Unit “Kliški uskoci” and the Ethnographic Museum in Zagreb, the author of the entire concept, Vladimir Brnardić and curator Ana Kolonić temporarily moved the exhibition to Klis.
The opening of the exhibition will take place on Friday, July 24 at 8:30 pm in the Prince’s court at the Klis Fortress.
The exhibition can be viewed from tomorrow, July 24 to September 30 in the Prince’s court at the Klis Fortress, every day from 9:00 to 22:00
