In Croatia, lacemaking has been practiced for centuries, especially in small rural communities, where families have left their marks on the long history of this folk art form. Lacemaking in Croatia was started by the Order of Saint Paul in Lepoglava in medieval times and Benedictine nuns on the islands of Pag and Hvar in the early 1900s. The nuns created delicate pieces in a quiet, humble setting. As nuns selflessly imparted their knitting skills to the common folk, they included lace in traditional clothes and shoes. Initially, lace adorned religious spaces and was used for ceremonial purposes. It soon became part of clerical clothing, as the nuns used their knitting skills on ceremonial occasions. Thus, lacemaking made its way into every home, including the court of Empress Maria Theresa for Pag lace. In addition to Lepoglava lace, which is known for its delicacy and distinctive design, the lace from Pag is also highly regarded for its exceptional quality. This is due to the use of very fine thread, and its particularly decorative design.
Embroidered lace from Hvar is still treasured by Benedictine nuns. The nuns use a painstaking method to extract the threads from the spiky agave plant found in all parts of the island. They then devote themselves to prayer and creating wonderful pieces of art. They display their wonderful work of art in their small lace museum, as well as hold an exhibition of this unique piece of world heritage. Lace is a beautiful piece of art made from thousands of delicate threads. It was once considered a kind of relic for personal devotion. In the early 20th century, its popularity was revived by attention from the royal family, and in recent years its popularity has increased dramatically as a real Croatian art form.
Today, three distinct lace-making traditions survive in Croatia. These traditions are centered on the cities of Pag in the Adriatic, Lepoglava in the northern part of Croatia, and Hvar on the Dalmatian island of the same name. Today, the craft is being passed down through older, retired women, who offer courses to students of the younger generation. These lace styles were created by rural women to earn an additional income and have left a lasting impression on the culture of their respective regions. In addition to being an integral component of traditional clothing, the craft represents a living cultural tradition, as the lace was once considered a religious relic for personal devotion. It is an intricate decorative piece of lace made from hundreds of delicate threads. Recent years have seen the lace gaining a new meaning as a genuine Croatian souvenir, as it represents and preserves a dying tradition beautifully and uniquely.
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