Special stamp marks 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom

ZAGREB, 21 May 2025 – Croatian Post will issue a new commemorative postage stamp this Friday, 23 May 2025, to mark the 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom.

The stamp, featuring a bronze relief of King Tomislav, Croatia’s first monarch, is a joint issue between Croatian Post and Croatian Post Mostar, initiated by the cultural organisation “Brethren of the Croatian Dragon”.

Designed by Split-based artist Tomislav Vlainić, the stamp is based on a template by Frane Cota, a noted Croatian sculptor and architect. It is marked with the letter ‘A’, denoting domestic postage rates for letters up to 50 grams, as well as domestic postcards.

(Croatian Post)

A total of 50,000 stamps have been printed, issued in Croatian-style sheets containing 25 stamps and five labels across 30 fields. An official First Day Cover (FDC) has also been released to accompany the stamp.

The commemorative issue will be available from 23 May at post offices across Croatia or online at www.epostshop.hr.

(Croatian Post)

The accompanying leaflet text below was written by Dr. Mario Jareb, Senior Research Fellow at the Croatian Institute of History. The full text is available at www.posta.hr.

King Tomislav: Legacy of Croatia’s First Monarch

King Tomislav is now widely recognised as the first king of Croatia. This recognition was shaped largely by historical research in the late 19th century, when scholars identified his name as that of Croatia’s earliest sovereign.

The well-known narrative of his coronation on the Field of Duvno in 925, though deeply rooted in Croatian historical consciousness, is not supported by concrete historical sources.

(Croatian Post)

Around that time, Pope John X referenced Tomislav in two letters. In one, he referred to him as “King Tomislav in the province of the Croats and in the regions of Dalmatia”, and in the other as “our beloved son Tomislav, King of the Croats”.

Tomislav is believed to have ruled over much of former Lower Pannonia, with Sisak as a central hub, and exerted authority over Dalmatian cities. His victories over the Bulgarians and presumed successful resistance against the Hungarians further demonstrated the extent of his power and influence.

National Pride and Historical Legacy

Tomislav’s image as a powerful and unifying monarch gained traction among Croatians in the late 19th century. The upcoming millennium of his reign inspired initiatives to commemorate his legacy in a meaningful way.

In 1906, this motivation led to the founding of the Brethren of the Croatian Dragon by Emilij pl. Laszowski Szeliga and Velimir Deželić Sr. At the time, Croatia was under Hungarian dominance and its lands were not unified.

Celebrating a king who symbolised a united and independent Croatia held deep national significance, particularly as a historical figure who had triumphed over the Hungarians.

A separate initiative to mark the 1000th anniversary also emerged in modern-day Tomislavgrad, where Franciscan friar Mijo Čuić proposed the construction of a commemorative church. These efforts highlighted the enduring relevance of King Tomislav’s legacy as a symbol of Croatian sovereignty and identity.