Croatian Post issues joint commemorative stamps featuring traditional fishing boats

On 10 August, Croatian Post (HP) released two new commemorative stamps in a joint issue with the Spanish postal service. The stamps depict the traditional Mediterranean fishing vessels Betina gajeta from Croatia and the llaüt mallorquín Balear from Spain. A set of 12 stamps and a first‑day cover were issued together.

The design was created by Zagreb‑based designer Alenka Lalić; the image of the Betina gajeta is based on a photograph by Igor Turčinov. The Betina gajeta is a wooden boat, 5–8 metres long, historically central to life on the island of Betina and Murter. The llaüt is a classic Balearic wooden craft built by mestres d’aixa, symbolising the maritime heritage of the Balearic Islands. The stamps also reference the annual regatta “Za dušu i tilo,” which celebrates traditional wooden boat building.

The release highlights the shared maritime heritage of Croatia and Spain and marks a cultural collaboration between the two national postal services.