The forest park on the Marjan hill overlooking the southern coastal city of Split has been declared a protected cultural landscape area and any construction there will be banned in the next three years.
Culture Minister Andrea Zlatar Violic told a news conference in Split on Saturday that her ministry and its conservation department had decided on Friday to proclaim Marjan a protected cultural landscape area in order to ensure full protection of the area.
Asked by reporters whether it meant a ban on plans of the current Mayor Zeljko Kerum to build a cross of considerable size on the hill, the minister said that any such structure would not be allowed to exceed eight meters in height.
Explaining reasons for the ministry's decision, Zlatar Violic said that Marjan Park was a historical site that had not yet been explored enough.
This move will facilitate exploration of archaeological finds dating from early Christian times, she said.
Zlatar Violic said that the ministry's decision would also prevent Marjan Park being dragged into disputes ahead of local elections set for 19 May.
