Licitars are traditional Croatian gingerbread hearts, handcrafted from honey dough and decorated with vibrant red glaze, white icing, and intricate patterns. More than just cookies, they are a symbol of love, joy, and cultural heritage, even recognized by UNESCO.
A Tradition of Love
Since the Middle Ages, licitars have been exchanged as tokens of affection, especially during Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and festivals. In the past, young men gifted them to admired girls, often personalized with names or heartfelt messages, making them cherished keepsakes.
Where to Find Licitars
You can spot these decorative treats in souvenir shops, craft markets, and bakeries across Zagreb, especially during the festive season. A licitar is more than a souvenir—it’s a piece of Croatian tradition, rich in history and meaning.
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I've never heard of these, but they are pretty and have great symbolism!
ReplyDeleteCute. I had never heard of these before.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's day to you. Beautiful hearts.... are they kept as a keepsake or are they for eating??
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day! Interesting treat. -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteA sweet and fun treat!
ReplyDeleteA sweet treat indeed with an interesting history. I am a heart collector. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's and thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day to you.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen these kind of cookies before, I think they will be very tasty.
Greetings Irma
The bread looks very nice. I'm glad your sweet AI mices are back.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend, Veronica!
Happy Valentine's Day to you too.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post to read.
Interesante Verónica.Me gustan los Licitars
ReplyDeleteBuen dÃa de San ValentÃn pata ti.
Un abrazo 🤗〰〰💖
So nice, thanks for your sharing
ReplyDeleteI like the Croatian tradition of gingerbread hearts.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's day to you too!
Oh neat! I have never heard of these before.
ReplyDeleteYoure Valentins Mice are charming and wonderful sweety. This is a motive for a Valentinscard too!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentins Day to you and Greetings from Germany
Kirsi
What a cool thing to know about, Veronica. Such a romantic tradition, for sure. Happy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteSuch a good story to read about
ReplyDeleteUy que lindo corazón. ten un feliz dÃa de san valentin
ReplyDeleteThat's such a wonderful and beautiful heart! Happy Valentine's Day from all of us!
ReplyDeleteinteresting story with nice images .....
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing....
Do people actually eat them, or are they just decorative?
ReplyDeleteThey look too pretty to eat.
Licitar hearts are such a charming symbol of love and tradition. Happy Valentine's Day to you too! 🌹
ReplyDeleteIt is a perfect sweet treat! Happy Valentine's Day to you!
ReplyDeleteThese are really particularly pretty and extremely artistic gingerbread hearts, dear Veronica - and it's perfect that you saved this story for Valentine's Day! Your two mice in love and their Licitar are so sweet, too. I also enjoyed looking at your "travel mice" in the previous post (but I couldn't have named all the places). What particularly fascinates me is how "obedient" the AI seems to be with you. I often don't manage to use the AI to depict all the things I want in the picture. Sometimes it's more, sometimes it's less, sometimes it's wrong, even though I express myself very clearly...
ReplyDeleteAll the best and HAPPPY VALENTINE'S DAY,
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2025/02/mit-den-rostrosen-durch-die-kalte.html
That's interesting, I've never heard of licitars. Have a Happy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day.
ReplyDeleteIt looks very nice.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentines Day <3
I've not heard of Licitar hearts, but what a lovely and sweet tradition. Also sweet are your AI mice! Have a happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea! How lovely!
ReplyDeleteHello, Veronica,
ReplyDeleteI think I'm still in time to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day! This story of these Licitars hearts is very beautiful and you're right for all its meaning I also think it made a lovely Valentine's Day post. Your little mice are adorable! Hugs and a happy weekend!
sweet post thank you very much
ReplyDeleteThose licitars are incredibly beautiful and detailed. I'd not heard of them before and I'm so glad you shared them, especially for Valentine's day!
ReplyDeleteVeronica, good morning! I hope you had the loveliest of Valentine's Days ... so grateful we get to connect over the miles.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteSubscreve a newsletter do blog, para saberes todas as novidades, para isso, basta aqui
Bjxxx,
Pinterest | Instagram | Linkedin
The gingerbread hearts sound Yummy. And perfect for this wonderful holiday of love. Have a terrific February week, my friend.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
♥Ach was für ein schöner Brauch das ist liebe Veronica. Herrlich so ein Lebkuchenherz. Ich komme ja aus der Stadt der Lebkuchen, aus Nürnberg, aber so ein verziertes kroatisches Herz ist natürlich wirklich Besonders♥
ReplyDeleteLiebe Grüße
Kerstin und Helga
what a cute post! And I bet those taste delicious.
ReplyDeleteI learned something new today about Licitars and such a wonderful tradition! Happy Valentine's Day month to you!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a lovely Valentine's Day.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I've heard of the Croatian gingerbread hearts. So cute!
Licitars are so cool!
ReplyDeletePresume you had a love ly Valentine's day!
Very pretty and symbolizing what our world needs so much more of nowadays.
ReplyDeleteNever read about before. A nice heart indeed. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteVery cute! Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day.
ReplyDeleteSo sweet. I had never heard of licitars before.
ReplyDeleteThe Licitar hearts are lovely.
ReplyDeleteSo cool ;D I really like it.
ReplyDeleteAngelika
Wow, they're lovely!
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful and we can't imagine anyone eating one!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful and I love the history. Thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥
I love 'goodies' and sweets that have special meaning for different locales and holidays. Happy Valentines' Day a bit late.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of these hearts, but they are beautiful - may they bring happiness and love :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post! Licitar hearts sound like such a beautiful and meaningful tradition. The combination of rich history, craftsmanship, and the symbolism of love makes them perfect for Valentine's Day.
ReplyDeleteBelated Hearts ♥️ Day wishes back to you, Veronica Lee, and I enjoy learning about licitars.
ReplyDeleteI so need to get to Croatia one of these days, the way things are going it may time to leave America. I wish I could move to Paris where my step family lives and then travel to other parts of Europe. I love the that wind dial compass how cool. And your mice with face masks that is too cute!
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com