EXHIBITION ON CROATIANS AND RULE OF CHARLEMAGNE OPENS IN SPLIT

SPLIT, Dec 23 (Hina) - An exhibition on links between Croatians and the rule of Charles the Great (742-814) was staged on 19 December in the coastal Croatian city of Split, within a pan-European project dedicated to Charles the Great known as Charlemagne and the creation of Europe.#L# This projects involves five European countries - Great Britain, Spain, Germany, Italy and Croatia. When Charlemagne was 26, he and his brother Carloman inherited the kingdom of the Franks. In 771 Carloman died, and Charlemagne became the sole ruler of the kingdom. Charlemagne was determined to strengthen his realm and to bring order to Europe. The key to Charlemagne's amazing conquests was his ability to organise. During his reign he sent out more than 50 military expeditions. By 800 Charlemagne was the undisputed ruler of Western Europe. His vast realm covered what are now France, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It included half of present-day Italy and Germany, part of Austria, and the Spanish March ("border"). By thus establishing a central government over Western Europe, Charlemagne restored much of the unity of the old Roman Empire and paved the way for the development of modern Europe. Though Charlemagne did not use the title, he is considered the first Holy Roman emperor. The exhibition in Split which presents his rule over stretches in Dalmatia, Istria and Panonia, was opened by Croatian Culture Minister Antun Vujic who described the show as a contribution to strengthening of the ties between European cities and as yet another occasion for presenting Croatia's contribution to Europe and its cultural and historical values. Until 1 June 2001 when the exhibition closes, visitors can see methodically processed archaeological monuments, which are taken from 40 sites and which date from the rule of Charles the Great. (hina) ms