Ships of the Vizin-Florio Family from Prčanj, 1873
Author of the painting: Bazilije Ivanković
At MarisStella, we proudly preserve and present the rich legacy of Croatian maritime heritage. Inspired by the great age of Adriatic sailing ships, we set out to tell the stories of shipbuilders, captains, and sailors who once connected the Adriatic with every corner of the world.
Our mission is to bring these stories to life through a curated collection of historical ship paintings and model ship kits, allowing new generations to appreciate the craftsmanship and courage that defined this seafaring culture.
At MarisStella, we have assembled a unique archive of votive paintings and maritime photographs depicting ships from Istria, Kvarner, Dalmatia, and Dubrovnik. Most of these magnificent vessels were constructed during the 19th-century golden era of shipbuilding along the eastern Adriatic coast. While many artworks remain under copyright protection, we are proud to share a selection that beautifully illustrates this era of maritime glory.
The Barques
Barque Industre, Constantinople 1815 – Trieste 1898
Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Coast, Rijeka
Author: Bazilije Ivanković
Barque Imperatrice Elisabetta Giuseppe Lay, Trieste 1864
Barque Tonka di Fiume
Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Coast, Rijeka
Barque Cainan
Shipowner: Pelješac Shipping Company, 1867
Author: Bazilije Ivanković
Barque Rebus
Author: Bartol Ivanković, 1869
Barque Eber
Built in 1870, 775 tons
Shipowner: Pelješac Maritime Society, Orebić
Commander and Captain: Merčević
Barque Grad Senj
623 tons, built in Senj, 1871
Barque Ban Mažuranić
Shipowner: Croatian Shipping Company, Bakar, 1874, 564 tons
Sank in 1895 in American waters
Barque Contessa Hilda, 1875
Barque Milan
Shipowners: Milinović Brothers from Morinj, 1875
Author: Bazilije Ivanković
Barque Bakran
Shipowner: Croatian Shipping Company, Bakar, 1878, 639 tons
Captains: Nikola Mikuličić and Martin Pavletić
Lost in a hurricane near Marseille on August 25–26, 1887, en route to the USA
Barque Fiume E, 1881
Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Littoral, Rijeka
Artist: Unknown
Barque Capricorno, 1883
Built at the Josip Bačić–Belac Shipyard, Pećine, Rijeka
Author: Bazilije Ivanković
Barque Undine, 1884
796 tons
Shipowner: M. Iveta from Trpanj
Commander and Captain (1893): B. Sinković
Author: B. Nemy
Barque Conte Geza Szapary, 1892
Shipowner: The Cosulich Family
Author: Bartol Ivanković
Barque Trojednica
Kvarner, mid-19th century
Barque Leone
Author: Bazilije Ivanković
Barque Flora
Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Littoral, Rijeka
The Full-Rigged Ships
Imperatrice Elisabetta, 1875
Full-rigged ship, 2,500 tons
Danica
Shipowner: Bjelovučić’s cousin from Pelješac
Author: B. Ivanković
Podesta Bazzoni
Shipowner: L. Premuda from Rovinj
Author: B. Ivanković
Francesco Giuseppe I, 1882
Preserving the Legacy
Through every MarisStella model ship kit, we aim to preserve the memory of the shipwrights, captains, and crews who once sailed under the Adriatic sun.
Our craftsmanship reflects not only precision and historical accuracy but also a deep respect for Croatia’s maritime identity—a culture of courage, artistry, and connection with the sea.
By recreating ships such as the Barque Stefano, Imperatrice Elisabetta, and Conte Geza Szapary, MarisStella continues to celebrate the legacy of historic Adriatic sailing ships and the timeless beauty of the Croatian coast.
Source: MarisStella Projects
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