Croatian tamburica

Croatian tamburitza (tam•bu•rit•za) is a folk instrument played with a tambura (cousins with Russian balalaika and the Italian mandolin) and is accompanied with a dance.

The origin is most commonly thought to be introduced from the Turks by way of Bosnia between the 14th and 16th century.

It was not until the 19th century that tamburitza gained popularity during several nationalist movements against the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The popularity of Croatian tamburitza continued to grow and even developed into professional working ensembles throughout the 19th century and into the 20th.

Tamburitza became so popular that newsletters began to circulate Croatia and neighbouring countries that shared interest in the instrument.