Croatia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 with the song "", written by Zrinko TutiÃÂ, and performed by Maja Blagdan. The Croatian participating broadcaster, Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT), selected its entry through Dora 1996.
Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT) organised Dora 1996 to select its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996. The national selection, held on 3 March 1996 in Opatija, consisted of a televised final with 20 songs selected from a public call for submissions from songwriters and composers. The winner was chosen by 20 regional juries.
In 1996, for the only time in Eurovision history, an audio-only qualifying round of the 29 songs entered (excluding hosts Norway who were exempt) was held in March in order for the seven lowest-scoring songs to be eliminated before the final. "Sveta ljubav" received 30 points, placing 19th and thus qualifying for the final.
On the night of the contest Maja Blagdan performed 7th, following and preceding the . The song received 98 points at the close of the voting, placing 4th of 23 countries competing. This was Croatia's joint-best placing at the contest, shared with the Croatian entry in 1999, "Marija Magdalena" by Doris DragoviÃÂ, until 2024 when Baby Lasagna finished in 2nd place with Rim Tim Tagi Dim.