SPLIT MAKARSKA ZAGORA

BRAČ HVAR VIS

Tourist
Guide
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co
ee
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 Foreword
The coastal area and a chain of green
islands, lovely pebble beaches that
are deeply indented under the skirts RIVIERA SPLIT
4
of the surrounding mountains and
the adjacent clear waters of the Split 8
Mediterranean, over which hang Trogir 14
hundred-year-old pine trees, the Kaštela 16
green “heart’’ in the valleys of the Solin 17
Cetina and Jadro rivers is the area of Omiš 18
the central part of the Adriatic coast, Šolta 19
from Marina in the north to Gradac in
the south and it is here that tourism
has had its home for more than a

Contents
century.

20
In this strange and in many ways
special place, the most skilled hands
of art and culture masters, from
ancient times and Romanesque
eras, to old Croatian folk artists and RIVIERA MAKARSKA
builders, all left their traces, inscribing
them in rocks, walls and palaces of Makarska 24
towns and urban centres that, at the Brela 26
same time, not only provide guests Baška Voda 27
with peace and solitude but also Tučepi 28
2 cheerful nights soaked in the warm Podgora 29
Mediterranean south. Živogošće 30
The history of this century-long Drvenik 30
tourist area notes the hosting of Gradac 31
many crowned heads, renowned
dignitaries, statesmen and potentates,
as well as world famous and easily-
recognizable celebrities. But the
warmth, compassion and openness
of the hosts to people from all walks
of life and their putting the customer
in the centre of their attention have
always been present here.
If you choose this region for your stay
and vacation, not only will it provide
physical comfort, but you will feel
your soul elevated to higher levels.
Your visit will allow you the adventure
of peeking into the life and customs
of the local people to discover their
cheerful nature, and you will certainly
wish to come back again, and again.

Welcome to Central Dalmatia

- the heart of the Croatian Adriatic!
Split - Dalmatia County Tourist Board
 48
THE ISLAND OF HVAR
Hvar 52
Stari Grad 54
Jelsa 54
Vrboska 55
Sućuraj 55

ZAGORA
32
3
Klis 34
Dugopolje 34
Sinj 35
Trilj 36
Vrlika 36
Imotski 37
Vrgorac 38

40
THE ISLAND OF BRAČ
56
THE ISLAND OF VIS
Supetar 44
Sutivan 45 Vis 60
Milna 45 Komiža 62
Bol 46
Selca 47
Postira 47
Sumartin 47
Pučišća 47
Povlja 47
 Riviera Split
World’s cultural heritage
in the palm of your hand

From the peaceful groves of Trogir, with its surrounding villages and islands,
across the seven Kaštela, Solin, Split and all the way to Omiš lies the Split Riviera,
a tourist area where every solitary step of history mingles with the present day,
where people live and work in regions which are thousands of years old.
Present Riviera underneath Kozjak and Mosor mountains is the middle part of the
Adriatic Coast, and it has been the intersection of trading routes since the period of
the Illyrians and Greeks, therefore, in this very spot, beside numerous drinking wa-
ter springs, the first and oldest settlements emerged, attested to by those rarest of
cultural and historical monuments. At a mere thirty kilometres in distance you will
find two cities registered on the UNESCO’s registry of the world’s cultural heritage:
Diocletian’s Palace along with the historical core of Split, and the historical core of
the City of Trogir, among which there is Salona, the largest archaeological site of the
Croatian Adriatic, which was formerly the capital of the Roman Province of Dalma-
tia. Croatian kings were crowned in this region, wars were fought for hundreds of
years for this small part of the coast, and it would been conquered, only to be later
given back to those to whom it belonged, and the conflicts and casualties have
been creating legends and heroes, protectors and saints for centuries.
MARINA, SEVID, VINIŠČE, VRANJICA, ISLANDS DRVENIK VELI AND DRVENIK MALI,
SEGET, TROGIR, ISLAND ČIOVO (OKRUG, ARBANIJA, SLATINE), KAŠTELA, SPLIT,
STOBREČ, PODSTRANA, KRILO JESENICE, SUMPETAR, DUGI RAT, DUĆE, OMIŠ,
NEMIRA, STANIĆI, RUSKAMEN, LOKVA ROGOZNICA, MIMICE, MARUŠIĆI, PISAK,
ISLAND ŠOLTA (ROGAČ, NEČUJAM, MASLINICA, STOMORSKA, GROHOTE)

Natural tennis, fishing, etc., a number of

agencies will be happy to show
beauty you the joys and locations of
This region, rich in historical and an active vacation. Discover a
cultural heritage, also offers an wondrous world of caves and
entire spectre of interesting and pits around Split and Omiš, mo-
unusual natural features. You untaineering and free climbing,
should certainly visit, as legend rafting and canyoning on the
has it, one of the oldest olive trees Cetina River, as well as producer
in the world, the one in Kaštel of the newest adrenaline rush in
Štafilić, which is at least 1500-ye- the canyon of this blue river that
ars old! You should also visit the takes ones breath away, the zip-
Botanical and Biblical gardens in line.
Kaštel Lukšić, and also the Pantan
swamp and its mills near Trogir,
the Marjan forest park in Split and
Gastronomy
the magnificent canyon of Cetina Residents of Dalmatia are well
river near Omiš. known as admirers of liberal
table, lightly cooked and easily
Active digestible food, with lots of fish, 5
olive oil, vegetables and season-
vacation ing herbs. Diverse aromatic herbs
Split Riviera is a region which that grow on sunny hillsides,
offers a myriad of sporting possi- alongside parsley and garlic, cre-
bilities that are adapted to gue- ate a small culinary delight with
sts of all ages, with only average the scent of laurel, rosemary and
physical capacity. If you prefer basil. Capers and olives are indis-
to spend your vacation cycling, pensable appetizers, and espe-
walking, diving, sailing, playing cially with Dalmatian prosciutto
6 which has been dried in Bora most well known among the of world famous operas, bal-
wind, as well as the sheep cheese. wine admirers abroad. Mike lets, drama and classical music
You should try Poljički Soparnik Grgich, a famous Californian concerts. At the same time, the
(Chard pie), which is a light appe- vintner of Croatian descent, main Split promenade Riva is a
tizer, garnished with an unusual has for many years claimed that place of folklore and entertain-
chard and pastry baked on cin- the predecessor of the famed ing concerts and performances
ders on a fireplace. Fish, which is American zinfandel is precisely of street entertainers during the
grilled, stewed or cooked, occu- the Dalmatian Plavac Mali. Years summer evenings. “Diocletian
pies a special place in this cuisine, of research and testing resulted days,” with a royal dinner on the
while clams and crawfish which in the discovery that zinfandel authentic premises of Diocle-
are traditionally prepared in bu- really does originate exactly tian’s basements, present an
zara style. The most well-known from this part of Croatia, from unforgettable experience. The
way of preparing meat is by mak- Kaštela, where old grapevines original sounds of Dalmatian
ing a Pašticada with homemade known by the name crljenak klapa songs will excite you in
gnocchi and traditional Croatian kaštelanski have been found. Omiš, as will klapa ensembles’
roasted lamb, and you can sweet- performances in Kaštel Kambe-
en your gastronomic odyssey lovac, and concerts in Kamer-
with some flan or Trogir rafioli.
Entertainment lengo Castle in Trogir. In all of
Split, Trogir, Kaštela, Solin and the small Split Riviera towns,
Omiš are the cities and towns you will be greeted by fisher-
WINE where life vibrates by day and men’s’ feasts, summer carni-
With every mention of Croa- erupts in all of its beauty dur- vals, concerts, and numerous
tian wines, the name “Plavac ing night outings and events. restaurants and taverns ready
Mali” is inevitable. Plavac Mali The most well-known theatre themselves to satisfy everyone’s
is the most wide-spread and festival out in the open is Split taste, after which the gala eve-
economical wine, as well as the Summer, which makes Split, its ning continues in discotheques
most important grapevine in squares, historical locations and and nightclubs in the open air,
Croatia, and it is certainly the the heritage become a stage many by the sea.
UNESCO’s cultural heritage
Diocletian’s Historical Klapa
palace in Split core of (harmony)
The Palace consists of a regular, Trogir singing
square foundation with about
200 metres-long sides and it is The city of Trogir is a remark- Klapa singing is traditional har-
surrounded by high walls with able example of the conti- mony singing without the accom-
numerous forts. Historians claim nuity of a city. Street plans paniment of any instruments. The
that the year 305 was the year for these settlements date tradition of Klapa groups and Kla-
when the Roman Emperor re- from the Hellenistic period, pa songs which we know today
tired to the palace which was and various rulers during the was created in the middle of 19th
built for his family, honour guard, years of town’s history have century, in a time when cultural
servants and military crew. Cer- continued to add to it with and musical identities of Mediter-
tain architectural and decorative public and residential build- ranean towns on our coast and
parts had been shipped from ings and forts. Its gorgeous islands were being individual-
distant parts of the world, there- Romanesque churches are ised, especially in Dalmatia. The
fore sphinxes and granite pillars complemented by remark- festival of the Dalmatian Klapa in
had been shipped from Egypt. able Renaissance and Ba- Omiš is significantly meritorious
As the centuries passed, the orig- roque buildings. The most for promoting Klapa singing and
inal architecture of the palace significant building is Trogir’s it is the first institution which pre-
changed, and people who lived Cathedral of St. Lovro with its sented Klapa singing as an organ-
inside it began using the build- west gate portal, a master- ised form of traditional (and later
ings for their own purposes, and piece of the artisan Radovan on, artistic) music making. Klapa
so it was that the heart of today’s and the best-preserved ex- singing has been included in the
City developed inside the Ro- ample of Romanesque-Goth- UNESCO’s intangible cultural heri- 7
man walls. ic art in Croatia. tage list.

Excursions called Vepric. If you drive for only the Kozjak Mountain and Kokorići,
On one-day excursions by boat, about ten minutes, you will get to near Vrgorac. Visit the popular
you can visit all the islands of Cen- the green hinterland of Mosor and resort Radmanove mlinice in the
tral Dalmatia: Šolta, Brač, Hvar and Kozjak mountains- Zagora, with canyon of the mouth of the Cetina
Vis. Visit Klis fortress, Makarska its karst rockery and fertile fields. River near Omiš, the Gubavica
and Malacological museum, with Get a taste of the past and the waterfall and other natural phe-
its beautiful collection of clams, life of Dalmatian peasants in the nomena, such as the Red and Blue
and the nearby Marian Sanctuary ethno-villages, Škopljanci, beyond Lakes, Vranjača cave, and more.
8

The City of Split VISIT Peristil

The Emperor’s Peristil in the
www.visitsplit.com centre of the Palace is one of
the most recognisable Split mo-
tifs and a real cultural treasure.
Split, “the most beautiful city ries. It is hard to say what has Peristil is again open to public
in the world,” as its inhabitants the strongest impact on today’s after 8 years of painstaking
enjoy calling it, is the main seat, visitor: the old city centre with renovation and conservation.
traffic crossroads, the biggest the Roman emperor Diocletian’s This area is transformed into an
and the third ferry port at the Palace, or the lifestyle of Split’s opera stage during the summer,
Mediterranean. It was created as inhabitants. Enjoying life in especially for the performances
a result of settlements that de- the open air is the lifestyle that of Verdi’s Aida. Each day at the
veloped within and on the exte- Split’s citizens nurture, when Peristil, a tourist spectacle is
rior of the Emperor Diocletian’s they’re sipping their coffees on organised in which tourists can
Palace’s walls, whose origins Riva by the sea, or in the cool meet Emperor Diocletian, his
date back more than 17 centu- inside the stone walls of Diocle- wife Priska and guards
 MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
The Archaeological Museum in Split is the oldest museum in Croa-
tia with a rich antique collection, while the Museum of Croatian
Archaeological Monuments researches the spiritual and material
heritage of Croatian people dating back to the early Medieval state ,
and the City Museum of Split, located in a Gothic/Renaissance pal-
ace, is replete with exhibits that highlight the development of the
City. Ethnographic Museum, located in former imperial sleeping
chambers, reveals the historical details of the lifestyles of the people
in that area. Art Gallery offers over 3.200 works of art, while Split
Cathedral Treasury is a place where precious pieces of church his-
tory are preserved, and the Croatian Maritime Museum relates
the intriguing story about the rich traditions of life near the sea and
on the sea, while Split Sport Hall of Fame contains an exquisite
abundance of stellar sports and Olympic biographies of the best
Split athletes.

Split card
If you are staying in Split hotel or in a private accommodation for
three days or more, the City’s Tourist Board gives you a Split Card,
which is a card that allows you free sightseeing throughout Split!
You can ask for your Split Card at the reception desk in your hotel
TAKE Tourist bus
or in the Tourist Information Offices if you opt for private accommo-
dations. Also, the Split Card allows you free admission to museums
Participate in unforgettable and significant discounts in numerous restaurants and shops in
sightseeing activities from Split. You can also purchase the Split Card for HRK 35, approximately
an open tour bus and a pro- EUR 5, if you are staying fewer than three days in Split. 9
fessional guide, and take
in all the interesting nooks
and crannies of the city. And tian’s palace that provide shade shade of Marjan pine forest or
don’t miss the opportunity to during the hot summer days. take a swim at the famous Split
visit the first gazebo on Mar- When you walk along Split’s beaches of Bačvice, Žnjan, Bene,
jan Hill, from where you can streets, you are walking through which proudly display the Blue
view the most recognizable centuries of history and art, you Flag, the international ecologi-
panorama of Split can visit museums, galleries and cal recognition given to beach-
churches or simply relax in the es with a pristine environment.

TOUCH Grgur Ninski

Rub the toe of a bronze
statue of Gregory of
Nin, which is comple-
tely smooth because
of the local belief that
rubbing his toe brings
good fortune and ma-
kes all wishes come
true. This monumental
piece by Ivan Meštrović
is also displayed in
front of the Golden Ga-
tes of the Diocletian’s
Palace
 Diocletian
The Roman emperor Gaius Aurelius Vale- VISIT Saint Domnius
rius Diocletianus Augustus abdicated Cathedral
from the throne in 305 and retreated The Saint Domnius
as a retired emperor to a newly-built Cathedral, built
palace located in the serene Spalatum in the Emperor
bay, which is the heart of today’s Split. Diocletian’s mauso-
It is presumed that Diocletian origins leum, with its 13th-
were from that part of Dalmatia and that he century bell tower,
opted for spending his retirement in the place which dominates the
he lived as a child, in the sunny lee-side of his luxuri- old city centre. Split
ous mansion . He proclaimed himself to be the reincarnation cathedral is famous
of Jupiter on earth and was a devout persecutor of Christians, for its 800-year old
but, surprisingly, his wife Priska and daughter Valeria were both wooden doors, made
Christians. In turbulent years after Diocletian’s rule, he received by Andrija Buvina in
an invitation from Rome to return to the throne, but, according 1214 and containing
to the legend, his answer from his Split palace was: “If you could 28 carved scenes
see the cabbage that I planted with my own hands in Salona, from Jesus’ life in
you definitely wouldn’t think of asking that from me.’’ walnut wood.

Saint Domnius
Saint Domnius is the patron saint of the City of Split and the
first Bishop of Salona, from 284 to 304, during the time of se-
vere persecutions of Christians by the Emperor Diocletian. He
was martyred upon the orders of the Emperor Diocletian when
10 Marcus Aurelius Junius, the governor of Dalmatia, executed
him. He was buried by the soldiers outside the city walls and
a piece of his tombstone is today preserved in the Archaeolo-
gical Museum in Split. His earthly remains are placed in a tomb
at the altar from 18th century in Split Cathedral dedicated to
the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is popularly
known as the Cathedral of St. Dujam.

Sudamja
Sudamja is a local name given to the ce-
lebration by which Split inhabitants
and their guests celebrate the holiday
of their patron saint, Saint Domnius
on May 7. The celebration starts with
numerous cultural and entertaining
events and sport competitions during
the first days of May and continues for two
entire weeks. The most spectacular festivities
are organised on May 7 when the procession con-
sisting of thousands of people walk throughout the city and
carry the artefacts of their patron saint, with procession ending
at Riva where a mass dedicated to beloved patron saint and the
City itself is held. May 7 is a non-working day in Split for the pur-
poses of ensuring that hundreds of thousands of people have a
chance to participate in traditional religious and public events
and various activities organised for that occasion.
VISIT Apart from Diocletian’s Palace
National Theatre and numerous cultural monu-
Visit one of the plays per- ments from all epochs of this
formed by the Croatian millennia-old city’s history, the
National Theatre in Split, attractive Riva promenade, and
established in 1893, which the 14 km of beaches, Split also
is the principal and most prides itself on its numerous
prominent theatre among sports, and cultural and enter-
all the theatrical instituti- tainment events . The people of
ons in Dalmatia Among Split are emotionally attached
original plays, we certainly to their favourite football club,
recommend the operettas Hajduk, whose 103 years of
“Spli’ski akvarel” and “Mala history are proudly showcased
Floramy,” by Split compo- at the city stadium in Poljud.
ser Ivo Tijardović, which A mere 10-minute drive from
are set in Split during the this urban region centre will
period between the two place you among the peace-
World Wars ful bays of Stobreč and Pod-
strana (www.tz-podstrana.hr),
where, in thousands of private
accommodations’ beds, small
family hotels, apartments and
pensions by the sea, is the tradi-
tion of hospitality and enjoying 11
the peace, sun, the and sandy
beaches being nurtured for de-
cades.

VISIT Meštrović Gallery

Do not miss the opportunity to visit Meštrović Gallery, an im-
pressive family house, containing the atelier of one of the most
famous Croatian artists of the 20th century, Ivan Meštrović. His
bronze, stone and wood masterpieces are exhibited in a gal-
lery area that is surrounded by a beautiful garden
 VISIT Diocletian’s Palace cellars
You must visit the cellars in
Diocletian’s Palace that re-
present the best-preserved
antique complex of its kind.
This astonishing structure
presents a complex of
ground floor halls that
effectively raise the area of
Emperor’s living quarters
to the equivalent of an
upper floor mezzanine

VISIT Sfinga
At the very entrance to
the cathedral, there is an
Egyptian sphinx made of
black granite, which is
older than anything in the
Palace. It is 3.5 thousand-
years old and Diocletian
had it imported to Peristil
from Egypt
12
Bars,
cocktails,
entertainment
In the evening hours, Split’s
night life transfers to Poljud
in bars and discos, as well as
Bačviče, Ovčice, Zenta and
Žnjan bays where you can enjoy
cocktails made by top cocktail-

VISIT Temple of Jupiter

Visit the Temple of Jupiter which was
originally used for celebrating Jupiter’s
cult, but was later transformed into a
baptistery during the late antiquity

VISIT Vidović Gallery

See the unique paintings and drawing
collections by the renowned Split pain-
ter Emanuel Vidović in Vidović Gallery
near Silver Gates, which ranks at the
very pinnacle of European art history
masters and enjoy music and VISIT
entertainment programs. The Pazar
City Centre is also bustling until Visit Pazar fruit and vegetable market that is filled with a
the early morning hours, and vibrant Mediterranean atmosphere, and you should also visit
the city squares and alleys are the Split fish market in the centre of the city that is built next
transformed into large bars lit to a live phosphorus wellhead, which makes it the world’s
with torches, immersed in the only fish market without pesky flies
sounds of music. 13
Only a few hundred yards
away, on Peristil, you can take fact that 161 athletes from Split
a seat on stone tables on the
The City have participated in the Olym-
old Imperial Square and enjoy of sport pics throughout its history and
the intertwining melodies of Split is proud of its rich sport his- 60 of them returned home with
guitars and chansons, or en- tory, as well as its modern pres- a medal, something only a few
joy vocal group performances ent, and its inhabitants like to cities of this size in the world can
under the arches of the mil- call it “the best sport city in the say. Their names and Olympic
lennia-old Vestibul, the outer world.” That can best be attested medals are written on bronze
entrance hall into the imperial to in the “Split Sport Hall of Fame,” tablets along the stone prom-
apartments. where a visitor is informed of the enade on Split’s West coast.
14 The City of Trogir VISIT Saint Lawrence’s
Cathedral
www.tztrogir.hr Visit Saint Lawrence’s
Cathedral, one of the
most beautiful Rena-
Every step made among the issance monuments
stone houses and palaces in Europe, built during
of Trogir, which is called the the period of four cen-
musem city due to its century- turies between 1200
long history is an exceptional and 1598. Radovan’s
experience. portal from 1240 is the
The historical core of this City, main cathedral’s portal
located on a small island be- and the most important
tween the mainland and the Middle Age portal on
island of Čiovo, was duly recog- the eastern part of the
nised by UNESCO and placed Adriatic and in this part
on its revered list of protected of Europe. It was named
cultural monuments due to its after its builder, Master
multilayered cultural heritage. Radovan, who carved it
Picturesque streets, squares and and signed it.
churches testify once more to The Cathedral houses
the wealth of works finalised by precious works of art.
talented artisans who have con- The bell tower has been
tinuously invested their creativ- being built for centuries
ity and productions to fashion and it is one of the
this city, leaving visitors mes- most beautiful bell
merised and their hosts proud. towers on the entire
A walk through the stone heart Mediterranean coast
 VISIT Kairos VISIT City hall
The City of Trogir is also known as the See the Croatian Anthem
City of fortunate moments. Namely, at Plate placed on the main
the start of the 20th century, a relief de- façade of the City hall,
picting Greek god Kairos that dates back which was put there in
to 4th century BC was found in a palace in 1935 when all of Croa-
Trogir. The original is stored in the Kairos tia celebrated the 100
Collection in Saint Nicholas Benedic- years’ existence of the
tine’s monastery in Trogir. This is a story Croatian anthem
of a deity, that shows itself only once
during person’s lifetime and provides a
person with the opportunity to “catch it of the city ends at the city’s wa-
by its cowlick” at the right moment. That terfront where you can gaze at
is the personification of an opportune dozens of wooden sailing ships
moment which awakens the imagination and modern yachts that found
and serves as a foundation for many shelter, peace and repose in Tro-
stories and events in Trogir gir’s port. Modern Trogir lives in
the rhythm of a bustling tourist
city and is the favourite destina-
PHOTO tion of passengers and sailors
Ćipiko Palace who are inspired by its hundred
Take a photo of the front of Ćipiko Palace, whose façade years old stone beauty.
was created by combining a variety of Romanesque bu- The Archipelago of picturesque
ildings. At the front façade of the palace you will find the islands and cliffs located in Tro-
gothic Trifora, a work by Andrija Aleši, and doors carved gir’s sea front creates a beauti-
by Ivan Duknović ful scene in front of the stone 15
city and nearby settlements of
Marina (www.tz-marina.hr),
Okrug (www. tzo-okrug.hr),
Seget (www.tz-seget.hr) and
Slatine, constitute the most
indented area of central Dal-
matia coastline. There you can
find numerous small, remote
pebble beaches separated by
stony caps, covered with pines,
seemingly reaching out to the
crystal-clear water. From Marina
and Seget to the island of Čiovo
you will find an area dedicated
to selected villas and summer
houses, which today constitute
an exquisite variety of private
and hotel accommodations.

VISIT Kamerlengo Fort WALK Main city square

Sightsee the city walls and Kamerlen- Take a walk to the main city square presenting
go Fort in the vicinity of the circular numerous historical sites, such as the City hall
Saint Mark the Evangelist Fort, dating and Saint John the Baptist Church, Saint Mary
back to 15th century, which today is Church, Saint Sebastian Church and the small
The House of Dalmatian Music Saint Barbara Church
 VISIT Vitturi Mansion
Visit the City Museum
of Kaštela located in
Vitturi Mansion in Kaštel
Lukšić and the Museum
area Podvorje in Kaštel
Sućurac, the treasury
of the Parish church of
the Immaculate Concep-
tion of the Virgin Mary
in Kaštel Štafilić, and
hear the legend about
Miljenko and Dobrila, a
legend dating back to the
second part of the 17th
century about the tragic
love of two young people
whose grave is located
in Saint John’s Church in
Kaštel Lukšić. On a mon-
ument commemorating
their final resting place
you can see carved note:
“Rest in peace, lovers”
16

The City of Kaštela

www.kastela-info.hr
The littoral area between Tro- they were built like Renaissance served. Villas were built on the
gir and Split under the Kozjak summer houses with broad shore and they are still a part of
Mountain is known as the cra- windows and balconies. To- this urban unit made up of the
dle of Croatian statehood since day’s seven settlements, Kaštel seven merged settlements with
many Croatian kings held their Štafilić, Kaštel Novi, Kaštel Stari, a century-long tourism tradi-
seat in that area. Seven Middle Kaštel Lukšić, Kaštel Kambelo- tion and a rich cultural heritage
Age noble forts built on the vac, Kaštel Gomilica and Kaštel entwined with a unique his-
serene shores of Kaštela Bay Sućurac grew and developed torical image. The most popular
in later centuries became the and eventually merged into beaches in Kaštela are Divulje,
centres of the modern seven one city, Kaštela, but even to- Resnik, Kaštel Štafilić, while the
Kaštela. These forts, kastela day their centres containing most popular picnic resorts are
(hill forts), looked like forts on Dalmatian architecture, houses the Lady of Stomorija with Bibli-
the mainland side, with tow- with solaris and balatures (ter- cal garden, Saint George of Ra-
ers, ditches, gun holes, moving races), taverns, kaletas (small dun, Saint George of Putalj and
bridges etc., while from the sea streets) and squares are all pre- Malačka Mountain Lodge.
 ENJOY Fešta
Be a part of comme-
morating the Day of the
City and the Nativity of
the Theotokos Feast
in honour of the city’s
protector, organised
on September 8 every
year and offering a rich
religious, entertainment
and sports program and
traditional fair

VISIT Salona
Visit Salona Archaeologi-
cal Park whose grandeur
and luxury are attested
to by its imposing walls,
towers and doors, a
forum with temples, an
amphitheatre and old
Christian churches, Ma- 17
nastirine, Marusinac and
Kapljuč, where Salona
martyrs were buried

The City of Solin

www.solin-info.com
A city where the green Jadro tian rulers since the time when Croatian history. The City of
River runs through its centre Queen Helen walked through- Solin proudly remembers one
and supplies the whole region out Our Lady’s Island in Solin of its most important moments
with fresh water has always, and since the coronation of the in its history, the visit of Pope
even since the time of ancient Croatian king Zvonimir in Saint John Paul II in 1998, when he
Salona, attracted visitors from Peter and Moses Church in sang with 50.000 young faithful
around the world. It is an inte- 1076, which is one of the most sang in front of Our Lady of the
gral part of the history of Croa- important places in the entire Island’s parish church.

VISIT Our Lady of the Island VISIT Gašpina mill

Visit Blessed Virgin Mary Church, or as people Gašpina mill is one of the rare and
call it, Our Lady of the Elms, located on the still preserved mills on the river and
place of today’s Our Lady of the Island’s parish it was built at the start of the 18th
church, which is one of the two old Croatian century. It is made of 4 stone buil-
churches built by the Croatian queen Helen the dings on which window openings
Glorious in 976. The church’s foundations are were subsequently added on the
marked on the northern side of today’s church front façade
 The City of Omiš
www.tz-omis.hr
Under the cliffs of Mosor in Omiš, Enjoy
where the Cetina River runs into the Klape
sea, one discovers the only place in Klapa Festival in July, which has for almost fifty years
the world where one can find “The served as a gathering venue for the best vocal groups
House of a Happy Man” whose owner, and whose aim is to preserve and promote traditional
18 in 15th century, had the following in- Dalmatian songs
scription carved on his house: “Thank
you God for allowing me to live in this WATCH
world.” The happiness of this inhabit- Pirates
ant of medieval Omiš is not surpris- Historic spectacle, “Pi-
ing, since even today this small town rate Battle.” organised
with its numerous surrounding settle- in August on the main
ments located at the Riviera (Duće, pier. Hundreds of armed
Omiš, Dugi Rat (www.tz-dugirat.hr), participants take part in
Jesenice, Stanići, Čelina, Ruskamen, the battle reconstructi-
Lokva Rogoznica, Nemira, Mimice, on on several pirate and
Medići, Marušići and Pisak), located Venetian ships
between the blue sea and harsh
mountain rocks, takes pride in its long
tradition of tourism accommodation Radman’s Mills resort
for all those who seek quiet but attrac- At a place where the Cetina River ends its hundred-kilome-
tive vacation near rivers, mountains or tre long voyage through Zagora towards the sea, in a ma-
the sea. The historical city centre with gnificent canyon which serves as its vortex, the tremendous
its stone streets still lives on the diffi- surge of water at that juncture has been powering the wa-
cult to conquer rock which served as ter mills for centuries. Today, in the shade of the century-
the shelter for pirates, and today, in its old trees is one of the most beautiful resorts in central Dal-
foothills during summer nights you matia, Radmanove mlinice (Radman’s mills), named after
can still hear vocal group songs which its former owner. Next to the sea, only six kilometres from
made this town so popular. Thanks to Omiš, this resort, with an impressive fishpond containing
the imposing river near the city’s cen- trout, provides sanctuary and repose to all those who wish
tre, you will find the longest spacious to enjoy the natural ambiance of the river and the beauty of
sandy beach which proudly displays unspoiled nature.
the Blue Flag.
VISIT Fortica Fort
Fortica Fort, a tower at the
top of Omiš Dinara; from here
you can see the whole town,
the Cetina River canyon and
the islands of Brač, Hvar and
Šolta. That was a great vanta-
ge point for local pirates who
used it to control the surroun-
ding sea and land areas

VISIT Mirabela Fort

The Mirabela Fort, rising 245
meters above the town, is
also a ‘must-see.’ experience.
It was built during the 13th
century and for a long time it
offered a reliable defence to
Omiš pirates

VISIT Saint George’s Church

Saint George’s Church, 19
located on the site of a pre-
historic fort above Cetina
River mouth. This church is
an important location for the
faithful on Saint George’s day
and in the past the duke of The Island of Šolta
Poljička Republic was elec-
ted in front of this church www.visitsolta.com
Between the blue sea and blue the interior of the island, Vela
BE sky, only 9 miles from Split main- Straža, the highest peak on the
Active land, is where you will find the is- island, and the remains of an
Discover mountaineering land of Šolta, with numerous pic- early Christian basilica next to
and free climbing, rafting and turesque fisherman and tourist Saint Stephen’s Church in Gro-
canyoning on the Cetina Ri- settlements in a pristine nature hote.
ver, as well as producer of the setting. The silent beauty and sa- There are eight smaller settle-
newest adrenaline rush the lubrious climate offer complete ments on the island, Grohote,
zip-line serenity and pleasant moments’ Gornje Selo, Srednje Selo, and
stay in harmonious nature. Šolta, Donje Selo, located in the inte-
VISIT an island of olives, wine, figs and rior of the island, and Stomorska,
Dino Park honey and exquisite inspiration, Nečujam, Rogač and Maslinica
Dino Park, an open pre- was visited by the most famous on the coast where you can en-
history museum and enter- Croatian renaissance poets. joy beautiful beaches.
tainment park for families Do not miss the gazebo adja- The Southern tip of the island
with children, covering cent to Saint Nicholas’s Church is hiding numerous coves and
7.000 square meters with in Maslinica, picturesque old beaches where many yachts-
life-size dinosaurs streets with stone houses in men drop their anchors.
 Riviera Makarska
Experience the sea and the mountain

20

Many claim this is one of the most beautiful parts of

the Adriatic coast, with 60 kilometres of coves hid-
ing picturesque stone towns and settlements, beach-
es with crystal-clear blue sea and the best pebble
stones, shaded by pine trees. The Makarska Riviera is
truly one of the tourist’s pearls of the Adriatic. When
you travel from Split southward, you will delight in
the beautiful scenes of stark stones cascading down
to the sea, a pristine Vrulja natural reservoir, a place
where the Biokovo Mountain reaches down to the
sea and where the Makarska Riviera starts, an area of
a rich, long-standing tourism tradition that has main-
tained its allure for decades. In the shade of pines,
you will experience an inexpressible joy never before
imagined. With professional service in top hotels,
tens of thousands of private apartments, villas and
rooms in which guests become a part of the hosts’
families; the Makarska Riviera is at the very apex of
Croatian tourism with a natural beauty that gives
memorable meanings to vacations. Located under
Nature Park Biokovo, with its “head in the heavens
and its feet in the sea,” the Makarska Riviera experi-
ences tourism as a part of its daily routine and tradi-
tion, and the desire to always be better, different and
even more beautiful.
 MAKARSKA, BRELA, BAŠKA VODA, PROMAJNA, BRATUŠ, KRVAVICA, BAST,
TOPIĆI, TUČEPI, PODGORA, DRAŠNICE, IGRANE, ŽIVOGOŠĆE, DRVENIK,
ZAOSTROG, PODACA, BRIST, GRADAC

21

NATURAL Vrulja
BEAUTIES Vrulja Beach is special and different from any other beach on the
Biokovo Mountain, topping the Adriatic. It is located near Brela, under Dubpci ablaut, and there
Makarska Riviera in its entire are no roads leading to the beach and it offers no additional
length, limits the area of the facilities, and it is dwarfed by steep cliffs. The only way you can
Riviera to only 3 kilometres in reach it is on foot or by boat. Fresh water sources beneath the
width from the mountain to sea’s surface create mesmerising foam. These underwater fresh
the sea, but that is where the water sources create a difference in water temperature and if you
unmatched blue-green beauty dive more than a metre under the surface, you will become in-
of the entire Riviera area lies. stantly refreshed. Taking a ride on a boat with glass bottom and
This mountain, with its high- bright night lights is especially attractive because it allows pas-
est peak (Saint George at 1.762 sengers to see the true richness of underwater maritime life.
meters), is a protected natural
park and on a clear day from its
protected peak you can see all of wild plants, from Mediterra-
the way across the Adriatic to nean to mountainous species.
ACTIVE
the Italian shore. The richness of Various forms of karst land- VACATION
the Mediterranean flora makes scape, limestone pavement, If your dream vacation is one
Biokovo the place where moun- caves, pits (some are over a few filled with activities that juice
tain goats, mouflon, game birds hundred metres deep) and sink- up adrenaline, such as sports,
and golden eagle live. Kotišina holes, where famous Biokovo walking, or inviting activities on
Botanical Garden is an integral potatoes are still cultivated, are water, then Makarska Riviera is
part of the Nature Park Biokovo, a real challenge for all nature the right choice for vacation you.
where you can find 300 species lovers. The natural surroundings of im-
 perious mountains with all their low yourselves to enjoy the tastes Plenković, located on the sunny
secrets, meadows, forests and and scents of fruit, vegetables Biokovo slopes above Baška
gazeboes, all ensure a rich, active and aromatic herbs that are cul- Field, with 75 ha of vineyards. As
vacation possibility, especially for tivated in that sun-bathed area. a part of Opačak Tavern in Gornji
22 people into adrenaline- produc- You should also treat yourselves Tučepi, you can find a registered
ing sports, such as free climbing, to seafood specialties that are a winery in the region of the Ma-
paragliding, cave exploration, part of the traditionally simple, karska Riviera that offers quality
mountaineering, walking, bicy- light and healthy cooking style wines made of autochthonous
cling etc. As mountains tempt of Dalmatian cuisine, where the Dalmatian grape varieties that
people with their precipitous use of fresh ingredients, fish and received numerous awards and
heights, the shore also offers shells is de rigueur. What makes recognition.
various recreation in the form of this area unique is the Torta Ma-
cycling, beach volleyball courts, karana gastro-brand, a traditional
tennis courts, football pitches delicacy of the Makarska area,
entertainment
and basketball courts, as well as a made of almonds whose recipe Numerous events, traditional
variety of amusement at the sea; has not changed in centuries feasts and customs that were
scooter riding, parachute sailing and which is an integral part of transformed into tourism attrac-
and hand-gliding, banana riding any festive menu. The unique tions are the hallmark of Makar-
etc. Exceptionally pleasant tem- and readily identifiable cuisine ska Riviera throughout the better
peratures and generous portions of that area allows you to enjoy part of the year, especially during
of sunshine are the hallmarks of the savoury taste and aroma of the summer season. When swim-
this Riviera in early spring and the area’s spice herbs, and you ming and sunbathing during the
late autumn when it is very pleas- should surely try some of local day give way to fresh nights spent
ant to take a walk in olive groves honeys made of flowers or sage out in bars and clubs near the sea,
and vineyards where you can from Biokovo Mountain. Makarska Riviera is transformed
participate in picking olives or into party destinations filled with
grapes with your hosts. live music for all tastes and gen-
wine erations, along with dance nights,
Plavac Mali is the most dominant Klapa groups’ concerts, jazz mu-
GASTRONOMY grapevine variety in this area, sic, exhibitions, shows, summer
Staying on the Makarska Riviera and especially impressive are carnivals and fisherman festivi-
can only be fully enjoyed if you al- the vineyards owned by Zlatan ties that ensure good times and
unmatched memories, and can
be found in all the places in the
Riviera. Especially interesting are
cool summer nights in small vil-
lages on Biokovo slopes around 23
the Riviera where you can enjoy
cultural events, plays, exhibitions
and concerts in century-old stone
yards.

PICNICS
With its ideal location along 60
kilometres of seashore, the Ma-
karska Riviera extends an invi-
tation to you to visit its towns
and settlements, discover new
beaches and visit small villages
on the Biokovo slopes every day.
At the same time, only a narrow
sea passage separates the Riviera
from the islands of Hvar and Brač,
which you can reach by taking a
pleasant boat trip, all while en-
joying their beautiful coves rich
culture and history. Only sixty
kilometres separate the Riviera
from the centre of Split and many
agencies encourage tourists
to visit Međugorje, the famous
sanctuary in nearby Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
24
VISIT Lighthouse
Visit unique Saint
Peter’s lighthouse,
built in 1884 in a
stone building and
which today serves
as a tourism facility
that can be rented

The City of Makarska

www.makarska.hr
One of the most popular tour- covered promenade. Only a few roque Saint Philip Neri’s Church
ist destinations on the Adriatic minutes away, you will encoun- and the main city street, Kalelar-
is surely the City of Makarska ter a stone waterfront that is ga, located in its centre. Central
which, despite its size and urban typical of all Mediterranean cit- city square is called Kačić Square,
development, has preserved ies, replete with a vibrant atmo- with a monument of Father An-
a multitude of vacation ben- sphere and filled with historical drija Kačić Miošić, a Church con-
efits and entertainment along its aspects and numerous shops taining Makarska’s history, and
communal beach that stretches and restaurants. Here you will Saint Mark’s Church that is sur-
for 2 kilometres along a pine- find the City Museum and ba- rounded by picturesque facades
 INTERESTING of stone houses and balconies.
Facts Makarska Port is located be-
tween Sveti Petar Peninsula and
Father Andrija Kačić Miošić Osejava, which provides a view
Father Andrija Kačić Miošić was a local poet and a of Biokovo Mountain, the main-
friar who holds an important place in Croatian lit- land and the sea. The Franciscan
erature with his work “Razgovori ugodni naroda Monastery, dating back over 500
Slovinskoga,” dating from 1756. In the following cen- years is built adjacent to Saint
turies, this book became the most popular Croatian Mary’s Church, which today
folk book, second only to the Bible, in all parts of the serves the function of pinaco-
country. The city square in Makarska is named after theca and the monastery holds
this great man, and his monument, a work by Ivan rich archives, as well as a library
Rendić, was erected on the square in 1890. and an exquisite malacological
collection, in one of its parts.
Villages under Biokovo
Although their inhabitants have long ago aban- VISIT Observatory
doned the harsh soil on Biokovo slopes, the for-
mer settlements of Veliko Brdo, Puharići and Ma- Visit Makarska observa-
kar, above Makarska, preserved their picturesque tory on Glavica, located
rural architecture since many houses were re- in the centre of the City
stored or converted into attractive villas. The most only a few dozen me-
beautiful view of Makarska, its entire coastline tres from the waterfront
and surrounding islands, is certainly from these and main municipal
villages. beach, which is open
late at night during the
Summer carnival summer months
One of the most attractive summer 25
events in Makarska is the tradi-
The most tional summer carnival in which
VISIT Malacological
beautiful beaches thousands of masked partici- Museum
The municipal beach pants take part in singing and Visit the Malacological
Makarska, pebble dancing. The carnival enter- Museum in the Fran-
beaches Cvitačka and tainment accompanied with ciscan Monastery,
Ramova, and the music in the entire town, is or- established by Father
Nugal nudist beach, ganised during the first part of Jure Radić in 1963 and
which is reached via August every year. An equally which holds over 3.000
Osejava beach attractive and entertaining tra- exhibits of snails and
dition is Kalelarga Night festival. shells from local area
and around the globe

VISIT Vepric
Visit the Croatian Roman Catholic Marian church, Ve-
pric, at the entrance into Makarska, dedicated to Our
Lady of Lourdes. It was established in 1908 in a natu-
ral cave reminiscent of Lourdes. There you will find a
chapel with a vestry, an altar at the square, confessi-
onals, Stations of the Cross, home for spiritual exer-
cises and procession paths. You can visit this sanctu-
ary throughout the year, but the main pilgrimages are
organized on March 25, August 7 and September 8
each year. This is one of the most visited Croatian
sanctuaries and unavoidable pilgrimage sites on the
path towards spiritual renewal
 VISIT Saint Stephen church
Visit the church dedica-
ted to Saint Stephen, the
patron saint of Brela

VISIT Our Lady of Karmela

Visit Our Lady of Karmela
Church, which is a va-
luable monument of ba-
roque architecture built
as a token of gratitude by
the local population for
a victory over the Turks
in 1715

26
The most
beautiful beaches
Dugi rat and Punta
rata, and Berullia,
Soline and Vruja
pebble
beaches

Brela
www.brela.hr
Brela represents the first and plenitude of interesting possi-
most beautiful contact with Ma- bilities for tourism activities. The
karska Riviera as you travel from resort is proud of its beautiful
northwest then towards the pebble beaches, and Dugi rat
south. In this picturesque settle- beach was proclaimed one of
ment, whose beauty looks as if the top 10 beaches in the world
it came directly from a canvas, and the most beautiful Europe-
is perfect for people who wish an beach by American magazine
to enjoy solitude, a crystal-clear Forbes. Brela’s readily identifi-
sea and shade provided by pine able trademark is its abundant
trees. This settlement is almost stone, found at the sea cliff Brela,
two thousand-years-old. Due to from which several pines seem-
its natural beauty and rich tour- ingly grow from the stone itself
ism tradition, Brela is a modern and play an integral role in the
tourist resort today, offering a beautiful pebble beach.
 The most
beautiful beaches

Baška Voda Nikolina is a pebble beach,

and Ikovac is the most
popular beach among young
www.baskavoda.hr people due to its numerous
beach bars, and Krvavica
The tourism tradition is almost beach is also gorgeus
one-hundred-years-old in this
former fishermen’s and farm-
ing settlement, which was, ac-
cording to archaeological data,
settled as early as 4.000 BC. Be- 27
longing to the Baška Voda are
the picturesque settlements
Promajna, Bratuš, Krvavica,
Bast and Topići. The main mo-
tive for settling on that location
was its source of fresh water.
Today Baška Voda is a modern
tourist centre with rich cultural
and entertainment attractions VISIT VISIT
and widely famous pebble Saint Nicholas’s Archaeological
Church Museum
beaches that dominate the en-
tire settlement and represent Visit Saint Nicholas’s Visit the Archaeological
a recognisable landscape of Church built in 1889 in Museum and its collec-
Makarska Riviera. Baška Voda neo-romanticism style. It tion containing exhibits
offers many attractive events, holds valuable artefacts, dating back to 2.000 BC
shows and parties during the such as a stainless glass
summer months and interest- by Josip Botteri Dini and a
ing exhibits in archaeological painting of the Stations of
museums and museum collec- the Cross by Josip Bifel
tions, as well as a rich collection
of shells. It offers walks and se- of stone on the Biokovo slopes VISIT Bast
rene enjoyment in the pristine and has to this day preserved
nature of Biokovo Mountain its original architecture of old Visit Saint Rocco’s Chur-
and villages below Biokovo, stone buildings where adven- ch in Bast, which was the
among which is the especially turers and mountain enthusi- mountains’ predecessor
beautiful Topići village, a small asts can find many accommo- of today’s settlement on
village primarily constructed dations to their liking. the shore
 The most
beautiful beaches
Slatina, a beach in front
of Jadran Hotel, and
Dračevac nudist beach

28 Tučepi located between Tučepi

and Podgora

www.tucepi.com
Tučepi transformed itself from also find the remains of fortifi-
a small fishermen’s village in cations and houses with numer- VISIT
the 19th century into one of the ous towers that were used for Kaštelet
leading tourism centres of Ma- defending the settlement. Explore the interior pa-
karska Riviera today. The history lace of Kaštelet baroque
of Tučepi is almost 4.000 years summer house, today’s
old, since the time of Roman Kaštelet Hotel, located
country houses (villae rusticate) on the promenade which
that were built on that location, was built during the 18th
and are inextricably bound to century for rest and for
Tučepi and tourism. Practically gatherings of noble fa-
the whole settlement is one big, milies
clean and marvellous pebble
beach, stretching almost 3 ki- VISIT
lometres in length. Along the Saint Anthony
of Padua
whole promenade, parallel to
the beach, you can take pleas- Visit parish church dedi-
ant walks in the shade of pine cated to Saint Anthony of
trees and only 10 minutes away Padua, the patron saint of
you will find small villages on Tučepi, located in Gornji
mountain slopes that are fa- Tučepi, which was built in
mous for their vineyards and ol- 1911 and contains three
ive groves. In that area you will baroque altars
Podgora VISIT Igrane
Visit Saint Michaels’
www.tz-podgora.hr Church built in the 11th
century on a hill above
Igrane (www.igrane.org)

VISIT Drašnice
Visit All Saint’s Church in
Podgora, dating back to
1764, and Saint Thecla’s
Church, dating back to
1630, Our Lady of Ruža-
rija Church in Igrane, and
Saint George’s Church in
Drašnice, dating back to
the 15th century

VISIT Zalina tower

Visit Zalina tower in Igra-
ne, erected during the
conflicts with the Turks
29

The most
beautiful beaches
Plišivac and the central
municipal beach in front
of Podgora Hotel, and
Podgora was named after its to don Mihovil Pavlinović, municipal beach Drašnice
location (Croatian, ‘pod gora,’ one of the founders of the as well as Klokun, which
under the mountain). Podgora Croatian national revival in Dal- you can reach by boat
was a famous fishermen’s village matia. Above the settlement, we
since olden times, and because find a stone monument called
of the devastating earthquake “Sea gull’s wing,,” which was
in 1962 most of the old settle- erected in 1962 in honour of the
ment was destroyed and its military navy which today serves
inhabitants ventured down to- as a sort of Podgora trademark.
wards the sea, and that is when Podgora includes other settle-
Podgora became a settlement ments, such as Drašnice and
on the shore, especially attrac- Igrane, with their picturesque
tive for tourists. Known as fisher- pebble beaches and archaeo-
men, the people of Podgora to logical locations that testify that
this day keep fishing boats in the these fishermen’s villages were
port, which gives the entire set- inhabited in the time of the Ro-
tlement a special marine feeling. mans. Today they are an excel-
In the centre of the settlement, lent destination for all those who
with its promenade and stone wish to spend a peaceful vaca-
waterfront, we find a monument tion in pristine nature.
 Živogošće VISIT Licinian’s epigraph
The famous Licinian’s
www.zivogosce.hr epigraph that dates back
to 474 consists of 16 Latin
hexameters, arguably the
most beautiful piece of
classic literature, carved
into a living rock above
the Pokrivenice spring on
the sea’s shore. With this
classical piece and setting,
the Roman quaestor Licini-
an is seen celebrating the
“freshwater” spring which
still exists there to this day

to 1616. Živogošće is famous

for its many freshwater springs
that have been supplying the lo-
cal population with fresh water
since ancient times. The natural
This is a picturesque tourism beauty of olive groves and pine
settlement with a typical pebble The most forests that hover over 6 kilome-
beach almost 6-kilometres long, beautiful beaches tres of interlinked beaches, the
with a rich history dating back Dole camp beach, beach clean sea beneath the moun-
30 to the times of the Illyrians and Blato and the beach in tain and similar attractions
Romans, which is preserved in front of Nimfa Hotel make this place perfect for fam-
churches and monasteries, in- ily vacations. The highest peak
cluding the Franciscan Saint in Živogošće is Sutvid (1.155
Cross monastery dating back meters).

Drvenik
www.drvenik.hr
An especially important day in the history of Drve-
nik is April 15, 1687 when the Turkish army con-
quered the Drvenik tower which was defended by
women from Drvenik. The remains of the building
are on the top of a high hill above Drvenik. Saint
George’s Church, dating back to the 15th century,
is a priceless cultural heritage monument and its
front façade is decorated with a rose with eight pet-
als. The large marble altar contains Saint George’s
statue. Today’s Drvenik is a relatively young settle-
ment, being created as recently as in this century,
offering a myriad of tourist invitations and specials
for pleasant family vacations on the beautiful peb-
ble beaches of Donja Vala and Gornja Vala.
Drvenik has a ferry service that connects the main-
land and the islands of Hvar and Korčula.
 INTERESTING Facts
Gradac was named after
the fort that was located
on the hill above Saint
Michael’s Church

Zaostrog is the only place

in the world where the
Sun rises two times in
one day. During a certain
period of the year, the
Sun comes up behind
Vitel Hill, then, it hides
behind the rocks, only to
rise again for the second
time 20 minutes later. This
phenomenon is unique in
the world

Due to its special com-

position, due to its many
streams and undercur-
rents that run into the
sea, the sea water in this
equatorial area has heal-
ing properties which can 31
be used for the treatment
of various illnesses

VISIT Brist

Gradac Visit the old village in

Brist, with tombstones
dating back to the bronze
www.gradac.hr and Iron Age

The ranges of Biokovo Mountain 36 pebble beaches whose total The monastery in Zaostrog is
that dwarf Gradac are a world’s length surpasses 10 kilometres, the oldest preserved monastery
phenomenon when it comes and 7 kilometres of beaches are in the entire central Dalmatia
to the number and depth of located inside the tourism settle- region, and among the many
caves and other karst features. ments. Gradac has a beautiful valuable exhibitions found in
Along 16 kilometres of coastline, beach called Gornja Vala, south monastery’s museum we wish
which includes Gradac and the of the port, which is the longest to emphasise its library that con-
smaller settlements of Podaca, beach on the Makarska Riviera. tains over 20.000 old books and
Brist and Zaostrog, you will find The first hotel was built in 1919. its unique botanical garden.

VISIT Podaca VISIT Zaostrog

Visit Saint John the Baptist’s Church in Visit the ethnographic collection,
Podaca, dating back to the 12th century, along with a collection of ethno-
and gothic Saint Barbara’s Church in graphic paintings, in the Franciscan
Zaostrog with 18th - century organ monastery in Zaostrog
 Zagora
In the arms of the river and the mountains

32

Rarely anywhere does the blue sea come so close to the continent as it Active
does in Zagora, where the green heart of valleys and the river are sepa-
rated from the sea only by the Kozjak, Mosor and Biokovo Mountains.
vacation
This is a unique “leap” into the green continental part of the region, only The diverse nature surround-
30 kilometres from the sea, containing autochthonous settlements and ing the Cetina River shores and
friendly hosts who mostly work in vineyards and with cattle, but they are valleys, the serene paths under
increasingly becoming involved in agricultural tourism, for which they willow trees, the caves, holes
have ideal conditions. Zagora, as a part of central Dalmatia, is a place and stone features of the Mosor,
of significant value and importance in Croatian history. The people and Dinara and Biokovo mountains
their legends made this region into a unique oasis of history built into encourage you to be active and
the very essence of their stone houses and forts, all surrounded by a experience adventures in this
pristine nature. Staying in the ethnological villages or on the serene natural and calm environment.
shores of Cetina River, a river that gives life to an always thirsty Dalmatia, Canoe safaris and rafting on the
or visiting the Nature Park Biokovo, or the Imotski Lakes or Vrgorac Field, Cetina River, mountain climbing,
all create memorable tourist adventures. walking, diving, bicycling, hunt-
 Klis, Sinj, Trilj, Vrlika, Imotski, Vrgorac

and spices), steamed lamb, veal

UNESCO baked under the lid, polestar
(young rooster) baked under the
Intangible lid, game meat, goat, cow and
sheep cheese, doughnuts and
Cultural Heritage the most important, traditional
Dalmatian prosciutto, salted and
smoked, and pork loin dried un-
Sinjska alka der the northern wind (bora).
The City of Sinj is famous for its traditional equestrian com- When it comes to delicacies, you
petition, which has been held every first Sunday in the do not want to miss out on Imots-
month of August since 1715 in the honour of its heavenly ki cake and rafioli (traditional
patron, Our Lady of Sinj who, according to legends, chased cakes), and bikla (a drink made
away the Ottoman Turks. Alka is organised as a reminder of by mixing milk and red wine, of-
the perpetual vow of loyalty to and admiration of that heroic ten in the same ratio). Bikla can
victory. Richly decorated uniforms, along with the clatter- be dark or light purple in colour,
ing of horses’ hooves, the cannon shots roaring from Stari depending on the wine content.
Grad fort, the clashing sound of lances hitting the ring, the
competitive spirit and chivalry, all guarantee an unparalleled
experience when you take in this traditional event.
Wine
Kujundžuša is the leading white
wine grape variety in the Imotski
Silent circle dance region. With a normal vintage, it 33
Zagora’s silent circle dance is still performed today on fes- is characterised by a gentle and
tivities in the Vrlika region. This dance is undertaken with- neutral scent and these wines en-
out music and the rhythm is created by the sound of the ter the market as quality varietal
dancers’ feet. This dance is extremely demanding but very wines. Grabovac champagne is
appealing to spectators. The dance is symbolic of the dif- the first sparkling wine produced
ficult living conditions on harsh land and the strength and in Dalmatia. Wine is left in a barrel
perseverance of the people of that region. The well-cho- for two or more years in order to
reographed circle dance is an integral part of the folklore mature and is characterised by a
programmes presented by numerous cultural and artistic light yellow to a golden colour, a
societies in the region. flowery aroma, a perfect limpid-
ity and a stable foam.

ing, fly fishing, paragliding and

parachuting, etc., are just some of
Gastronomy
the activities you can experience The tradition of coming together
in an unspoiled nature setting, at the table and enjoying home-
with clear water, wild soil, un- made food produced in a mix-
touched grasslands and orchards. ture of cool mountain air and
People of Zagora have been in rich sunny valleys will provide
love with horses for centuries your senses with new sensations
and horse breeding is a tradi- and unique tastes emanating
tion dear to them. In Sinj, Trilj from the Mediterranean hinter-
and Muć, you will find stables land. Traditional Zagora meals
and horse clubs that organize served in top-quality restaurants
riding schools for beginners are Cetina trout, frogs and crabs,
and offer recreational riding Sinj arambaši (a traditional dish
possibilities to professionals. made of minced beef, cabbage
 Škopljanci
Ethno-eco
village
Only a mere 20-minute drive
from Split, we discover the pic-
turesque, ethnological village
of Škopljanci, hidden around
Radošić in Lećevica municipal-
ity which is located north from
Kaštela. The Škopljanac fam-
ily nurtures a long tradition of
agricultural tourism on their
300.000-square-metres estate.
Here in the centre of this vast
area you can find some beau-
tifully restored houses. Three
of those houses have been

Klis
converted into taverns and
one houses a small ethnologi-
cal collection. This family is the
www.tzo-klis.htnet.hr proud owner of 40 autoch-
thonous folk costumes from
all parts of the Zagora region.
Klis is an unusual settlement, one mans for decades until, in 1537,
Apart from a restored stone vil-
that is located on a large rock in the Ottomans finally managed
34 a notch between Kozjak on the to conquer the fort. Old Klis and
lage, this complex also includes
a downy oak forest which is a
west and Mosor on the east, only its famous fort come alive in the
protected natural heritage site.
10 kilometres from Split. Klis fort last week of July when the battle
is one of the most prominent between the Ottomans and fort
Croatian forts. Due to its strate- defenders is re-enacted. Fenc-
gic location, this area had been ing and archery tournaments,
fought over for centuries. Klis archaic folk songs, the sound
fort became famous during the of bagpipes, drums and fiddles,
Ottoman invasions when the accompanied by oriental music
fort commander Petar Kružić and belly dancers, all guarantee
and his troops resisted the Otto- an unforgettable experience.

Dugopolje
www.visitdugopolje.com
Modern Dugopolje, only 15 kilometres from Split, is
located in a typical Zagora region landscape, on the
edge of a vast karst field which it was named after.
Particularly interesting is Vranjača Cave in Kotlenice,
which is a protected geomorphological natural heri-
tage site with numerous stalactites adjacent to a
waterfall encased in stone. Abundant speleothem
ornaments and large underground chambers which
can be reached via staircases make this cave the most
attractive cave site in all of Dalmatia.
The City of Sinj VISIT Miraculous Lady
of Sinj Church

www.visitsinj.com Visit the Miraculous Lady

of Sinj Church that houses
a painting of the Miracu-
lous Lady of Sinj, which is
one of the most beautiful
paintings ever painted
in all of Christian art. It is
painted on a 58x44 cm
canvas; interestingly, it
does not reveal the entire
image of the Mother of
God, only her bust on a
dark background. Today
only the face of the Mother
of God is seen and a small
segment of a shroud since
the remaining surface of
the painting is covered
with gold and pearls,
which were given as vo-
tive offerings. The most
impressive gift is a golden
crown offered to the Lady
by the defenders of Sinj; 35
this festive coronation
was organised in 1716 by
Split’s archbishop Stjepan
Sinj is the centre of the Cetina region Cupilli. The painting is
and a pearl in the Zagora region’s set in a silver frame made
treasure chest where life on this rocky of votive offerings. This
hill started as early as the 1st century is a work of an unknown
BC. Sinj is one of the most famous Ro- author but is suspected to
man Catholic Marian sites in Croatia. be the superlative work of
Its inhabitants proudly remember a Venetian painter in the
the year 1715 when they managed to second part of the 15th
defend their city from Ottoman inva- century
sions and in commemoration of that
great victory and glory, the inhabit-
ants of Sinj nurture an equestrian SEE
competition called alka. In the Cetina Alka
Region Museum and Archaeological See equestrian competiti-
Collection in the Franciscan monas- on alka, visit Alkars’ Pala-
tery you can see valuable exhibits ce (alkar is a knight that
and precious finds that testify to the participates in alka), the
longevity and interminable turmoil alkar monument, Stari
of history of that area. On the celebra- Grad Fort and the Kami-
tion of the Assumption of Our Lady, čar tower, with a clock.
October 15, numerous pilgrims par- show “The siege of Sinj
ticipate in festive religious celebra- 1715,” as well as the Mu-
tions and processions in which they stang family picnic resort
carry the painting of Our Lady. and Panj family farm
 VISIT Museum
Visit Trilj Region Muse-
um, the Roman military
camp Tilurium, where 6
thousand soldiers lived
up to the middle of the
1st century, Čačvina
Fort, the old Grab mills,
preserved in their origi-
nal form, the traditional
commodities-cattle fair
on Saint Michael’s Day
in September, where you
can see and purchase
almost everything, from

The City of Trilj various handicrafts to

farm animals

www.tz-trilj.hr
As a crossroad, Trilj has always numerous entertainment pos-
been a destination for travel- sibilities to enjoy nature in one
lers looking for new adventures of the best-preserved natural
and experiences in nature. This reservoirs in the world. Trilj
36 is a two-millennia-old city that has always been known for its
is separated by a river and con- hospitality and good cuisine. It
nected via bridges. Its location, is exceptionally easy to enjoy
adjacent to the Cetina River on the surrounding nature, the lo-
the edge of Cetina Field and cal people, customs and life, in
between Kamešnica slopes every sense of the word, in the
and surrounding hills, ensures unique city of Trilj.

The City of Vrlika

www.visitvrlika.com
Located near the source of the Cetina River and
Peruča Lake, Vrlika is famous for its springs and
healthy climate of ozone-filled Dinara Mountain
air. It is also famous for its rich folklore tradition
and embroidery products (folk costumes, rugs,
hats, purses etc.) that have not changed in cen-
turies. Vrlika folklore and traditional folk songs
inspired the Croatian composer Jakov Gotovac
to write his famous comical opera, “Ero s onoga
svijeta” (“Ero the Joker”, literally translated as
“Ero from the Other World”). Nearby Peručko
Lake has been used by Croatian rowers, both
the national team and various sport clubs, as a
practice location before competitions.
The City of Imotski
www.tz-imotski.hr VISIT Topana Fort
On the northeast side of Biokovo a cannon ball from Topana Fort Visit Topana Fort and
Mountain, adjacent to the Bosnia in order to determine a demar- its votive church of the
and Herzegovina border, is an cation line between the Turks Lady of the Angel, the
area with an abundantly fruited and the Venetians in 1717. Due Gospin dolac football
karst field, and that is where the to semi-circle cannon ball reach, stadium, the Imotski
City of Imotski is located, which today’s state border also has a City Museum and the
has served as an important fort shape of a semi-circle. You can Franciscan monastery’s
since the Middle Ages. It was reach Imotski from the Makarska collection, the archaeo-
named after an old Croatian pa- Riviera by driving through Sveti logical site, Crkvine-Cista
rish centre, Imota (Emotha). The Ilija (Saint Elijah) tunnel, and if Velika, serpentines over
legend says that the border with you are driving on a highway one-hundred years old,
Bosnia and Herzegovina was from Split, then you proceed to leading to Blue Lake,
determined by the shooting of highway exit Zagvozd. the mills and a complex
on Perinuša, the old city
centre beneath Topana,
Saint Francis’s Church,
numerous monumental
tombstones in Lovreć,
and the remains of a ba-
silica in Zmijavci. Imotski
is a place where the
famous ballad “Hasanagi- 37
nica” was written and
the development of a
thematic memorial park
is currently in progress on
the slopes of Blue Lake
in order to commemorate
this famous ballad

Blue and Red Lake

Blue Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in named Gavan, chased a beggar from her door-
Croatia and is located at the very edge of the City step when he asked for help and her expansive,
of Imotski. People called it Blue Lake because of luxurious mansion fell through the crevice into
the colour of its water. Water levels within the the lake, thus reminding people to this day of
lake fluctuate significantly throughout the year the importance of humility and contrition.
and the lake is sometimes 90 metres deep and Red Lake is a karst pit near Imotski filled with
sometimes it completely dries up. When the water. It was named after the red rocks at its
lake is completely dry, people play football at bottom. Recently, the mystery of Red Lake has
its bottom. During the summer months, there is been solved. The depth was measured to be
usually enough water for swimming, and water 255.4 metres, which confirmed that the lake
sports are not at all an unusual site at the lake. bottom is below sea level. Whenever visitors try
The legend says that the lake was created after to toss a rock into the lake from the road, they
an arch above the lake collapsed. According to always fail despite the fact that it seems easy to
the legend, the arrogant wife of local rich man, toss a rock into the lake.
 Kokorići
Ethno-eco
village
Near Vrgorac in the Bunina
Field armlet, the ethnologi-
cal village Kokorići domi-
nates from a mildly elevated
hill from whose vantage
point you can gaze upon
cultivated fields and the
peaks surrounding the vil-
lage. The autochthonous ru-

The City of Vrgorac ral entities, such as its wells,

stables, haylofts, houses,
taverns, the Prže Prvan tow-
www.tzvrgorac.hr er, the old medieval Saint
Anthony’s Church, all of this
Vrgorac is a city at the cross- love of this area in his book. The reflects folk architecture and
38 roads, a place where continental landscape of the history of this is placed under conserva-
and coastal region roads meet, a area is probably best painted by tion protection. The whole
city surrounded by three fruitful the seven towers surrounding it, village has been restored
fields on the Matokit reef slopes as well as its medieval fort and and is now a tourist attrac-
for which it was named. This city beautiful Gradina gazebo under tion. You can spend time in
is a link between the sea and which the city itself was formed. a Dalmatian resort house or
the rich agricultural fields in the The famous Croatian poet An- in Pržina tower, sample lo-
hinterland. Discovered archaeo- tun Tin Ujević was born in one cal home-made delicacies
logical remains testify that this of those towers. Vrgorac is to- in fabulously furnished tav-
area has been constantly in- day famous for its great wines erns, or learn about the Eth-
habited throughout history. In and ecological food production, nographic collection exhib-
the 18th century this region was especially its strawberries which its and see local traditions of
discovered by a travelling writer were dubbed the best strawber- living in Kokorići.
Alberto Fortis who conveyed his ries in Dalmatia.
INTERESTING Roman roads
Facts The Roman roads in Dalmatia are
not readily visible monuments,
but for those who wish to im-
merse themselves into antiquity,
they are highly captivating when
uncovered. Partial roads and
paths built during the Roman rule
are still discoverable in the Dal-
matia province today. The start-
ing point of all roads in antiquity
was Salona, a metropolis of the
Dalmatia province. There were at
least eight known separate roads
coming from Salona towards the
hinterland or towards the shore.
The Roman road network in the
Zagora region was built, except
for military purposes also for
Cetina for death. At the break of dawn exploiting resources and trade.
Cetina River is a source of life she blew up a gunpowder sto- All roads towards the hinterland
and subsistence for the Zagora rage tank which claimed the life passed through a mountain
region. It protects the people of Ahmed-pasha and the entire pass under the strategically lo-
against thirst and irrigates their Ottoman camp. A monument to cated Klis fort, and then the road
fruitful fields. Its source is at the Mila Gojsalić made by Meštrović branched out into three different
Dinara Mountain foothills near and located on a reef above Za- directions. One communication
Vrlika. After flowing for 100.5 ki- kučac that overlooks the Cetina route led to camp Andetrium 39
lometres it runs into the Adriatic River canyon is an attractive (Gornji Muć), another to Aeguum
near Omiš. Downstream from reminder of this young heroine (Čitluk near Sinj), while the third
Trilj, the Cetina River forms a who is watching over her city road lead to Tilurij (Trilj) on the
canyon valley, and further along and the river. Cetina River.
it encounters Velika and Mala
Gubavica in its lower flow.
Antique
Aphrodisiac football
A legend says that the source The first football activities in the
of the underground river world were played in the region
Betina, in Kokorići Village, near today’s Trilj. That fact is prov-
near Vrgorac, has aphrodisiac en by the antique gravestone of a
properties. It is certainly worth seven-year-old Roman boy Gaius
checking out! Laberius that dates back to the
2nd century and found at the
Tilurium site near Trilj, depicting
Heroine a boy holding a ball with inter-
Mila Gojsalić linked hexagons, looking almost
Mila Gojsalić, the celebrated identical to a football used today.
heroine from Poljice, was origi- This monument is now encased
nally from the village of Kosta- in the front façade of a stone
nje. According to the legend, house in Vrlika Street in Sinj. In
in 1530 she lost her virginity 1969 FIFA officially recognised
after a night spent in Ottoman this monument as the world’s first
captivity. Instead of living with monument dedicated to football.
shame and denial, she opted
 Brač
The island of culture and adventure

40

The largest Dalmatian island and the third biggest Adriatic is- Natural
land, Brač, with its twenty settlements, provides a peaceful, at-
tractive vacation opportunity. Covered with vegetation and with
beauties
numerous hidden bays where you can enjoy peace and quiet, Vidova gora
Brač is an island replete with historical heritage and a typical This is the highest peak of the
Mediterranean island with lots of sunny days and pleasant sea Adriatic archipelago (780 me-
temperature. It is widely famous for its stone which adorns the tres), and it was named after
world’s most famous buildings. One of the island’s trademarks is the ruins of Saint Vitus’s Church
the widely famous beach, Zlatni rat in Bol, whose unique beauty located only a hundred metres
leaves every visitor breathless. Apart from its plethora of hotel from the peak. On a clear day
accommodations, on Brač you can enjoy camping and private you can see all the way to Mon-
accommodations in thousands of apartments and villas, all in a te Gargano on the Apennine
pleasant environment, with hospitable hosts. The island is con- Peninsula and famous Zlatni
nected to other islands and the mainland via numerous ferry rat beach in Bol. At the summit,
lines and you can reach Split or Makarska in just one hour on a you will find a typical Dalmatian
delightful ferry ride. tavern.
 Bobovišća, Bol, Dračevica, Donji Humac, Dol, Ložišća, Gornji Humac,
Milna, Mirca, Murvica, Nerežišća, Novo Selo, Postira, Povlja, Pražnica,
Pučišća, Supetar, Sutivan, Sumartin, Splitska, Selce, Škrip

Zlatni rat beach

Stonemasonry Many consider this to be the most
beautiful beach on the Adriatic. It
School in Pučišća is located next to Bol in the foot-
hills of Vidova gora. This beach is
The Stonemasonry School in Pučišća was established in 1909 a natural phenomenon because,
and it teaches students the mastery of traditional stonecut- depending on the direction of
ting, and the entire school has a certain Renaissance feeling. the wind or waves, the tip of the
This is one of three stonemasonry schools in Europe. The beach turns left or right. Zlatni rat
school’s workshop, stonecutting techniques and traditional is one of the best places for wind-
skills are the principal reasons for visiting this school during surfing and surfing on the whole
the summer when the school is open to the public. Adriatic.

Dragon’s Cave (Zmajeva

spilja or Drakonjina spilja)
Located 200 metres from the vil-
lage Murvica, this cave was used
as a home and a shrine dedicated
to Glagolitic monks from Poljice
who escaped to these steep
southern slopes in the middle
of the 15th century to start their 41
monastic lives. The cave contains
reliefs depicting life in those days,
and these reliefs are of immense
historic value and importance.

Lovrečina Cove
Lovrečina, a deep cove with san-
dy beach and rich archaeological
finds, as well as exquisite location
for a picnic is located near Pučište.
There you can find the remains of
Škrip an early Christian church and on
the northern side of the cove you
The oldest and most authentic Brač village, Škrip, is a testa- will find a baptismal well in the
ment of the millennia-long life on the island and its rich his- shape of a cross.
tory. On an area of less than one hectare, you can see a line
of history reaching back to the prehistoric era, represented Pine on the roof of Saint Peter
by early defensive walls, to the Roman era, represented by and Paul’s Church
many mausoleums, reliefs and sarcophagi, to the late antiq- A black pine on the roof of the
uity Church and medieval graveyards. In old houses of typical Romanesque church in Nerežišće
Brač architecture and in the Radojković defensive tower com- is a fantastic natural phenomena
plex, built in the 16th century, you will find the Local Heritage believed to be 100 years old. A
Museum where an archaeological, ethnographic and cultur- tree trunk sprouted between
al-historic collection is housed. Near the museum you will see stone tiles on the roof, and due
old Roman stone quarries and one of them displays a carving to these unfavourable condi-
depicting Hercules with a club and lion skin. tions the pine tree remained
small and underdeveloped.
 Active Wine
vacation Brač is rich in autochthonous
grapevine varieties that are used
Bicycling, hiking, free climbing, for making traditional wines of
scuba diving, kayaking, sailing exquisite quality. The vineyards
and tennis are just some of ac- on the southern slopes of the is-
tivities you can participate in land have the highest yield due
when staying on the island of to their favourable position on
Brač. The tennis centre in Bol sunny slopes. The most famous
has 20 tennis courts with red variety is Plavac Mali, which has
clay surfaces, surrounded by seemingly existed forever on
green pines, and many con- the island. When it comes to
sider Bol to be the best loca- white wines, Pošip is an espe-
tion on the Adriatic for surfing cially good variety, while Plavac
and windsurfing. Mountain bi- Mali is dominant among red
cycling across the island is an varieties. “Jako Vino” winery in
unforgettable experience. In Bol is one of the most beautiful
sports centres and hotels you wineries in Croatia. It is located
can rent bikes and enjoy taking at the waterfront in the centre
a ride on marked cycling roads of the city and it has been there
around the island. If you prefer for over a century.
walking, you can take a walk on
the designated thematic walk-
ing trails, such as Hercules trail
Olive growing
in Splitska, the Maslinov put The island of Brač holds the
(Olive trail) in Mirca, or the walk- honour of being one of the first
42 ing and gourmet thematic trail Dalmatian islands where olives
Dolčevita near Supetar or many were grown and where olive oil
other walking trails. production started. At the end
of the 17th century, Brač had ap-
proximately 500.000 olive trees, surrounded by stone drywalls.
Gastronomy and today more extra virgin They were used as shelters and
In addition to the standard olive oil is being produced on each of those houses is a unique
Dalmatian dishes such as fish, the island than ever before. Ol- masterpiece of folk architecture
seafood, fresh and organic fruit ives and the Olive Oil Museum and a testament to human
and vegetables and olive oil, are located in Mirca, and this is hardship and to the coexistence
Brač gastronomy offers some- where you can learn all about of humans and nature.
thing special. Brač lamb and the historical stages of olive oil
kid that haven’t grazed the ar- production. The mysterious bridge
omatic mediterannean herbs Franz Joseph’s Bridge, as Brač in-
but had only milk made Brač habitants call it, was built at the
gastronomy famous as early as
Trips top of Veliki dolac pass. Since
ancient times, especially “vital- The turmoil of history is seen there are no fresh water streams
ac” Brač cheese is also famous, at every step on the island on the island today, it is believed
and “procip” is a special treat and the island is filled with a that in the past a river flowed
(a traditional dish prepared notable heritage dating back through there. The bridge was
from fresh young cheese, to prehistoric times, to Illyrian built during the Austrian admin-
baked in caramelized sugar). and ancient settlements. If you istration and today it is a part of
After a tasty meal you should wish to experience this histori- an attractive walking path.
try Brač cake, Hrapočuša (rug- cal heritage, it is a good idea to
ged cake), named after its re- venture into the island’s hinter- Ložišća
semblance to the rugged cave land where you can see ‘bunje,’ This place is a typical example of
walls around Dol where this the traditional stone houses Dalmatian urban development
cake originated. that resemble piles of rocks and folk architecture. The en-
 Blaca hermitage
The Imposing former monastery of hermetic monks is at the top
of the list of places to visit since this is a natural and cultural phe-
nomenon and a favourite picnic site of many Brač inhabitants
and their guests. This is a complex of buildings that seemingly
rise from the rock. Blaca hermitage was established during the
16st century at the southern tip of the island by Glagolitic monks
from Poljana. The first sanctuary that was built there was a parti-
tioned cave that was used as a shelter. Near the steep cliff, hard-
working hermits built a church and a monastery, as well as hous-
ing and outbuildings, and they converted forests into productive
vineyards and olive groves. A well-preserved hermitage inven-
tory is housed in today’s museum and it includes a library and
an observatory with a valuable astronomical collection. The Brač
Cultural Centre is responsible for maintaining the Blace desert.

43

tire settlement is dominated by where you can enjoy good food, dulge in a wide variety of drinks
Saint John and Paul’s Church bell great wine and divine olive oil. and various scrumptious barbe-
tower, a work by the sculptor Ivan cue dishes. The park is an ideal
Rendić in the historicism style. Donji Humac – Kopačina place for spending an afternoon
Donji Humac, only seven kilome- resting and having fun, designed
Gažul tres from Supetar, is one of the for both younger and older gen-
Gažul is a small shepherd’s village,’ oldest Brač settlements where erations and those who seek na-
with the dotting of typical shep- most houses are built of stone ture’s surrounding beauty.
herds’ dwellings seen all about, and covered with stone slabs.
set in a pristine environment. In the Kopačina tavern in Donji Brač stone quarries
During the winter, the village is Humac, you can sample the very The biggest central Dalmatian
abandoned, but in the summer, best Brač delicacies and see a island is famous for its stone that
with prior consent, you can sam- window case that displays the decorates many building around
ple traditional Brač dishes and various finds from Kopačina Cave, the globe. Brač’s white marble
the famous Brač specialty, vitalac. the oldest settlement on Brač has been used throughout his-
from where life on the island orig- tory in the construction of some
Dol - Ethno-eco village inated. It is located only a short of the most famous world sites,
In a deep valley reaching down 20-minute walk to the northwest. such as Diocletian Palace in Split,
towards the sea, you will find the White House in Washington,
Dol, a place where stone houses Nature Park Sutivan the House of Parliament in Vien-
seem to be hanging from cave- This resort offers a visit to a zoo, na and the Wiener Neustadt, the
clustered cliffs. Taking a rest playing sports at its recreational House of Parliament in Budapest
in one of two Dol taverns is an centre and taking a rest near the and the Regent’s Palace in Trieste
especially pleasant experience fountain. The visitor can also in- etc.
 The most
44 beautiful beaches
West from the main city port

The City you will find the pebble beach

Vlačica and sandy bay Banj,
which is especially attractive for

of Supetar families with children. A bit fur-

ther, behind Svpetrvs complex,
you can find the pebble
www.supetar.hr beach, Bili Rat, and
Vela Luka bay
The City of Supetar is an admin- Splitska is a settlement estab-
istrative and cultural centre of lished in the 16th century in a
the island. It is connected with peaceful bay 8 kilometres from
Split via ferry lines. With its beau- Supetar, a location that was VISIT Church
tiful traditional Mediterranean originally used as an export port
waterfront and stone buildings, in antiquity and from where From the central city
this city has carefully preserved stones for building Diocletian square you can see the
its unique island lifestyle. With Palace in Split were shipped. Annunciation of the
its rich array of events, cultural Blessed Virgin Mary’s
sights and sport facilities, this VISIT Gallery
Church and its bell tower,
city is an ideal place for people dating back to the 18th
who love culture and recreation. Visit the gallery of Ivan century. Today’s church
The nearby settlements are Rendić, one of Brač’s was built on the foun-
Mirca and Splitska. Mirca capti- most famous inhabitants dations of an early Chri-
vate visitors with their simplicity and noted Croatian scul- stian basilica that was
and beautiful rural architecture ptor, where you can see dedicated to Saint Peter,
that is so characteristic of small a collection of his busts after whom the city was
Dalmatian island settlements. and drawings named
Sutivan
www.visitsutivan.com

A typical Mediterranean settle- and Film Festival that has exist- that is, mostly extreme compe-
ment surrounded by well-kept ed in Sutivan during the month titions. The part of the festival
olive groves, orchards and vege- of July for over two decades. that is dedicated to movies at-
table plantations, Sutivan offers This festival, dedicated to ad- tracts film buffs who are partic-
ten attractive pebble beaches, venture and films, generally at- ularly into adventure-type films,
and in Livka bay you can find tracts a younger audience and and afterwards everyone can 45
a sandy beach as well. The ex- contestants who compete in indulge in the nightlife and vari-
perience of Brač as an island of climbing, bicycling, mountain ous concerts that have become
adventure is greatly enhanced climbing, scuba diving, kayak- an integral part of this popular
by its Outdoor Adventure Sport ing, sailing or standing rowing, festival.

Milna
www.milna.hr
Milna and its deep bay have always been a shelter
to sailors, and today’s marina in the centre of the
settlement is an important location on Adriatic sail-
ing route. The Milna of today is a peaceful and quiet
oasis, ideal for a vacation far away from bustling cit-
ies and large tourist centres. In Milna you will find
four vast pebble beaches, Pasikova, Lučice, Maslino-
va, and Osibova, of which two are located within
Milna, while the remaining two are in the proxim-
ity of the settlement. Milna offers many interesting
events, one of which we would particularly like to
highlight and recommend. This is the folk feast “Po-
tezanje otočića Mrduje” (Pulling of the small island
Mrduja) that is organised in July and is inspired by
a story about a never-ending quarrel between the
inhabitants of the islands of Brač and Šolta, to which
the small island Mrduja belongs.
 Bol
www.bol.hr

The most
beautiful beaches
The sun, the shade from hundred-year-old
pines, pebbles and a crystal-clear sea, Zlatni
rat beach is a beach of exquisite beauty. You
can also visit nearby Paklina beach, a pebbly
oasis surrounded by many small beaches and
bays that offer relaxation far from the noise
and crowding of the tourism centres. In addi-
tion, the Bol beaches and their expansive sea
counterpart are ideal for water sports

VISIT
46 Dominican
Monastery
Visit the Dominican
Monastery, dating back
to the 15th century, and
its unique botanical
gardens and a museum
that houses important
archaeological findings
and baroque paintings

TASTE Wine
Bol is famous around the world tifications rise above the settle- Taste and purchase
for its Zlatni rat beach, but it is ment. This picturesque settle- wine in a beautiful old
also as a place where you can ment used to be the home of winery located in the
find top-quality accommoda- winemakers, fishermen and centre of Bol
tions, relaxation and entertain- sailors, and the tourism tradi-
ment. Located in the centre of tion emanating from this envi-
the southern part of the island, ronment has been nurtured in VISIT Gallery
as the only settlement in that Bol for the past 90 years. At that
area, Bol is the oldest coastal time, Bol began converting it- Visit Branislav Dešković
settlement on Brač located un- self into a place of hotels, camps Gallery in a renaissan-
der Vidova gora, the roof of the and apartments. It is linked to ce-baroque palace. The
Adriatic. The mountain range Split on the mainland and Jelsa Museum’s exhibit holds
Bolska kruna (Bol’s crown) and on the island of Hvar via several over 400 works by fifty
fortified Koštilo with Illyrian for- ferry and catamaran lines a day. artists
Selca
www.tzoselca.hr Sumartin
Sumartin is, along with Supetar
This small settlement on the eastern part of the island has a long- and Bol, one of the doorways
standing connection to stone and stonemasonry. In Selca, you can of the island due to its con-
see a sort of gallery out in the open that holds busts and statues of fa- nections with Makarska on the
mous people throughout history. In 1911 a statue by the Czech sculp- mainland.
tor Jaroslav Barda and dedicated to Leo Tolstoy was erected in Selca,
only a year after Tolstoy’s death, thus making this the first monument
dedicated to this famous writer. You should also visit Christ the King’s
Church, which was dubbed Brač cathedral due to its beauty and its
unique architectural design. This is the only stonemason’s settlement
in which all houses are made of Brač white marble.

Postira 47
www.postira.hr Pučišća
Postirais is a fishermen’s and tour- Pučišća is an ideal place for va-
ist settlement that is located on cation far away from bustling
the northern side of the island. Its cities where you can enjoy your-
heritage results from the remains self in untrammelled nature.
of many archaeological remains,
such as the Roman summer
houses (villae rusticae), the Bene-
dictine Monastery and the early
Christian church, Saint Lawrence’s
basilica. Its favourable position
made Postira an important port
and fishermen’s settlement, and
the fertile soil in the hinterland
ensured the cultivation of quality
food and grapes, which are used
for making exquisite wines. In the
surrounding areas of Postira, you
Povlja
can find numerous bays with san- This coastal settlement, whose
dy beaches (Prvja and Lovrećina), parish church was built on early
and pebbly beaches (Mala Lozna Christian baptistery, was con-
and Zastivanje), as well as rocky structed adjacent to the early,
beaches that are surrounded by large Christian basilica dating
pine forests. back to the 6th century.
 Hvar
A sunny lavender island

48

Since the beginning of civilization, from the culture in antique Faros that was pro-
mulgated in 384/383 BC with the remains of Roman artefacts, to medieval buildings,
along with Renaissance and baroque influences, the island of Hvar is an island richer
in history than any other Adriatic island. Covered with purple lavender fields, Hvar
is symbolic of that nurtured tradition of organised tourism that has been unfold-
ing on the island since 1868. Unique in its size and beauty, with a mild climate of
temperate winters and pleasant summers, the island of Hvar is a place to visit if you
seek a sun-filled vacation, with a historical environment, bountiful nature, flowers,
vineyards, olive groves and numerous cultural sites. Furthermore, Hvar is one of the
ten most attractive islands in the world according to “Traveller Magazine,” and peo-
ple also eagerly land on its shores to indulge in unforgettable parties, its exuberant
nightlife, concerts or its nudist tourism. The City of Hvar is unavoidable destination of
all celebrities who visit central Dalmatia. With an annual average of 7.7 sunny hours
per day and as much as 2843 sunny hours in a year, the island of Hvar is the sunniest
island on the entire Adriatic. Those sun rays, long after they have dropped below
the horizon, continue to nurture the populous vineyards that ultimately become the
widely famous Hvar wines, acclaimed around the world.
 Basina, Bogomolje, Brusje, Dol, Gdinj, GrominDolac, Hvar,
Humac, Ivan Dolac, Jelsa, Milna, Pitve, Pokrivenik, Poljica, Selca,
Stari Grad, Sućuraj, Sveta Nedjelja, Svirče, VeloGrablje,
Vrbanj, Vrboska, Vrisnik, Zarače, Zavala

Natural sea and rain, and only vertical red

cavities remain, which look like
Wonders gigantic organ pipes protruding
Paklinski Islands from the sea depths today.
A cluster of approximately 20
small islands and cliffs stretch- Grapčeva Špilja (Grabac Cave)
ing in front of the City of Hvar, Grabac Cave, a cradle of Hvar cul-
Paklinski Islands are unique and ture and civilization, is the most
the most recognizable natural important prehistoric site dating
beauty of the island of Hvar. For- back to the Early Stone Age. It is
rest-covered islands immersed in located near Humac on the south-
blue sea with numerous hidden ern tip of the island and is filled
beaches and breath-taking bays, with stalactites and stalagmites.
Paklinski Islands present the fa-
vourite place for swimming and Sveta Nedilja Cave
vacation. This cave is located above the
homonymous village. This cave
Šćedro Island of majestic dimensions and an
It is said that this is the most se- impressive interior was used by
rene island of the Mediterranean, prehistoric people as a shelter 49
an island of untamed landscapes and a sacred site, and in the 16th
and pristine nature, covered by century a hermitage was built
vineyards and olive groves that inside the cave. The cave is easily
extend down to shores and bays. accessible for visitors.

Red Rocks
In an unusual and picturesque
Activities
play of nature, softer deposits Exploring the island of Hvar on
have been washed away by the bicycle is the best way to experi-
 ence its beauty and call on it to highest peak, Saint Nicholas,
satisfy all your senses. Apart from from where you can see the sur-
the designated cycling routes, rounding islands. Also try sailing
you can also tour the island via in Hvar archipelago or scuba div-
walking trails and experience the ing in its rich underwater world.
everyday life in Hvar villages and
discover its magnificent tradition-
al architecture. For those seeking
Gastronomy
the excitement of free climbing, This island of Sun, with its aromat-
50 the island of Hvar is a bounty of ic herbs, clean sea and rich fields, is an incomparable treat. The most
cliffs and steep rocks where the creates a panoply of gastronomic famous Hvar cuisine specialty is
adventuresome can truly pump riches for all its guests to enjoy. gingerbread biscuits, a traditional
up their adrenaline. We recom- Naturally, gastronomy is dominat- treat with honey that was made in
mend that you visit the cliffs ed by fish and seafood dishes, and the region of Dalmatian coast and
near Zastražišće where you can while you are at Hvar we recom- islands, especiallly in Stari Grad on
find three caves and an adapted mend you to try some distinct lo- the island of Hvar.
climbing spot in Vela Stiniva Bay. cal dishes, such as Hvar’s gregada
Visit the island’s hinterland by or brujet (a casserole made of vari-
taking jeep tours, accompanied ous fishes, shells and crabs) and
Wine
by experienced guides, and see grilled fresh fish. When it comes Ever since ancient times, thanks
vineyards in the heart of the to meat dishes, Hvar pašticada to its ever-present sun and
island, and experience the un- (stewed beef dish cooked in a spe- rich soil, Hvar has been a place
spoiled nature of the island’s cial sauce) with potato dumplings, where grapevines have been

Hvar lavender
The first lavender was planted on the island in 1928 near Velo
Grablje and nearby Brusje where it magnificently adapted to
the Hvar climate, and soon the autochthonous hybrid called
budrovka was created. The blue colours of the blushing fields
connect the island with the blue sea, captivating everyone with
the scent of fresh lavender. In almost all island settlements you
can buy popular bags that are filled with dried lavender leaves.
It is generally believed that lavender is a plant with miraculous
curative properties and that planting lavender ensures good
fortune.
UNESCO’s cultural heritage
Stari Grad Plain (Ager) walls of an isolated monas- over 400 years old. Starting
Greeks from the island of tery and accompanied by a in the evening on Maundy
Paros colonized Hvar in 384 surrounding stone building in Thursday and lasting until the
BC and established a settle- the centre of the City of Hvar, early morning hours of Good
ment there, Pharos, which is the Order of Saint Benedict Friday, this procession is a
now Stari Grad. On an adja- and its nuns are nestled and folk form of worshiping the
cent vast field stretching from secreted from the rest of the Passion of Christ. The celebra-
modern Stari Grad to Jelsa, world. Since the rules of the tion starts with simultaneous
antique agricultural land di- Order forbid them to venture masses in six parishes: Jelsa,
visions are preserved in the outside of the monastery, Plitve, Vrisnik, Svirče, Vrbanj
form of 75 separate parcels their existence is only known and Vrboska, followed by a
(so-called horas), which rep- to the public because of the procession which travels 25
resent the best-preserved existence of beautiful hand- kilometres in total. Since each
antique cadastre on the Medi- made agave lace which is sold group starts the procession
terranean. as unique works of art. from its own parish and all
groups move in a clockwise
Agave lace production Easter procession direction, they never meet.
Almost every stone of Hvar “Za križen” Each group is led by a specifi-
has a unique and ancient sto- Before Easter, a special cel- cally appointed cross-bearer.
ry that lives simultaneously in ebration is organised on the This unique tradition is also
the past and in the present. island of Hvar, a procession open to visitors who can take
Set aside by the prominent called “Za križen” which is part in it.

highly cultivated. Throughout organised as a part of Hvar’s the shepherds’ village Humac, 51
their history, the inhabitants of and Stari Grad’s summer events. established in the 17th century,
Hvar have nurtured grapevines The City of Hvar is a place of which is a unique example of
and gave all their love and effort posh gatherings, fun and good preserved rural architecture.
to them since grapes and wine times, in many seaside bars Nearby Grabac Cave is the most
were their only source of secu- where you can party until the significant prehistoric site on
rity, food and medicine. They early morning hours. Pop diva the Adriatic, where cultural ar-
created the best varieties and Beyonce visited Hvar and was tefacts that date back to the
converted them into harmoni- so mesmerised by its beauty 4th century BC have been dis-
ous, exquisite wines. We recom- that she named her daughter covered. It was used as Greek
mend that you meet the famous Blue Ivy after ivy that she saw lookout and was built on the
Croatian winemakers Zlatan at Hvar. remains of the Illyrian fort.
Plenković, Andro Tomić, Antun On the northern side of the
Plančić and Ivo Duboković, as island, you can visit Parja bay
well as some small family win-
Trips which is accessible only via the
eries like the Bracanović family During your stay on Hvar, you sea.
winery, and sample their fine should experience the hidden On the southern side, you will
wines. All of them have their beauty couched in the island’s find the sun-bathed bays Milna,
own cellars, and Zlatan Otok hinterland. Take in the lush Zaraće, Dubovica and Pišćena,
in Sveta Nedjelja is especially vegetation, vineyards, olive surrounded by vineyards and
worth noting, as well as the groves, lavender and rosemary olive groves. Sveta Nedilja and
beautiful cellar in Jelsa that is fields and climb hills and rest Jagodna are also located on the
owned by Andro Tomić. in gazeboes. Visit Velo Grablje, southern side and you can reach
a village where 100 years ago them via the tunnel near Plitve
lavender and rosemary essen- near Jelsa. During the summer,
Entertainment tial oil production started and is trips to nearby Bol on the island
Numerous concerts, plays, folk- thriving to this day. You should of Brač are available every day
lore and vocal group events are also not miss a visit to Pitve and from Jelsa and Vrboska.
52

The City of Hvar

www.tzhvar.hr
VISIT Baroque
The City of Hvar, bathed in
monastery
sun throughout the year, is
one of the first resorts on the Visit the baroque mona-
Croatian Adriatic since the stery, home of the nuns
times of the Austrian empress of the Order of Saint
Elizabeth who sponsored the Benedict, which was esta-
construction of one of the blished in 1664. There
first Hvar hotels. The hotel was you can see the famous
built in 1899 and Hvar became Hvar lace, an original Hvar
famous as a resort for medici- souvenir of unique artistic
nal tourism because of its mild value that has been conti-
and healing climate, sea air nuously produced in this
and sunny days. Tourists from monastery for over 120
Austria and other countries years. It is derived from
started visiting Hvar, which dried agave leaves that are
was soon dubbed the Austrian specially processed for
Madeira. lace production
Hvar pjaca
(piazza/square)
If you are staying in Hvar, all roads will lead
you to Saint Stephens’s Square, popularly
called Hvar pjaca. This is the largest, and
according to many, the most beautiful is-
land square in Dalmatia and the centre of
public and social life of the city. Its eastern
side is closed by Saint Stephen’s Cathe-
dral, and the fact that the square has a VISIT
direct contact with the sea gives it a spe- Theatre
cial feeling. At the centre of pjaca you can Visit the Hvar Theatre which is an inte-
see a communal well, dating back to 1520. gral part of theatre history since Hvar
The entire area of pjaca was fully paved in theatre, established in 1612, was the
1780. first communal theatre in Europe. The
theatre is built above the Arsenal, an
area used for fixing boats and for storing
Palmižana Beach maritime goods
In the small cove of Klement Island, in
the Paklinski Islands archipelago, you
will find the famous sandy beach of VISIT
Palmižana. The family of Professor Eu- Franciscan
monastery
gen Meneghello built a summer house
on the island at the start of the 20th cen- Visit the Franciscan monastery, famous
tury and imported many exotic plants for its magnificent Last Supper painting
on the island, thus creating a unique 53
botanical garden. Palmižana is the
most popular Hvar resort which can be LEARN
reached by taxi-boats or private boats. History
Discover the historical heritage of Hvar,
step-by-step, listen to stories about For-
tica, medieval fortifications, monasteri-
es and palaces

Beach Vela plaža in the centre of

Hvar is only a five-minute walk
BEACHES
from the city’s centre and it bears
the European Blue Flag as an indica-
tion of its superior sea quality and
preserved environment. On the other
side of the bay you will find a luxurious
Bonj beach with a restaurant, showers, deck
chairs and a massage service. One of the
taxi-ships can take you to Paklinski Islands
with pebbly beaches, and you can also
venture into two nudist beaches, Stipanska
and Jerolim. The beach of Milna is located in
the village of Milna, only 5 kilometres from
Hvar, is especially recommended for families
with children. Beach Zaraće and village
Zaraće are naturally protected against wind
and waves, as is the Dubovica beach which
is only 8 kilometres east of the City of Hvar
 VISIT Tvrdalj
Tvrdalj is the most famous
monument in Stari Grad.
This is a fortified summer
house owned by the wri-
ter Petar Hektorović, the
author of the first realistic
epic of Croatian Renais-
Lanterna is a municipal beach, Maslina, is a sance, “Ribanje i ribarsko
sandy bay near ferry port, Banj, a municipal prigovaranje (Fishing and
BEACHES beach, and Paklena, Baba, Zavala, Žukova, Fishermen’s Talk).” Tvrdalj
Mudri Dolac and Basina are pebbly and is also a type of stone book
rocky beaches on the Kabal peninsula since there are over twenty
inscriptions written in La-

Stari Grad
tin, Italian and Croatian
carved into the stone. A
poet, Christian thinker and
www.stari-grad-faros.hr builder, Petar Hektorović
built Tvrdalj throughout his
The oldest city in Croatia was bay that is a safe and unavoidable life, almost obsessively. The
established in 384 BC by Greek port for all yachtsmen sailing the most famous site in Tvrdalj
colonists from the island of Paros Adriatic. This ancient city of rich is its fish pond with brac-
who named their new settlement history attracts visitors with its kish water in which mullets
and the entire island Pharos. It is narrow stone streets, facades and swim. The fish pond is open
the historic jewel of the island, buildings that form a rich histori- to the public between May
54 located in a deep and protected cal and cultural heritage. and October

Jelsa A tourism centre of the northern part of the island,

Jelsa is surrounded by pine forests, sandy beaches,

www.tzjelsa.hr vineyards and olive groves. Numerous remains of

summerhouse villas, country houses around Jelsa,
Saint Mary’s Church, Our Lady of Health’s Church, Saint
John’s Square and piazza are just some of trademarks
of this city where you can enjoy taking a walk through
history. Located at the centre of the island, Jelsa is an
ideal place for venturing out and taking one of the
numerous trips around the island: Grapčeva Cave and
Svirče, Pitve, as well as the famous beach Zlatni rat in
Bol on the island of Brač. A bit fresh nights in Jelsa en-
sure pleasant walks near the sea, while those seeking
the fun of dancing and greater socialising can find en-
tertainment in one of the many bars in Jelsa.

The sandy beaches of Mina and Bočić are only

500 metres from the centre of Jelsa. On the
BEACHES island of Zečevo you will find one of the most
famous nudist beaches From Gdinj and Bogo-
molja, you can reach Smrska Bay via the road
or beaches of Mala Pogorila, Kožija, Veprinova,
Rapak and Tvrdidolac. In addition, Grebišće, Uvala
svetog Luke (Saint Luke’s Bay) or pebbly beach
Crkvica are only 4 km east of Jelsa
Vrboska VISIT Saint Mary’s
Church
www.vrboska.info Visit Saint Mary’s
Church’s fort in the cen-
tre of a large square that
resembles a huge stone
ship. Originally it was a
church, but after two Otto-
man invasions when Vrbo-
ska, Hvar and Stari Grad
were sacked, the locals
started converting it into a
mighty fort with high, thick
walls and gun openings
used for defending the
entrance into the port

Vrboska is located in a narrow and deep-island bay, and its two

bay sides (Vela and Mola) are connected via stone bridges, which is VISIT
why Vrboska was dubbed Small Venetia. Surrounded by dense pine Fishery Museum
forests, bridges, paved streets and Renaissance and gothic houses Vrboska is known as the
on both sides of the bay, with a small island in its centre, creates biggest fishermen settle-
a site that will take every visitor’s breath away. Stone houses and ment on the island, and
anchored fishing vessels exude a special feeling and warmth that the existence of the Fis-
seems to encompass the entire settlement. During the summer, hery Museum
boats take off for Bol on the island of Brač every day. testifies that 55

Sućuraj
www.tz-sucuraj.hr
This small fishermen settlement
on the eastern side of the island
of Hvar has a history over 2.300
years long, which was crea-
ted by both the Croats and all
other peoples that ruled over
this area, leaving many traces of
their architecture and culture.
Throughout history, Sućuraj has
been demolished and rebuilt on
several occasions, and the ol-
dest building in the settlement The most dedicated to Saint George, and
BEACHES
is the Franciscan monastery. Its famous Sućuraj was named after that
stone houses are connected beaches are church. Also interesting is the
and linked via closed streets, central beach baroque style Saint Anthony’s
which remind us of a speci- Česminica and Church and Venetian fort, both
fic style of buildings brought beaches Bilina, Židigova dating back to the 17th century.
about by the ever-present dan- and the pebbly beaches in Sućuraj can be reached via ship
gers of pirate attacks. At the end Mrtnovik and Prapatna bays. line from the mainland, from Dr-
of the 19th century, the present- Sandy beaches are Pernu and venik near Makarska or via the
day parish church was built and the Mlaska campsite beach road from Hvar.
 Vis
A blue hideout

56

If you love the pristine nature of the blue Adriatic, then

the island of Vis is the best choice for you. This is an area
that has preserved the karst phenomena, such as the
Blue, Medvidina and Green caves on the nearby island of
Biševo, and the area is also adorned with serene mead-
ows in the central part of the island, as well as with vine-
yards, Mediterranean herbs, palm trees and citrus fruit.
There are not many places where you can enjoy vast,
unspoiled nature and settlements established in antiq-
uity as much as you can on the island of Vis and its big-
gest centres Vis and Komiža. These cities have preserved
the spirit of history in their stone streets and buildings.
But, the biggest advantage of Vis is its untouched and
lively nature, which is a real rarity on the Mediterranean
and a reason why the World Environmental Organiza-
tion included the island of Vis on the list of its ten best-
preserved islands of the Mediterranean.
 KOMIŽA, MILNA, RUKAVAC, VIS

Beaches The sand of the beach is very light

Mala Travna is a small bay and a and bright, and it is highlighted
beach on the southern side of the by innumerable small lines that
island, surrounded by steep pla- are caused by the western cur-
teaus running down to the crystal rent of the sea.
blue sea.
Stončica is the name that repre-
Srebrna, the most famous Vis sents the following: a lighthouse,
beach, was named because of a long bay and a small fisher-
the pebbles that shine in a sil- men’s settlement with a sandy
ver colour when exposed to the beach. The intimate bar at the
moonlight (Croatian word “srebr- beach, sand volleyball courts and
na” translates as “made of silver”). an abundance of shade make this
Luxuriously lying in the shade beach the best choice for a great
provided by pine forests, Srebrna family vacation.
is the most frequent choice of
families with children. Large and Milna is a sandy beach located
spacious stone plateaus are par- at the bottom of the bay. It is pri-
tially covered by pine trees on its marily a tourist settlement on the
western part. southeast side of the island. This
beach is very shallow and you can
Stiniva bay is to the west of Mala walk as far as thirty metres into 57
Travna, on the southern side of the sea and the water will still not
the island. You can reach it via the reach above your knees.
sea through a narrow passage af-
ter which the bay broadens and Tepluš is a pebbly beach fa-
ends with a beautiful beach. voured by younger generations.
It is located on the southwest
Zaglav is surely one of the most end of the bay, in front of the
delightful and pleasing sandy fishermen-tourism settlement of
beaches on the entire Adriatic. Rukavac.
 Punta od Biskupa, Vela Svitnja,
Novo Pošta and Templuž are
favourite nudist beaches on the
island.

Caves
Blue Cave on the island of
Biševo is a natural phenomenon
and a favourite tourist destina-
tion. The cave resulted from the
sea effect on limestone rock,
and the only way to access the
grotto is via boat. One of the
many special attractions of this
grotto is the light effects cre-
ated by the refraction and re-
flection of sunrays from the bot-
tom of the cave which created a
silver-like effect. This is why this
grotto is also called the Under-
ground Fairy Court.

Medvidina Cave (Monk Seal

Cave), on the island of Biševo, is
160 metres long, and at its very
58 end it is rather low and tapered
as it ends on a small beach. This
cave was a habitat of one of the
most endangered mammals on
the world, the monk seal, and a
special, rarely-seen creature by
the occasional fishermen.

Green Cave, on the island of

Ravnik, is a cave with two en-
trances and an opening which bicycle and explore the interior who fill promenades, pubs, bars
lets light in while sunrays are of the island, or you can indulge and taverns.
deflected on the surface of the in scuba diving, which is also
water and paint the entire cave very popular, and a kayak trip
green. It is interesting to note offers a another unique way of
Gastronomy
that during the World War II this exploring the island. Vis also Rarely have traditional dishes
cave was used as a shelter for has several paragliding runways kept their honoured place in the
smaller vessels. and those willing to try new daily cuisine fare of restaurants
sports can take a try at cricket. and taverns as they have on
There are also tennis and bas- the island of Vis. Try the Vis style
Active ketball courts, and each year in bread made of salty fish and ex-
vacation the beginning of August you perience its rich taste and aroma
Fun-filled active vacations and can participate in a swimming dating back to the antique times
staying outdoors on the island marathon from the small island of Issa. Vis style bread is filled with
of Vis cannot be avoided. You Host to Riva in Vis. Twice a year, red onions, sprinkled with olive
can walk around the whole is- Rivas in Komiža and Vis are al- oil, spiced with pepper and oreg-
land on appropriately marked most completely taken over by ano and baked in a bread oven or
walking trails, or you can take a racing boats and yachtsmen in a regular one. In Komiža, chefs
also add tomatoes into the mix. hib used to be sliced into thin wine brand from the island of Vis.
There is also an old widespread strips and offered to friends with It is a famous white wine made
custom of grilling sardines on a glass of herb schnapps. from the Bugava variety, with a
wooden grills, and you can also characteristically honey-like taste
try a traditional dish made of that proffers a sense of complete-
beans and pasta with cooked
Wine ness, a wine for which is said that
fish. This island offers the unique “Wine from the island of Issa in the you do not drink it, but eat it.
experience of enjoying grilled Adriatic is better when compared Harvest season is in September
fish or dried fish casseroles. to other wines” as it was written and lasts until the end of October,
Hib is a Vis treat dating back to by Agatharchides in the 2nd cen- and that period allows visitors to
ancient times. With its traditional tury BC. fully experience life on the island
preparation, a mélange of tastes Vis is an island of wine and has and get to know its people and
derived from a mixture of figs, been famous for this elixir since nature.
almonds, home-made schnapps ancient times. Plavac from Vis
and fennel, along with the unmis- is exquisite wine made of the
takable aroma of laurel and rose- Plavac mali variety, the oldest
Trips
mary, this dish presents an appeal known red grape variety, men- Vis is an island crisscrossed by
to multiple senses. It is preserved tioned by Greek chronicles and roads, gravel roads and walking
in dry laurel and rosemary leaves which produces dense wines trails, and there are no inacces-
for an enhanced aroma. In the with rich colour and a rounded, sible or impassable parts of the
past, each Vis house kept several finished and palate-pleasing island. Talež is a reconstructed
hibs for Christmas holidays when taste. Bugava is the most famous old village at the top of the hill
from where you can easily reach
Vela Gomila, the oldest light-
house on the Adriatic. Sveti Vid
(Saint Vitus) is a hill-top at the
centre of the Vis plain and there 59
you can find Saint Vitus’s Church.
Plinsko Field is known as the
only Dalmatia cricket pitch, and
Vis has a cricket club named af-
ter the British Admiral Host. We
recommend you visit the high-
est point of the island, Hum, at
572 metres altitude, where on a
clear day you can see the Adri-
atic’s horizon in a most unusu-
ally delightful manner. You can
also visit Holy Spirit’s Church,
dating back to the 15th century,
and right next to it you will find
a paragliding runway. Tito’s Cave
is actually two caves that are eas-
ily accessible via stone staircases.
The cave was named after Tito,
the supreme commander of
armed forces and the leader of
the Resistance movement dur-
ing World War II. You can also
visit the islands of Biševo, Svetac
and Brusnik, and visit the leg-
endary Palagruža and the most
distant Croatian island, the vol-
canic island of Jabuka.
60

The City of Vis

www.tz-vis.hr
In a naturally protected bay, today’s Romanesque Saint George’s Church,
town was created after two smaller the patron saint of the city of Vis, Saint
settlements merged, Luka and Kut. Mary’s Church in Podselj and Our Lady
The city of Vis contains numerous ar- of Spilice Church serving Kut and Luka.
chaeological remains, testifying to the Other popular places include the mu-
development of this city in antiquity. nicipal beach on the Prirovo peninsula
On the Prirova peninsula you can visit that stretches over 100 metres and
the remains of the Roman theatre, and filled with fine pebbles. Grandovac
on the eastern side adjacent to the sea is a pebbly beach in a bay in front of
were a city forum, agora, and monu- the eastern entrance into the Vis port.
mental baths on the western side. The Throughout the year Vis hosts numer-
city is rich in monumental heritage ous nautical competitions, cultural
from more recent periods, rendering and sporting events and during the
villas, summer houses, palaces and summer the ‘’Vis Cultural Summer”
forts. Regarding religious monuments, with numerous concerts and events is
the most important sites are the pre- especially popular.
Remains of Greek Issa
Ancient Issa, today’s Vis, was an independent city-state that has existed
since the 4th until the middle of the 1st century BC when the Romans
conquered it. From the remains we can see that this was a city stretching
over an area of 10 hectares, surrounded by an 800-metre-long wall. It is
located on the southern slopes of Gradina, which is to the northwest of
the Prirovo peninsula and reaches to the sea.

Issa archaeological collection

The Issa archaeological collection is housed in the Austrian fort in the
city centre and it holds interesting historical collections, such as ceramic
vessels, male and female heads, a collection of amphorae and many oth-
er exhibits. You can also gaze at the bronze head of the goddess Artemis
which was created as a kind of cult piece during the 4th or 3rd century BC.
Many amphorae discovered in Vis archipelago testify to the long wine-
making tradition of that area.

61

Vis regatta
Traditionally, each year
in October, the nautical
club “Labud” from Split,
in conjunction with the
nautical club “Vis,” organ-
ises the most prestigious
sailing spectacle in Croa-
tia, the ever- popular Vis
regatta. Each year over
1,000 people on 150 ves-
sels take part in the com-
petition. The Vis regatta
stretches over a period of
several days, and since it
is organised in October it
offers the last chance for
sailing before the onset
of winter.
62
The City of Komiža
www.tz-komiza.hr
Komiža, the most famous fisher- Kamenice being the most popu- in demand, you need to book
men’s settlement of the Adriatic, lar beach, one that turns into a your table in advance.
is located on the sunny side of party zone every night. Komiža Ferries do not dock in Komiža,
the island of Vis, protected from fish mongers offer fresh fish ev- so you have to take a ferry to
cold winds and currents in the ery morning, and since the area’s the city of Vis and then take a 10
deepest bay on Vis. Komiža is a reputed restaurants are so much kilometre drive to Komiža.
city of narrow streets and nar-
row buildings and is believed to
be the birthplace of the fishing
industry on the eastern side of
the Adriatic. This city is located
in the foothills of Hum. It is sepa-
rated from the rest of the island
and completely faces the open
sea and the Komiža archipelago
containing the most distant
Adriatic islands, rich with fish, es-
pecially tuna, Biševo, Palagruža,
Svetac and Jabuka. Not surpris-
ingly, traditional Komiža cuisine
is based on sea delicacies and
good wines. You will find several
pebbly beaches in Komiža, with
Falkuša
Falkuša is the traditional boat of the island and for centuries fisher-
men from Komiža ventured to Palagruža to catch sardines which
they salted and brought back home at the end of the season. That
was the staple food of island of Vis and Hvar. On the Komiža Riva
you can see a sleek black boat marked as 33KŽ and the name
Comeza Lisboa. That is the replica of authentic fishermen boat
falkuša. It is made of pine wood from the island Svetac, and it has
a high broadside so it can venture out to the high seas. This nine-
metre-long and three-metre- wide vessel was propelled by five
rowers. Falkušas were in use until the middle of the 20th century,
when they stopped being used . The last original, called Cicibela,
sank in 1986 on the island of Biševo. It was later removed from the
sea and is now preserved in the Fishermen Museum. For the last
several years, the historical fishery vessels regatta has been organ-
ised on the route between Komiža and Palagruža, named “Rota
palogruzona”.

VISIT Komuna Fort

Komuna Fort was built
in 1592 by the Veneti-
an administration for
defence against pirate
attacks. Today this fort VISIT 63
serves as a Museum of Muster
Fishery. The Fishermen During the 13th century,
from Komiža were the monks of the Order of
first on the Adriatic to Saint Benedict built a forti-
fish on the open sea. fied complex of monaster-
That is why some con- ies with a tall tower on its
sider their collection of southern side, which will
knots to be even richer later have a significant
than those in British impact on the life on the
Maritime Museum island. That was the first
church-fort built in Dalma-
tia. On December 6 each
year, on Saint Nicholas’s
Pope and fishermen Day, the patron saint of
On March 9 1177 on Palagruža beach, the fishermen from sailors, travellers and
Komiža welcomed Pope Alexander III who travelled to Venetia innocent children, a tradi-
with his fleet, but a storm forced him to take shelter in Komiža. tional ship-burning feast
On the next day, falkušas from Komiža led the pope’s boats is organised wherein the
to Komiža where the pope blessed Saint Nicholas’s Church faithful carry the boat from
out of gratitude for the fishermen’s help and he absolved the the port in their hands and
fishermen of all their sins during the Church’s holidays. Ac- then burn it in front of the
cording to the pope’s biographer Boson, Komiža fishermen church. The old boat dis-
celebrated with the pope over a festive dinner. In the honour appears in flames and the
of that event, each year at the end of the “Rota palogruzona” remaining ashes are used
regatta, a Pope’s Dinner is organised on Palagruža beach, pre- to sprout new life. This
pared by the crews of all ships that participate in the regatta event is also the biggest
(Joško Božanić, Ph.D.) gathering in Komiža
How to reach us
Automobile Croatian Auto Club
You need driver’s license and a registration card Information on state of the roads, maps and gas
to enter the Republic of Croatia with a passenger stations, as well as general and miscellaneous infor-
vehicle. Any driver in a vehicle with foreign license mation for tourist travelling through Croatia can be
plates must have a valid international insurance found at www.hak.hr or by calling 0800 9987. For
document which is applicable to the territory of the roadside assistance please call + (2851) 1987
European Union.
Mobile phone usage while driving is forbidden. It Airplane
is obligatory to fasten seat belts. A reflective vest Split Airport (www-split-airport.hr) is the largest
is an obligatory item in the vehicle’s equipment. Adriatic airport and the closest airport to the
During DST, it is obligatory to turn on parking central Dalmatian islands Brač, Hvar, Vis and
lights or lights on dim during driving, even during Šolta. If your destination does not offer a direct
the day. flight to Split, you can fly to Zagreb and then to
Split since there are multiple daily lines between
Allowed speed Zagreb and Split. Split airport offers organised
In populated areas, 50 km/h; transportation to Split ferry port (30- minute
Outside populated areas, 90 km/h; drive). You can also reach the port by taxi, rented
On roads designated exclusively for vehicle or ship taxi, which will take you directly
motor vehicles and fast roads, 110 km/h; from the airport to those islands (www.dalmatia-
Highways, 130 km/h; express.com; www.taxi-hvar.com/; hvar.lukarent.
For motor vehicle towing other com).
vehicles without breaks, 80 km/h;
For Buses and buses with light trailers. 80 km/h, 100 Bus
km/h on highways, apart from buses The nearest bus station (www.ak-split.hr) in Split
that transport children. is located adjacent to the port. Split has great bus
connections to all cities in all directions.
Gas stations
Gas stations in larger cities and on highways are Train
open 24/7. Gas stations sell: Euro super 95, Super Croatia has direct train lines with Slovenia, Bosnia
95, Super 98, Super-plus 98, Euro Diesel, Diesel, and and Herzegovina, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Switzer-
at most gas stations in land, Germany, Serbia and Montenegro and indi-
larger cities and on rect lines with all European countries. Trains arrive
highways you can at Split train station, which is the closest station
find gas. Informa- to the central Dalmatian islands (www.hznet.hr).
tion regarding gas The Split train station is located near the bus
prices and a list of gas station and ferry port.
stations can be found
at following sites: HYDROPLANES
www.ina.hr, www. Daily flights by hydroplane to the
omw.hr, www.tifon.hr, Adriatic islands and the coastal
and www.hak.hr. towns. (www.ec-air.eu/hr/)
How to reach The island of Hvar is linked twice a week via Stari
The island of Šolta Grad port and the long ferry line Rijeka-Split-Stari
There are multiple daily ferry lines: Grad-Korčula-Dubrovnik-Bari;
Split-Rogač/ Rogač-Split There is one daily boat line: Split-Hvar/Hvar-Split
(passengers and vehicles) (www.jadrolinija.hr) (passengers only) (www.jadrolinija.hr);
There are multiple daily catamaran lines: There is one daily line: Vis-Hvar-Split (www.krilo.
Split-Rogač/ Rogač-Split (only passengers). hr) (passengers only);
On Fridays and Sundays, there is also catamaran There is one daily line: Korčula-Hvar-Split (www.
line for Stomorska. (www. splittours.hr) jadrolinija.hr) (passengers only).

How to reach International boat arrivals

The island of Brač There is a boat line Ancona-Split/Split-Ancona
If you travel by car, you can go from Zagreb to Split throughout the year and during the summer it
or Makarska via new A1 highway, or take the ex- is available every day (passengers and vehicles)
press road or Adriatic highway. Ferry ride from Split (www.jadrolinija.hr);
to Supetar lasts 50 minutes, and from Makarska to There is a boat line Ancona-Split/Split-Ancona
Sumartin one hour. The choice of ferry depends throughout the year and during the summer it
on your final destination, ferry price, departure is available every day (passengers and vehicles)
frequency and trip duration. (www.blueline.ferris.com and www.jadrolinija.hr);
There are multiple daily ferry lines: Split-Supetar/ There is a boat line Ancona-Split/Split-Ancona
Supetar-Split (passengers and vehicles); throughout the year and during the summer it
There are multiple daily ferry lines: Drvenik-Sućuraj/ is available every day (passengers and vehicles)
Sućuraj-Drvenik (passengers and vehicles); (www.snav.hit).
There are multiple daily boat lines: Split-Bol-Jelsa/ During the summer months, from June 30 to
Jelsa-Bol-Split (passengers only) (www.jadrolinija.hr). September 1, Stari Grad port is connected by the
international ferry line (twice a week) Ancona-Stari
How to reach Grad-Split-Korčula.
The island of Hvar
If you travel by car, you can go from Zagreb to Split How to reach
or Drvenik near Makarska via new A1 highway, ex- The island of Vis
press road or Adriatic highway. The ferry ride from If you travel by car, you can go from Zagreb to Split
Split to Stari Grad lasts 2 hours, and from Drvenik via new A1 highway, express road or Adriatic high-
to Sućuraj, 30 minutes. The choice of ferry depends way. From Split to Vis you have to travel by ferry or
on your final destination, ferry price, departure catamaran.
frequency and trip duration. There are multiple daily ferry lines, Split-Vis/Vis-Split
There are multiple daily ferry lines; Split-Stari Grad/ (people and vehicles), and the trip lasts 2.5 hours
Stari Grad-Split (passengers and vehicles); (www.jadrolinija.hr);
There are multiple daily ferry lines; Drvenik-Sućuraj/ There is one daily line: Split-Vis/Vis-Split
Sućuraj-Drvenik (passengers and vehicles)’ (passengers only) (www.jadrolinija.hr);
There is one daily boat line: Split-Hvar-Vela Luka- There is one daily line: Vis-Hvar-Split
Lastovo (passengers only); (passengers only) (www.krilo.hr).

During the summer months, ferry lines connecting the islands are more frequent.
The summer timetable is valid from May 31 to September 28.
 Useful information
Documents required for travelling Medical service
A valid passport or other document which is There are hospitals and clinics in all of the major
recognized by the international agreement, and towns and cities, and one can also find infirmaries
which proves one’s identity and citizenship; and pharmacies in smaller towns/villages. Foreign
Notifications: Diplomatic missions and consular tourists who have compulsory health care insur-
offices of the Republic of Croatia abroad or the ance do not pay for their emergency health care
Ministry of Internal Affairs and the European services during their stay in Republic of Croatia, if
Integration of the Republic of Croatia. Croatia has concluded the health care agreement
www.mvpei.hr; stranci@mvpei.hr ;vize@mvpei.hr; with the country they come from and provided
they have the required verification demonstrating
Money they have the right to health care for themselves.
The official currency in Croatia www.hzzo-net.hr 
is the kuna (1 HRK= 100 lipas);
Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, Public holidays
exchange offices, post offices, and most 1 January - New Year’s Day
tourist agencies, hotels and camps. Credit cards 6 January - Epiphany
(Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa, American Express Easter Sunday & Easter Monday
and Diners) are accepted in almost all hotels, 1 May - Labour Day
marinas, restaurants and shops, as well as at Corpus Christi
ATMs. 22 June - Anti-Fascist Resistance Day
25 June - Statehood Day
66 Electric supply 5 August - Victory Day and National 
220 V with 50 Hz frequency. Thanksgiving Day
15 August - Assumption Day
Important 8 October - Independence Day
phone numbers: 1 November - All Saints’ Day
International telephone code for Croatia: 385; 25-26 December - Christmas Holidays
Split-Dalmatia County telephone code: 021;
(For Split – Dalmatia County, telephone code is 021. Useful Links
If you are calling from abroad or using your mobile Ministry of Tourism, www.mint.hr
phone you do not have to dial the first 0, Split – Dalmatia County Tourist Board,
so the phone code is 385 21.); www.dalmatia.hr
National protection and rescue directorate HTZ - Croatian National Tourist Board,
(unique European phone number for www.croatia.hr
emergency services): 112; Exchange rate list, www.hnb.hr
National headquarters for search Weather, www.dhmz.hr
and rescue at sea: 195. Airlines, www.croatiaairlines.hr
Split Airport www.split-airport.hr
Postal service and Zagreb Airport, zagreb-airport.hr
telecommunications Dubrovnik Airport, www.airport-dubrovnik.hr
Post offices are open during the day from 7 AM Zadar Airport, www.zadar-airport.hr
to 7 PM, in smaller towns from 7 AM to 2 PM, and
some utilize a split shift. Pets 
In major towns and tourist destinations, duty Transferring pets across the border is possible
post offices are open on Saturdays and Sundays. only with the possession of all required docu-
Telephone cards sold at post offices and newspa- ments indicating the current health state of the
per stands can be used on all public phones. One animal, provided by a veterinarian, and dogs and
can make a call abroad directly from any phone. cats also need to have microchip implants.
www.posta.hr   www.mps.hr
 Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board
Prilaz braće Kaliterna 10/1, 21 000 Split, Croatia
tel./fax: +385 (0)21 490 032; 490 033; 490 036
info@dalmatia.hr, www.dalmatia.hr

67

JABUKA
JABUKA

PALAGRUŽA
PALAGRUŽA

Publisher: Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board, For the publisher: Joško Stella
Translation: Theatron, Klis, Proofreading: Alan Philip Crant
Concept and design: Žarko Tičinović, Photographs: Tonko Bartulović, Ljudevit
Split
Split≤≤Dalmatia
DalmatiaCounty
County
Blagec, Andrija Carli, Boris Čargo, Miro Gabela, Marko Kapitanović, Boris Kragić,
Tourist
Tourist
Robert Matić, Board
Board
Branko Ostojić, Ivo Pervan, Žarko Piljak, Mario Romulić,
t/f:
t/f:+385
Zlatko Sunko, Ante +385(0)21
(0)21
Verzotti, 490
490036
Archives 036
of Split -Dalmatia County Tourist Board
info@dalmatia.hr
info@dalmatia.hr Print: Tiskara Velika Gorica, 2014.
THE PUBLISHER CANNOT GUARANTEE THE COMPLETE ACCURACY www.dalmatia.hr
www.dalmatia.hr
OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, NOR BE HELD
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