CENTRAL DALMATIA
Because of its central position on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, the district of Split and Dalmatia has always had an extraordinary cultural and historical role. This entire rounded area consists of a wide hinterland through which flows the river Cetina, and of a coastal belt with an archipelago with many islands. Generous nature has garnished this rich and heterogeneous area with hidden bays, beaches, cliffs, karst, emerald groves, sea straits and vast high seas. The islands of Brac, Solta, Hvar and Vis are wide, with beautiful landscapes and hierarchies of bigger and smaller settlements. The towns and smaller settlements seem to be threaded on a string along the coast. The hinterland, to which even the breath of the Mediterranean reaches, consists of a mountainous landscape with karst, wide fields and settlements, among which Sinj and Imotski have got urban characteristics.
On the coast, the crossroads of continental and sea - ways, during the prehistoric and ancient era, the town of Salona has developed as the metropolis of the Roman province Dalmatia, whose role was taken over by Split in the early Middle Ages. From the 5th to the 2nd century B.C, the Greek colonists have founded some urban settlements on the islands and on the land. The emperor Diocletian, who was of Dalmatian origin himself, has had a huge palace built, into which he withdrew in the year 303. The Diocletian's palace became the centre, out of which the medieval town of Split has developed. Therefore, it is understandable that the medieval Croatian rulers have had many churches and mausoleums built on the ruins of Salona, near Split.
This extraordinary beautiful area abounds in cultural monuments. The Diocletian's palace is recorded into the UNESCO register of monuments of universal importance. The peculiar characteristic of this area is the masonry, because this region abounds in stone. No wonder that many famous builders and sculptors originate from this area. The most famous monument of the Dalmatian masonry is the portal of the cathedral in Trogir, which was chiseled out by the master Radovan in the 13th century. However, worthier than single buildings are the rural and the urban settlements in this region, fused with its natural frame, with rounded contours and polished masonry, which can be considered collective pieces of art.
Trogir with its condensed contours, situated on a small island seems to be a castle on the water with the prisms of its towers and crystals of its bell - towers. Split, which has developed out of the Diocletian's palace is the most imaginative town of Dalmatia, with complicated spatial relationships, medieval houses and churches built on the ruins of imperial chambers. Split is therefore a town with secret historical semantics, especially concerning imperial memories.
The tiny town of Omis under the fortress situated on the mouth of the river Cetina has got an almost pathetic scenery with cliffs and rocks in the background. In the background of the urban centre of Makarska one can see the slopes of the mountain of Biokovo, under which there are many beaches and clear blue sea. The town of Hvar grows steplike, with its facades one above the other, always turned towards the sun and the high seas.
Diocletian's Palace in Split
Split - is the economic and administrative center of Middle Dalmatia, with about 200.000 inhabitants. It is also the jumping-off point for exploration of the coast and islands of the beautiful Croatian Adriatic. The site was first settled when, at the end of the third century AD, the Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace here. The importance of Diocletian's Palace far transcends local significance because of its level of preservation and the buildings of succeeding historical periods built within its walls, which today form the very heart of old Split. Split's growth became particularly rapid in the 7th century, when the inhabitants of the destroyed Greek and Roman metropolis Salonae (present-day Solin) took refuge within its walls. The lovely ruins of Solin outside the city can still be explored today. In the Middle Ages, Split was an autonomous commune. Many of Split's historical and cultural buildings can be found within the walls of Diocletian's Palace. In addition, numerous museums, the National Theatre, and old churches and other archeological sites in the Split region make it an important cultural attraction.
Trogir - is a town-museum in the very meaning of the word. Lovers of cultural and historical monuments, art, original architecture and nice alleys are given the opportunity in Trogir to learn about the manifold and complex heritage - from the Romanesque yard to the modern interiors. The unique historical core, Radovan's portal, the art collections which have been arousing excitement among visitors and travellers for centuries offer a tourist beauty, personified in the relief of Kairos as an appropriate souvenir. The wider surroundings of Trogir (Trogir - Seget - Ciovo Riviera) is characterized by lavish green vegetation, numerous islands and islets, rocky and pebble beaches.
Kastela - are seven small towns in the central Dalmatian litoral, northwest of Split. There are seven nice old citadels (Kastela - in English: Citadels) which are an integral part of the tourist area between Split and Trogir. This region has been attracting people since ancient times, from ancient Greek seafarers, Roman patricians, Croatian kings and rulers, industrious fruit and vegetable growers to present-day tourists. Three picturesque places - Kastel Stafilic, Kastel Novi and Kastel Stari, are located along the 6-km long coast of the Kastela Riviera. They are one of favourite destinations of domestic and foreign tourists. Visitor opportunities include bathing, sports and recreation, as well as entertainment programs. Kastel Luksic is a tourist resort in the central part of the Kastela Gulf, famous for the botanical garden with Mediterranean vegetation, as well as for nice pebble beaches. It has a 70-years-long tradition in tourism. The attractions of Kastel Kambelovac include nice beaches, numerous restaurants, a beautiful seaside promenade and the nearby hill Kozjak. Kastel Gomilica has nice sand beaches, suitable for children. Entertainment programs and dancing nights are regularly organised.
The lovely town of Kastel Stari
Island Ciovo - is an island in the central Dalmatian archipelago; area 28,8 sq km (length 15,3 km, width up to 3,5 km); population 6.071; highest peak Rudine (218 m). In the east, Ciovo is about 2 km away from the mainland (Cape Marjan); in the north-west it is connected with the mainland by a bascule bridge (in Trogir). The island of Ciovo actually encloses the Kastela Gulf. Island Ciovo in some sense is like "Trogir's beach", where Trogir's medieval nobles used to build their villas. Recently, a lot of holiday houses have been built on the island - the owners are usually from Split and spend their weekends and holidays on Ciovo. That makes of Ciovo a "family atmosphere" place more than a real tourist centre.
Island Drvenik Veli - is an island in the central Dalmatian archipelago, northwest of the island of Solta, between the Drvenik and Solta Channels; area 12 sq km; population 145. The highest peak, Buhalj (177 m) is located in the eastern part of the island. The largest village is Drvenik Veliki (Veli Porat), on the north-western side of the island. Chief occupations are farming, viticulture, olive growing and fishing.The coast is indented, with numerous coves ending with sand and pebble beaches; the biggest coves are Solinska, Drvenik and Mala Luka (Small Harbour). Yachts may dock along the pier in the eastern part of the cove of Drvenik; larger yachts may dock in the middle of the outer part of the cove (depth 30-40 m); smaller yachts may also dock in the small cove of Grabule, where they are protected from all winds.
Island Drvenik Mali - a small island west of the island of Drvenik Veli; area 3,3 sq km. The highest elevation is 80 m. The village Drvenik Mali is located on the island. Chief occupations are farming, olive growing and fishing. The coast is well indented; the coves include Vela Rina, Mala Rina, Borak, Garbine, etc. The most ebautiful sand beach has the cove of Vela Rine, also a pier for small yachts.
Island Solta - According to its land area, Solta belongs to the medium sized group of Adriatic islands. However, judging it by its natural endowments, it is certainly amongst the most beautiful. A mere 16 km, or 9 nautical miles from Split, with its 60 km of coastline interspersed with four harbors and 24 bays, it offers the visitor quick approach and a safe, pleasant stay. Taking advantage of modern fast boats, one can reach Solta within 15 to 20 minutes. The island's harbors and bays have a capacity to accommodate some thousand boats, while the numerous natural beaches offer sufficient space for many more swimmers. The island has a rich flora and fauna and with its 2.000 ha of unspoiled Mediterranean vegetation, including trees, bushes and grasses, it lures the visitor to take a deep breath of the fragrant air and experience ancient Mediterranean, the cradle of civilization. Apart from plants which flower here 10 months of the year, a wealth of aromatic plants and species await to be discovered. Throughout the centuries the indigenous vegetation was enriched by man who planted olives, figs, and almond trees, laid out vineyards and initiated agriculture. In this ecologically pure, biologically priceless atmosphere, vegetation thrives. Solta has always been, and still remains, the perfect combination of land, sea, air, nature, and man. And this treasure is what Solta offers visitors tired of modern urban life
Island Vis - the foremost island on the Adriatic, with the area of 90,3 sq. kilometres and the highest point at the altitude of 587 meters. There are 13 settlements with about 5.000 inhabitants. The highest point is Hum. Near the western coast is wide bay of Komiza. The southern coast has a number of smaller coves. The port and the town of Vis is on the northern coast of the island. There is no fresh water on the island except a few springs near Komiza. Inhabitants grow vineyards in the fertile valleys, covered with red soil and from place to place with sand layers. The main settlements on the island, Vis and Komiza, are connected by the asphalt road. The most important economic branch is fishing (fish factory in Komiza). The nursery of palms is also on the island. South-west from the island of Vis is the island of Bisevo, famous for its Modra Spilja (Blue Cave). There is a ferryboat connection with Split (Split - Vis) and the ship connection between Split and both Vis and Komiza.
Island Vis Panorama
Island Brac - with its Vidova mountain (Vidova gora – 778 m) is the highest island on the Adriatic sea. It is also the third biggest island on the Croatian coast. 172 km long, the island's coast is divided with numerous bays and beaches one after the other. The most well-known beaches are Lovrecina on the northern part of island and the famous Zlatni Rat, on the south part of the island. For many centuries, these bays and cultivated valleys have enabled the establishment of numerous stone settlements and villages. The peculiar characteristic of this area is the masonry, because Brac abounds in stone. Some famous buildings around the workd have been built using Brac's stone. Some examples are the House of Parliament in Vienna, the White House in Washington D.C. and the Diocletian palace in Split. The climate is typically Mediterranean with 2.700 sunny hours per year and an average temperature during summer of about 24°C and 8,6°C during the winter. The main activities are stoning, fishing, agriculture and tourism. Brac is well connected with the coast by ferry boats from Supetar to Split and from Sumartin to Makarska.There is also an airport on the island. Brac has 22 settlements, 12 villages and 5 deserted settlements. All cities and settlements have their own speciality and culture.
Island Hvar - an island in the central Dalmatian archipelago; area 299,6 sq km (length 67,5 km, width up to 10,5 km); population 11.459. In front of the western part of the southern coast of Hvar are Pakleni Otoci (Pakleni Islands), and in front of the middle part the island of Scedro. A crest stretches across the middle part of the island, with the highest peak Sveti Nikola (St. Nicholas) (628 m); north of it is the fertile Velo Polje (Big Field). The northern coast of the island, with the spacious Stari Grad Bay and a number of coves, is much more indented than the southern. The air temperature in the winter months is 9,1°C, an average air temperature in January is -8,4°C and in July -24,8°C, having 2.718 hours of sunshine a year. Hvar is the island of heather, sunshine and crickets, the island of lavender, sage and wine and the island of rosemary and secluded coves. Attractive in the summer just as in the winter, with pleasant Mediterranean climate, rich vegetation of palms, aloes, pine trees, laurel, rosemary and lavender and peaceful coves and islets filled with a multitude of pleasant scents.
Omis - is a small town and port at the mouth of the Cetina river in the littoral of Poljica, 26 km southeast of Split. The economy is based on farming, fishing, textile and food-processing industries and tourism. Extensive sand beaches stretch from Dugi Rat in the west to Ravnice in the east. A 700 m wide shallow stretches off the low sand coast west of Omis, created by the drifts of the Cetina; it has a changing depth (up to 2 m). In the eastern part of the Poljica littoral, between Ravnice and Vrulja, are several coves (Mala Luka, Velika Luka, Lucica and Vojskovo) with sand-pebble beaches. Omis lies at the intersection of the main road (M2, E65) and the regional road, connecting Omis with the hinterland in the Cetina valley (via Zadvarje). Omis provides numerous sports and recreational facilities; football and basketball playgrounds, tennis courts, boccia alleys; beach volleyball may be played on the beach. There are 30 free climbing trails on the cliffs of the Cetina canyon; water sports equipment is rented; a swimming marathon for recreation enthusiasts is regularly organized.
Makarska - is a town, port and tourist centre in a large cove, enclosed by Cape Osejava in the south-east, and the Sveti Petar (St. Peter) Peninsula, at the foot of Biokovo, in the north-west. The climate is Mediterranean; the strong bora occurs in the winter months. Economy is based on farming, viniculture, growing and processing of olives, food processing, processing of synthetic materials, seafaring, fishing and tourism. Makarska is the tourist centre of the riviera of the same name. The town developed in the form of an amphitheatre, on the coast and at the foot of Biokovo. It consists of the old town core of Mediterranean type and the new part with hotels, restaurants, shops etc. To the north-west is a nice park and a forest of pine, which encloses a 1.500 m long beach in Donja Luka. Farther of Donja Luka are numerous sand coves, separated by small limestone crests. Makarska is located on the main road (M2, E65).
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