The Klis fortress, one of the most significant fortifications in Croatia, due to its strategic importance had a significant defense position. From the 2nd century BC this area was inhabited by the Illyrian tribe of Delmati, while the first records about the fortress from the 10th c. speak of the Roman fortress Kleisa being besieged by the Avars and Slavs which hastened the conquering of Salona in the first half of the 7th century at the time of arrival of the Croats. Two centuries later Klis had already become the ruler’s property and one of the centers of the Croatian state.

In the document issued by prince Trpimir in 852 the court is mentioned as his property, and it also became the center of the Early Croatian Primorska (Littoral) or Klis County (Parathalassia).

The end of the 11th century was marked by the end of the Croatian national dynasty and Klis fell under the rule of the Hungaro-Croatian kings. One of them, Bela IV and his family used the Klis fortress as shelter during the Tatar siege in 1242.

By the end of the 12th century Klis was ruled by the princes Šubics’ of Bribir, the mightiest family of Croatia, and from 1335 the town was again under the protection of the king and the administration of its fortress commanders.

The most turbulent time of the history of Klis was the beginning of the 16th century, the time of the greatest Turkish invasion to these areas. An important role in its defense was played by Petar Kružić, captain and town duke, who together with his warriors (Uskoks) managed for two and a half decades to resist Turkish attacks and besieges. With his death on March 12, 1537, Klis fell under Turkish rule which meant the loss of the most powerful Croatian fortification in Dalmatia. For 111 years the Jadro River was the border between the Turkish Klis (Kliški Sandžak) and the Venetian controlled Split. During one of the attempts to liberate Klis, the Croats led by Split noblemen Ivan Alberti and Nikola Cindro utilized the element of suprise and managed to take over the fortress in April 1596. However the Turks conquered it again by the end of May, thus defeating Croatian general Juraj Lenković who came to the aid of the defenders.

As late as March 31, 1648 the Venetian army led by general Leonardo Foscolo, joined by the numerous Croatian locals, managed to liberate Klis from the Turks after 10 days of hard-fought battles and achieved its greatest success during the Cretan War.The area of Klis was organized as a special military
and administrative area ruled by the providur based in Klis.

The Klis fortress, completely restored and significantly enlarged, remained under the flag of Venice until 1797 when it was taken over by the Austrians. From 1805 until 1813 it was shortly ruled by the French. The period of the second Austrian administration lasted until the end of World War I in 1918, when, with the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, Klis, together with the remaining parts of Croatia shared the same fate of all Croatian lands within the borders of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, and afterwards Yugoslavia.

During World War II, from April 1941 until October 1944, the Klis fortress was for the last time used for military purposes, mainly as the stronghold of Italian and German occupation forces. Finally in 1990 the flag of the sovereign Repubic of Croatia was placed on it.

Area: 176 km2
Population 2001
- City: 4.421

City Municipality:
Brštanovo, Dugobabe, Klis, Konjsko, Korušce, Nisko, Prugovo, Veliki Broćanac i Vučevica.

Vrgorac is medieval Inland Dalmatia's town. Located on the northeastern slopes of the Biokovo mountain in the vicinity of Dubrovnik- Neretva County and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Within a radius of thirty kilometers associated with the attractive tourist destinations such as Makarska and the Makarska Riviera , Medjugorje and Metković.

The town of Vrgorac, although a small place, is where great people and great things are born. Tin Ujevic, Croatia’s most significant poet and writer was from Vrgorac. His prominent literary creations have named him the greatest Croatian writer of the 20th century. Stipe Bozic was also born in Vrgorac, in 1951. He is well known for his filmmaking and also for being the second European to have climbed Mount Everest twice! This stunning region is truly one of Croatia’s secret treasures.

Historical monuments from the past can still be seen all throughout the city and its surroundings. The seven forts dating back to the 14th century, once served as a defence system against the Turks who ruled this region for over 200 years border the entire town of Vrgorac.  The Fort of Gradina is the main fort, which overlooks all of Vrgorac and the plains below. It provides a stunning lookout point with a beautiful hiking path from the city centre.

Everyone’s favorite fruit, the sweet strawberry, is Vrgorac’s crowning glory with hectares and hectares of stunning strawberry fields dotting the valleys of this incredible destination.

Area: 284 km2
Population 2011
- City: 2.188
- Urban: 7.593
Elevation: 241 m
Tourist Board:
- +385/21/ 675 110
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

City suburbs:
Banja, Dragljane, Draževitići, Duge Njive, Dusina, Kljenak, Kokorići, Kotezi, Kozica, Mijaca, Orah, Podprolog, Poljica Kozička, Prapatnice, Rašćane, Ravča, Stilja, Umčani, Veliki Prolog, Vina, Višnjica, Vlaka, Zavojane, Kutac

Trilj is a city in the Cetina region, located on the southeastern edge of Sinj Field. The position on the direction of the communication between the coast and inland, the natural features of the river Cetina and the nearby mountainous landscape, contributed to the continuity of life in Trilj region from the earliest prehistoric times.
In the area of Trilj there are many archaeological findings dating way back to Mesolithic. The first ethnic group that inhabited this area are the Illyrian tribe Delmati. Delmati people lived in a hill forts along the communication lines that connected their capital Delminium with Adriatic coast. Hundred and fifty years of fierce fighting against the Romans (165 BC.- 9. AD) ended in defeat of Delmati people, after which Romans built legionary fortress Tilurium on the hill above Trilj.
At the top of the hill of Gardun, just 1 km south of Trilj, remains of legionary fortress at Tilurium can be found. Tilurium guarded the entrance to the Cetina valley from the south and the approach to the provincial capital at Salona.

Area: / m2 / / sq mi
Population 2011
- City: 2.110
- Urban: 10.799
Elevation: 315 m / 1.050 ft
Tourist Board:
- +385/21/ 832 510
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City suburbs:
Bisko, Budimir, Čačvina, Čaporice, Gardun, Grab, Jabuka, Kamensko, Košute, Krivodol, Ljut, Nova Sela, Podi, Rože, Strizirep, Strmendolac, Tijarica, Ugljane, Vedrine, Velić, Vinine, Vojnić Sinjski, Voštane, Vrabač i Vrpolje

Imotski is situated on the slopes of Podi hill just above the Imotski plane. The oldest traces of life in the wider surroundings of the town originate from prehistory with some findings from classical era. On the cliff overlooking the Blue Lake, the strong fortress Topana was built in early medieval age. In 10th century, it was the centre of one of eleven counties in the Croatian kingdom. In late 15th century, the fortress was conquered by Osman Empire. During their reign, Imotski has become important administrative centre, which is recorded in the verses of popular folk epic Asanaginica. After it was liberated from Ottoman Empire in 1717, the town has started to be formed over the time from scattered houses around the fortress. The town development was accelerated in late 19th and early 20th century. In mid-20th century Imotski has added industrial role to its administrative and trade roleS, and in recent times citizens started to hope for Imotski to become tourist centre thanks to its cultural heritage and natural beauties - Blue and Red Lake.

Area: 73 km2
Population 2011
- City: 33.253
- Urban: 10.213
Elevation: 300 m / 1.000 ft
Tourist Board:
- +385/21/ 842 221 :: +385/98/ 433 341
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

City suburbs:
Donji Vinjani, Glavina Donja, Glavina Gornja, Gornji Vinjani, Imotski, Medvidovića Draga

Dugopolje is a highly developed municipality in Croatia in the Split-Dalmatia County. It is a small town at the gates to Dalmatian inland, just 15 km from Split. Dugopolje has an ideal position, as it is located at the intersection of the state highway A1 Zagreb-Split-Dubrovnik and the highway D1 Split-Sinj, which connects the coast with the inland. Here in Dugopolje you can come to enjoy the natural beauty of the northern slopes of the Mosor Mountain and theVranjača cave, a protected geomorphologic natural monument in the village of Kotlenice. Or you can just come to shopping or watch football in Croatian Knights Sports Centre.

Area: 64 km2
Population 2011
- Urban: 3.120

Elevation: ---
Tourist Board:
- +385/21/ --- ---
- ---

City suburbs:
Dugopolje, Koprivno, Kotlenice, Liska

Žnjan is a relatively new neighborhood to the east of Split center. Žnjan has quite a few beaches spanning it shores and there are many activities for both adults and children that make this the to-go beach all year round, whether you are swimming or not.

There are endless activities for kids such as trampolines, bouncy castles, electric scooters for kids, an aquazone, paddleboats, and an indoor games hall. Click here to read how your kids (and yourself) can get the most out of a day on Žnjan.

There are a few cafés dotting the coast such as the popular Baracuda bar, which is popular amongst the surfing community. Along the road you will also find pancake and ice cream stalls in the summer time. Žnjan is also Split’s kiteboarding and windsurfing beach during the off-season. Click here to read about kiteboarding in Split.

There are no beach beds or umbrellas for hire so we suggest you bring your own gear. Alternatively, continue your walk westbound for another five minutes to get to Trstenik beach for a little deluxe beach lounging on Radisson BLU Resort’s VIP deck with DJ tunes and four-star service with light fare from Mistral restaurant across the path. For 80KN you can chill on the deck with a sunbed and umbrella and unlimited warm beverages and ice tea. You can also just opt for a sunbed on the pebble beach next to it for 30KN per day.

To reach Žnjan, head east on Poljička cesta and turn right on Velebitska until you reach the coastline. 

In those, parts of the year when dipping in the sea is suitable only for those who don't mind about the water temperature, another great solution for outdoor activity is hiking. And when we talk about hiking in Split, most people usually think about Mosor.

Mosor is a mountain overlooking Split from the east, the one you just can't miss when watching any Split panorama looking in that direction.

With such position, Mosor became a natural option for any hiking beginners, so that mountain turned into a one of the most popular destinations for day trips for people from Split, which is usually good recommendation for visitors, too. It's mostly rocky, and look almost threatening, but once when you get there you will see that all the paths are excelently marked, challenging enough to enjoy it as a hiking spot, and easy enough so whole family can go up there. The highest peak is Veliki Kabal, on altitude of 1,339 meters, but the most popular as a goal is Vickov Stup on 1,325 meters. Scenery is very diversified, with lots of cliffs, meadows, and caves, but what is probably the biggest bait for everyone going to Mosor is the view. When sky is clear, you can see all the way to the most distant Central Dalmatian islands, and whole Split and Kaštela are lying like on a palm.

The easiest way to reach Mosor is by car, driving from Split either to Žrnovnica or, even better, to village of Sitno Gornje as a starting point for a hike. Route to the latter is available here. If you don't have a car available, you can take a local bus number 28 that drives from Split to Sitno Gornje and Dubrava. Schedule available here.

The most popular route is from Sitno Gornje to the top, with the first stop at the mountain hut Umberto Girometta. For less capable hikers, this building is usually the final destination. Hut is named after the founder of Split mountaineering. You can get a warm meal there, cooked at the spot, for reasonable price and in large portions. We tried it a lot of times, and it's a special experience, really good food. Also, there are rooms to sleep in, so day trip can turn into a weekend excursion.

Route to the hut is nicely marked, takes about 45 minutes, and is practically impossible to get lost, but always be careful of walking on rocks, for injuries. If something like that happens, call emergency number 112 for assistance. From Umberto Girometta's, after a break, you can take a hike to the top, either to Veliki Kabal, or to Vickov Stup, or even both. The latter solution is the most demanding, but also the most rewarding and challenging, here is the route for that one. Even if you don't bring this map with you, there are no problema for finding a right path, because of the markations - white with red circles - that will lead you all the way. Full route will last at least five hours. You can take a rest in a red shelter on Vickov stup, where you will also find a book to sign in, and a stamp. On Veliki Kabal you will see a big cross as a mark that you are on top, as well as sign-in book and a stamp.

If not capable enough for both summits, our suggestion would be route from Umberto Girometta hut to Vickov Stup and back. And then you can have well deserved meal and a drink. There are several nice meadows around where you can rest in the clean air, or maybe even play some sports, if not too tired.

Mosor is suitable for a hike practically year-round, but we wouldn't suggest it if it's raining or - rarely - snowing. Bring water with you, and you can re-supply at the hut. If you like mountain food, you won't need any to carry on, except maybe some energy bar, or a sendwich or a can as a reserve. Also, don't forget to wear appropriate shoes, and back-up clothes if you get sweaty. It's never too many times to warn you about being careful, to be safe in the mountain you have to respect it. Of course, this is just one of the routes you can take in Mosor, but the most popular. You can also walk from Žrnovnica, which is much longer, or to take another route from Sitno Gornje toward the top, via another shelter called Lugarnica. Some of the basic informations are available in English here.

Travel blogging spread like a forest fire, especially some specialized segments of travelling practice. Today we stumbled (via Chasing The Donkey blog) upon interesting blog dedicated to travelling in a wheelchair, called Curb Free with Cory Lee. This great young woman started her blog to share her experience of travelling from a wheelchair perspective, and one of the latest posts was "Rolling Around Croatia: A Wheelchair User’s Travel Guide"Rolling Around Croatia: A Wheelchair User’s Travel Guide". As you can read on this post, she really checked some of the major attractions, and tested its accessibility for tourists in wheelchair.

Unfortunately, Cory didn't visit Split, so here are some tips she or someone else might find useful if come to this town.

First, downsides. It's practically impossible for people in a wheelchair to use public transportation, because city buses don't have a ramp for them. There is a reserved space for certain levels of disability, but problem is entering a bus. There are some agencies in Split that organize transport for disable persons, but mostly for local people, usually children on their way to school. Also, it's possible to move around by taxi. If you are driver, or are driven by others, there are lots of parking spots for disable, but you need to have a sticker. Otherwise, your car will be towed away, and then real problems begin. On the other hand, if you see someone without sticker parked there, don't hesitate to call police.

Next, surprisingly, but most of state institutions are hardly accessible, maybe only sometime with a ramp on the side, but it's hard to use it without somebody's help. Even some health institutions are almost closed for them. Also, theatre and most of the cinemas, as well as museums mostly don't have access for wheelchair. They are supposed to have it, by law, but in many cases this regulation wasn't fulfilled. The best way to check whether it's possible to visit them is to call in advance.

Moving around the city, on the other hand, is not that bad. Almost every intersection has small ramps to cross the street, and drivers will in most cases respect people in wheelchairs. Split old town is full of narrow streets, and there are many stairs around, but most of locations are accessible some other way. It's even possible to visit Diocletian's Palace basements, using Riva entrance. Unfortunately, most of churches have stairs, including Cathedral, and are not accessible, just like museums. Only way to do it is to be carried up the stairs.

Recreational zones are mostly well-prepared. If you like to spend time in the nature, it's possible to go around Marjan and use most of its paths, except those reserved for more extreme way of excersise. Same goes with beaches. All the most popular beaches - few on Marjan, Bacvice, Znjan, etc - have access for wheelchair, with ramps, and some even with lifts.

Situation is not perfect, as you can see, but there are good initiatives to improve it. There are some NGOs which are pressing authorities to make more spots available, but some things change slowly. One of them, called Pino, has excellent interactive map on their web site, with all facilities with good access for people with disability. It's only in Croatian, but with simbols and included Google translator it's still useful. You can find it here.

Although Split is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia, there is one feature that it chronically lacks - nudist beach. The nearest official are in Ruskamen between Omiš and Makarska, or within Medena resort near Trogir. There are, of course, also those on some of the islands, especially on Hvar.

Still, if you like to swim in natural bathing suit, there is a solution. It's not completely legal, but tolerated. Or, to sound more benevolent, Split does have unofficial nudist beach. It's on the southern shores of Marjan park forest, western from the family oriented Kasjuni beach, on the spot locally known as Pećine (Caves, although there is no single cave there). It's well hidden among rocks both on shore and in the sea, but still pretty easily accessible. For exact location, here is our map. And it's there for decades, no matter how many attempts were made to throw nudists out of there. For example, few years ago city authorities designated that place as the beach for pets, which caused some turmoil between nudists and pets owners who didn't want to share their family moments with "inappropriate" bathers, but nudists argued that they came there first.

So, this beach is officialy unofficial, and theoretically it goes under public decency rules, but nobody remembers a single case when anyone was prosecuted. Beach is not very crowded, and most people going there know each other, keeping it low profile. However, clean sea and spectacular view from the sea to Marjan slopes make this place worth of visiting, if you are a nudism dedicated. It's not hard to reach this place, by car drive to Kasjuni cove, park there and walk by the sea. By bus, take the number 12 and ask for Kasjuni station, it takes 10 minute walk to the beach. Bus network is available here. Or, you can rent a bike, or just plainly walk, but it will be much longer.

Back in July 2013, Total Split published popular blog about parking in Split, which is an activity close to a nightmare. It's been very popular, but things change, so here is the update with some new facilities, as well with new pricing. For tips, read original article below.

First, here is the map with all major parking lots included, and garages at Atrium Hotel, Koteks shopping centre and public garage Sukoišan. Comparing with the old article, novelties are:

- Parking lots in Split 3, or new part of Split (see Boškovićeva 1, Boškovićeva 2 and Prima 3 on our map).

- Nicely located parking lot Plinarska, ideal for those renting apartments in Varoš

- Free of charge parking lot Zvončac, just above city marina

- Garages and parking lots around shopping malls Joker and Koteks. The latter one is open for those who want to leave their cars attended for few days.

- Paid parking lot overlooking Bačvice Beach (4 kunas per hour, till 10 pm, afterwards free).

- Ljudevita Posavskog, newly arranged, 3 kunas per hour.

In previous article, we said that most of parking lots are operated by city transport company Promet, which changed its prices in the meantime:

- Riva (24/7) - first hour 10 kunas, every following hour 15 kunas;

- Vukovarska, Svačićeva, Zrinsko Frankopanska (24/7) - 7 kunas per hour;

- Plinarska (24/7) - 6 kunas per hour;

- Boškovićeva 1 and 2 (7am-9.30pm working days; 7am-4pm Saturdays) - 5 kunas per hour. Rest of the time free;

- Street parking: Zone 1 (6.30am-9.30pm working days, 6.30am-2pm on Saturdays) 5 kunas per hour, other parts of the day and Sundays free. Daily ticket 75 kunas; Zone 2 (7am-7pm working days, 7am-2pm on Saturdays) 4 kunas per hour, other parts of the day and Sundays free. Daily ticket 48 kunas; Zone 3 (same as Zone 2);

- Prima 3 and Court House (7am-9pm working days, 7am-3pm Saturdays) - 5 kunas per hour, rest of the time free;

- Railway station, ferry port - 8 kunas per hour.

AND HERE IS THE ORIGINAL BLOG

Arriving to Split by car? Confused with all those crooked, narrow streets? Wait until you try to park.

Really, parking in Split can be frustrating, especially if you are not willing to leave your car on street parking. Split has only a few indoor garages, most of them are adjacent to neighbouring buildings so tenants occupy most of the places. But, we'll come to that.

As in most tourist cities, visitors always like to park as close as they can to the main attractions or their lodging. In Split the entire city centre is almost exclusively a  pedestrian zone, but parking is allowed on its edges. The cheapest way, but not so easy to find a free place are street parking spots, marked with white stripes, and with a blue traffic sign with big letter P on it. Wherever you see it, just get into the first spot you can find, maybe there won't be a second chance. Prices may vary, from 4 to 7 kunas (1 euro aprox. 7.45 kunas), depending how close you will be to the historical centre. There are two ways how to pay, either by inserting coins in the meters and displaying the ticket on a dashboard, or by text message from your mobile phone. On every payment box you will find a number for sending SMS, every message will cover an hour of parking, and you can send as many messages as you want, except in a few locations where parking time is limited. A few minutes before your parking expires you will receive SMS with warning. If you don't have a sticker for disabled person, don't park on the yellow marked spots. Also, if a spot is reserved, it will be noted.

The good thing about parking on a street is that most of those spaces are operating from 7AM to 7PM, except in the first zone from 6:30AM to 9:30PM. It doesn't mean you can't park there at other times, but more that it's free during the night. There is some even better news; on Saturdays ticket machines operate from 6:30AM or 7Am to 2PM, and on Sundays and holidays they don't work at all. Of course, if you find a spot. In case visitors tend to believe it's because Split really loves tourists, we suggest them not to become too euphoric. The reason why parking is free almost all weekend are local people, Split just doesn't have enough parking space to accommodate them all when they stay at home. Still, it's good to know.

The other way to park is in parking lots. Most of them are operated by the city public transportation company Promet (their yellow signs are visible on entrances), but there are also a few of them owned by independent providers. Promet's parking lots, public garage Sukoišan and all of above mentioned street parking spots can be found on this map.

Other, non Promet lots are located in car ferry port; railway station; next to County court.

Price on those lots vary, from 5 kunas per hour in more distant locations, up to 10 kunas per hour right in front of the Diocletian's Palace on the eastern part of Riva, or main waterfront. Comparing with other tourist cities in Europe, this is really cheap, anyone who ever tried to park in Florence knows that very well. Lots are in a way better than street spots because it's easier to find a free place there. However, they are operating 24 hour a day, no freebies here. And try not to wonder why a city with such a strong tourist orientation doesn't have more garages around the centre, even people in Split can't figure that out. There are some private operated garages on a walking range from centre, like the one in Atrium hotel called Acorus Garage where it's possible to leave a car for few days without fear it will be towed, stolen or damaged. Everywhere else almost of the same importance as price is a visible note that "parking lot operator is not responsible for any damages or stolen items". If it happens, call the police, at least for the insurance report.

Beside all this, of course, there is free parking. Someone coming from more organized communities will be amazed with cars parked on pavements, sometimes in a way that there is no way any pedestrian can pass unless going on a street, or walk over the car's roof. Be careful in adopting this local custom, people who are operating towing trucks for some reason just love to pick foreign cars. If you decide to park as a local, try to follow a few rules. First, don't do it wherever you see no parking sign, you know that one - blue, round with red frame and cross over it. Sometimes there will be cars around them, maybe even a police car, but that only confirms that knowing the right people is more important than following the rules. Secondly, if you park on a pavement, make sure that there is at least one meter of free space between your car and wall (or park, or whatever is on the other side). If the apartment you rented comes with the promise of your landlord/landlady that you will have a secured and guaranteed parking spot, check it twice when you arrive. Maybe some hard working neighbour believes that it is his spot, as it is the rest of the year. You don't want to risk broken antenna, or some yelling only because the person who rented you an apartment didn't ask anyone if it's all right for you to park your car there. In those cases, accept one important rule; Split is not a hotel where all the local people you see are there just to please you. It's a city where people are going to work every morning, and coming home every night, and might not like if tourists believe that what they paid covers really everything, from the apartment, to parking on someone else's spot, to yelling under the neighbour's bedroom window.

And let's save the best to the end. What happens when your car is towed away? Except on paid street parking spots, there are no tickets for violating rules. They just pick up your car and take it to their storage. Where is it? Don't ask people from Split, most of them will not know. Just take a taxi and tell them that "pauk" (spider) took your car, they will know where to go. In case you are adventurous, it's here.

If you have bigger car, like van, camper, stretch limo or something like that, don't feel like you're safe from being towed. They will block your wheels with clamps, and you will need to call +385 (0)21 376 848 to unclamp it.

And in conclusion: don't get frustrated with parking in Split, try to imagine what is it like to live and park here all year.