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.

The Cycling Association of the Split-Dalmatia County in cooperation with the BK Spalatum organizes a mountain biking race XCM Atrium Spring Trophy. The race will take place on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in Klis (starting from the Klis fortress).

The race format is XCP (XC marathon) - circular track of 34,3 km. Categories of the race are: ELITE M, ELITE W, SPORT, VETERAN A and B, JUNIOR, VETERAN C, VETERAN D, AMATEURS, ML. JUNIOR.

Applications to be sent at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The whole entry-fee and sponsoring money will be donate to the SRCE NGO from Split.

Prices:

1st place for women - weekend package for two at the Hotel Atrium Split

1st place for men - weekend package for two at the Hotel Atrium Split

For more information follow the FB page of the Cycling Association of the Split-Dalmatia County.

Here is a short trailer for the Atrium Spring Trophy event:

Klis has a brand new promo video!! It highlights the rich culture and heritage of Klis and its surroundings, from the magnificent fortress, through the pure nature, up to its food and available sports - from cycling to hunting, there is much to explore in Klis.

Check out the video below and let us know what you think.

Follow the Klis Gazette online here.

These pictures are just amazing. The fortress in the February sun, few clouds on a blue sky and those flowering almond trees. Spring is almost here and it is rather beautiful in Klis. Enjoy the view captured by Anita Plazibat published at the Klis City FB page.

One of the very ambitious projects in Klis - the planned Interactive Centre Klis was presented by the Klis Mayor Jakov Vetma to UNESCO representatives from Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Dubrovnik few days ago.

(photos: Jakov Vetma FB page)

The centre should be built at the current spaces of the Klis tourist board, where the rich history of Klis, cultural heritage, wine and gastronomy of the region should be presented with the help of holograms.

It will be a great addition to the Klis offer as a tourism destination, where the Klis fortress is breaking all records in visits and opening itself up as new hit destination not only among visitors from Split.

It was a great year for the Klis fortress. With a 20% annual increase in visitors, it became an important destination in Inland Dalmatia. So to highlight it even more, here is a new website for the fortress, with a virtual tour, opening hours and ticket prices. There is even info about the fortress´history available in 8 languages (after you enter the virtual tour):

(photo: snapshot from www.tvrdavaklis.com)

Until a few years ago, only the locals and a few tourists knew about the existence of the historic fortresses in Dalmatia. Today, fortresses from ancient times are increasingly the chosen destination for thousands of tourists. The boom in this part of the cultural tourism is the result of the work and enthusiasm of the tourism professionals, government representatives and NGOs dealing with cultural heritage. Fortresses that once protected the villages and towns are now becoming known destinations, a story from the past reaches to the future, as those centennial buildings get new facilities, informs an article in Slobodna Dalmacija from January 4, 2016.

One such place, a historic fortress, that protected the Dalmatia from Turks is Klis and among many cultural and historical values, Klis people are the most proud of their Krlis Fortress. Jakov Vetma, the mayor of the municipality Klis shares more information about the historical Klis and the Klis of today and tomorrow. The Fotress as a symbol of resistance dominates the city. Once a famous place of the rulery of Petar Kružić, today a place that is being visited by thousands of tourists.

 

- Klis is waking up and one of the most important focuses for us is the cultural tourism. Our Klis Fortress is being renovated for the last six year, by a very good cooperation of the County, Department of Conservations and the Municipality of Klis. Many collapsed buildings were renovated, so the 20% increase in visitors per year is understandable.

A good cooperation is essential in this area with many beautiful sites. Foreign guest do not know, where Split ends and Klis starts, so a common approach to this form of tourism is extremely important. We have a good cooperation with Split, both in terms of summer cultural program as a part of the Split Summer Festival, as well as through a joint project of bicycle paths from the fortress to the Diocletian´s Palace - says Vetma. Within this common approach of developing cultural tourism, everyone should keep its own values, so they believe in Klis.

Klis has every right to be proud of its history, so it is not surprising that the Klis Fortress was used as a location for filming the HBO series Games of Thrones" and stories about the history of Klis spread in the movie-making world. To preserve the history and tradition, one should think about the future, introduce new technologies. Klis will, through a new project (which made it to the shortlist of the Ministry of Culture) of an interpretations centre with holograms, so far unseen on similar historical buildings, take its guests through the turbulent history of Croatia.

Read the whole article here.

Interesting invitation from the Adventure-Sport.net website for trail running in January:

 

"After the successful year 2015 with races: Biokovo Vertikal, Vela Luka Outdoor and the highly visited trial league, the Trail and Trekking Club Strka has already plans for the upcoming year 2016.

In the Split city area and its surroundings a new Strka Trail League will start on January 3, 2015, sponsored by Easy Going Store.

The trails will be approximately 4-7 km in length and fully marked with tape flags and pointers, so that orientation knowledge is not necessary.

The Entry fee is symbolic 5 kn per round, except for the last round, Marjan Trail, where the entry fee is 100 kn.

(photo: adventure-sport.net)

 

The leagues is ideal for those, who want to try trail running for the first time, but also for those more experienced - as a good training or even more, as the sponsor Easy Going Store prepared interesting prices for the best ones. In addition to the prices for winners, there will be benefits for all participants during the time of the duration of the league. All participants of the league can use a special 25% discount during the period of January 3 - February 13, 2016.

Here is the schedule of the league:

Round 1: January 3, 2016 at 10:00 - Marjan

Round 2: January 9, 2016 at 10:00 - Poljička Mountain

Round 3: January 16, 2016 at 10:00 - Klis Field

Round 4: January 23, 2016 at 10:00 - Omiš Gata

Round 5: January 30, 2016 at 10:00 - Sinj

Round 6: February 2, 2016 at 19:00 - Marjan Night

Round 7: February 13, 2016 at 10:00 - Marjan Trail - application here."

For more information, follow the FB page of the Club, or visit their website.