Kastela Riviera

The fertile, about 20 kilometres the reign of the first Roman floating docks and 50 places on the long, green area, north-west of Split. It is divided on Gornja and Donja Kastela, and it consists of seven old and two relatively new settlements. The Kastela region with its mediterranean charm, picturesque landscape and the unique composition of natural beauties was attracting people since the prehistoric times. From ancient greek sailors, roman perticians, Croatian kings, rulers, venetian royals to the present lovers of sun, sea and mysterious legacies from the past.

Once an ancient Greek port, a stopover point for Roman veterans and a summer place for Croatian kings is today a tourist resort, carrying the same name. Along it`s long sandy beach there are terraces and viewpoints, tennis and other sports grounds, surrounded by greenery of pine and tamaris trees.

People live of vineyards orchards and vegetable gardens. The industrial zone is also developed, and Resnik, the airport of Split, is also there. Present area of Kastela and its inland in the vicinity of antique Salona were inhabited very early (the finds from the Roman and Old Croatian period). Seven old settlements developed near the coast, around the castles built in the l5th and l6th century by nobility and clergy: Kastel Stafilic, Kastel Novi, Kastel Stari, Kastel Luksic, Kastel Kambelovac, Kastel Gomilica and Kastel Sucurac.

WE ARE CERTAIN THAT THE KASTELA, WITH THEIR UNIQUE FLAIR, WILL ATTRACT YOUR ATTENTION AND ENVOKE THE WISH TO GET BETTER ACQUAINTED WITH THIS CHARMING AREA.

Where there is an olive, there is the Mediterranean, and the olive tree of all olives grows already some 1500 years in Kastel Stafilic. It bears a witness of continous noble surroundings and the arts and crafts of local farmers.

A walk through the narrow typical coastal streets of Kastel Novi, along the stone halls and arcades leads you to the cellars of Kastela`s winemakers. That is where they store their excellent wines, a product of their lovingly and knowingly cared for vineyards. In these streets people live and work, rest and sing, love and quarrel, whilst during the "festa" they turn into a real-life theatre.
The heritage and historic wealth is kept in the museum of Kastela, among the stone walls of the Cipiko tower.

Kastel Stari
The oldest fortress in Kastela is the centre around which an interesting architectonic unity evolved. It is a classic example of traditional seaside construction comprising a central square where public meetings and business transactions took place, there was an extensive market offering a variety of fish and other goods. Seeing the wealth of the fruits of the earth it is not surprising to find it mirrored in the lush precious jewellery and native costumes, as well as in the unequalled beauty of their shrines.

Kastel Luksic
The central castle in the magic row of seven, the richest in izs reanaissance beauty, drowned in the greenery of ancient parks and avenues, remembers the romantic legend of the tragic love between Dobrila and Miljenko.
The cherry trees spread all the way up towards the Kozjak mountains, while the tamaris and pine trees are true sunshades along the beaches in Luksic.

Kastel Kambelovac
The hard fishermen`s bread coated with seven crusts, softened in wine and olive oil, together with tasty fish is a symbol of fishermen of Kambelovac.
The Kambelovac harbour is colorful and saturated with picturesque motives, housing typical local boats like "lauti, svjecarice, gajete, kajici", fishing nets and ropes, lobster traps and lamps, sunshades and sails, rowing tools, masts and behind all that the lovely stone houses built throughout the past five centuries around the castle Cambi with the most beautiful tower in Kastela.

Kastel Gomilica
Women built it, benedictine sisters, therefore it`s grace and beauty, engrossed in it`s mirrored reflection in the calm sea.
With it`s miniature architecture, hugging the tower encompassed in the blue of sky and sea, it seems to escape reality in search of long forgotten times, which only the baroque guardian angels remember.

Kastel Sucurac
...in the solid rock it`s own and croatian history is written...The old croatian motive embedded in the sheer rocky outcrop in the sea at Putalj and Kastilac is a continuous reminder. Part of these memories are treasured in museum Podvorje.
The two belltowers of Sucurac - the one a witness to a sad truth from the past; the other a guardian of faith and hope for the future.