Central Dalmatia
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Central Dalmatia - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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We’ve compiled the best of the best in Central Dalmatia - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
Built into a cliff face overlooking the sea by Glagolitic monks fleeing Ottoman invaders in the 16th century, the Blaca Hermitage is one of Brač's most serene sights. From the bay below the complex, it's a 2-km (1-mile) hike uphill and well off the beaten path as it's only reachable by foot. The hike is well worth the experience to understand the sacrifice the monks made in constructing the site without modern amenities. You can also arrive by car from Nerežišća over Vidova Gora to Dragovoda and then walk about 30 minutes up to the monastery (either way, don your hiking shoes). The monks who built the hermitage also grew rich vineyards and lush olive groves, despite the wild and arid landscape. Inside, visitors can see a fine collection of period furniture including a piano and telescope which belonged to Father Nikola Miličević (1887-1963), Blaca's last hermit and an avid astronomer. In its heyday, the hermitage had a printing press, a school, and an observatory. There are no longer any monks living there; today, it functions as a museum, where a guided tour is well worth the expense.
The main body of this cathedral is the 3rd-century octagonal mausoleum designed as a shrine to Emperor Diocletian. During the 7th century, refugees from Salona converted it into an early Christian church, ironically dedicating it to St. Duje (St. Domnius), after Bishop Domnius of Salona, one of the many Christians martyred during the late emperor's persecution campaign. The cathedral's monumental main door is ornamented with magnificent carved wooden reliefs, the work of Andrija Buvina of Split, portraying 28 scenes from the life of Christ and dated to 1214. The interior contains a hexagonal Romanesque stone pulpit from the 13th century with rich carvings. The high altar, surmounted by a late-Gothic canopy, was executed by Bonino of Milan in 1427. Nearby is the 15th-century canopied Gothic altar of Anastasius by Juraj Dalmatinac. The elegant, 200-foot, Romanesque-Gothic bell tower was constructed and reconstructed in stages between the 13th and 20th centuries. Climb to the top of the bell tower (sometimes closed in winter during bad weather) for a spectacular view of the entire palace, Split, and the surrounding Adriatic Sea.
The Cathedral of St. Lawrence, whose first construction dates back to the early 13th century, is a remarkable example of Romanesque architecture. The most striking detail is the main (west) portal, adorned with superb Romanesque sculpture by the Croatian master known as Radovan. The great door, flanked by a pair of imperious lions that form pedestals for figures of Adam and Eve, is framed by a fascinating series illustrating the daily life of peasants in a kind of medieval comic strip. In the dimly lit Romanesque interior, the 15th-century chapel of Sveti Ivan Orsini (St. John Orsini) of Trogir features statues of saints and apostles in niches facing the sarcophagus, on which lies the figure of St. John. The bell tower, built in successive stages—the first two stories Gothic, the third Renaissance—offers stunning views across the ancient rooftops. An entrance ticket includes a visit to the cathedral, treasury, and the bell tower. Be sure to also look down as you stroll through and gaze at the amazing structures at eye level and below—the marble sculptures and checkerboard floors make for a memorable view.
The home of Split's thriving Old Town, Diocletian's Palace is a marvelous maze of restaurants, cafés, shops, and boutiques. The palace dates back to the late 3rd century AD, and originally served as both a luxurious villa and a Roman garrison. Its rectangular shape has two main streets: Dioklecijanova Ulica, which runs north to south, and Poljana Krajlice Jelene, which runs east to west, that divide the palace complex into four quarters. Each of its four walls has a main gate, the largest and most important being the northern Zlatna Vrata (Golden Gate), which once opened onto the road to the Roman settlement of Salona. The entrance from the western wall was the Željezna Vrata (Iron Gate), and the entrance through the east wall was the Srebrena Vrata (Silver Gate). The Mjedna Vrata (Bronze Gate) on the south wall directly faces the sea, and likely served as an entryway for sailors who docked by it during Roman times. There are still more than 1,000 people living within the walls today. Hire an experienced private guide that can give you a walking tour in the early morning hours in order to experience the true history of the palace walls without the crowds.
This 16th-century hilltop fortress is a symbol of Hvar Town. Climbing to the top takes about 25 minutes, and you get to take in the amazing Mediterranean plant garden as you go. Once you're at the top, you can explore the fortress's stone walls and behold breathtaking views of the city below, along with the sea and islands stretching over the horizon as far as the eye can see.
A series of seven waterfalls are the main attraction here, the most spectacular being Skradinski Buk, where 17 cascades of water fall 40 meters into an emerald-green pool. Moving upriver, a trail of wooden walkways and bridges crisscrosses its way through the woods and along the river to the Roški Slap waterfall, passing by the tiny island of Visovac, which is home to a Franciscan monastery that can be visited by boat. On the islet, there is also an old mill with a museum that demonstrates the different ways the mill was used centuries ago. From here, one can better understand how the power of these waters inspired Nikola Tesla, whose boyhood home is not far from the national park. In 1895 the first hydroelectric plant became operational here, only two days after Tesla’s hydroelectric plant on Niagara Falls. This made the residents of Skradin the first Eastern European citizens to have electricity. More than 860 species of plant life have been identified throughout the park and more than 200 bird species live there, making it one of the most valuable ornithological areas in Europe. Something many visitors miss is a hawk training center where you can observe birds of prey being trained by ornithological experts. For bird enthusiasts there is also the Guduća Nature Reserve, where various species are closely studied and can be observed from boats. The Krka National Park office is located in Šibenik. For more active travelers, there is a 8½-km (5-mile) hiking trail, going Sitnice–Roški Slap–Ozidana Cave, that takes about 2½ hours and has educational panels along the way that explain plant and animal life, geological phenomena, and historic sites.There are several entrances into the park, but the easiest and most impressive route of arrival is to drive from Šibenik to the town of Skradin, then take a 25-minute boat ride up the Krka River on a national-park ferry (price is included in the entrance fee). The ferry will bring you to the park entrance close to the Skradinski Buk waterfall, and from there you can get off and take a walk along the wooden bridges and explore the park further. There are a couple of snack bars, plus wooden tables and benches for picnics. However, for a full-blown meal, your best bet is to return to Skradin, a town that dates back to Roman times, which is itself well worth a look.
A short walk from the Riva, this must-see gallery is in a tranquil location overlooking the sea, surrounded by extensive gardens. Ivan Meštrović (1883-1962), one of Europe's greatest 20th-century sculptors, originally designed this building as his summer residence during the 1920s and '30s. Some 200 of his sculptural works in wood, marble, stone, and bronze are on display, both indoors and out. The gallery is a green oasis in the center of the city with an open-air café that is frequented by children and families during the day and young locals in the evening. It's a great place to escape the crowded city streets and enjoy a refreshing drink surrounded by a stunning collection of a master's work.
Hidden away on the islet of Biševo (5 nautical miles southwest of Komiža), the Blue Cave is 78 feet long and 39 feet wide. Sunlight enters through the water, reflects off the seabed, and casts the interior in a fantastic shade of blue. Throughout the summer, local fishermen and agencies take tourists (some coming from Split and Hvar by speedboat) into the caverns. It can be a long wait in summer when there's a line of small boats waiting to enter the cave. Ask at the marina or the tourist information office to see who is offering trips. Sometimes, small boat operators will wait at the entrance of the cave for visitors arriving on sailboat or yacht (which are too large to enter the cave).
As its name suggests, Stari Grad, or Old Town, is one of the oldest towns in Europe, with some locals claiming it to be the oldest. Founded in the fourth century BC, this is the site of the original Greek settlement on Hvar, called Pharos by the Greeks. While much of the attraction in Stari Grad focuses on its ancient history, the city is still very much alive throughout the year. It is the entry point to the island for bus transportation from the mainland, as well as the car ferry terminal. It features a beautiful, walkable riviera and forest path, as well as a number of cultural attractions, such as the 15th-century Dominican Monastery of St. Peter the Martyr. The town is about 23 km (14 miles) east of Hvar Town.
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