Starigrad Fortress

Starigrad Fortress, locally known as Tvrđava Starigrad but also as Fortica, lies above the town of Omiš, in the county of Split-Dalmatia in Croatia. The name 'Starigrad' means 'Old castle'.

In the 15th century, during the Croatian-Ottoman Wars, the Kingdom of Croatia built Starigrad Fortress as a primary defense for the inhabitants of Omiš against Ottoman attacks. It was constructed on a lower summit of the steep mountain range behind Omiš at an elevation of 262 meters.

Inside the fortress, two small baileys end in a two-story square tower that served as a keep. The fortress's entrance is through an outer barbican, protected by a bastion.

I could not find any historical information about the fortress, but I suspect it played a role during the Ottoman-Venetian Wars, which took place from the 15th to the 18th century, during which the Ottomans never managed to conquer Omiš.

Starigrad Fortress can be visited for a small fee, payable only in cash. It is a beautiful fortification, offering stunning views of the coast to the island of Brač. However, it can only be reached on foot. There are two hiking routes: a shorter, more difficult one and a longer, slightly easier one. Both require sturdy footwear. I took the longer route, which took me about an hour, starting from the charming historic town center of Omiš. In the town itself, there is also a small ruined 13th-century castle: Mirabela Castle. So, with two fortifications and a historic town center, I recommend a visit to Omiš.

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