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Additional information

Kastela

 
Geographical position

Kastela can be compared with the most pretty and most interesting places in Europe, the Saxon King wrote in his memoirs early in the 19th century.
The town of Kastela is stretches over the length of 17 kilometers on the coast of the Kastela Bay,  between town of Trogir and Split.
It has over 40 000 inhabitants, and it is the second largest town in the Split and Dalmatia County.
Kaštela town is specific because of the fact that it developed around seven small villages, seven small settlements which used to be fortresses (Kastela) and villages with fortified walls beside the coast.
Today’s Kastela town is divided on Upper and Lower Kastela, and it consists of seven old settlements which were developed near the coast, around the castles built in the l5th and l6th century by nobility and clergy. These settlements are: Kastel Stafilic, Kastel Novi, Kastel Stari, Kastel Luksic, Kastel Kambelovac, Kastel Gomilica and Kastel Sucurac. Each village has its own particularity merged into character of this part of Mediterranean.
Kastela is of the places with the best traffic infrastructure. There are:  International Airport Split-Kastela, a Railway station in Kastel Stari and access to Split - Zagreb highway at Prgomet.



Historical sights

Since the prehistoric times, Kastela region was attracting people because of its Mediterranean charm, picturesque landscape and the unique composition of natural beauties.
The names and shapes of Kastela were defined by fortresses Kastels, built by the locals between 13th and 15th century to defend themselves from Venetians and Turks.
The bible garden in Kastel Novi located on the southern slopes of Mount Kozjak where for centuries bred typical biblical plants: olive trees, fig trees and grape vines;
the botanical garden in Kastel Luksic and the town museum in Kastel bear witness to the interesting and rich history of the beautiful fortresses.
Kastela’s town museum is in the famous stone castle of Vitturi, which was built in the 16th century. It looks as though it has risen up out of the sea, and is connected to the land by a small bridge. The main part of the castle is the famous Vitturi park, an example of garden culture and one of the most beautiful parks in the whole of Dalmatia.
Further on, in Kastel Luksic, you can see Rusinac, a kastel built on sea rocks, and castle Vitturi , a luxurious renaissance palace. These two are connected to a legend of a young couple, Miljenko and Dobrila, and their tragic love story. The resemblance to Shakespeare's drama is the reason they are often referred to as the Romeo and Juliet of Kastela.
Old olive in Kastel Stafilic is a protected natural monument. It has a very attractive habitat and is estimated to be 1,500 years old. The most likely comes from southern Italy or Greece. It represents a symbol of hardworking and persistent Dalmatian man who knew how to exploit natural resources in harmony with whom he lives and works for centuries.
Another museum, Museum Podvorje in Kastel Sucurac is a valuable landmark of Kastela.  Here is an archaeological collection of the Roman era, and some themes from Croatian ethnography.
The area is experiencing strong development in the 19th century with the advent of industrialization, but major changes in the coming years will mark it forever. .



Leisure time

There are many organizations and institutions which enrich cultural life of the town
In February, traditional carnival festivities are held in Kastel Sucurac, Kastel Kambelovac and especially in Lower Kastela (Stafilić, Novi, Stari) with tradition over 150 years long.
Every year from July 1st – August 31th the”Kastela Cultural Summer” takes place.
There are over 60 exhibitions, theatre shows, pop and classical music concerts, folklore, sport events and festivities (fishermen’s, hunters’, mountaineers’). Events are held at the most attractive places at the historic centers, castles and by the sea.
We especially highlight the “Evenings of Dalmatian Songs” held every July in Kaštel Kambelovac. Traditional a cappella singing arranged in modern or traditional manner is cherished there.



Other facilities

There is a newly built Marina Kastela in Kastel Gomilica capable to accommodate large number of private and charter boats.
The eastern part of the city is a little industrial center. Many shopping malls are situated there.
The western part of the town is more tourism- oriented. This is the area with most accommodation capacities: tourist apartments, rooms, camps and hotels.
It is filled with sandy beaches which are surrounded by terraces and viewpoints, tennis and other sports grounds all that located in the wonderful greenery of pine
and tamaris trees.
Seven picturesque small villages are good connected with coast road which is perfect for cycling.