Kaštela - The City of Seven Castles
Located on the coast of Kaštela bay, the town of Kaštela with more than 40 000 inhabitants is the second largest town in the Split-Dalmatia county. What makes this town special is the fact that seven medieval settlements merged into a picturesque town that has, in the last two decades, become a top international destination for yachtsmen, with hundreds of yachts available for charter.
The town of Kaštela is positioned between the three ancient cities, Split, Solin and Trogir, two of which are under the protection of UNESCO, and all of them within a 30-kilometre radius. The proximity of both the airport (7 km) and the highway (20km) is what makes it one of the most well-connected Mediterranean cities.
Kaštela is today known for its numerous forts and castles built in the past by the lords of Trogir and Split. The seven settlements i.e. Kaštel Štafilić, Kaštel Novi, Kaštel Stari, Kaštel Lukšić, Kaštel Kambelovac, Kaštel Gomilica and Kaštel Sućurac, which grew, developed and finally merged into the town of Kaštela, feature town centres with preserved autochthonous Dalmatian architecture, houses with outer staircases (balature), Dalmatian-style taverns (konoba), narrow streets (kaleta) and squares. The town exudes the typical Dalmatian flair, and features the casual Mediterranean lifestyle that the people of Kaštela are proud of.
Don't miss out on the beautiful Renaissance castle Vitturi in Kaštel Lukšić, famous for the legend of Miljenko and Dobrila, a tragic love story similar to that of Romeo and Juliet. And if you are an avid fan of the world hit series, Game of Thrones, make sure to visit Kaštilac in Gomilica, a beautiful fortress where the popular series was filmed. Built on a sea cliff and connected to the mainland by a stone bridge, the location is a magical combination of natural attractions and human architecture.
Vineyards, olive groves, cherry and fig plantations and autochthonous Mediterranean vegetation alternate with protected monuments of natural heritage and park architecture on most of the Kaštela field.
Local cuisine is one of the highlights of your visit to Kaštela. The town is famous for its fresh seafood, which is served in many local restaurants. We recommend you try the traditional Dalmatian dishes such as peka, a slow-cooked meat dish prepared under the lid, or pašticada, a beef stew seasoned with prunes and served with homemade gnocchi and the famous local wine, Kaštelanski Crljenjak, a well-known variety of red wine grape that is a relative of the popular American zinfandel.
If you happen to visit Kaštela at the end of May, you wouldn’t want to miss out on Fešta o’ boba (Broad Bean Feast), a culinary event dedicated to the preparation of traditional and innovative dishes with broad beans, a traditional ingredient of Kaštela cuisine..
Marina Kaštela is located in Kaštel Gomilica, in the very heart of Kaštela bay. Protected by the Kozjak mountain with a view of the Marjan peninsula and Čiovo, Marina Kaštela is one of the top state-of the-art and largest marinas in this part of the Adriatic Sea. It provides boaters with 420 sea moorings with water and electricity connections, 200 land berths, a 60-tonne crane and boat repair and maintenance service. Also, the breakwater of the marina with a sea depth of between 8 and 11 meters and a length of about 500 m is technically equipped to receive mega yachts.
Modern facilities, a variety of catering options and an extraordinary geographical location, suitable for all sea lovers is what makes Marina Kaštela one of the most visited marinas in Croatia and provide an unforgettable nautical experience.
Regardless of whether you are interested in history, culture, nature or simply want to relax and enjoy your vacation, Kaštela is a destination that offers something for everyone.
Photo: Pointer Travel/TZG Kaštela, Marko Čuljak – Marcello Studio/Marina Kaštela, Mario Alajbeg/TZG Kaštela
