Kaštela Riviera stretches over the length of 17 kilometers and is a series of seven picturesque towns in central Dalmatia, situated northwest of Split. They are part of the Split-Dalmatia County and are treated as a single town with a population of approx 34,000, although they are individually between 2,500 and 6,500 inhabitants each.

Kaštela are formed by seven smaller adjoining settlements along the Bay. These are: Kaštel Štafilić, Kaštel Novi, Kaštel Stari, Kaštel Lukšić, Kaštel Kambelovac, Kaštel Gomilica and Kaštel Sućurac.

Kaštela economy throughout history relied on agriculture and fishing. Thanks to the fertile field, Kaštela had many distinctive agricultural products of which are the best known wine and cherry.
During the 19th century railroad was build connecting Split with the other parts of the former Austro-Hungary, thus Kaštela gained significance. During the early 20th century, when tourism boosts, the first hotel was opened in 1909 in Kaštel Lukšić.
After the Second World War came to a sudden industrialization of Kaštela. This resulted in the rapid growth of population, but also strengthening the economy of Kaštela. However, these have led to a counter effect in agriculture, and disrupt the even stronger potential tourism development than what was happening.

Today, the primary goal of city government is the return of tourism in Kaštela, but due to many problems as lack of infrastructure and lack of hotel capacity, it will be slow process that the general tourism shines as once in Kaštela Riviera.

What to see in Kaštela Riviera

Kaštel Sućurac
In Kaštel Sućurac is old defending tower build in 1392. A variety of additional interventions and the tower has become a settlement by the sea. The oldest core of Sućurac is Kaštilica, fortified palace decorated in Gothic style. Today, there is the exhibition space with archeological finds.
Kaštel Sućurac is the starting point of marked hiking trail that leads to Vela stine, the chalet Putalj (480m), the route to the pass Vrata to ridge Kozjak and to the west to church of St. Luke (690m).

Kaštel Gomilica
In 1078 Croatian King Zvonimir donated to the Benedictine Monastery, estate, where they, in the 12th century, built the church of St. Cosmas and Damian. The church was built in Romanesque style on the basis of earlier necropolis and an early Christian church. In front of the church is over 700 years old oak three, under which, according to the legend, the resting Croatian King Zvonimir.

Kaštel Kambelovac
Brothers Jerolim and Nicholas Cambi, Split aristocrats and landowners were 1517, in accordance with approval from 1478.g. on a small island built a castle with the intent to protect themselves and villagers.  Citadel has a cylindrical shape, which is very suitable for defense.
Peasants from an old Croatian village Kruševik 1525 built two castles - Large and Small Piškera. It was a unique example that castles were built by farmers of their works.
Due to the large number of castles, Kaštel Kambelovac became a stretched settlement.

Kaštel Lukšić
Michael Rosani has 1482, in the western part of today's Kaštel Lukšić built his castle, which is an excellent example of building castles on the sea rocks.
Nicolas and Jerome Vitturi, a nobleman’s from Trogir received 1487 permit from the Venetian Doge to build castle by the sea to protect their families and farmers from the village.
The castle was built in the style of sumptuous Renaissance palaces and was finished in 1564. Today the restored castle Vitturi is the Museum of town of Kaštela and also Tourist Board of town of Kaštela and other cultural institutions. The castle becomes the cultural center of town where exhibitions, concerts, theater are hold.
Near the castle is the park Vitturi, classicist type from the second half of the 18th century. It was founded by Radoš Micheli Vitturi and 1968 declared as a monument of park architecture.

Kaštel Stari
A nobleman from Trogir, built in Kaštel Stari castle on the sea cliffs. It was a combination of fort and palace, separated by moat and drawbridge from the mainland. After the fire, it was in 1493 rebuilt in Renaissance style with a courtyard.
From the Kaštel Stari to pass Malačka (480 m) takes mountain paths. On the pass there are mountain huts Malačka and Split, which represents a departure point of hiking trails to Kozjak and Kaštelanskoj Zagori. It is also easily accessible lookout with magnificent views of the Kaštela bay, Split, Trogir and central Dalmatian islands.

Kaštel Novi
A nobleman from Trogir build his own castle in the form of square towers, around which later was developed village, it was surrounded by defensive walls and the sea.
Kaštel Novi sculptor Marin Studin made the monument “Horseman” which divides the Kaštel Stari from Kaštel Novi.
In the field over the Kaštel Novi from always is cultivated grapes and producing quality Dalmatia wine.

Kaštel Štafilić
Fort on the sea cliffs, with garden, today known as the Citadel Rotondo, was built in 1508 by nobleman from Trogir.
On the western part of the Kaštel Štafilić is Nehaj tower build in 1548, the tower was built up to the first floor and never finished. Today, Kula Nehaj, though unfinished, captures the views of artists, poets and tourists.
In Kaštel Štafilić is exceptional natural monument, old olive trees more than 1500 years old. It originates from Greece or Southern Italy. This old olive trees (Olea Europea) is Mastrinka, as the locals call it. Annual crop of olives processed into oil and sold as autochthonous Kaštela souvenir. In 1990 the olive tree has been declared as natural monument.

Interactive Map of Kaštela Riviera