Splitska: Castle, Quarry and Local History

Splitska and the History of Stone

Splitska lies in a quiet bay, 8 km from Supetar. The town’s history connects the settlement with an earlier role as a port: Splitska was an export port from which stone was transported for the construction of Diocletian’s summer residence in Split. This makes the port part of a specific building history linking Splitska with Split. Two aspects are therefore important for understanding the town: its location in the bay and its former role in transporting stone to Split.

The present-day settlement emerged in the 16th century, after pirates from Omiš destroyed a settlement founded in the 13th century. Splitska developed around the castle built in 1577 by the Cerinić-Cerineo family from Škrip. The castle is the oldest building in the town. The dates refer to different stages: the earlier foundation dates to the 13th century, the present-day settlement emerged after the destruction in the 16th century, and the castle was built in 1577. Splitska’s history can thus be read as a sequence of medieval beginnings followed by later development, rather than treating the three dates as belonging to a single building phase.

Church and Altarpiece

The parish church of the Holy Virgin Mary Stomorena is also part of the town’s architectural history. It was built on the foundations of an old church dating to 1288. Stomorena Church houses a 1577 altarpiece of the Virgin with Saints by Leandro Bassano. The church, its older foundations and the painting represent different layers of local heritage: the building connects to an earlier church site, while the painting, with its named artist and date of creation, is a specific work of art from a later period in the town’s history. The year 1288 refers to the old church, not the altarpiece; the latter dates to 1577. Both dates help distinguish the earlier ecclesiastical foundations from the later furnishings.

The Hercules Trail to Rasohe Quarry

The themed Hercules hiking trail has a different focus. The route is 1.1 km long, starts at Splitska harbour and leads to Rasohe Quarry. A stone relief of Hercules is located there. The motif is therefore more than just part of the route’s name: its stated destination also has a specific connection to Hercules. The length describes the route, while the harbour and quarry mark its start and end points. If the trail infrastructure changes, route details may change too; check the current route before setting out.

Varoš Days and When to Visit

The Varoš Days add a local festive tradition to the architectural and historical themes. The traditional fishing festival takes place in the Varoš area around mid-July, depending on the phase of the moon; sardines and red wine are served at the event. For travel planning, it is therefore important to distinguish between an approximate period and a fixed date: mid-July gives the seasonal timeframe, while the moon phase affects the exact date. If you want to visit Splitska specifically for the Varoš Days, check the date for the relevant period.

Discover more destinations: Supetar, Škrip, Mirca.

For the broader travel overview: Općina Supetar.