Holidays to Trogir

Two striking things about the old city within the walls are the number of jewellery shops and the number of “hidden” little restaurants and bars, tucked into corners or on terraces. It is absolutely charming.

This beautifully preserved old town is famous for its mix of Renaissance, baroque and Romanesque buildings, many now home to museums or galleries.

The main square is dominated by the 13th century Cathedral of Saint Lawrence and houses the Renaissance chapel of Saint John. There is a magnificent cloister (often used for live music performances of local a capella – male choirs) and there are superb views from the bell tower – when not under reconstruction, visitors can climb this for a small charge.

Trogir actually lies between the mainland (17 kilometres west of the city of Split) and the island of Ciovo – and connected by a bridge. Ciovo has some lovely pebble beaches.

The history is fascinating – having been founded in the 3rd century BC by the Greeks who founded Vis (then Issa), Trogir became part of the Habsburg Empire after the fall of Venice in 1797.

Historians might be interested in looking at the period from World War 1 until 1991 when Trogir found itself in the newly established Croatia,

Despite the proximity to Split airport (under 15 minutes by taxi), there never seems to be endless aircraft noise.

The 17th century city gate looks barely changed and the 15th century Fortress Kamerlengo is worth a visit – in summer, events are held there.

In addition to the regular boat line to and from Split, there is an excellent bus service from the main bus station northwards via Biograd na Moru to Zagreb and beyond to Rijeka and Zagreb and southwards to Split and Dubrovnik.

Did you know?

• Much of the coral sold in Trogir’s jewellery shops comes from small islands within an hour’s sail from the town
• For a small town, there are many different festivals in and around the town
• Good beaches are to be found on Ciovo island and on the mainland going north from the town and water taxis are available
• Trogir is under 50 minutes drive from the famous Krka National Park and around 2 hrs 20 mins to the equally famous Plitvice National Park. Think waterfalls, cascades and lakes. Excursions available to both.