Klis Locate On Map

Klis is a small town located near Split which is the capital city of Dalmatia. It played an important role in the history of Croatia standing as a silent witness to the turbulent history of this country and as a symbol of the fight against the Ottoman Empire.

One of the largest and the most important medieval forts of Croatia- the Klis Fortress can be seen here. Throughout its over two thousand year old glorious history from its origin as a small stronghold constructed by the Dalmatae (who were an ancient Illyrian tribe) it transformed in a royal castle that was the seat of many Croatian kings and during the Ottoman wars in Europe it was formed as a great fortress guarding the borders. Because of its strategic position on a pass separating the mountains Mosor and Kozjak, the fortress played a great role in defense of Dalmatia, especially against the Ottoman invasion. It has also been a key crossroad between the Mediterranean belt and the Balkan rear. It is situated on a steep rock towering over Split from which guests can see an amazing panoramic view of Split, Solin, Kastela and the islands Brac, Solta, Hvar, Vis and the other more distant islands as well. Klis Fortress can be visited every day from 10-16 except on Mondays.

Every year on August 16th the Klis municipality Day is celebrated as well as the festival of St. Roko. During this festivity a holy mass is held followed by a large procession going through the village. The evening program is organized in Klis in front of the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A theater performance is traditionally also enacted and followed by a festivity on Klis–Megdan with a very rich musical program, a fashion show during which guests can enjoy a wide range of Klis delicacies.

Accommodation in Klis can be found in private houses and apartments.

Restaurants in Klis offer excellent lamb on spit which is a gourmand specialty this area is famous by as well as other traditional Dalmatian specialties.

From Split which is located only 13 km from Klis guests can join organized group or private boat excursions to the islands of Brac, Hvar, Vis and Solta. Private boat transfers and boat rentals can also be hired here.

Some of the attractions in Klis and the nearby area are:
- the Klis Fortress,
- parish church,
- cave Vranjaca…

The parish church is located in the oldest part of Klis beneath the fort. It is a hundred years old three-nave basilica of monumental dimensions, richly decorated with frescos of biblical and historical moments of history of Klis and national history.

Cave Vranjaca is one of the most beautiful caves of Dalmatian karst underground located just 10 km from Klis and in the cave interior can be seen amazing decorations of stalactites and stalagmites and beautiful underground halls.

In the historical town of Split located only 13 km from Klis can be seen the following attractions:
- Jupiter Temple
- Monument of Bishop Grgur of Nin
- Museums of Split
- Castle of Mestrovic
- numerous Churches of Split
- Prokurative
- Diocletian's Palace
- the Cathedral of St. Duje
- Peristil
- Riva
- Fort Gripe, and many more interesting sights.

From Split guests can join organized group or private boat excursions or hire private boat transfers or boat rentals to visit the nearby islands of Brac, Solta, Ciovo and Hvar.

Klis is a small town and a Municipality belonging to the Splitsko-Dalmatinska County. The Klis Municipality is constitutes of nine settlements Broanac, Brstanovo, Dugobabe, Klis, Konjsko, Korušce, Nisko, Prugovo and Vučevica. It has a population of about 5000 inhabitants.

Klis can easily be reached by the old highway from Split, Kastela and Trogir, through Soline and Rupotine, and also by the roads from Sinj and Drnis.
The local bus lines connect Klis with the town of Split. The nearest airport to Klis is in Split.

The distances from Klis to the other towns of Croatia and European cities are:
- Split 13 km,
- Zadar 146 km,
- Rijeka 402 km,
- Pula 508 km,
- Dubrovnik 217 km,
- Zagreb 398 km,
- Ljubljana 455 km,
- Vienna 753 km,
- Budapest 739 km,
- Belgrade 787 km,
- Milano 896 km,
- Genova 1019 km,
- Berlin 1452 km.

Klis has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summer seasons and the winters are rainy and mild.

Accommodation in Klis can be found in private houses and apartments.

Guests can join organized group or private boat excursions from Split or hire private boat transfers or boat rentals for a tour of the islands of Brac, Solta, Ciovo and Hvar.

Airport Split +385(0)21 203 555
Bus Terminal Split +385(0)60 327 777
Jadronilija Split +385(0)21 338 333
Airport Dubrovnik +385(0)20 773 100
Bus terminal Dubrovnik +385(0)60 305 070
Jadrolinija Dubrovnik +385(0)20 418 000
General information 18981
Information on phone numbers in Croatia 11888
Information on international phone numbers 11802
Weather Forecast and Road Conditions +385(0)60 520 520
Croatia Traffic Info 0800 9987
Road assistance 987
Emergency number 112
Police 192
Fire department 193
Ambulance 194
Road help 987
Sea help 9155

The Illyrian tribe of Delmati inhabited the area of Klis since the 2nd century BC. The first written records of the Klis fortress date from the 10th century. The documents recorded the Roman fortress Kleisa being besieged by the Avars and Slavs that rushed the conquering of Salona at the time of arrival of the Croats during the first half of the 7th century. Two hundred years later Klis has become the property of the ruler and was one of important Croatian centers. During the Tatar siege in 1242 the Klis fortress was used as shelter by Bela IV and his family. His daughter Margita was born during that time and that day is celebrated as St. Margita of Klis. The most turbulent time in the history of Klis was the time of the greatest Turkish invasion to these areas at the beginning of the 16th century.

Petar Kruzic who was a captain and town duke played a very significant role in the defending of the area as he managed to resist Turkish attacks and besieges for two and a half decades with his warriors called Uskoks. Klis fell under Turkish rule after his death on March 12th 1537, and the strongest Croatian fortification in Dalmatia has been lost. The Jadro River has for 111 years been the bordering area between the Klis ruled by the Turks and Split that was under the Venetian control. The Croats led by Split noblemen Ivan Alberti and Nikola Cindro managed to take over the fortress using an element of surprise in April 1596 but the Turks conquered it again by the end of May. The Venetian army led by the general Leonardo Foscolo managed to free Klis from the Turks in 1648. The battle lasted for 10 days and the Venetian army was joined by the numerous Croatian locals.

The last time fortress was used for military purposes was during the World War II when it served as a stronghold of German and Italian occupation forces.

The flag of the sovereign Republic of Croatia was hoisted on fort Klis in 1990.

Klis Fortress is one of the most important medieval forts of Croatia.