Omis Fortresses – Uniques and Magnificency

Fortica Fortress

Get in Omis and do not go up to its best viewpoint is truly unimaginable.

This Omis fortress is best known as Fortica and is certainly one of the most impressive on the Adriatic. Situated high on the cliffs above Omis offers a unique view of the canyon of Omis, Cetina River as it flows into the sea, roofs of Omis, beaches, and islands.

Omis is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Croatia. It was founded at the mouth of Cetina and the end of its canyon and is the area of outstanding beauty. Cetina River was given the shelter to pirates (whose roots are far in the past).

The history of Omis was turbulent, and all that the best describes Omis fortress such as fort Fortica, along with the fortress Mirabela or Peovica. The location of the fortress is not easily reachable even today. Of course, like all the fortresses that were built during that period, not only the Fortica, and this fortress was built for defense against enemies of Omis.

You can reach fortress by a path with signposts. I climbed up to the Fortica. The trail is well signed but be careful. I’m not a mountaineer and I didn’t go up to Fortica in a mountaineering gear. I climbed in ballerina’s shoes (straight, shallow shoes). It takes time for someone like me, I climbed to the top for about 40 minutes. You must be careful how you walk (it would be best to have boots that will keep the wrist) because of the trail in some places are steep and rocky. Do not forget to bring enough water. The view is magnificent. The view is worth it all.

Although Fortica was first mentioned in 1423 and 1448, Starigrad (Old Town) was probably built in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. The fortress controlled a wide area of the Brac and Hvar Channel over the coast to the middle Poljica.

The oldest part of the fort is the square tower and the narrow passage with the loopholes on the ramparts in front of the tower. In front of this higher part, on the lower level has formed a large courtyard with houses for the crew, a cistern for water and a chapel. Triangular bastions on the north and east sides were added in the 16th century.

The reconstruction of the fortress began in the late 80s and early 90s of the 20th century. Due to its position and inaccessibility, these works representing the true construction feat, comparable only with the building of Stari Grad (Old Town or Fortica). The value is even greater if we know that volunteers made great efforts to keep its own cultural heritage.

During Venetian rule, the city gains its present appearance and is divided into two parts separated by the main street leading from the east to the west. To the north of it is an irregular net of alleyways and stairs on the slopes of the hills while the rectangular blocks of houses are formed south of the orthogonal renaissance street network. The town gets the Prince’s palace, lodge, office, grain warehouse and ‘Arsan’ or arsenal (storage for ships, equipment …).

Omis is a typical medieval town with a well-established castle and suburb – a town at the foot of the castle.

The town is developing around the parish church of St. Michael, between the cliffs of Omis Dinara, river Cetina, sea, and fossa (today the main walkways and roads through the city, and once a channel filled with water).

Mirabela Fortress

The town fort Mirabela was built on six interconnected levels, on steep cliffs that separate from the Omis rocky hill towards Cetina. With the entire complex dominate the tall 13th-century Romanesque tower.