Croatia Travel Blog » Trogir

Kamerlengo Fortress In Trogir Croatia

John Brackett — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:36:01 +0000

We ventured out of the rear entrance to the town that opens on the beautiful cafe lined waterfront. After a quick refreshment of cokes and coffee we made our way down to Kamerlengo Fortress. Built as a naval base by the Venetians in the 14th Century, the high walls, turret posts and large single entry gate are an amazingly well preserved testament to that age. Today it’s an open air cinema and tourist attraction. We climbed up the stairs and walked along the fortress walls. At the top of largest fortress turret I was able to get excellent shots of Trogir and the water-way.

I highly recommend spending time along the waterway and across the bridges that connect Old Town Trogir to the other parts of the city. Some excellent photography is to be had from across the water-way back towards Old Town Trogir.

Traveling to Trogir Croatia

John Brackett — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 04:54:51 +0000

We took a day trip about an hour north of Split to the famed city of Trogir. We left the confines of Dioclencian’s Palace for the local bus station. Catching the bus to Trogir is very easy, the schedules are in plain site and people are very helpful in providing directions. After a bit more than an hour of traveling through local roads we arrived at the gates of Trogir. It reminded me a bit of a land based Korcula. Church towers and tiled roofs appear behind heavy stone fortified walls. Like Dubrovnik, Split and Korcula, Trogir is a registered Unesco World Heritage Site. It’s claim by UNESCO to be “a remarkable example of urban continuity”.

The city is small which makes it very manageable on a day trip. The town features some great things to see such as St. Lawrence Cathedral, a wonderful waterfront with open air cafe’s, Kameriengo Fortress, Radovan’s Portal and excellent beaches.

A Brief History of Trogir Croatia

John Brackett — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:38:01 +0000

Trogir Croatia has a rich history of art, commerce, and occupation. Originally a Roman municipality Trogir was conveniently close to Salona, the center of Roman rule in Dalmatia. In the 6th Century, the Croats settled there and brought the arts. The Venetians raided Trogir in the 12th Century during the Venetian war with Hungary for the stunning and useful Dalmatian coastline. The Venetians did not get Trogir then, but they did claim it in 1420.

That occupation lasted for four centuries. In the 1797 Napoleon claimed the entire area and actually modernized the local economy. However, Trogir was not over being concurred yet. The Austrian’s took it from 1814-1914, then it was consumed as part of Yugoslavia until 1991. During the 1970’s it boomed with ship building and tourism. Then again it faced conflict during the Bosnian war, as part of Croatia. Finally after the war with Bosnia was settled Trogir remained part of Croatia. Now it exists reflecting the art and history of its past. Tourism is again booming and the town seems to be doing quite well.

St. Lawrence Cathedral In Trogir Croatia

John Brackett — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 05:06:35 +0000

St. Lawrence Cathedral is the most famous and most visible of the town’s monuments. It’s prominently situated on the main square with a bell tower that reaches far above the town. The portal of artistic Master Rodovan, which guards the entrance, is one of the most significant monuments in Croatia. It’s worth the 5 Kuna they charge to go inside.

St. Lawrence Cathedral features a wonderful bell tower that stretches 47 meters high, and was worth the climb to the top. The inside of the tower is expansive and open, which is a little frightening as we made our way upwards on the steep staircase. There is a small portal at the top of the bell platform that you have to climb through to get to the top. We timed our way between fellow tourists and popped through to a large open platform that was the top of the tower.

Looking out at Trogir and it’s position on the waterway gives clear indication of why Trogir would have been a town of great strategic importance as well as an central area of commerce. No wonder it was taken over so much. I slipped on my trusty zoom to get some close up shots of the rooftops and waterway below. Getting through the portal on the way out posed a more difficult process than getting up there. I strapped on my gear and made my way through carefully. I could see the floors below through the steel steps as I headed down. Eventually we made it down safely, but it’s not for the faint of heart to get up there.

The interior of the Cathedral is typical of most churches. However I really like church interiors for the photo challenge. SInce flash photography is off limits in churches, available light is the only resource to use. This can make for some great shots of light streaming through stained glass, or pouring in over the alter. I was able to get a few worthwhile shots.