Fortresses
Mirabella & Starigrad Fortresses
Omiš · Central Dalmatia
QUICK INFORMATION
- CATEGORY
- Fortresses
- COUNTRY
- Croatia
- REGION
- Omiš · Central Dalmatia
- DURATION
- 1–2 days
ABOUT THIS ATTRACTION
Omiš is watched from above by two fortresses: Mirabella (Peovica), the Romanesque tower of the 13th century built by the pirate dukes Kačić just above the old town, whose position multiplies any shout into an echo — legend says the defenders confused a Turkish attack in 1537 so badly that the attackers fled; and Starigrad (Fortica), on the summit of the mountain behind, built on the site of the Roman castellum Oneum, with a panorama from Brač and Hvar across the whole channel.
HISTORY & BACKGROUND
The story behind it
The fortresses are the memory of the pirate state: Mirabella watched the sea mouth and signalled the corsairs hiding in the canyon; Starigrad ("old town", from the Roman Oneum) commanded the whole of middle Poljica and the channel navigation. Both were reinforced through the 16th–17th centuries against the Ottomans, and both are climbable today — Mirabella in 15 minutes from the square, Fortica in a steeper 40.
WHAT TO SEE
What to see here
Mirabella — the town panorama from the pirate watchtower.
Fortica — the channel and islands from the summit.
The old town lanes below.
GOOD TO KNOW
Facts & Curiosities
Mirabella (Peovica) is a 13th-century Romanesque tower of the pirate dukes Kačić — 15 minutes above the town.
Its acoustics multiply sound — in 1537 the echo confused a Turkish attack so much the attackers fled.
Starigrad (Fortica) stands on the site of the Roman castellum Oneum — the panorama covers the whole channel.
Both fortresses were the eyes of the pirate state that took tribute from Venetian ships.
WHY IT MATTERS
Why it matters
The fortresses tell the pirate story — and carry the two best views of the coast.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before you go
THROUGH THE LENS
From the road
MAP & LOCATION
Mirabella & Starigrad Fortresses
Mirabella & Starigrad Fortresses, Omiš, Central Dalmatia, Croatia
43.4365, 16.7012
FOOD & DRINK
Where to eat nearby
River konobas at Radmanove Mlinice
Waterfront restaurants of the old town
HOTELS & STAYS
Where to stay nearby
Hotels on the town beaches
Guesthouses in the canyon quarter
NEARBY DESTINATIONS
Continue the journey
INTERESTS
Explore by what you love
PART OF
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