Klis Fortress is a medieval fortress located in the town of Klis, near Split, Croatia. It was built on a rocky hill that overlooks the valley and the sea, and served as a strategic defense point for the region. The fortress has a long and rich history, dating back to the 7th century, when it was first mentioned as a seat of a Croatian duke. It was later conquered by various rulers, such as the Ottomans, the Venetians, and the Austrians, and witnessed many battles and sieges. Today, the fortress is a museum and a popular tourist attraction, especially for fans of the TV series Game of Thrones, which filmed some scenes there.
Klis Fortress is open to visitors every day from 9:00 to 19:00 in the summer season (April to October) and from 9:00 to 16:00 in the winter season (November to March). The entrance fee is 60 kuna (about 8 euros) for adults and 40 kuna (about 5 euros) for children and students. There are also guided tours available for groups of 10 or more people, which cost 100 kuna (about 13 euros) per person and last about an hour. The tours can be booked in advance by phone or email.
To get to Klis Fortress, you can take a bus from Split to Klis, which runs every hour and takes about 20 minutes. The bus stop is near the main gate of the fortress. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or rent a car and drive to the fortress, which is about 15 kilometers from Split. There is a parking lot near the entrance.
Some tips for visiting Klis Fortress are:
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, as there are many stairs and uneven paths to explore.
- Bring water and snacks, as there are no shops or cafes inside the fortress.
- Be respectful of the historical and cultural heritage of the place, and do not touch or damage anything.
- Enjoy the stunning views of the valley and the sea from the top of the walls.
Some of the main attractions of Klis Fortress are:
- The main gate, which has a stone inscription with the name of Emperor Diocletian, who ruled from Split in the 4th century.
- The chapel of St. Vid, which is the oldest preserved building in the fortress and dates back to the 9th century.
- The military museum, which displays weapons, armor, uniforms, and flags from different periods of Croatian history.
- The Ethno Village, which recreates the traditional way of life of the local people in the past.
- The Game of Thrones exhibition, which showcases props and costumes from the show that were used in filming at the fortress.
