The foundations of Vitturi Castle are in the sea, and it also hides a story of unhappy love.

Vitturi Castle, located in Kaštel Lukšić, is one of the most famous and oldest castles in the area of ​​the seven towns of Kaštela. It was built at the end of the 15th century by the brothers Nikola and Jerolim Vitturi, noblemen from Trogir.

Vitturi Castle, Photo: Adria fun

The history of this castle is deeply rooted in the turbulent past of Dalmatia. After the fall of Bosnia in 1463, Dalmatia, which was then under Venetian rule, found itself in danger of Ottoman incursions. As a result, Trogir’s landowners, including the Vitturi brothers, began building defensive fortifications to protect their estates and peasants.

Vitturi Castle, Photo: Adria fun

The beautiful sunny day when I visited it highlighted its beauty even more, and I was impressed by the fact that it was built on a sea cliff with foundations in the sea.

Vitturi Castle is today the largest preserved Renaissance fortress in the area of ​​the town of Kaštela. It consists of a northern and southern part. The southern part contains a two-story residence, while defensive walls and a courtyard surround the northern part. In the middle of the southern facade, there was a sea gate through which ships entered.

Vitturi Castle, Photo: Adria fun

There is also a sad love story associated with the castle. In the 17th century, the nobles Dobrila and Miljenko fell in love, but their fathers forbade their love. Miljenko was exiled to Venice, and Dobrila was imprisoned in a monastery. He broke off her forced marriage, but they were separated again – Miljenko was sent to Visovac, and Dobrila fled to the outlaws. After a series of obstacles, they were finally allowed to marry, but Dobrila’s father killed Miljenko at their wedding ceremony. Broken by grief, Dobrila soon died.

Dobrila & Miljenko, Photo: Adria fun

The northern part of the castle was once separated from the mainland by a defensive moat filled with seawater, and the only way to enter the fortress was via a movable wooden bridge. Today, that bridge is no longer there, but there is a stone path with a wooden fence.

Vitturi Castle, Photo: Adria fun

The descendants of the Vitturi family lived in the castle until 1943. After World War II, it housed an elementary and agricultural school, as well as a children’s resort.

Today, the Vitturi Castle houses the Kaštela City Museum and the Kaštela City Tourist Board, and you have a great opportunity to visit it and breathe in a piece of the history of this region.

Vitturi Castle, Photo: Adria fun