Klis Fortress

Klis Fortress sits on a narrow ridge above the village of Klis, overlooking the road that climbs out of Split into the hinterland, and it has guarded that approach for more than two thousand years. Illyrian, Roman, medieval Croatian, Venetian and Ottoman, each left a layer, and for two centuries it was the frontier stronghold from which the Uskoks harried the Ottomans.

The fortress is built in three tiers up the ridge, with the lowest gate, the middle artillery platform, and the upper keep, and from the top the view stretches over Split, the Kaštela bay and the sea. It is a raw, largely unrestored ruin of walls and towers, which is most of its appeal. More recently it found a second life as a filming location, standing in for Meereen in Game of Thrones.

The climb up through the village is short and steep, and the site itself is hot and exposed in summer, so carry water and go early. There is a small entry charge and limited shade.

For photographers, the upper keep against the view of Split is the shot, and the late afternoon light raking along the walls is the best time. Combine it with a drive up to the Dalmatian hinterland rather than treating it as a Split day trip only.

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