Apart from the famous fortress, Klis offers plenty of other reasons to visit
Among all the locations in Croatia where the Game of Thrones has been filmed, Dubrovnik is undoubtedly the most famous. However, there’s another picturesque destination that started to attract visitors owing to the massively popular TV show. How much do you know about Klis?
The stunning historical fortress owes its name to the Greek word klei which translates to key; add to that the geographic position at the exact point where the Dalmatian coast meets inland Dalmatia, and it’s clear why Klis is often called the Key to Dalmatia.
Klis fortress (source: Max Pixel)
The renovation of the Duke’s Court in the Klis fortress, combined with the influence of the Game of Thrones, led to a considerable increase in visitors from all over the world. The list of reasons to visit this striking place is expanding, with the current impressive annual figure of 40.000 guests incessantly growing. As Klis used to have the status of a city back in the day and was always known as a significant strategic location in Croatia’s history, the Municipality of Klis has recently decided to launch an official process so Klis could be declared a city once again.
PR
Apart from the magnificent fortress, the area boasts many other attractive features that have the potential for further development, such as agritourism, eco and ethnic villages, adrenaline parks and cycling routes. The Municipality implemented multiple projects in recent years: the revitalisation of the fortress, construction of a modern Science and Technology Park, construction of a campus of the University of Split, development of a central economic zone next to the Klis area, development of elite neighbourhoods with implied construction of urban villas… One after another, each project played its role in the process of tourism becoming a lucrative sector in the Klis area. The number of private accommodation facilities is growing, numerous new businesses have been opened, and construction of high-class hotels is flourishing as well.
PR
Klis has plenty of predispositions for development in tourism, economy and transport, but it’s also known as a cult location of the past and the root of Croatian history. Klis became the first official capital soon after the Croatian people populated these lands. The historical significance of the area and all potential economic benefits the new status might bring to the local population are the main reasons for the Municipality’s demand for Klis to be declared a city. Such a status would contribute to a faster and more effective realisation of numerous economic and infrastructural projects, especially those financed by the European Union. The status of a city would also launch the process of revitalisation and revalorisation of cultural heritage that is seen as a foundation for future growth and development. Simply put, Klis becoming a city again would symbolically connect its famous historical role with a modern outlook of a well-developed urban centre in the near future. Fingers crossed!
Source: punkufer.hr
