Some new life for Klis Fortress!
An important Dalmatian defence structure against the Ottomans and their invasive ways, given a new lease of life owing to the wildly popular GoT series, the first time Klis Fortress is undeniably mentioned is all the way back in the fifth century.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 3rd of March, 2018, the final preparations for the beginning of the renovation of Klis Fortress, one of the country’s most well-known and significant fortresses located just outside the Dalmatian capital of Split, which will stand at about 3.3 million kuna, are currently in the works.
For illumination within the wall of the cliff fortress, 2.8 million kuna was provided, 1.4 million of which was provided by the Klis Municipality and 1.4 million has been approved from EU funds. The bid for the contractor of these works should be announced in the next two months.
Works on lighting the walls inside the ancient fortress should be completed by the end of the year. More illumination within the walls will work to significantly increase overall visitor safety, and it will also contribute to the extending of the fortress’ operating hours.
According to information from the Klis Municipality, the Croatian Ministry of Culture has approved more than 500,000 kuna for conservation and archaeological works, which will be carried out by the Conservation Department of Split, who have the power to decide on the course the upcoming works should take, all of which should be completed by March next year.
This year, the 370th anniversary of the liberation of the important historic and royal town of Klis from the Turkish invaders is set to be marked, the Turks held Klis under their iron rule for 110 years. The commemoration will be held on the 27th and 28th of July in a two-day historical-stage spectacle.
Klis Fortress is situated on the pass between Kozjak on the west side and Mosor on the east side, and owing to its ideal, strategic position, fighting with the Turks took place in this area for centuries, the very first known mention of it being in the fifth century. The ancient fortress was of huge importance during the time of the Ottoman Empire, and the most outstanding period of its history was from the time of Captain Petar Kružić (1520-1537), who died in 1537 when the Turks finally conquered Klis. The fortress was eventually liberated much later, in 1648.
Academic historian Stjepan Krasić recently published a book on the subject and the Klis Municipality will organise its formal promotion on March the 23rd.
