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Klis Fortress — a view from southwest, late in the afternoon. Photo by Ivan T on

Top 10 Incredible Facts about Fortress Klis

The Klis Fortress is a medieval Fortress situated above a village bearing the name Klis near Split, Croatia. It is believed to have been established in 9 AD. The original Fortress was built as a small stronghold that was constructed by the ancient Illyrian tribe Dalmatae.

Klis Fortress later became a royal castle that was the seat of many Croatian kings. However, its final development as a large fortress was during the Ottoman wars in Europe. During this period, Klis Fortress became a guard for the frontier which was lost and re-conquered several times throughout its long history.

The location of the Klis Fortress on a pass that separates the mountains Mosor and Kozjak, served as a major source of defence in Dalmatia. This defence was purposely against the Ottoman advance. The Klis Fortress has been a key crossroad between the Mediterranean belt and the Balkan rear.

The Klis Fortress was made of limestone and had been under control by several rulers over the centuries. In the present day, the Fortress serves as a tourist attraction site which attracts several visitors from across the world every year.

Here are the Top 10 Incredible Facts about Fortress Klis:

1. The Fortress is Located above a Village on an Isolated Rocky Eminence

The Klis Fortress is located above a village known as Klis, eleven kilometres from the Adriatic Sea. This is on a pass that separates the mountains Mosor and Kozjak at an altitude of 360 metres, northeast of Split.

The fortress’s strategic position makes it one of the region’s most important fortifications from the past. It is perched on an isolated rocky eminence which is inaccessible on three sides. The fortress overlooks Split as well as the ancient Roman settlement of Salona, Solin, Kastela and Trogir.

2. Klis Fortress was Built & Expanded by Various Empires

Klis Fortress, Klis (HR). Photo by Michael Newman on

The construction of the Klis Fortress is not that clear but it is believed to be in the 3rd century BC. The fortress is built using limestone.

From the start, the fortress was not that big but it was expanded later on during various dynasties. The original Fortress was built by the Illyrian tribe and then the first expansion was made by Croatian Mislav.

The other expansions were made by; Croatian Duke Trpimir the first, the Croatian House of Subic, the Ottoman Empire, the Venetians and the Austrian empire.

3. The Fortress’s Functions Changed from Defence to the Seat of Many Croatian Kings

Initially, the fortress was built as a stronghold for protection against external attacks. Due to its strategic location, the fortress served its purpose perfectly until when the Croats took over the area.

From the early 7th century and onwards, Klis Fortress was an important stronghold of the Croatians. It was later converted into a royal seat for several Croatian Kings.

The Fortress became one of the seats of many of Croatia’s rulers. In the 9th century, the Croatian Duke known as Mislav of the Duchy of Croatia made the castle of Klis the seat of his throne.

4. Klis Fortress Is Best Known For Its Defence Against the Ottoman Invasion of Europe

Klis Fortress. Photo by Vikcizer on

Over the years, the Croatians ruled peacefully at the Klis Fortress. However, trouble was set in the form of the Ottoman invasion which made the fortress best known.

In the early 16th century, the Klis Fortress was best known for how it was important in the defence against the Ottoman invasion of Europe. Captain Petar Kruzic, a Croatian captain led the defence of the Fortress against a Turkish invasion and siege which lasted for more than two and a half decades.

During this invasion period, the Croatian captain and his soldiers fought without any allies. This led to the formation of the military faction of Uskoks which became famous as an elite Croatian militant sect. However, the Ottomans defeated the defenders and occupied the fortress in 1537.

5. The Fortress is One of the Most Valuable Surviving Defensive Architecture

Klis Fortress is ranked as one of the most valuable and important surviving defensive architecture in Dalmatia. One of the things that makes it more valuable is the limestone used to build the structure.

It has three long rectangular defensive lines which consist of three defensive stone walls. They are surrounding a central strongpoint, the Polozaj Maggiore at the eastern highest end.

6. The Fortress Consists of Three Parts

Klis Fortress. Photo by Vikiçizer on

There are many buildings with the Klis Fortress which date from the 17th through 19th centuries. Some of these buildings are partially or entirely preserved.

Klis Fortress has three parts which are enclosed by walls with separate entrances. Its first entrance was built by the Austrians in the early 19th century. To the left is a fortification erected by the Venetians in the 18th century.

There is also a position Avanzato near the main entrance which was repeatedly renewed afterwards. On the ground floor, there is a narrow over-vaulted corridor known as a Casemate.

7. The Oldest Remaining Building has a Dome

In the third defensive line, there is the Oldest remaining building. This oldest remaining building with a dome is a former square-shaped Turkish mosque.

This former Turkish mosque was converted into a Catholic church in the meantime.

8. The Second Entrance has a Tower and Artillery Barracks

Cannon in the Klis Fortress, Croatia. Photo by Bernard Gagnon on

Meant for fortification, Klis Fortress had features meant for defence. In the second line of defence along the northern wall near the second entrance, there is a fortress tower.

This tower is known as Oprah which was the most important medieval fortification of the western part of the fortress. Near this entrance, there are artillery barracks which were built by the Austrians in the 19th century.

9. The Klis Fortress is a Major Tourist Attraction Site

In recent days, the Klis Fortress developed into a visitor attraction site. The transformation was by the re-enactment association in Klis with the aid of the Ministry of Culture in Split.

Tourists visit to see the historic military structure, array of arms, armour and traditional uniforms in a building which was formerly an Australian armoury.

10. The Fortress has been Used in Film Making

Oprah tower and the second entrance of the Klis fortress. Photo by Gardomir on

The Klis Fortress is used in the modern days for various activities including filmmaking. In 1972, the Klis Fortress was used in a historical film known as Eagle in a Cage, portraying Saint Helena.

This fortress was also used as a location for the fictional city of Meereen in the HBO series, Game of Thrones.