VRLIKA - Between Mountains and the River

The town of Vrlika is located in the northernmost part of Split-Dalmatia County. It lies between two massifs, Dinara and Svilaja, in the fertile Cetina River valley, just 40 kilometres from the sea. The town’s name is first mentioned in written sources dating from 1069. At that time Vrlika was the seat of the old Croatian township of Cetina, which also included the towns of Sinj, Trilj, Stolac, Gradac, Tugare and Poljička Župa. Medieval fortifications were built on the town’s outer limits: »Žvina Fortress to the east, facing Imotski; Nutjak Fortress to the southwest, facing Klis; and Glavaš Fortress facing Knin and Bosnia, whose task was to protect the transport routes leading from the West to the prosperous East Venetians. In 1805 the French began ruling here, only to be succeeded in 1811 by the Austrians, who continued to govern until the start of World War I.The fate of this region’s inhabitants has followed the flow of its rivers. The source of the Cetina River, near the village of Cetina (from which this Between the 10th and 11th centuries the northern part of Cetina Township became Vrlika Township, with the town of Glavaš to the north, situated below Mt. Dinara, and the town of Prozor, which King Ladislav of Naples bestowed upon the people of Vrlika in 1406.
Throughout history this area has been subject to various foreign interests. The Turks conquered it in 1522, maintaining possession of it until 1688, when it fell into the hands of the
Dalmatian river took its name), has been a focal point of historical events. Nearby stands the 9th century Church of the Holy Saviour, whose façade contains the oldest belfry in Croatia, as well as an old Croatian cemetery from the 7th century in Zduš. The area is outstanding for its uncommon beauty, and is crisscrossed by river creeks spanned by old stone bridges.The people of the Vrlika region have always fostered a love of rivers and mountains. Water and karst have formed their way of life. Wandering after their herds, seeking lush mountain pastures, settling by the riverbanks - this shaped the character of these nomads and warriors who had to defend their hearths numerous times in history. Wandering these wide-open spaces today, we go back in time while enjoying an intense experience of nature, which seems to beckon us to conquer it: riding on a horse or a bicycle, hiking in the high hills, or conquering the peaks of the surrounding mountains, which seem close enough for us to touch. With its natural beauty and healthy environment, Vrlika has gained a reputation among people of varied interests. Lovers of tradition enjoy its folklore and popular customs. Vrlika folk costumes are famous far and wide, and have inspired poets and composers. The famous Croatian composer Jakov Gotovac wrote his opera Ero s onoga svijeta (Ero the Joker), inspired by the libretto of Vrlika writer Milan Begovič, who described the customs of Vrlika’s people and their way of dancing the kolo without music. Today Vrlika is being transformed into a recognised modern tourist destination with sports facilities and hotels. Rowing and sailing regattas are held around Garjak Peninsula on the shores of the Jezero Peruča lake. Private condominium-style facilities, suitable for year-round use, provide accommodation for lovers of sport hunting and fishing. The surrounding hills with their marked hiking trails are a popular destination among mountaineers, as well as for skiing in the winter. The proximity of the historical towns of Sinj and Knin, Krka National Park, and Modro Jezero (Blue Lake) and Crveno Jezero (Red Lake) offers a variety of excursions.