Once we were on board the boat, we spent the night and prepared to leave for Trogir in the morning if weather permitted. The engines kicked in about 5:30 a.m., and we left for Trogir before sunrise.
Trogir is a small island just off the mainland of Croatia. The island/town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that developed from the town of Tragurion, or the Island of the Goats, founded by Greek colonists in the 3rd century BCE.
In 1123 CE, it was attacked by the Saracens and abandoned. It revived seventy years later under the kings of Hungary, and in 1420 control went to Venice.
Situated at the southern end of Trogir, the South Town Gate, or “Porta Sponza,” serves as the gateway to the town from the seafront. Dating back to the 15th century, this gate was designed not only for defense but also to facilitate trade and maritime activities. Two columns made of light-colored stone support the lion of St. Mark on top.
The Land Gate, rebuilt in the 17th century, once supported a drawbridge. A statue of John of Trogir, the patron of the town, stands atop this gate.
The Cathedral of St. Lawrence stands on site of an ancient church destroyed by the Saracens. Construction began around 1200 CE but continued for centuries. It has three semi-circular apses. The main Romanesque door was carved around 1240 by the Dalmatian sculptor Master Radovan. The octagonal pulpit spans from the 13th century and was sculpted by local Dalmatian artists. The choir with wooden stalls were inlaid by Ivan Budislavic towards the middle of the 15th century The ciborium on the main altar has sculptures depicting the Annunciation. The bell tower was built in the 14th century but was destroyed by fire. It’s rebuilding reflects different styles on each level.
On the east side of the square is the town hall, constructed in the 15th century. It has three storeys with open arches. A gothic staircase leads to a beautiful window with a balustrade on the upper floor. (Picture on Right)
Below is the square with the cathedral and front of the town hall.
The Cipiko Palace was completed in 1457. The Cipiko family ruled here for more than 300 years. The palace is a complex of several buildings that are a mixture of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles, joined over time into a whole. The largest part of the complex was created in the 13th century. The southern gate of the palace is decorated with the inscription “Nosce te ipsum”, which means “Know thyself”, and there are numerous and valuable works of art inside, the most prominent of which is the carved Gothic trifora on the facade
The Loggia and Clock Tower on John Paul II Square and dates from the 14th century. The Loggia features reliefs that were made by Nikola Firentinac and Ivan Mestrovic. Attached to the loggia is a Clock Tower which has a light, blue-colored clock dial. This tower was previously attached to Church of St. Sebastian. Both these structures only add to the rich heritage of Trogir.
And we mustn’t forget the Watch Tower on the Wall.
Wandering the streets and exploring the buildings of this city/island made for a lovely day.