Omis and its history

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The proud and fascinating history of Omiš and the legend of Mila Gojsalić who sacrificed her life to save Poljica and Omiš

Omiš history 

Omiš is a town located 25 km southeast of Split. It is famous for its rich history, amazing landscapes and as one of the best places in Croatia for adventure holidays. The area has been permanently inhabited for more than 2000 years and is located at the mouth of the beautiful Cetina river. 

Throughout the 12th and 13th centuries, Omiš was infamous for its pirates led by the dukes of the Kačić family, who ruled the seas from Split to Dubrovnik, taking a fee from all the ships sailing the channel of Brač. The pirates would use fast boats known as Sagittae (the Arrow) to attack passing trade ships and quickly return into the mouth of the Cetina River. 

It was during this period the town’s fortresses were built – Mirabela on the north western side of town is easily accessible for tourists while Fortica is situated on a hilltop 260 meters above Omiš and is reserved for those looking for a more of a challenge.

The pirates of Omiš ruled a large part of the Adriatic for almost three centuries, until 1444 when the Venetian Republic managed to capture the old pirate town. Omiš managed to preserve its own autonomy but paid tribute to the Venetians and fought frequent battles against the Turks.

After the fall of the Republic of Venice, at the beginning of the 19th century, Omiš came under Austrian rule, and in 1807 became part of Napoleon’s France, only to again be returned to Austria in 1813, until the beginning of World War I in 1918. In the following period Omiš and most of Croatia, went through two Yugoslav states, but finally became the independent Republic of Croatia in 1991.

The legend of Mila Gojsalić

Walking around Omiš today you may be oblivious to the number of battles that have been fought here. This region, historically known as the Republic of Poljica, has been the site of many attacks by the Ottoman Empire during the 1500’s. Although these battles have been recorded in history, local legends tell a more interesting story…

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