Klis Fortress

Owing to its position, the fortress at Klis near Split in Croatia, is one of the region’s most important fortifications. First records date back to the 10th century and speak of the Roman fortress Kleisa. The fortress has witnessed many turbulent times and fallen under the rule of various dynasties including Hungaro-Croatian kings in the 11th century, the princes Šubiæ's of Bribir in the 13th century, the Turks in the 16th century and the Venetians in the 17th century. Under the Venetians the fortress was completely restored and enlarged. In 1797, control was taken over by the Austrians and with the exception of a brief period of rule by the French, lasted until 1918 at the end of World War I. The fortress was used for military purposes for the last time between 1941 and 1944 as the stronghold of Italian and German occupation forces. In 1990 it finally came under the flag of the Republic of Croatia.