Historic City of Trogir, World Heritage Site in Croatia

Trogir is a port town on the Adriatic Sea in southern Croatia.The town was built on a small island between the mainland and the island and boasts a history of about 2300 years. The Cathedral of St. Lovullo is a magnificent structure combining Renaissance and Baroque styles, and its 47-meter-high bell tower is the symbol of the town.

Here, a World Heritage enthusiast explains why the ancient city of Trogir is a World Heritage Site in an easy-to-understand manner.Read this and you will definitely learn more about the ancient city of Trogir!

What is the Historic City of Trogir?

Located in the Dalmatia region of southern Croatia, Trogir is a city built on a small island between the mainland and the island of Ciovo. The city was first established by Greeks from the southern island of Vis.Although it developed as a port town, it repeatedly rose and fell, becoming an autonomous city in the 11th century. The churches and city walls that remain in the old town were built between the 13th and 15th centuries.

From the 15th century, the city was ruled by the Venetians and the Habsburgs, and since the rulers of the city changed several times, the city is characterized by a combination of different architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque.

Registered Properties

St. Lovro Cathedral

The cathedral representing Trogir, whose construction began in the 13th century and continued to be enlarged and remodeled until the 17th century.It is known for its mix of different architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance.The Romanesque entrance decorations are representative of St. Lovro Cathedral, which is one of Croatia’s most famous buildings.The facade around the door is carved with themes from the life of Jesus Christ.In addition, centaurs and mermaids are carved, which is unique for a Christian building.

The 47-meter-high bell tower was built during the Venetian rule of the 15th and 16th centuries.

Kamerlengo Castle

The fortress was formed in the 15th century as an enlargement of the beluga tower that had previously stood here. It is said that Kamerlengo took its name from an official of the time.

For what reason is the Historic City of Trogir on the World Heritage List?

Trogir was evaluated on the following points

Registration Criteria (ii)(iv)
The city is valued for the fact that it was built on the model of Greek and Roman urban structures. That the churches, monasteries, and fortresses in the old town continue to remain as they were in those days, even in a modernizing city.

World Heritage Mania Conclusions and Impressions

Although it is a laid-back port city today, it is appreciated that it was a city of rise and fall that lasted for 2,300 years. It is also important to note that the architecture built in the medieval and early modern periods has developed and blended into the current townscape.

Incidentally, hotels and guest houses in the old town are expensive or few in number in World Heritage sites, but Trogir has a large number of them and they are relatively inexpensive. However, Trogir has a large number of hotels and guesthouses, and they are relatively inexpensive.

*The contents here are considerations derived from a survey of World Heritage Site enthusiasts.As for the data, interpretation differs depending on the media.