Gradina Park

The Gradina in Solin is located north of the Church of Our Lady of the Islands, along the right bank of the Jadro River. During the reign of Emperor Justinian, a domed church was built there, which differed from the European architecture of the time, which mainly used simple basilicas, because it had a central floor plan. During the 16th century, during a time of conflict between the Ottoman Empire and local forces, the Ottomans quickly built a fortress on the site in 1531, allegedly within fifteen days, with the aim of controlling traffic and supplies in the area of Klis. When the Uskoks demolished the fortress, the Turks rebuilt it again in approximately twenty days. The Gradina played a key role during the siege of Klis, as whoever controlled the fortress could cut off the supply routes. Within its walls, the former church was converted into a mosque, reflecting the changing religious and cultural influences in the area. According to legend, Gradina was the site of the last battles of the Klis Uskoks under the leadership of Petar Kružić, a famous Croatian military leader. After the fall of Klis in 1537, the Turks withdrew from Gradina, and over time its military importance weakened. Today, Gradina has a new function as a cultural and festival stage during the summer, where the combination of history and art is expressed in programs under the starry sky, while remaining a permanent element of the public and social life of Solin.