Guardhouse

The Klis watchtower was like the eye of the fortress – perched on the very edge of the cliff between Kozjak and Mosor, with a view that could catch any movement in the distance. Its basic task was simple, but crucial: to spot the enemy in time and raise the alarm, especially at a time when the Ottomans and other enemies constantly threatened this part of Dalmatia during the 15th and 16th centuries. The terrain of the Klis fortress was so elongated and inaccessible that the watchtowers became key points for monitoring all approaches. They were built of massive stone, with narrow openings, which allowed the defenders to keep the entire area under control with a small force. Just imagine – in the dark, while the wind carried rumors of the enemy’s arrival, a guard in one of these watchtowers would be the first to see the glimmer of torches or the outlines of an army on the move, and would have the task of lighting a signal or sending a messenger to the heart of the fortress. The watchtowers were not just observation posts – in case of attack, they were transformed into small fortresses, ready to offer resistance until help arrived. They were part of the complex defense system of Klis, which included the main fortress and several smaller fortresses in the surrounding area. During centuries of conflict, especially during the Klis Uskoks and Ottoman sieges, the watchtowers were a guarantee that the enemy would never surprise the defenders. The watchtowers on Klis were part of a complex defense system that protected the passage between the coast and the interior for centuries. Although only their remains have been preserved today, they testify to the ingenuity and endurance of the builders and soldiers who guarded the approaches to the fortress. Due to its strategic position, Klis was called the “key to Dalmatia”, and whoever ruled it had control over the routes to the sea and the interior.