Side tower

The side tower of the Klis fortress once played a key defensive role as a guard for the entrance to the third part of the fortress. The entrance to this part led through the vestibule in front of the third gate, and the attacker was forced to cross a wooden bridge that connected the path to the side tower. This tower, located at the southeast corner of the entrance, was built in the mid-18th century and completed in 1763, as evidenced by the several phases of construction visible on its sloping walls. In the event of an attack, the bridge would be raised, thus interrupting any attempt by the enemy to penetrate the fortress, leaving them exposed to the defenses of the tower. Thus, the side tower served as a strong defensive point, protecting the access to the third entrance and part of the Varoš settlement. The third entrance, which was created in the Middle Ages, was part of the complex defense system of the Klis fortress, which consists of three fenced sections with separate entrances. The Venetians rebuilt it several times until the middle of the 18th century, and the last addition was made in 1763, at the same time as the side tower that guards it. Thus, the side tower was not just an architectural addition, but a key element of the defense of the third part of the fortress, which, with the help of a movable bridge, enabled controlled access and efficient defense against enemy attacks.