Tankers

The cisterns in the Klis Fortress were not just ordinary stone pits – they were the heart of the soldiers’ daily life and defense. Without them, the fortress would quickly be without its most important resource: water. The rainwater that collected in these underground tanks was the only way to survive, as there were no springs or opportunities to dig wells nearby. For this reason, the cisterns were strategically placed in places where they would be most needed during a siege, and their construction began in the Middle Ages and continued through the Ottoman and Venetian periods, when they were further improved and expanded. It is particularly interesting that there were as many as seven cisterns in the fortress, each adapted to the terrain and architecture of the fortress. Some were dug deep underground to keep the water cool and protected, while others had special channels to direct rainwater from all parts of the fortress. In the eastern part of the fortress there is a cistern from the early Venetian period, which was crucial for the introduction of the water supply system. During sieges, when attackers tried to cut off all external water sources, the cisterns literally became a matter of life and death. The canal systems were so well designed that they channeled rainwater from the entire area straight into the tanks, preserving every precious drop. If the water ran out, the defenders would be forced to surrender – which is why the cisterns were often the first thing attackers would try to destroy. One of the interesting features is the Turkish fountain, now known as the “Three Kings”, located at the foot of the fortress. It is still in use, and its construction is connected to Islamic customs and daily religious rituals, where water had a special importance. This fountain, like the cisterns, is a testament to how precious water was and how engineering solutions from the past enabled Klis Fortress to withstand numerous sieges and remain a symbol of resilience throughout the centuries.