On the river mouth of
Cetina lie the remains of the fort thought to be called "Oneum".
Oneum disappeared in the 7th century during the Great migrations, but the
natural route from the continent to the sea was to important to be deserted
for long.
Neretvan corsairs inhabit the area of Omiš and make it their stronghold for
their raids on Byzantium,, Venetian and Croatian shipping on the Adriatic.
Their threat became so large and insufferable that plans for a crusade against
Omiš were made, but never acted upon.
In 1498. the Turks launch their first raid on Omiš, which fails, but in 1537.
they manage to conquer it. Until 1684. when the Turks retreated, in Omiš or
its vicinity there was continuous fighting, with Turks on one side and Venetia,
Hungarians, Croatians and other Christian nations on another. It fell under
the rule of Venice until 1797. when Venetian Republic collapses. After that
came the Austrians then Napoleon's French and then Austrians again till the
end of 1918.
Omiš today
Today two forts over
the city remain Mirabela (at the altitude of
245m) built in 13th century and Starigrad. Pjaca
is the main city square which lies between the east and west city gates, and
it used to be the main setting for all major city events until the avenue
Fošal was reconstructed.
Nowdays it is the tourist center of a 35 km long riviera of outstanding beauty.
Numerous monuments from its past are the witnesses of its history, long and
glorious; besides these one can find nowdays an interesting and colourful
market place, a large number of small restaurants, coffe shops, bistros, various
shops including duty free ones and fashionable boutiques. All these will make
your stay pleasant and fulfilled.
Very good communications with the nearby Split and beautiful natural beaches
of this part of the riviera have enabled the development of tourist trade
whose traces are to be seen even before the World War II. A number of small
fishermen's villages along the riviera have had a long tourist tradition and
culture.
The Cetina river and its magnificent canyon are cut into the picturesque mountainous
massif in the very background of the town. On its way to the sea the river
has created numerous long sandy beaches which are charecteristic of this part
of the coast and make it one of the most beautiful, unusual and incomparable.
Why the Omis riviera this time? While looking at these photographs, has it
occurred to you that there are still places which are so close and yet so
far from the aggressive rythm of modern life and tourist industry? Isolated
coves where you can always find "your own" beach, or auto camp at the very
seaside, are waiting for you.
Why the Omis riviera another time? Small fishermen's villages preserved in
their originality but at the same time offering full comfort in the newly
built premises and private pensions, villas or apartments, make an extraordinary
alternative. If you have just made up your mind, be sure that the deprived
cold splendor of commercial hotels will be well made up for by the warmth
welcome of your host and his wish to make you happy.
Omiš is known for all kinds of cultural events during the summer, the most
famous of which is the Festival of traditional vocal
music.
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