Kastela

Kastela, known in Croatian as Kaštela, is a coastal town in central Dalmatia, Croatia, located in Split-Dalmatia County between the cities of Split and Trogir along Kaštela Bay. The town is formed by seven historic settlements that grew along the coastline around fortified towers known as kašteli: Kaštel Sućurac, Kaštel Gomilica, Kaštel Kambelovac, Kaštel Stari, Kaštel Novi, Kaštel Lukšić, and Kaštel Štafilić. Together they create a continuous urban area close to the shore with hills rising inland.

The name Kaštela derives from the medieval castella or fortresses established along the coast in the 15th and 16th centuries, when local lords and the Venetian Republic sought to defend the Adriatic shoreline from incursions. The seven settlements have earlier origins as fishing and agricultural communities and gradually merged into a single town in the modern era.

Geographically, Kaštela runs in a string along the coast with Gentian rock and pine-covered hills behind it. The area enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. It is part of the Split metropolitan area and benefits from proximity to Split and the historic town of Trogir.

Demographically, Kaštela comprises tens of thousands of residents and functions as a suburban and service-oriented community. Its economy is diversified, including services, tourism, small industry, and commuting to nearby Split for work and amenities.

Transport links include the coastal Adriatic Highway (D8) and regional roads that connect Kaštela with Split and Trogir; Split Airport lies nearby, supporting tourism and travel. The seven kašteli remain a defining cultural and historical feature of the town.