VELIKI KAŠTEL INTERPRETATION CENTER

The large castle built along the cliffs of the Biokovo massif is a multi-storey fortification adaptation of a cave and an elevated building from the time of the Candian War (1645-1669). It was built by local forces under the auspices of Venice to unite the military and refugee role, a shelter for the population, in the then conflict with the Ottomans.

In Kaštel, after the renovation and reconstruction of its interior in 2019, the exhibition Interpretation Center is located under the management of the Makarska City Museum.

The primary function of the Interpretation Center is to receive visitors, the interaction of visitors with the local culture and the interaction of visitors with the most modern multimedia technologies.

The center is a central placefor the interpretation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage of Kotišina, through three themes of the exhibition: archaeological, ethnological and natural heritage.

Thus, a part of the archeological exhibits that were found on the site of the church of St. Martin and the Great Kaštel under the direction of the Makarska City Museum, while ethnological stories present the way and style of life of the population with special emphasis on the connection between human activity and nature. Most of the center is dedicated to the natural heritage and the phenomenon of great plant diversity in the wider local area, especially the heritage of the Biokovo Botanical Garden Kotišina and the legacy of its founder, Fr. Jure Radić.

The aim of the exhibition is to present in a new and innovative way the relationship of exceptional landscape and cultural heritage and the geographical position of Kotišina in order to be presented as a small, protected ecosystem in the Biokovo massif.

With its layout, the Interpretation Center deals with topics that address the interests of a significant number of visitors of different ages and preferences.