Kaštel Kambelovac

Kaštel Kambelovac is one of the seven historic settlements forming the City of Kaštela, lining Kaštela Bay between Split and Trogir. Its name comes from the Cambi brothers, Jerolim and Nikola, who built a fortified residence on a small islet in 1517 to protect themselves and the inhabitants of Lažane and Kruševik. Its cylindrical tower is unique among the Kaštela fortifications, and the old waterfront settlement grew around it. Kambelovac once contained an unusually dense group of strongholds: the Grissogono and Lipeo families also built castles here, while villagers from Kruševik erected Velika and Mala Piškera in 1525. Mount Kozjak rises behind the coast, with marked trails leading towards the medieval Church of St Michael of Lažane, the Church of St Martin of Kruševik and local mountain huts. Along the shore are Mala Punta, Baletna škola, Lapotić, Stara škola and Bilajka beaches. Promet Split’s bus 37 links the area with Split, Split Airport and Trogir, while Kaštel Kambelovac station lies on the Split–Perković railway route.

Kaštel Kambelovac grew around several defensive compounds, leaving it more elongated than settlements formed around a single castle. Its signature monument is Cambi Castle of 1517, whose cylindrical tower is unique among the seven Kaštela. An even more unusual chapter belongs to Velika and Mala Piškera, fortifications built in 1525 by villagers from old Croatian Kruševik. The present-day settlement combines a small harbour, waterfront promenade and local beaches with hiking terrain on Mount Kozjak. Kambelovac also has a strong vocal-music identity: Klapa Cambi was founded here in 1986, while the Večeri dalmatinske pisme festival brings Dalmatian harmony singing to the village in July.