Geographic PositionSlatine, traditionally a small fishing village, situated on the island of Čiovo in Central Dalmatia, is 7,5 km away from the ma-inland which is accessible by a draw bridge, and one nautical mile (1852 meters) away from the Split peninsula to the east. Administratively, it belongs to the town of Split.

Although not spared from urban sprawl, it still offers a char-ming mix of old and new and is ideal for a peaceful holiday but, at the same time, is not far from the main tourist destinations. The proximity of Split International Airport (15 km), bus, ferry, railway terminals (35 km) and A-1 motorway makes it an ideal European getaway.

Around 6,000 people live in 6 main settlements (Slatine, Arbani-ja, Žedno, Mastrinka, Okrug Donji and Okrug Gornji) on the island which serves as a breakwater for the Kaštela bay. The total area of this gently hilly island is 28,8 km2 and its highest peak is Rudine 218 m. A few tiny islets are scattered alongside its south-western coast: Fumija, Kraljevac, Galerija...No surface water streams are found here but there are some small caves.

Slatine is located on the north-easternmost shoreline of Čiovo Island, facing the towns of Kaštela and Split across the bay. It has around 1,000 inhabitants, who live mostly in family houses or weekend homes. The north side of Čiovo is indented, with coves, rocky and pebbled beaches but the south is more rugged with cli-ffs yet more attractive and mostly unspoiled and unpopulated.

Historic Highlights

The island was inhabited in prehistoric times. In Roman times, the island’s name was mentioned as Bua, Boa or Bavo - the name of the ancient Illyrian or even Phoenician origin. In those days, and throughout the Middle Ages, lepers and prisoners were confined there. In the 5th century the devoted Roman Catholic hermits started to build their dwellings and later on small chur-ches. In the 16th century, the inhabitants from the nearby set-tlements, fleeing from the Turks, took refuge here. This is when the parish church and local sanctuary were built in the village of Slatine, whose name means water springs - there used to be plenty of them and they were half-salted or brackish. The Slavic name Čiovo appeared in the 16th century but the origin of it is not clear.

Climate and VegetationThe climate is pleasant, Mediterranean, with long, hot and dry summers, cool but mild winters and lots of sunny days througho-ut the year. Čiovo is exposed to the sirocco and bora winds during the colder part of the year, whereas the sea and land breezes are frequent in the warm seasons.

Typical Mediterranean red soils overlaying limestone dominate the region. The terrain is mostly karst, with maquis (macchia) scrublands prevailing, with plants and trees which can wit-hstand droughts: Aleppo pine, cypress, Holm oak, juniper, laurel, oleander, or herbs rich in aromatic oils like lavender, rosemary, sage, thyme, St John’s worth, Dalmatian pyrethrum - a natural insecticide, etc. In the springtime, yellow fragrant flowers of Spanish broom, native to the region, bring special charm. Accor-ding to one theory, the town of Split derives its name from the Greek word for this plant (aspalathos). Numerous species of wild ground orchids still live in their natural habitats here, although endangered by human activity.

Small olive groves are dispersed around so it is no wonder that the local olive oil has been widely used. Prevailing crops are figs, citrus fruits, almonds and pomegranates. Unfortunately, local farming on any larger scale has disappeared and family vineyards have been neglected and abandoned.

CultureOur Lady of Prizidnica Sanctuary is a local jewel and a must for every visitor. It was built into the cliffs in harmony with nature by the hermits of the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century. If the church is open, take a look inside. On display are votive offerings, mostly model ships and silver plaques which the lo-cals used to donate as gifts in gratitude to Our Lady for granted favours. This is a peaceful place, where you can meditate, pray, swim and dive, walk through the aromatic paths of herbs, be surrounded by pines and agaves. It also offers an opportunity for DWS (Deep-Water Soloing).The nature is unspoiled and views of the Adriatic and islands are amazing so you can sit in the shade of an old carob tree and enjoy yourself. In the past, carob beans were used as units of measurement, so the word carat (a mea-

sure of weight for gemstones) derives its name from the Greek keration, which is carato in Italian. Crowds of pilgrims gather here in September to celebrate the Holy Name of Mary, with holy masses and a big feast. You will reach the sanctuary by turning inland from the main road which follows the coast. It is a perfect jogging and biking path, 3 km away from the local port.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the parish church da-ting from the beginning of the 17th century worth visiting, to-gether with its elegant bell tower. Call in to see the original altar painting from the 14th century and the remains of the old woo-den crucifix attributed to Paolo Veneziano. If you attend Sunday mass, you can enjoy listening to the Church Mixed Choir assisting in worship.

Roman Catholicism has played one of the main roles in shaping

the national identity since the 7th century, when Christianization among the Croats began. It is not surprising that religious sites are numerous throughout the country and churches have been among the most significant historic buildings.

Get the feel of a small village school by visiting Slatine Elemen-tary School - an International Eco School, just a short distance from the church. The stone building opened its doors in 1913 and in 2013 will celebrate its 100th anniversary. There you can see a small ethno collection and a collection of the Adriatic seashe-lls, as well as some native plants in the school garden. Visit its website to learn more about the school and village life (www.os-slatine.skole.hr).

Don’t miss the Listed Building, a quaint old cottage close to the school, built of local lime stone in a traditional way, with a typical dry stone wall surrounding it. Efforts have been made to preserve dry stone structures as distinctive elements of the national cul-tural heritage.

If you feel like getting in touch with the locals and having more authentic experience, you are welcome to visit a small private co-llection of handmade olive tree crucifixes, carved by a self-taught local man, Mr Marin Baras, or a collection of model ships in Mr Tomo Nakir’s house.

LeisureWalk to the picturesque harbour and look out for the oldest gaje-ta boat in the area from 1851. It is a traditional Dalmatian fishing boat made of wood.

Go on a day picnic to Šolta Island from the local port by a small boat called Galeb, or rent a speed boat from the Domić family.

Watch barn swallows nesting under the old roofs and listen to their chirping. Next to them, in abundance here are seagulls whose calls can be heard everywhere. You may also have some out-of-the ordinary photo opportunities.

Have an espresso in the homely outdoor café Batilento overloo-

king the bay with the cities of Kaštela and Split in the distance and experience the laidback feel of the place.

Call in at Mali porat, a cosy family-owned buffet, located right by the sea, offering a variety of homemade local dishes. The seafood is guaranteed to be fresh if the night fishing was successful. Oc-topus salad, fish soup, scampi buzzara, seafood stew (brodetto), grilled dentex, grouper, sea bass or red mullet are superb, as well as grilled squid, seafood risotto, pasta or polenta (simple dish made from boiled cornmeal). Dalmatian stew with gnocchi (pašticada) is a delicacy and should also be tasted. Baked beans on the open fire are available for large groups. Last but not least is peka - a signature Croatian dish (meat or fish with vegetables cooked under the metal dome buried in glowing embers).

Or, if you prefer good fast food, have a pizza from the wood-fired oven in Kvadar on a lovely outdoor terrace. In the old local dialect the word meant picture frame (from Fr. cadre, which is quadro in Italian).

There are two more good restaurants on the seashore, open in the summer months: Dida (local dialect for grandfather) a family inn (konoba) and Neverin with a nice seating area.

Mačak (male cat), the most popular village café equipped with a big TV screen is well visited all year long. Unlike others, it is situated in the centre of the village.

As for tipping, tips are not included in bills but you can always add some 10 percent of the total.

If you happen to be on the seafront (Porat) in the summer, when the local Klapa (a group of men singers) gather spontaneously, you will hear traditional Dalmatian a cappella singing.

You may also attend the night of Dalmatian song Mary Star of the Sea Festival, taking place in the church courtyard in August. Klapas from different parts of Croatia along the Adriatic coast participate. If you are a klapa music fan, make sure you visit the Festival of Dalmatian Klapas in the costal town of Omiš (53 km from Slatine).

Proceed along the seafront to the abandoned quarry Kava on the eastern tip of the island - transformed into a nice beach, have a drink in a beach bar or find a secluded cove for a swim if you prefer privacy.

For outdoor activities on the seafront called Porat (port in the local dialect), there is the children’s playground, bocce course, concrete football pitch and basketball court as well as a family friendly beach. The Adriatic Sea beaches in general meet the rigid criteria of the sea quality standards.

There is a small drinking water fountain by the playground - a welcome facility for the residents and visitors in the summer. Tap water is perfectly safe throughout Croatia and considered of high quality.

When wandering around the village, you may come across a few remaining gustirnas - rainwater storage tanks, common in rural areas in the past or fresh water wells still in use for watering gardens.

Enquire about local summer festivals, outdoor concerts, plays and exhibitions at the village Tourist Office. Most of them take place in the coastal towns: Split, Trogir, Primošten, Šibenik, Omiš, Makarska. For pub-oriented nightlife you will also have to go to Split or Trogir. Some summer resorts organize traditional village fiestas.

For Dalmatian coast sailing, yachting or cruising holidays around the islands, enquire at the tourist offices in Slatine, Split and Tro-gir. The coast with more than thousand islands, islets and reefs is well worth exploring. Its marinas offer excellent mooring fa-cilities.

If you prefer exciting sporting activities like scuba diving, un-derwater fishing, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, quad or buggy safari, you will have to go to the nearby towns Split or Trogir.

From Split or Trogir, go on day trips to the islands by catamaran, ferry or boat, or take a bus ride inland to explore rural Dalmatia.

Surroundings Visit the Dominican monastery of the Holy Cross in the nearby village of Arbania (2,5 km away) with a little church from the 15th century and also the Franciscan of St Anthony of Drid - built above the hermit’s grotto in the 17th century, approximately 6 km away from Slatine.

Take a bike, boat (Bura line - operating from the local port) or bus ride to the fascinating town of Trogir – 7,5 km away. The city, sited on an islet, was founded by the Greek colonists in the 3rd century B.C. and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. Each walk through the web of its medieval alleys and paved lanes will take you to the main square and one of the masterpieces of religious art - the portal of the Cathedral of St. Lawrence/John by the great Croatian sculptor Master Radovan, built from the 13th to 16th century.

Also look for the bas-relief of Kairos - the god of fleeing moment, represented by a young man with a turf of hair which should be grasped in order to seize the favourable opportunity. It is kept in the Benedictine monastery.

Another town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is Split - the capital of Dalmatia and Croatia’s second largest city, 35 km away by road. A pleasant 30-minute boat ride will also take you there and, on a nice summer day, it is a great experience. Take a guided tour of the 1700 years old city and Diocletian Palace. Enquire about the millennium of the distinctive Croatian glagolitic heri-tage and the 10th century bishop Gregory of Nin (Grgur Niniski).The Croats were the only nation in Europe who were allowed to use their language in liturgy instead of Latin.

Visit Pantan, the renovated water mills from the 15th century, 10 km away from Slatine. It is an ornithological and ichthyological reserve and a unique example of a swamp in Central Dalmatia, offering accommodation as well.

The Town of Kaštela (20 km from Slatine) is situated on an 18 km long strip of coastline along the Bay of Kaštela. It is composed of seven villages which developed around the 15th and 16th century castles. Visit the renovated Vitturi castle with the City Museum within its walls, Biblical Garden Stomorija, the unique School Botanical Garden with 1400 plant species. Well-marked trails on the 16 km long Kozjak hill (779 m highest point) above the town are a hiker and nature lover’s paradise. Interestingly enough, the renowned Californian wine grape Zinfandel origi-nates from the fertile Kaštela Field. The grape is known here as Crljenak Kaštelanski.

Solin is a charming little town, located 30 km from the village of Slatine, with its ancient ruins and the remains of old churches from the early Croatian medieval kingdom (10th and 11th centu-ries). Refresh yourself by the Jadro River and watch the bird co-lonies. The Jadro supplies water to the whole area and has been used from the Diocletian’s times (3rd century A.D.).

The Klis fortress, at the altitude of 360 m, is north of Solin. It was one of the seats of the Medieval Croatian kings in the 9th century. The distance from Slatine is 41 km.

The Krka National Park, 100 km away from Slatine, with its seven waterfalls and the Franciscan monastery on the tiny island of Vi-sovac, inhabited in the 14th century, shouldn’t be forgotten.

SouvenirsThe best village souvenirs - postcards and fridge magnets with the local motifs, handmade eco-soaps, extra-virgin olive oil, pebbled flower pots or sparas (small hand-made head cushions which women used for load-carrying) can be bought in the local school or Tourist Office. You may also like to take home some de-licious sun-dried figs, local olive oil or national brandy rakija. For the best deal, go to the producers, who you can contact through friendly locals. Many people understand and speak English well. If you need to shop for more gifts, visit the nearest souvenir shops in Trogir and Split.

ShoppingShop for the organic seasonal produce from small family vegeta-ble gardens - owners are usually willing to sell if you ask them, or purchase fish straight from the sea early in the morning.

There is a newspaper kiosk in the village, a bakery and three shops selling essentials. For more food or clothes shopping go to bigger centres on the mainland. Don’t miss their colourful open-air food and fish markets.

AccommodationOut of 250 households in Slatine, more than 200 are tourism-oriented. Families are hospitable and friendly so your best bet is private rooms or self-catering apartments. There are quite a few newly built private villas around. You may also check out the only campsite on the island called Rožac in the village of Okrug Donji (15 km away) or some others on the mainland. The nearest youth hostel is in Trogir, where you can find a selection of small family-run hotels or bed and breakfast inns.

HealthThere is the Surgery in the village and Medical Centre in the near-by Trogir. Croatia has reciprocal healthcare agreement with most countries meaning you pay minimum for consultation. For the Dental Surgery, well equipped pharmacies or Veterinary Surgery also go to Trogir.

PostIn the village Post Office you can mail letters and postcards, buy stamps and Croatian Phone cards or Calling Cards, exchange mo-ney, buy mailing and shipping supplies or use a pay-phone to make direct international phone calls.

Credit CardsMost hotels, restaurants and shops accept some of the major credit cards: Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard or American Express. The owners of private rooms ask for cash payment only. The Kuna (HRK) is the unit of Croatian currency, subdivided into 100 lipas.The word kuna means marten – its skins were used as units of value in the past, and lipa is linden tree.

Cash MachinesThe nearest ATMs (bankomat in Croatian) are readily available in Trogir or Split and very reliable.

Important Telephone Numbers:All emergencies: 112

Local directory inquires: 988

International directory inquires: 902

Country code: +385

Local area code: 021