History and attractions of Rogoznitsa

History of Rogoznitsa

The tranquil landscape and the Mediterranean climate of Rogoznica have provided a safe and comfortable life for local residents since ancient times.

In recent years, fragments of pottery, amphorae, tiles, coins, graves, grave monuments, pieces of stone and sarcophagi have been discovered. From these artifacts, scientists have determined that life flourished in the area, especially in antiquity and late antiquity.

For the most ancient data on the Rogoznica area, we have to thank a Greek sailor named Skylax of Kraianda, who lived in the first half of the 4th century BC. According to his conclusion, two Illyrian tribes lived on the coast between Krka and Cetina: in the northern part, on a peninsula apparently smaller than the Peloponnese, the city and port of Heraclea were home to a tribe called the Hili.

Modern research has confirmed that the Hili lived on the Bosilinus Peninsula, so the peninsula is also called the Hillus Peninsula. However, according to historians of the region, the Hili are a tribe of Dorians who, originally from Syracuse, founded Issa, but also settled in the city of Heraclea, located somewhere in the Rogoznica area.

During the war of Queen Teuta against Rome in 229 BC, Hili came under Illyrian rule. This fact was confirmed by a tombstone of that era excavated at Stupina in 1968. A stone representing the Illyrian and Hili tribes is preserved in the Šibenik City Museum. It is assumed that in the bay of Stupin the Illyrian city was submerged, and one of the traces of that time are the prehistoric ruins of Stupin Glavica, consisting of clay remains. In addition, the ruins of Kruglica Castle, not far from the Stupina ruins; the ruins at Rogoznica on the highest point of the Cape Debeli Rt and the ruins at Kotela have been found.

The exact location of Heraclea, the ancient city, which invented its own money, is still a matter of dispute and can be determined only by further investigation. However, some archaeologists are already convinced that the most probable site of a mooring for merchant ships in Heraclea was indeed in the area of Rogoznitsa.

Attractions in Rogoznica

The old part of Rogoznica is the center of the main architectural attractions of the city. For example, the city port was built during the times of the Venetian Republic. The church of St. Nicholas, which was built in 1515, and the Assumption Cathedral of St. Mary, which towers above the center of Rogoznica, which was built in 1683, deserve special attention. The style of both buildings is typical for medieval Dalmatia.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Heaven. The original parish church of St. Nicholas was consecrated by Bishop V. Arrigoni on May 11, 1615. It was enlarged in 1683 and was named Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Heaven.

Dragon's Eye

In Rogoznica, not far from Marina Frapa, there is a lake, a so-called natural phenomenon, called "Zmajevo Oko", which means "Dragon's Eye" in Croatian. Because of its hydrogeomorphological uniqueness, the lake is often visited not only by tourists from different countries, but also by real experts. There are many legends about the lake "Zmajevo Oko" from ancient times.