Solta is an island in region of Central Dalmatia, Croatia. It is part of district Split-Dalmatia. Island Solta is located south of island Ciovo, northwest of island Brac, north of island Hvar and southwest of city of Split.
Island Ciovo has area of 57,9 km2. Island Solta is the 13th largest island in Croatian Adriatic. It has coast 79,45 km long. Near bay Maslinica there are 7 small islands: Polebrnjak, Stipanska, Saskinja, Radula, Balkun, Grmej and Kamicic Hrid. You can get to Solta by arriving to city of Split by car, train, bus or plane and then by ferry. If you are coming by plane you will arrive to Airport Split and then use taxi or bus to get to ferry port in Split.
You can get to Solta by arriving to city of Split by car, train, bus or plane and then by ferry or speed boat arranged by water taxi.
If you are coming by plane you will arrive to Airport Split and then use taxi or bus to get to ferry port in Split. If you are coming by train you will also get to train station in Split which is located very close to the ferry port. If you are coming by car you will take highway A1 Zagreb-Split and exit in Dugopolje for Split.
Gas station is located in settlement Rogac. Ambulance is located in Grohote. ATM is located in Stomorska, there are no banks on island Solta. Post offices are located in Grohote, Stomorska and Necujam. All larger settlements have stores with fresh fruits, vegetables and other necessary supplies.
Highest peak on island Solta is Vela straza (237 m). It is located near Gornje Selo.
ISLAND SOLTA INHABITANTS AND SETTLEMENTS
Island Solta has around 1470 inhabitants. Most of the inhabitants are Croats. Inhabitants are mostly directed to fishing and tourism. Most known Croats from island Solta: painter Eugen Buktenica, painter Marin Kalajzic, painter Dinko Sule.
Island Solta has 10 settlements: Grohote, Gornje Selo, Donje Selo, Srednje Selo, Stomorska, Necujam, Rogac, Maslinica, Donja Krusica and Gornja Krusica. Grohote is the main settlement on island Solta. It is located in the middle of island Solta, near port Rogac. Grohote is the oldest and largest settlement on island. It has around 425 inhabitants. Stomorska is settlement on island Solta. It is located on southeast part of island.
It was first time mentioned in 17th century. Inhabitants are directed to fishing and tourism. It offers accommodation in private apartments, rooms, houses and hotels. It has post office and it is very well connected with city of Split. Necujam is touristic settlement on island Solta. It has around 80 inhabitants. Necujam is consisted of many small bays, 1,8 km long and 1,2 km wide. Writers Marko Marulic and Petar Hektorovic used to write a lot about Necujam and its natural beauties. It is ideal place for peaceful and relaxing vacation.
Maslinica is tourist settlement located on island Solta, on western coast. It has around 170 inhabitants. Most of the inhabitants are today directed to family tourism. Maslinica has archipelago consisted of 7 small islands. It is connected with mainland by ferry port in Rogac. Rogac is settlement located on north side of island Solta. It has been inhabitated since Roman times. Rogac is main port on island Solta. It is connected with other settlements on island Solta by buses and taxi services. You can also use taxi boat transfers.
ISLAND SOLTA CLIMATE
Climate in area of island Solat and Central Dalmatia is Mediterranean with hot summers and mild winters. Snow almost never falls. Average temperature in July is 30°C.
Average temperature in January is 10°C. Winds that blow on island Solta are mistral, bora and south wind. Bora is strong and cold wind blowing from the mainland. South wind is warm wind, which can also be very strong. Flora on island Solta is consisted of: holm, bushes, nettles, grass, aromatic herbs... Fauna on island Solta is consisted of: hawks, owls, pheasants, rabbits, fish, clams, crabs, dolphins and many other.
Island Solta has 105 species of birds. Island Solta is formed by sedimentary rocks, chondrodont, rudist and other limestone. During the Pleistocene, island was part of the mainland. 10 000 years ago it used to be connected with island Brac.
ISLAND SOLTA HISTORY
Island Solta has been inhabitated since Prehistory. It was first time mentioned by Pseudoskilaks in 4th century BC as Olyntha (unripened fig). Croats renamed it into Sulet. Venetians renamed it into Solta.
Solta was inhabitated by refugees from Salona in 6th century. Today, island Solta is part of independent Republic of Croatia.
ISLAND SOLTA ATTRACTIONS
Attractions on island Solta:
- Church of St. Nicholas in Stomorska;
- Church of St. John in Gornje Selo;
- Church of St. Stephen in Grohote;
- Church of St. Nicholas in Maslinica;
- Church of St. Jelena in Donje Selo;
- Church of St. Martin in Donje Selo;
- Gradac;
- Remains of villa rustica and Antique walls near Donje Selo;
- Remains of Early Christian basilica in Grohote;
- Chapel in a wall in Grohote;
- Antique grave in Necujam;
- Memory house of Marko Marulic in Necujam;
- Castle of family Marchi in Maslinica;
- Remains of villa rustica in Rogac;
- Piskera;
- Island Mrduja...
Gradac is Prehistory fort. Piskera is a bay with fishpond built and used by emperor Diocletian. Remains of this fishpond are located in a bay in Necujam, on the bottom of the sea. Island Mrduja is small island located between island Solta and island Brac. There is a lenegd that says that Brac and Solta couldn't agree who's is island Mrduja, so they pulled it with a rope.
ISLAND SOLTA ACTIVITIES AND NIGHT LIFE
On island Solta you can enjoy in traditional meals and wines. You can visit some of the best restaurants on island. There are many restauramts, buffets, coffee bars, night clubs.
For many fun events and sport and water activities you can visit Necujam and Stomorska, which are the most touristic settlements on island. For night life you can visit disco club in Necujam or Gornje Selo. You can also enjoy in warm nights in Stomorska.
Island Solta has many attractive islets, bays, beaches and beautiful nature. Most famous beaches on island Solta: sand beach in Necujam (largest beach on island), pebble main beach in Stomorska, rocky beach Banje in Rogac, many rocky beaches all around the island.
There are many sports activities that you can enjoy on island Solta: sailing, cruises, diving, swimming, fishing...
From island Solta you can go on one-day trips by group water transfers to island Brac (beach Zlatni rat), island Hvar and its historical heritage and natural beauties, islands Pakleni, island Ciovo and town Trogir, city of Split with Diocletian's palace and many other beautiful locations all around the Dalmatia. To visit many attractive settlements and bays you can hire a water taxi which will take you to any location. You can also use boat rentals for more private trips and rent a speed boat.
