[My Croatia] – Kastel Novi a small old pearl on Croatian coast
Did you know Kastel Novi is an over 500 years old Croatian settlement on Dalmatian coast? It's in the vicinity of Split, the famous ancient city of Roman Emperor Diocletian.
![Kastel Novi - Harbor South-East Side](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/09/07/4420650b55e50f4c2a796f98c3f83598.jpg)
Kastel is fortified building. In this area usually in the form of the tower.
Kastel Novi meaning Kastel New was built by Trogirian nobleman Antun Ćipiko in 1512 as a summerhouse as well as the town for his peasant vassals.
![Kastel Novi - One of Narrow Streets](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/09/08/15e38d78d13ad8fbeaf9481462a2a4d0.jpg)
Although it was made in the shape of a rectangular tower giving the impression of a strong fort, kastel's residential purpose could be seen through its decoration with windows and balconies. A small settlement developed around it has been surrounded on three sides (western, northern and eastern) by a defensive wall, while the southern side was lying next to the sea.
![Kastel Novi - Old Stone House](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/09/08/4c79bf7e5eca7afd679e72d4cdeedfd3.jpg)
A drawbridge was at the north side in front the entrance to the Kastel.
Not far from it in 1775 was built confraternity's house with a clock around which developed today's central square of Kastel Novi called Brce.
![Kastel Novi, Brce - Main Square Morning Activity](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/09/08/55253b4fc7c07d8a510e40f61a6b6872.jpg)
![Confraternity's house with a clock](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/09/07/3d659d12c9bbbb936cdb115a046859e1.jpg)
Almost across confraternity's house with a clock was housed the church from the 13th century. On its foundations is built today's parish church of St. Peter with a detached bell tower.
![Parish church of St. Peter with bell tower - Kastel Novi](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/09/08/a6c16dc8ecf656a7479a692681dd85a0.jpg)
![Parish church of St. Peter - Kastel Novi](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/09/07/a7359683aad1e921cc42129c40e83f4c.jpg)
Inside and around this church famous Croatian singer of Dalmatian songs Oliver Dragojević filmed some parts of the official video spot for his song "Cesarica" (Empress) that became widely popular in the country.
Kastel Novi also has its small harbor where locals keep their fishing and other boats protected from strong winds and roaring sea by the breakwater that stretches into the sea on the west from old Kastel tower.
![Kastel Novi - Harbor North Side](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/09/08/e772459e6ddb4dba213a8619bc7588a9.jpg)
On the northern side of the harbor lies Đardin, a charming small garden which name originate from Italian word "giardino" (garden) where locals, from youngest to oldest, like to mingle, rest, play and socialize.
Few market benches are placed along the northern side of the Đardin park where every day early in the morning locals sells own fresh home-grown fruits and vegetables.
![Kastel Novi - Gjardin](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/09/08/b51061f6340e8e9efecd08fafe06ac50.jpg)
On the western side, Kastel Novi borders with Kastel Stafilic, while on the eastern side, the border with Kastel Stari (Kastel Old) marks a statue with horseman Messenger of Freedom Monument made by Marin Studin, a sculptor born in Kastel Novi who was a student of famous Ivan Meštrović.
![Kastel Novi and Kastel Stari](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/09/08/f6f6305dcaebf9ed30f4a7bbf3600649.jpg)
Monument bordering Kastel Novi and Kastel Stari
Kastel Novi is one of seven Kastels lying one next to another, along the shore that stretches between Split and Trogir. Today those seven Kastels constitute The Town of Kastela, all seven together with about 40,000 citizens.
![Kastel Novi - Empty Terrace Early Morning](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/09/08/73d6053350ce3514c09f9d6c24e4a57b.jpg)
Being the lucky one who spends every summer in this beautiful and charming old place, thanks to my husband who inherited an old stone house that belonged to his family for many generations and whose ancestors, according to the church books and other available materials from State Archives, were living here from 17th century, I can say Kastel Novi is not just a place of our summerhouse, it's my second home!
![Kastel Novi - Fisherman Early Morning](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/09/08/cdcb3d219b6405d926ba3f135d582a6c.jpg)
Text and Photos by @ana-maria
Posted on September 8, 2016