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 Solta
An island in the central Dalmatian archipelago,
west of the island of Brac; separated from the mainland by the Split
Channel, from the Drvenik islands by the Solta Channel, and from
the island of Brac by the Strait of Split; area 58.9 sq km; population
1,448 (length 19 km, width up to 5 km); the highest top is Vela
Straza (237 m). A large karst field spreads in the island's interior,
cultivated with various crops. The island has the Mediterranean
climate; the average air temperature in January attains 7.8 °C,
and in July 25.3 °C. The largest coves, Rogac and Necujam, are
situated on the north-eastern coast, covered with thick shrubs and
exposed to northerly winds (especially the bora). The coves and
inlets on the western coast are protected by the small offshore
islets and cliffs; the Maslinica cove, exposed only to north-westerly
winds, represents a favourable anchoring ground and shelter for
smaller yachts. Bigger villages (Grohote, Gornje Selo, Srednje Selo,
Donje Selo) are situated in the island's interior. Chief occupations
include farming, wine production, olive growing, fruit growing,
fishing and tourism. The regional road runs along the island; ferry
ports are in the coves of Rogac, Necujam and Stomorska.
The island was first mentioned by Pseudoscylax (4th c. BC) under
the name of Olyntha. The Romans called it Solenta, and in the Statute
of Split (14th c.) it was called Solta. - The island has revealed
the ruins of a prehistoric settlement (hill-fort Gradac) and another
one from the Roman period (Rogac, Grohote, Necujam). When the Slavs
and Avars destroyed Salona at the beginning of the 7th century,
a group of the refugees from Salona fled to Solta. In the Middle
Ages the island was attacked on several occasions by Omis (1240)
and Venice (1387 and 1418). Mediaeval monuments are found on the
localities in Sveti Mihovil in the Grohote Field, Donje Selo, Necujam
and Stomorica above Stomorska (the Benedictine monastery). On the
fall of Klis (1537) the island was inhabited by the refugees from
the mainland.
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