Yacht Charter Vodice

Vodice is a tourist destination known for its lively and various tourist offers and pleasant people. The town is located on the coast, in a wide bay, 11 km northeast of Sibenik, it is the capital of Sibenik-Knin County. Today Vodice have 10.0000 inhabitants and it is the ideal getaway where every guest will find something suitable for himself.

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The History of Vodice

In the hinterland of Vodice developed first settlements already in prehistoric times. Along both sides of the road leading into the city, are our roots and history hidden.

Rakitnica, Mrdakovica, Pisca, Kamena and Okit are names of fertile estates owned by our hard working people. Once were here estates and villages in which people worked and lived. The continuous life since the Iron Age in these areas testify numerous findings. Over time, these settlements have expanded, new residents came and brought new cultures.

Marina Vodice

From Nadin to Zaton led an important Roman trade route along which many settlements have emerged. Archaeological findings in Dragisici and Velika Mrdakovica witness this. In Velika Mrdakovica were found remnants of the pre-Roman settlement and the Liburnian necropolis from the 4th Century BC. Rich findings of glass jars - probably the most valuable collection on the territory of the Roman Empire - testify that this is an important settlement, which is often compared with Arauzona, writes Plinius. At the foot of the place is a Roman water reservoir, a natural cistern for collection of rain water, which was used to supply the population with drinking water.

On the water-rich and fertile fields of Vodice flourish olive trees, vineyards and trees Vistula (morello). Remnants of human settlements were found here, still preserved are wells and pools of water from where the cattle drank. On cultivated fields are high stone walls, which were used as agricultural boundaries - and now are the evidence for the strong Dalmatian spirit, will, strength and endurance. Preserved are also the so-called "Bunje" old traditional pastoral accommodations that have served as a secure shelter from the storm as well as storage space for tools.

The hardworking and God-fearing field worker, built their churches near cemeteries near their settlements. The inhabitants of Mrdakovica and Pisce have built in 1298 the church of St. Elias, which was dedicated in 1493. The neighboring settlement Rakitnica was mentioned in 1251 as a estate of the famous family Subic. The construction of the church began in 1415, but stopped soon due to disagreements. The parish of St. John in Rakitnica was founded in 1448. In 1509 they began to build the still well preserved Gradina on the mountain top Rakitnica. The inhabitants of the place had to prepare work force and 50 ducats for the construction of the lime pit, and the rest the nobles had to give. In the 15th century when the Turkish conquests have extended into this area, the Venetian authorities in Sibenik said that in all the inhabited settlements, as well as all higher elevations, watchtowers and walls should be built, namely to protect the population and for defense. There are records of a certain Mate Spironic (Bombardijer) from Sibenik, which came on duty in Gradina in 1521, for a whole year to defend the castle and the village. When the Turks in 1522 conquered Skradin, the parish Rakitnica fell under the free diocese of Sibenik.

After the outbreak of war between Venice and the Turks in 1570, the Venetians from Sibenik have sent the troops to Gradina. The Turks conquered Rakitnica the next year and most of the inhabitants fled to Vodice. The Turks remained in Rakitnica and Gradinaand here dwelt the Aga and the gate guard. From Gradina the Turks had the entire area under their supervision, from Murter to Sibenik, and became a threat to the towns along the coast, including Vodice. Several times they tried to conquer the island Prvic. Sibenik has tried to liberate several times Rakitnica, but had not been able to recaonquer such a good fort.

Vodice Strand The Turks attacked Srima and Vodice in 1646. The residents of Srima fled after exhausting battles on the island Prvic, and the Turks have settled in their settlements. Then Vodice needed help: on one side Vodice had the Turkish Rakitnica in the back and on the other the Turkish Srima to the east. At night the residents of Sepurinje returned with the boats quietly back to Vodice. Together with the inhabitants of Vodice they knelt before their priest Petar Mesalinic which held the crucifix in one hand and a sword in the other. Together they prayed to Our Lady for help: "Our Mother, Queen of Croats defend our village of the war!" At dawn, the Turks attacked from Srima and Okit with 400 cavalry soldiers under the leadership of the notorious Ibrahim Pasha. It was fortunate or heaven sent the merchant ship from Daul Dot from Zadar. Just this morning at the last moment it sailed into the harbor Vodice and could help the exhausted defenders. The firing of the ship's guns into Turkish troops halved its forces. After this event, the Turks have not attacked Vodice so fiercely. The struggle and the great courage of the inhabitants of Vodice describes in a songbook the folk poet Andrija Kacic Miocic.

Life was not only restricted to wars and conquests. People have learned to live together in new circumstances and it was not unusual for Christians and Muslims to marry each other and to close friendships.

Peace returned to this area after the signing of the Peace of Karlstadt (Karlovacki mir), and after the complete defeat of the Turkish army in Vienna. After the Turkish power was weakened, the normal life came gradually back on. People went fearlessly to the overgrown fields and some settled in the old residential areas, but the majority remained in the village. The hardworking and persistent field workers were again known for its olives and Vistula, which they delivered for processing to Zadar.

The formation of Vodice is associated with the construction of the Church of the Holy Cross (near the present Hotel Punta) in 1402. In a document of this year from Sibenik, Vodice was mentioned for the first time: the peasants were ordered to hand over Sibenik a part of their earnings for the construction of the Cathedral.

At that time there were only a few houses on the coast. Here the market was held, and domestic agricultural and handicraft products were exchanged with those who came by boat. Vodice is in some sense a phenomenon: It exported drinking water until the end of the 19th century, and it thanks the fountain for its development. In the main square, two wells exist as a reminder of the tradition and the old ways. The well was not only the place from which they took water and where the laundry was washed, it was also a gathering place for social events. Couples met here and marriages were agreed, people danced here and sung. People gathered and parted, laughed and cried here.

A high protective wall with three towers was set up to protect the inhabitants and to control the travelers who came to the city during the 15th and 16th century. The houses were lined up against each other, the streets were so narrow that hardly a car could drive through. Some streets were so narrow that two people could not walk side by side. This design was chosen in order to protect themselves from enemy and winter.

Kultur Vodice

A possibility of accommodation was set outside the city gate (BaDz-han). The market visitors had to leave their horses and weapons, especially the enemy, the Turks. In 1878 a new building was built on the foundations of the old quarter, which now houses the town library.

As the Turkish threat subsided, the towers of the walls were torn down and the stone blocks were used for the construction of new houses. Today we can only guess how the wall stretched and where the towers stood.

In the middle of the place stands even now the tower "Coricev Toranj" built in 1646. The tower was not built as a part of the fortress, but arose from a rich family Fondra from Šibenik during the construction of their mansion.
One can assume that other forts were similar. Older people from Vodice still remember the Pigin tower because it was demolished after the Second World War. The second tower was apparently on Polyana and the third at the end of the road the Croatian fighter ("Ulica hrvatskih boraca").

The big pier was built in 1646. At that time, Vodice experienced an economic boom, especially after the final retreat of the Turks. More and more houses were built outside the city walls. The population began togrow rapidly and in the little church of the Holy Cross was too small for all believers. It was decided to build a new parish church in the town center. The construction began in 1746 and lasted until 1749. The church was built by the famous Baroque master Ivan Skoko. Next to the church, the architect Vicko Macanovic from Dubrovnik built the bell tower.

Vodice is since 1891 an independent municipality with villages like Drazice, Pisca, Okit, Rakitnica, Stajice, Vrbice and Tribunj. Vodice is gaining importance as a commercial and administrative center.

Today Vodice is the most famous tourist destination on the Adriatic sea, and that is no coincidence. So it was fifty years ago, when the inhabitants of Vodice have decided for this industry.

Cultural Monuments

Mountain Okit From the sea seen over Vodice panorama dominates the mountain Okit and the Church of Mary - Mother of Carmel. The first church was built on the foundations of an old chapel at this level in the 17th century. From the foot to the top of the mountain was built the Way of the Cross with fourteen chapels in the beginning of the 20th century, each representing a Station of the Cross. The church was extended several times.		Corics Tower A rich family from Sibenik, called Fondra built the tower in 1646.It was built from high quality stone from the island Brac. Since it was built in turbulent times, the residential and farm buildings were provided with a high wall. Today the tower is closed, but in summer you can enjoy a movie theater presentation in the courtyard.


Church of the holy cross This simple Gothic church was built in 1402. It was dedicated in 1421 as the parish church of the Holy Cross. The cemetery was beside the church. In the church is an old Romanesque-Gothic stoup on acolumn, which is a unique example in this region. In the summer exhibitions take place throughout the day. Even if one is not impressed by the sacred objects, here you can find modern art within the ancient walls.		Parish Church of the Holy Cross with a bell tower The church is the work of Ivan Skoko, a Baroque master from Sibenik. From 1746 to 1749 the church was built on the foundations of an old chapel. Above the portal is a beautiful Baroque Rosette. The baroque altar is dedicated to the Holy Cross. On the baroque altar of the Sacred Heart and of the Holy Family, two hand coulters are from the mid-19th century. The construction of the bell tower was from Dubrovnik. The bell tower has two loggias. The lower one has two larger, the upper three smaller windows on each side.


The Church of the Propheten Elias At the foot of Velika Mrdakovica, the road that leads to the Roman cistern and then to another sacred monument that testifies the former settlement and life on the now abandoned fields. The inhabitants of Pisca have built in 1298 a small church, which was consecrated to the prophet Elijah in 1493. The church is surrounded by a wall. In addition, there was probably a cemetery. Today only once a year, on 20 August, is the Holy Mass celebrated.


Archaeological findings
We advise you to pack your backpacks with food and refreshing juices, get on the bike and move slowly towards the fields of Vodice. On this path, you will be soon dragged into the past. This area has been inhabited since ancient times, and you will be with all the history of this area. Along the picturesque landscape are several archaeological sites. An ideal place for physical and mental relaxation. If you do not want to exert yourself physically, then you can combine the car with a little walk.
VELIKA MRDAKOVICA - ARAUZONA According to the findings and location is Velika Mrdakovica compared with Arauzon, the Liburnian settlement, that Pliny described in his diary. We can say this with great certainty, as there are evidences of rich findings of metal buckles and jewelry, old coins, pottery and glass fragments. This important Liburnian-Roman settlement with necropolis was located on one of the Roman roads, which combined Iadera (Zadar) with Salona. The oldest layers are from the 4th century BC, the younger strata are characterized by Hellenistic influence and the recent date from the 3th century, from the period of the Roman rule, which is evidence of settlements of this archaeological site. On the site was a group of residential properties of finely shaped stones found, which were plastered with clay and later on bricked. Some objects had in stone masonry cisterns for collecting rain water. The village was divided by streets and bordered by a mounting of roughly hewn stones. The largest values of the locality are various objects, such as colored glassware, which are said to be the most valuable in the area of the Roman Empire. These exhibits are located in the City Museum of Šibenik.


Roman Cistern At the foot of the mountain on which the settlement Arauzona was, a natural reservoir for collecting rain water exstisted. The inhabitants of Arauzona have covered it with vaults, but let a few openings as inflow for stormwater. This water reservoir or the "Turkish cistern" - as it is now called by the inhabitants of Vodice falsely - still serves for the cattle or to irrigate the surrounding olives.		Rakitinica The settlement Rakitnica was first mentioned in 1311. In the immediate vicinity of the houses, which remains can still be seen, the Church of St. John the Baptist was built in 1455. Today no one lives in the village, and the Holy Mass is held in the church only twice a year, at the holidays of the aforementioned saints. On a hill above the village, the locals begun by order of the authority in Sibenik with the construction of Gradina in 1509 at the time of the Turkish invasion. As Rakitnica fell in 1571, the Turks took over Gradina and settled there with a mighty army. From this strong base the Turks threatened all settlements on the coast. After the Ottoman Empire fell at the end of the 17th century, the Turks moved back from Rakitnica. Although Gradina was not maintained, it is a unique experience to climb up and to sit on the wall and enjoy the limitless landscape.


GRADINA DRAGISIC Above the village Gaćeleze, close to Vodice, remnants of dry stonework of a building were found that belonged to a prehistoric settlement. Within the building remains of domestic architecture were discovered. On the south side of the mountainside, remains of the necropolis were found. In the examined graves numerous remains of cultural material were found, especially ceramics, mostly Hellenistic and pottery remnants of domestic manufacture. Also numerous metal jewelry was discovered. The necropolis and the settlement could date from the last centuries of the First Millennium BC. On the south side, which has not been investigated yet, it is believed that there are remains of a Roman settlement.		Prizba In the field of Srima are the restored and preserved foundations of a two-part basilica from late antiquity. The building was built at the end of the 5th and beginning of the 6th century. There are two almost identical parts of the church - the north and the south. Next to the monumental building from late antiquity, there are some rooms that were used for various purposes, and two Illyrian tombs.



Gastronomy In Vodice they will spoil you with Dalmatian delicacies. That is, various types of fish and vegetables on the kind "leso"(cooked). Light and healthy delicacies are offered. Luckily, there is still in front of every house in Vodice a small vegetable garden and the market has well-smelling fruit and vegetables, with natural colors and flavors. Therefore restaurants offer tasty meals. In many bars you get local red and white wine from the nearby vineyards. After dessert, you drink a glass of local "marascina", the sweet wine that is made from particularly sweet variety. This wine was formerly produced only in Vodice with a special way of drying the grapes. Incidentally, every housewife of Vodice admitts that in the delicious local desserts such as "fritule" or "krostuli" a shot of marascina should be added.

Information Marina Vodice

The Marina Vodice is located in the northeastern part of the Vodice port (in the Vrulje cove) protected by two piers.

In 1999, ACI Marina Vodice was awarded with other five ACI marinas with the "European Blue Flag"; the price for environmental protection, which is granted only to organizations which conduct special environmental protection measures in marinas and beaches.

Six years in a row, the ACI Marina Vodice was honored with the prestigious award "European Blue Flag".