At the Kaštela Museum, visitors can explore the rich history and archaeology of the area—stories often invisible to those who travel through the city without the proper historical context. The museum reveals the many traces of the past hidden beneath the land and the sea, offering fascinating insights into this seemingly modern, industrial stretch of the Croatian coast.
The site of Trstenik is located in the eastern part of Kaštela Bay, at Kaštel Sućurac. The earliest underwater finds in the bay were discovered on the seabed off Resnik and can be linked to the most important Palaeolithic site in the area, Mujina Cave. At the time when the cave was inhabited, around 40,000 BC, the climate was considerably colder and sea level was approximately 90 metres lower than it is today.
Today, Kaštela Bay is sheltered from the sea by the Split peninsula to the east and the island of Čiovo to the west. To the north rises Mount Kozjak, which protects the area from northerly winds and the continental climate. The mild climate favours the cultivation of Mediterranean crops, particularly olives and grapevines, while the flysch soil allows surface water to occur. The Trstenik spring, from which the site takes its name, is located within the site itself.
During the period of Roman rule, the entire area around Kaštela Bay formed part of the ager of the colony of Salona, which at its height had a population of around 60,000. The western entrance to Salona lies just 3 km from the site, and the area was crossed by the Roman road connecting Salona and Tragurium, still in use today under the name Via Romana. Salona’s western necropolis also extended in the immediate vicinity of the road. Given its location and the presence of an abundant water source, a Roman rural-residential complex (villa rustica) developed in the Trstenik area.
The Trstenik area at Kaštel Sućurac has been known as an archaeological site since the beginning of the 20th century, when the pediment of a small temple dedicated to the god Silvanus was discovered. The pediment is now displayed in the lapidarium of the Archaeological Museum in Split. Numerous Roman-period finds, including cinerary urns and skeletal remains, have been discovered during construction works. Particularly noteworthy is the discovery of a lead water pipe, which attests to the high level of development of the area’s infrastructure. The Kaštela City Museum has carried out several archaeological investigations, leading to the discovery and study of parts of the necropolis and architectural remains. During works to capture the spring water in 2022, the lid of a Roman sarcophagus was discovered; it had previously been reused as a livestock trough.
The coastal setting of the site is characterised by a shoreline running approximately east-west. Here, the coast forms a small peninsula, and along the shoreline, east of the watercourse, rocks worked as early as the Roman period are still visible. A thick layer of silt has accumulated on the seabed in front of the mouth of the stream, while much of the seabed is covered by Posidonia seagrass meadows. During the 20th century, Trstenik, like the rest of Kaštela Bay, was affected by pollution caused by intensive industrialisation.
The underwater part of the site is much better known to the general public, particularly thanks to the discovery of numerous archaeological finds of considerable interest and in an excellent state of preservation. In 2002, following a report by a local diver, a large perforated dolium was recovered from the seabed at Trstenik. It is now displayed as a unique, fully preserved specimen at the Croatian Maritime Museum in Split. Thanks to ongoing archaeological research led by Dr Irene Radić Rossi of the University of Zadar, in collaboration with the Kaštela City Museum and the ArsNautica association, and with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, Split-Dalmatia County and the City of Kaštela, the investigations have uncovered, in addition to the dolia, the remains of a wooden structure belonging to an ancient landing place, numerous amphorae from Hispania, and the remains of three Roman wooden vessels.
The remains of the entire submerged ancient landing place are still visible in aerial images and cover an area of approximately 2,500 m². The longest section, running parallel to the coast, extends for about 70 m, while the shorter section, perpendicular to the shore, measures approximately 40 m. It was probably a complex working quay associated with a rural-residential villa rustica complex, with a commercial harbour developed in the immediate vicinity of Salona.
The Dressel 20 amphorae, discovered during the first excavation campaigns, are enclosed by wooden piles and lie in the central area south of the wooden structure of the landing place. Numerous specimens have survived intact and are protected by a covering net, while several complete examples are displayed at the Archbishop’s Palace in Kaštel Sućurac. These amphorae date from the 1st to the 2nd century AD and were used to transport olive oil. Because of their size, they were poorly suited to overland transport and were subsequently reused as filling material to reinforce the quay.
The vessel Trstenik 1 was discovered in 2006, while the western limit of the working quay was being investigated, at a depth of approximately 1.60 m. The vessel was deliberately sunk and filled with stones as an integral part of the harbour structure. It is approximately 12 m long and 4 m wide. According to radiocarbon (C14) analysis, the vessel was built in the early 1st century AD. Its flat bottom and closely spaced framing indicate that it was a transport vessel, designed to carry heavy cargo and navigate the shallow coastal waters of Kaštela Bay. An intact ceramic oil lamp, a rare find, was discovered in the bow.
The vessel Trstenik 2 was discovered in 2020 during investigations in the south-western corner of the working quay. It is considerably smaller than the previous vessel, measuring approximately 6 m long and 2 m wide. It is a horeia-type vessel, characterised by a flat bow and pointed stern, and was used locally as a service vessel within the harbour.
The vessel Trstenik 3, also discovered in 2020, lies submerged to the east of Trstenik 1. It measures approximately 9 m long and 4 m wide. The framing is better preserved in the northern part, close to the wooden structure of the quay. The vessel has been temporarily protected and is still under study.
At the Museum of the City of Kaštela, the story of Trstenik begins with an immersive 3D experience that reveals a hidden underwater landscape shaped by Roman maritime trade. Once part of the territory of Salona, this site functioned as a coastal complex with a developed harbour, where wooden ships were intentionally sunk in the 1st century AD to reinforce the structure. Today, this story extends beyond the museum into the surrounding landscape. Kayak tours allow visitors to glide above the submerged remains in the clear waters of Kaštela Bay, while e-bike routes follow the ancient coastline once connected to the Salona–Tragurium road. By combining digital interpretation with active exploration, Trstenik becomes a destination where history can be experienced through movement, nature, and discovery.
The story of Trstenik continues through local flavours and authentic hospitality shaped by centuries of maritime life. Archaeological discoveries, including amphorae once used for transporting olive oil and goods, reveal the importance of this area within ancient Mediterranean trade networks. Today, this heritage can be experienced through local seafood cuisine, where fresh ingredients, olive oil, and traditional recipes reflect the same coastal landscape. Restaurants can transform history into storytelling menus, while family-run B&Bs offer a more personal connection to the destination, sharing stories of the submerged site and its role in Kaštela Bay. Through taste, atmosphere, and local traditions, Trstenik becomes more than a place to visit – it becomes something to experience and remember.
Trstenik is not only a site of archaeological importance, but also a source of inspiration for creativity and cultural expression. The remains of wooden Roman ships, amphorae used for transporting goods, and harbour structures reveal a rich visual language rooted in maritime life. These elements can be reinterpreted by artisans and designers, transforming ancient forms into contemporary products that reflect the identity of the site. At the same time, reenactors bring history to life by recreating scenes of Roman sailors, merchants, and everyday coastal activities, offering visitors a dynamic and engaging experience. Through design, craftsmanship, and performance, Trstenik evolves beyond a submerged site into a living cultural platform where heritage is continuously reimagined and shared.
