Castle & fortressDalmatia

Kamerlengo Castle: the Venetian fortress guarding Trogir's harbour

Kamerlengo Castle is a fortress at the south-western corner of the old town of Trogir, on the Dalmatian coast west of Split. Built by the Venetians between 1420 and 1437 around an older tower, it was designed to defend the sea channel and the approach to the harbour. Today it is a quiet stone landmark on the seafront and, in summer, a venue for performances.

Trogir's new Venetian rulers did not trust the townspeople, so within a few years of conquering the town they built a castle to rule it from. Its name still means “chamberlain”.

WhereSouth-western corner of Trogir's old town, on the seafront, about 16 km west of Split

TypeVenetian sea fortress built around a 14th-century polygonal tower

Best forHistory lovers, fortress fans and anyone exploring Trogir's old town

Getting thereInside the old town of Trogir, on the south-western edge of the walls; roughly 16 km from Split

The history of Kamerlengo Castle

The story begins in the late 14th century, when a polygonal corner tower known as the Veriga Tower (the Tower of Chains) was raised at the south-western edge of Trogir's town walls. It is the oldest part of what later became Kamerlengo Castle.

Everything changed in 1420, when the Republic of Venice conquered Trogir after a siege of almost two months. The city's defences were badly damaged and its people were hostile to their new lords, so the Venetians decided they needed a castle from which to govern. Between 1420 and 1437 they built the fortress, and the former corner tower of the walls became its keep. Croatian sources name the master builder as Marin Radoj, while a state engineer was consulted on the design.

The new stronghold was meant to defend the sea channel and the approach to the harbour. Originally it was separated from the town by an outer crenellated wall and a wet moat, and a wide moat ran along the north and east sides. It housed the Venetian mercenaries and their kamerlengo, an administrative official whose title translates as chamberlain or governor. At first it was known simply as the castle of Trogir; only from the middle of the 16th century did it become Kamerlengo Castle.

The courtyard held houses for the castellan and the garrison, and a small chapel dedicated to St Mark, patron saint of the Venetian Republic. A monumental relief of a lion, the symbol of St Mark, was set above it, with a smaller relief showing the coat of arms of the Tron family. Luka Tron served as city prince of Trogir from 1421 to 1424. A Gothic lion with the initials DC and the arms of the Contarini family recalls Doge Domenico Contarini I. The outer walls were once decorated with the coats of arms of the admiral Pietro Loredan, Doge Francesco Foscari and Trogir's prince Magdaleno Contarini.

In the mid-19th century most of Trogir's town walls were demolished and the castle moat was filled in. There were even plans to pull down the dilapidated castle, but they were prevented. Today the fortress serves as a venue for performances during the summer months.

Curiosities about Kamerlengo Castle

The word kamerlengo comes from the Italian camerlengo, the title of a Venetian administrative official, a chamberlain.
For its first century or so the fortress was just “the castle of Trogir”; the name Kamerlengo only became common in the mid-16th century.
The Venetians took Trogir in 1420 after a siege that lasted almost two months, and began building the castle straight away.
The oldest part is the Veriga Tower, whose name means Tower of Chains, built in the late 14th century and later turned into the castle's keep.
The outer walls once carried the coats of arms of the Venetian admiral Pietro Loredan, Doge Francesco Foscari and Trogir's prince Magdaleno Contarini.
The castle came close to being demolished in the 19th century, when its moat had already been filled in.

Tours near Kamerlengo Castle

Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:

GROUP/ PRIVATE Walking History Tour of SPLIT with Daniela

★ 5 (211 reviews) · 2 h

See details ›

Private Walks & Storytelling - the best small group tour in Split

★ 5 (208 reviews) · 1 h

See details ›

Split Game of Thrones Tour & History Walk Top-Rated All inclusive

★ 5 (155 reviews) · 1.5 h

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Private Sailing Tour Omiš - Brač with Homemade Lunch, Wine & Beer

★ 5 (108 reviews) · 8 h

See details ›

Visiting Kamerlengo Castle

The castle stands at the south-western edge of Trogir's old town, where the walls turn a corner towards the sea, beside the waterfront street Obala bana Berislavića.
Look at the shape: the plan is trapezoidal, with a monumental polygonal tower facing the sea on the site of the Veriga Tower and smaller towers at the corners.
The main gate, with a lunette and a movable bridge, was on the north side; on the south, west and north walls a bertesca, a projecting defensive balcony, sits on brackets with a hanging arch.
The building is used for performances in the summer months. Check the current opening hours and event programme before you go.
Kamerlengo is easy to combine with the rest of Trogir's old town, and Split with its Golden Gate and Temple of Jupiter lies roughly 16 km away.

Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.

Map: where Kamerlengo Castle is

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors

Photos of Kamerlengo Castle

Questions

What is Kamerlengo Castle in Trogir?

It is a Venetian fortress at the south-western corner of Trogir's old town, built between 1420 and 1437 around a 14th-century corner tower.

What does Kamerlengo mean?

The word comes from the Italian camerlengo, the title of a Venetian administrative official, a chamberlain or governor, who lived in the castle.

Why did the Venetians build Kamerlengo Castle?

After conquering Trogir in 1420 the Venetians found the defences damaged and the townspeople hostile, so they built a castle from which they could rule the town and defend the harbour.

Is the castle protected as a monument?

Yes. Croatian sources list it as a protected cultural property in the category of military and defensive buildings.

What happens at Kamerlengo Castle today?

The fortress is used as a venue for performances during the summer months. It is best to check the current programme and opening hours before visiting.

How far is Kamerlengo Castle from Split?

Trogir lies roughly 16 km west of Split, and the castle stands on the south-western edge of the old town.