Makirina

Makirina is a hill on Mount Mosor near the village of Dubrava, in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia.

Where exactly is Makirina?

The summit sits at roughly 701 metres above sea level, about 1.5 km southeast of the hamlet of Gornje Sitno and some 22 km by road from Split (around 15 km as the crow flies). Dubrava, one of several villages strung along the foot of Mosor together with Zrnovnica, Sitno, Srinjine and Tugare, serves as a common starting point for hikes heading into the eastern side of the massif.

What is on top of the hill?

The summit is home to Zvjezdano selo Mosor ("Mosor Star Village"), a public astronomical observatory run by a non-profit association of amateur astronomers. The idea dates back to the 1970s, championed by the Split Society of Amateur Astronomers; the association itself was formally established on 14 January 1985 and entered into Croatia's register of associations on 23 March 1999. Construction is generally considered complete since 2004, when the large observation dome was installed. The site today includes the dome, a weather station, and a meteor camera that forms part of Croatia's national meteor-monitoring network.

When can you visit the observatory?

It welcomes visitors on Fridays and Saturdays: from 17:00 to midnight in summer, and from 15:00 to 22:00 in winter. Entry is free, no booking is required, and donations are welcome.

How do you get there from Dubrava?

The usual approach starts on a gravel road leading out of Dubrava toward the village of Gata. From there, two routes climb further into the mountain: the Tepla Pola path, which branches off to the left earlier on, and the Mirov Put trail, which begins near the Studenac spring. Both eventually connect with routes toward the higher peaks of eastern Mosor, including Sv. Jure (Kozik). Because it sits relatively close to Dubrava with only moderate elevation gain, Makirina also works well as a shorter outing on its own - especially in the evening, when the observatory is open.

What will you see along the way?

Expect the classic Mosor landscape: pale limestone slopes pitted with karst sinkholes, scattered clearings, and wide-open viewpoints. Mosor itself is a ridge of the Dinaric Alps stretching between the Klis pass and the Cetina river, and it is one of Dalmatia's most popular hiking destinations. From around Makirina, views open up toward the Cetina valley and the coastline near Split and Omiš, and after dark - thanks to the observatory - toward a genuinely starry sky far from city lights.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Makirina? The hill rises to about 701 metres, on the eastern side of the Mosor massif, roughly 1.5 km from the hamlet of Gornje Sitno.

What can you find at the top? The Zvjezdano selo Mosor observatory, with an observation dome, a weather station, and a meteor camera, run by a local amateur astronomy association.

When is the observatory open to visitors? Fridays and Saturdays - 17:00 to midnight in summer, 15:00 to 22:00 in winter. Admission is free and no advance booking is needed.

How do you hike up from Dubrava? Follow the gravel road toward Gata, then take either the Tepla Pola or Mirov Put trail, both of which lead further into the Mosor massif.