Pomorac Memorial Complex

Pomorac Memorial Complex is a memorial park in Split, set on the Katalinić brig hill between the harbour and Bačvice beach. Locals also call it Park Pomoraca, or Sailors' Park. It is both a green corner of the city and a monument to seafarers who died at sea.

What is Pomorac Memorial Complex?

The complex was raised in honour of all fallen Pomorci, the people of the sea, and is protected as a cultural monument. Its main features are a memorial lighthouse, a relief, and an ossuary for an unknown sailor. The lighthouse stands 34 metres tall, and the plateau holding the whole ensemble sits 14 metres above sea level.

Where did the monument come from?

The complex opened on 10 September 1958, on Navy Day of the Yugoslav Navy (JRM). The date underlined the maritime purpose of the place: a reminder of those who gave their lives on the water, in a port city where such a tribute felt natural.

Destruction and rebuilding

Its history has not been quiet. On 15 November 1991 a grenade fired from a ship hit the memorial and destroyed it. It remained damaged for years. Reconstruction was completed in 2013, and a formal reopening was planned for St. Nicholas Day, the patron saint of sailors. Today the most recognisable trademark of the park is the memorial lighthouse.

Why visit?

The place combines a calm stroll with reflection on the city's past. The park is quiet and green, with shaded paths and benches, so it works well as a pause between sightseeing in the old town and a swim at Bačvice. For anyone interested in twentieth-century history, it also shows how the region's monuments lived through changes of regime and war.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the complex? On the Katalinić brig hill in Split, between the harbour and Bačvice beach.

When did it open? On 10 September 1958, on JRM Navy Day.

What happened to it in the 1990s? It was destroyed on 15 November 1991 by a grenade fired from a ship, and rebuilt in 2013.

What are its main elements? A 34-metre lighthouse, a relief, and an ossuary for an unknown sailor.

Is it a protected monument? Yes, the complex is protected as a cultural monument.

Is it a good place for a walk? Yes. It is a quiet park with shaded paths and benches near the coast, easy to combine with a seaside walk around Bačvice.

Planning your visit

The park lies close to the centre and the beach, so it fits a short break during a day in Split. Allow a few dozen minutes: walk around the lighthouse, look at the relief, pause by the ossuary and sit for a moment in the shade. The view from the hill over the harbour and bay rounds off the visit, and no special preparation is needed. Remember that this is a place of remembrance, so a calm and respectful manner is appropriate.