At the end of the season 2023, we hosted one more very interesting exhibition, presenting our rich heritage and culture that, we feel, is our duty to present to our dear guests, visitors, tourists and above all, our future generations. 

This exhibition was an exciting presentation of the underwater archaeological sites that have so far been discovered - the ancient shipwrecks in Potkamenica Bay, Duboka Bay, Cape Marinča and Mlin Shallows, the ancient anchors unearthed near Maslinica, the unique Roman fishpond in Piškera Bay and the villa maritima in Banje Bay. Furthermore, although not part of the underwater heritage, the remains of an early Christian basilica on the islet of Stipanska are also presented due to its strategic importance in Roman times as part of Emperor Justinian’s maritime limes. 

The exhibition “Underwater Heritage of the Island of Šolta” is financed by Split-Dalmatia County out of its program for the development, protection and valorization of underwater heritage in Split-Dalmatia County and by the Tourist office of the municipality of Šolta, with the aim of presenting underwater archaeological heritage and educating locals or visitors, as well as further developing archaeological, cultural and diving tourism.

The island of Šolta was first mentioned in historical sources as early as the 4th century BCE by the famous Greek geographer Pseudo-Scylax. In his Periplus (from Ancient Greek περίπλους, “circumnavigation” or “sailing around”), which contains the earliest preserved description of the eastern Adriatic coast, he cites the island of Šolta under the name Olynthia. With the arrival of the Romans, the island’s name was changed to Solentia, Solentium (from Latin sol, meaning Sun), from which its modern name derives. Observing its geographic location, it is clear that Šolta used to occupy an important place along many ancient maritime trade routes. A robust network of coastal paths also existed connecting the seaside Roman villas (villae maritimae) in Rogač, Stipanska and Piškera with Salona - the most significant urban centre on the eastern Adriatic coast in Roman times. Most of the material evidence testifying to the intensity of the maritime trade routes of the period is today located underwater.

This exhibition was showcased in Martinis Marchi Restaurant in collaboration with the TZ of the Island of Šolta.