122-A window to the stars
Žrnovnica is nestled between Mosor and Perun, two Dalmatian mountains, along the river of the same name. It got its name from the grist mills which are powered by water. The first mill on the only 5.1 km long river was built in 1212. There were once ten of them, mostly closer to the source, of which one, the Antoničin mlin, protected as a cultural monument is still working today. This spot was first mentioned in 1080. We can also find a little more information – it is stated that the first post office was opened here in 1910 and that the first barbershop was located in the centre of the square, near to the present-day monument. However, the sketch that completely “knocked us off our feet”, was where it was recorded that the appearance of the first bicycle in Žrnovnica was a real sensation and that this event took place shortly before the start of the First World War. The first ATM appeared in the square in 2018. If we head up the Mosor mantle, an observatory awaits us at a height of 700 m above sea level. It is open on Fridays and Saturdays in winter from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm and in summer from 5:00 pm until midnight for night astronomical observations, and during the day it is possible to visit the surroundings of the Makirina peak, the hill on which the Star Village of Mosor is located. It is not necessary to make an appointment to visit it and entrance is free, but you can express your thanks by making a donation that is collected for the restoration of the large dome, and until we are able to complete this, observations are made from the terrace of the complex. The parish church dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady was built in 1727 on the ruins of an older one, of which the apse has been preserved. On the plateau of Gračića, just one kilometre from the source of Žrnovnica, emerges the oldest church in Žrnovnica, dedicated to St. Michael, which, according to estimates, was built in the 13th century (there are other estimates!), in the Romanesque-Gothic style.
St. Lucas in Gornje Sitno is located in a wood at the foot of Makirina, at a height of 498 metres above sea level (measured before the First World War), and the votive church of Our Lady of Health above Jasenovo is at 280 metres above sea level. The old Croatian chapel of St. Cosmas and Damian, the oldest in Sitno, is located on the Mosor slope at 720 m above sea level.
Žrnovnica
23,6km
2h
Technical characteristics
An extremely long, physically demanding macadam climb with gorgeous views characterises this trail. The climb begins at the very start of the route, and the first part is ridden on narrow asphalted roads until the beginning of the macadam road. Fine to medium coarse macadam leads to the end of the climb. Slopes range from an average of 5.2% to a maximum of 22% with emphasis on the gentle nature of the climb. At the end of the ascent, a short rest awaits you on the road descent until the beginning of the route’s biggest challenge – the climb to the observatory. The ascent to the observatory is 1.4 km long with an average slope of 15.5%, but it is important to note that the maximum slope reaches as much as 35%. The entire ascent is asphalted, and hiking trails, i.e. wide roads made of loose stones, are used to descend. The rest of the descent on the way back to the starting point is an asphalt road. This trail can be overcome on MTB, E-MTB, gravel and trekking bikes, but be careful when choosing the gear ratio for the climb to the observatory.