The story behind the name

The Cornaro Hotel is located in the heart of the ancient city of Split, a city characterized by a turbulent and rich history that still leaves its traces in the everyday life of the city. In the historic center which has been continuously inhabited for more than 1700 years, the silent whispers of history, originality of the present and warm Mediterranean temperament which lives in the citizens are intricately combined.

Cornaro bastion

The boundaries of the Split historic core pedestrian area are defined by star-shaped Baroque bastions, which were built by Venetian governor of Dalmatia, Andrea Cornaro, in order to defend the city from the Turks. The central bastion was named after him and today represents the best preserved remnant of the Baroque city fortification.

Located in the immediate vicinity of the bastion, Cornaro Hotel proudly carries the name of the central bastion, and its logotype outlines this silent witness of Split’s courage.

Priuli bastion

Bastion Priuli, forgotten treasure of the Baroque era, is located close to the Cornaro Hotel. Built in 1667 on a swampy area where once streams flowed, bastion Priuli was named after general Antonio Priuli. As one of the last bastions built in Split, Priuli has served as a defense against the Turkish invasion on the north-western part of the city center. After the danger from the Turks passed, bastion lost its defensive purpose and became private property. With Imperial decision which declared Split a free city in 1845, began the devastation of this significant cultural monument.

Conference room in Cornaro Hotel was named after this bastion.

Contarini bastion

A short walk from the Hotel Cornaro leads to the third bastion of star-shaped fortification, named after the Venetian doge Carlo Contarini. Like other bastions, Contarini is under the protection of UNESCO and conservators because of its sentimental, cultural, historical and tourist importance to the historical center of the city of Split.

Conference hall in Cornaro Hotel is oriented towards the bastion Contarini, after which it was named.

Natko Nodilo

Originating from the old fisherman’s family from the island of Mljet, Natko Nodilo was a famous Croatian politician, historian and publicist, born in 1843. Interested in the awakening of national consciousness, he teamed up with other intellectuals of populist beliefs in Split, thus creating a core of the future popular movement in Split that has spread throughout Dalmatia. He was dedicated to the union of Dalmatia with the rest of Croatia, respect for minorities and the equality of languages. He died in 1912 in the Croatian capital, Zagreb.

Restaurant Nodilo in Cornaro Hotel was named after this distinguished personality of national revival in Dalmatia.

King Tomislav

As the first crowned Croatian king, Tomislav is famous for his distinctive art of war, the creation of the Croatian Kingdom and alliance with Byzantium. Because of the strong state and army, as well as a large increase of personal power and prestige, Tomislav has made significant things for the Croatian people in 10th century, including state and national survival of Croats, the development of trade and economy as well as the merger of the Dalmatian islands with the rest of Croatia.

Restaurant King Tomislav in the Cornaro Hotel is named after one of the most celebrated figures in the Croatian history, the first Croatian king Tomislav.

The excellent central city location of our hotel, its ancient history surroundings and interior elegance of luxurious and comfortable rooms make Cornaro Hotel a part of the top tourist and business offer of the city.