Unešić Municipality: History, Sites and Cycling Route

Location and orientation

Unešić Municipality is a municipality in Croatia’s Šibenik-Knin County, northwest of Split. Its municipal area covers around 187.85 square kilometres. Within the Dalmatian Zagora, Unešić forms a transitional area between Central and Northern Dalmatia. If you are looking for a hotel in Unešić Municipality, you can plan your trip around your interests: cultural history, landscapes or cycling.

County and municipal roads connect Unešić with surrounding settlements; there is also a rail connection in some areas.

History and archaeological sites

Unešić was first mentioned in 1298. Historically, the municipality was under Venetian, Ottoman, French and Austro-Hungarian rule. The archaeological sites add further layers of history: Lužine is considered a medieval archaeological site, and Bogočin a prehistoric one. The prehistoric cave site of Škarin Samograd is located near Mirlović Zagora. The archaeological remains there indicate settlement from the Neolithic period through to Roman times. The Church of St. George in Unešić is also considered a cultural monument.

The Mirlović Zagora tombstone necropolis

A medieval tombstone necropolis is located in Mirlović Zagora, near the Church of the Assumption of Mary, with 26 tombstones still standing. Its dating to around 1400–1470 is based on comparison with nearby necropolises. The motifs include fleur-de-lis, crosses, weapons, a ploughshare and a northern lights motif. The necropolis complements the prehistoric sites with evidence from the late Middle Ages.

Landscape and proposed protected areas

For the Vinovo–Utore landscape, the planning objective is to preserve the existing relationships between forests, agricultural land, vineyards and built-up areas. The 391-metre-high Zvonik Hill lies at the boundary of Mirlović Zagora, Ostrogašica and Podumci; its designation as a natural monument and archaeological site has been proposed. Bogočin and Mali Bogočin in Unešić are considered archaeological sites; designation of both as natural monuments has also been proposed.

A 2018 report describes Ljutina in Unešić as one of Europe’s last primeval forests. A 2018 account names the Zmajevac clearing in Ljutina as a destination for day-trippers. There are wells of unknown age there, up to ten metres deep. Check local access conditions before visiting.

Cycling route and gastronomy

The Mirlović Zagora cycling route starts at the boundary of the City of Šibenik and is approximately 3,179 metres long in total. The overall route includes an additional 896-metre section built in 2026 through Nakići in Unešić Municipality. Check local route conditions before setting out.

At the 2024 Sunflower Awards, Konoba Campanelo in Mirlović Zagora, Unešić, received a silver award in the traditional rural gastronomy category.

Discover places: Unešić, Čvrljevo, Gornje Planjane.

Discover more destinations: Kornati, Promina Municipality, Biskupija Municipality, Skradin Municipality, Šibenik Municipality.

Back to the main travel overview: Šibenik-Knin County.