Gornje Sitno: Mosor, Observatory and Churches

Those considering Gornje Sitno because of Mosor will find several points of reference for planning their trip: climbs into the mountains, information about the Umberto Girometta mountain hut, and routes with specific distance and elevation figures. The churches in Gornje Sitno and Sitno offer a different focus. This makes it possible to consider the mountain and cultural attractions in light of their respective features.

Mosor, peaks and mountain hut

Gornje Sitno is the main starting point for climbs toward Mosor and the Umberto Girometta mountain hut. Veliki Kabal is the highest peak on Mosor; from there, expansive views extend to both sides of the mountain range and to the peaks along the ridge.

The mountain hut is open on weekends and has 50 beds. The nearest road is in Sitno Gornje; from there, the walk to the hut takes 45 minutes. Check current opening hours and bed availability before your hike.

Observatory and route figures

The Mosor Observatory is 3 km above Gornje Sitno at an altitude of 700 m. A report from January 2025 describes five telescopes used to observe the sky and surrounding area, both day and night. The climb to the observatory is listed as 1.4 km; its average gradient is 15.5 percent, and its maximum gradient is 35 percent.

Another figure relates to the longest climb from Žrnovnica to Gornje Sitno: it covers 9.7 km, has a gradient of 5.1 percent, and gains 524 m in elevation. The two sets of figures answer different questions: for the climb to the observatory, the average and maximum gradients are given; for the climb from Žrnovnica, the distance and elevation gain are also provided.

Route 122 runs from Žrnovnica to Zvjezdano selo Mosor. It covers 23.6 km and gains 805 m in elevation; the travel time is listed as 1:30 to 2:30 hours. The route is designated for MTB, e-MTB, gravel and trekking bikes. Check trail conditions and local suitability before planning your ride.

Churches and their history

The Chapel of St. Roch stands in the center of Gornje Sitno. It was built in 1975 on the foundations of an older church, believed to date from the 19th century. The historic Church of St. Clement is in Gornje Sitno, below Mosor. It is listed as a cultural monument; its oldest section dates to the 12th century. It is also associated with the cultural heritage of the historic region of Poljica.

The dates for St. Roch and St. Clement refer to different parts of their building histories: for St. Roch, they refer to the chapel built in 1975 and a presumed older predecessor church; for St. Clement, they refer to the oldest section of the building. The Church of St. Luke is in the woods at the foot of Makirina. Its elevation is listed as 498 m, based on a measurement taken before the First World War.

The old Croatian Chapel of Saints Cosmas and Damian is considered the oldest chapel in Sitno. It stands on the slopes of Mosor at an altitude of 720 m. Its description as the oldest refers to Sitno; the elevation and its location on the slopes provide two further specific points of reference.

Getting there and planning

A bus from Split serves Sitno Gornje. If you plan to use this service, check the operator’s current timetable before departure. For a trip to the mountain hut, you can allow 45 minutes for the walk from the nearest road in Sitno Gornje; for the observatory and Route 122, the respective distance, gradient and time figures help distinguish between the different outings.

Discover more destinations: Kaštel Kambelovac, Zrnovnica, Srinjine, Stobrec, Donje Sitno, Slatine, Kamen

Back to the main travel overview: Split.