Tour guide in Split Mateo N.

Dear travelers, welcome to Dalmatia! My name is Mateo, and I’ll be guiding you through your journey in this beautiful region. Let me share a little about myself – I was born in Split at the very beginning of the Croatian War of Independence, and I’ve witnessed the charms of communism and the struggle of my ancestors for the democracy we enjoy today. My roots are deeply embedded in Split and Kaštela, where my family has lived for several hundred years. I’m a true local with stories passed down by my elders, and I’m fortunate enough that both of my grandmothers, almost a hundred years old, are still alive and share stories from the past about our land. History has always been both a hobby and a passion of mine, especially the customs and traditions of my region. I wrote my first extensive paper on Diocletian's Palace when I was just 11 years old. My fascination with it has continued to this day. Trogir, with its historical core, remains one of my favorite places to spend time with my family. Kaštela, a town nestled perfectly between the UNESCO-protected cities of Trogir and Split, is where I live today. Kaštela is also renowned as the home of the world-famous Zinfandel wine. Although my focus throughout life was mainly on sports, which led me to graduate in kinesiology, in 2018 I returned to my true love – history and architecture – and decided to pursue this profession full-time.