Cultural and historical resources

In the area of Baška Voda, at the locality of Gradina, archeologists located the antic settlement Biston, which was also mentioned by a writer Prokopije (and which was destroyed by Goti in the 6th century), and for which until recently, it was considered to be in the area of Basta. In the first half of the 7th century, 4 fortified cities are mentioned: Mokro (Makar), Berulia (today Brela or Baška Voda), Ostrog (Zaostrog) amd Slovinac (Lapčan above Gradac).

The medieval monuments that are well kept are: Saint Mary in Bast from the 15th century surrounded by the graveyard, and the church of Saint Roko. Besides already mentioned monuments, the other important historic goods are: Palac in Baška Voda (neohistoric monument from the 1900), big stone pier built in 1912., also in Baška Voda, school memorial in Bast, medieval cemetery also in Bast, memorial to the died ones in the 2nd World War in Baška Voda, monument Seagul Winds above Podgora, monument to the Friar Andrija Kačić Miošić at the main square in Makarska, the paintings collection of Mladen Veža at the monastery in Zaostrog, and many others.

The history of the center of Makarska Riviera can best be introduced during the visit to the Franciscan monastery that celebrated 500 years of existence. Its rooms are divided into several departments: a sacral paintings area/exhibition, library, unique shell museum, and ‘Mountain-Sea Institute’.
Makarska has long and rich history, but its special value is exactly the Shell museum, which presents an interesting and unique collection of shells from Adriatic and other world seas. Most of the people consider it to be one of the most beautiful and most delightful shell museum in the world. At the Kačić square, in the center of Makarska, there is a church of Saint Marko, a on its northern side, in the old school there is a Gojak gallery, city library, music school and the radio station Makarska Rivijera. At the coast, there is a city museum and the church of Saint Philip. In the Saint Peter Park, there is a renewed church of Saint Peter, from which there is a beautiful view onto the city, the magnificent mountain Biokovo and the open sea.