Archaeological explorations of the cultural and architectural heritage of the island of Solta prove that the island has been continuously inhabited from prehistoric times to nowadays. Different, worldwide famous civilizations impacted upon the life of the island throughout centuries. Today, Solta villages are amalgam of the historical remains, contemporary village infrastructure, summer resorts and weekend houses typical for islands in the Adriatic sea.

At the end of the last and beginning of this century many findings, i.e. tools from the Neolithic and Bronze Age were discovered at the localities of Doci and Grohote. Tools indicate the presence of human habitations in prehistoric time although the actual caves and graves have not been found yet.

The presence of Iliric tribes is supported by the remains of Iliric fortifications of Gradac, Vodnjak and Gradina as well as by a legend on the Iliric queen Teuta. Ilirs by definition settled on the hills in the continental part of the island, usually 200 meters above the sea level. The fortifications were surrounded by two or more stone walls built in the shape of a half-circle. Although it seems peculiar to settle in the hart of the island instead on the shore, Ilirs did so for it allowed them to effectively defend the settlement from pirates.

Ilirs used to burie the dead in stone graves. Some of such graves are found in the localities of Mala Straza near the village of Grohote, in Mirine - Grebine, between the villages of Donje Selo and Maslinica, and near Gornje Selo.

The remains of Antic graves and Roman villas are material evidence for the presence of the Roman colonization and possibly Greek civilization influence. The most significant remains of Villas Rustica are in Mirine, in Studenac (northwest from Donje Selo), in Piskera near Necujam, in Grohote and surrounding area and in the localities of Pod Mihovil and Banda. The remains of Roman graves, antic ceramics and coins have been found in Supetar bay. Recently, the antic pavement has been found in the Church yard in the Necujam. The remains of antic yard walls and the fragments of Roman ceramics indicate the existence of a Roman building in Starine (the locality near Gornje Selo village) which was reconstructed and redesignated into a fortification with towers and weapons, probably in the Middle Ages. There are also the remains of Roman "tomba a pozzo" graves in the vicinity of the same locality, near the St. Maria Church. The grave are scattered all over.

In the village of Donje Selo, the Roman ceramic have been found near the village church of St. Jela, smaller exploring, it can be supposed there was a big Roman economy complex.

The division of agricultural fields among villagers is also one of the Roman inventions. Settlements were usually established by the fields or not far from the coast. It is assumed that agricultural product were sold to the Roman Salona (at that time a capital of Dalmatia) inhabitants.

Antic ship wreck findings under the sea such as anchorage and ports prove trade exchange with the mainland. To exemplify, amphora from the late antic (5.-6. cen.) was found southwest from the island of Stipanska (opposite to Maslinica). The remains of the antic port were found in Banje bay.

The following significant localities from this period were explored: the old local cemetery in the village of Grohote where the remains of Old-Christian sarcophagus were found, the remains of Old-Christian basilica in the Churchyard of St. Stjepan Church in Grohote (5th century), the St. Jela Church in Donje Selo village whose foundations were built on the remains of old basilica (it is assumed that the foundations belong to the same period as the one in Grohote), the remains of the third basilica on the small Stipanska island as well as the remains of the monastery probably which belonged to the same period.

There are three Benedictines monasteries remains (11th century): in the locality of Stomorija (in the vicinity of Gornje Selo), in the Necujam and on the Stipanska island. There were also two churches from the period of Middle Ages: St. Petar Church near Necujam and St. Mihovil near Donje Selo village. St. Mihovil Church has the best preserved Gothic frescos from 13th and 14th century.

From the beginning of 16th through the 17th century the Turks attempted to invade the Split bay and the surrounding area. The fortification of Klis, which was protecting the area, was captured by the Turks in 1573. Consequently, of the Dalmatian hinterland as well as the Bosniacks fled to the shore and on the islands, including the island of Solta. While the invasion was going on, the Solta inhabitants were preparing themselves to defend the island. The villager were building high stone walls around their houses to protect themselves. Nowadays, the house yard architecture has been preserved.

After the Turks' invasion of the mainland had failed, the settlements on the island's shore started to develop in the beginning of the 18th century. Stomorska, Rogac and Maslinica villages grew into the island's ports. "Slavica kastel" in Grohote is one of the most beautiful fortifications from that time. The Marchis' baroc castle in Maslinica is the only family castle ever from that period on the island.

Tea Blagaic