The notorious Omis Pirates
Rise of the power of
Omis start with the noble family Kacic, who probably arrives from city of Zadar in the 11th century. In a very short time family gains local islands Brac and Hvar, and Omis becomes one of the strongest city in the middle Dalmatia. At one period of time
Omiš had territory all over from city of Sibenik to city of Dubrovnik. Omis rulers admitted the Hungarian-Croatian kings, and because of that they had some sort of autonomy, and kings never complained about theirs pirate campaigns.
Omis Pirates were very skilled shipbuilders. They had fast ships called "Sagitta", which means the Arrow. Ships were excellent for the the fast attack ad more quicker retreats to the canyon of the river Cetina, from where they guarded the city.
At the peak of their power, in the 12th and 13th century, Omis Pirates controlled almost the whole Adriatic sea traffic. And even powerful Venetians and Dubrovnik pays tribute for free passage. But Venetians didn't like that, so the conspired for the centuries with the Adriatic sea city kings (Naples, Šibenik, Split...) and with even their enemies the Turks to help them to conquer the Omis. And finally, Omis falls in the 15th century, but resistance lasted for 20 or so years, and the proud Omisians never admitted the foreign rulers.
In the honor to the Omis Pirates, and their famous battle with the Venetians (which they won), every year in Omis is held manifestation The Pirate Battle, where lots of folklore groups from the whole Croatia, and real pirate ships participate.
