When we talk about our world in terms of our big passion for designing and for what we have build together with our brand KRUG, and are still building on, we also have to talk about our roots and where we come from. As you probably already know KRUG is situated in the almost magical and spectacular old town of Split in Croatia. This little peace of heaven on earth is absolutely stunning and we couldn't be more grateful to live here. If you ever find yourself wandering around in the narrow, cobbled streets of Split, we would be more than happy to welcome you into our store for a chat or to tell you more about our collections and the collaborations we have with other amazing artists in town. If you would like to know more about our store you can also read about it right here on our website. In addition you can read about us as designers, who we are and what our brands stand for.

In case you are planning a trip to Split in the near future maybe we could be of assistance and guide you a bit in the right direction with tips to a wonderful stay in this historical Dalmatian city.

If you want to experience how the Dalmatian life is really lived you should definitely visit Croatia’s second-largest city, Split.

The city is always buzzing and it has the perfect balance of tradition and modernity.

A lot of young, energetic people are staying here during the summer and they give the city that extra sparkle with their innovative thinking and new business ideas to make the city even more drawing to visitors. Each year you will notice new fantastic restaurants, boutiques etc.

Diocletian Palace

However, the first thing that will probably catch your eye is the Diocletian Palace, one of the most imposing Roman ruins in existence, which no one visiting Split can avoid seeing. It is a Unesco World Heritage site and the place you will spend most of your time while in Split. It is not a palace in the words original meaning, nor a museum, it’s the city’s living heart and inside the palace with its labyrinthine streets you will see so many bars, restaurants and shops that you won’t even know, which of these amazing places to drop into first. The palace is mind-blowing and the atmosphere even so. The old Roman walls tell so many stories and we are so lucky to be right in the heart of this historic monument. It was built in the 4^th century as a military fortress, imperial residence and fortified town. It is super easy to find your way out or into the palace as each wall has a gate at its center named after a metal: The Golden Gate (north), Bronze Gate (south), Silver Gate (east) and Iron Gate (west). While walking around the narrow streets you’ll find hidden passageways and courtyards, some with music from bars and cafes, while the local residents hang out their washing overhead, children playing football in the middle of the ancient walls, and grannies sit in their windows watching the action below. There are actually 220 buildings within the palace boundaries, home to about 3000 people.

Split offers even more than history, a vibrant atmosphere and sensational gastronomy. The dramatic coastal mountains act as the perfect backdrop to the turquoise waters of the Adriatic and gives the city a unique setting. You can easily combine a beach- and city holiday.

The Riva

On the south facade of the Diocletian Palace you’ll find the vibrant meeting point of the city, The Riva, which is also known to be the most popular and important public place in Split. It is truly blessed with the most spectacular set, and you’ll find yourself wandering up and down the promenade at night trying to obtain all the breathtaking sceneries. When walking on the promenade you have the Franciscan monastery with the church of St. Francis on the west end of the Palace, and the Bajamonti Dešković Palace and last but not least the Port Authorities building on the east end.

The Riva is only for pedestrians, which makes it a heaven for evening strolls up and down the promenade, all the way down to the harbour where all the big yachts are resting for the night. The place is full of cafés and restaurants, the perfect place for a delightful morning coffee, afternoon snack or having drinks with your friends in the evening. Maybe you are even so lucky that you can catch a cultural event or some entertainment as this is the stage of the city life of Split.

Cathedral of St. Domnius

Inside the Diocletian Palace the Cathedral of St. Domnius stand tall and strong. The cathedral, built in AD 305 as the Mausoleum of Diocletian, is the most visited sight in Split and this is no wonder. It is the best-preserved ancient Roman building standing today, as well as the second oldest structure used by any Christian Cathedral and the imposing bell-tower is considered the emblem of the city.

Marjan Hill forest park

The place to be when you need to get away from the buzzing city life, especially in the high season where it can be a bit crowded in the old town. Marjan Hill is also known to be the lungs of the city and offers a hilly nature reserve with trails through fragrant pine forests to scenic lookouts, medieval chapels and cave dwellings. If you need a break from the city consider walking alongside the Adriatic until you reach the nature reserve. Alternatively, you could rent a bike and go for one of the bike routes around the park. Either way, you can make a stop at the Kašjuni beach to cool off before catching the bus back, walking back or biking back. If you prefer, you can do a lot of stops during your trip because this part of Split is rich on beaches situated on the south side of Marjan peninsula.

Some popular beaches to visit on the Marjan Hill

Bene, a stone beach on the south side of Marjan. Accessible by public transport (car only with a special pass). There are showers and changing rooms. It’s one of the most popular Split beaches in this part of the city.
Jezinac, a pebble beach, with concrete and roofed over. There are showers and changing rooms. Bar, restaurant and kiosk nearby.
Kasjuni, a stone and gravel beach on the south side. Car access possible.
Kastelet, a pebble beach on the south side. Car access possible. There are showers and changing rooms. Restaurants nearby.
Zvoncac, a pebble beach on the south side of Marjan, is the nearest to the city town.

You can use Zvoncac-Bene-Zvoncac bus line number 12 urban public transport.

Meštrović Gallery

On your way to the Marjan Hill you will pass this jaw-dropping gallery. It is absolutely worth a visit and the view from the gallery overlooking the Adriatic ocean is breathtaking. At this stellar art museum, you’ll see a comprehensive, well-arranged collection of works by Ivan Meštrović, Croatia’s premier modern sculptor, who built the gallery as a personal residence in the 1930s. Although Meštrović intended to retire here, he emigrated to the USA soon after WWII. Admission includes entry to the nearby Kaštelet, a fortress housing other Meštrović works.

Restaurants to recommend

Hotel Park for the best breakfast buffet and it is even situated right down to the beach so you can go for a relaxing swim after the amazing Dalmatian breakfast.
Wine & Cheese Bar Paradox for a nice evening out with friends. It is just a few meters from the Diocletian Palace and it sums of atmosphere and here you'll for sure get some of the best appetizer's and wines in the city.
Dvor is not right in the city center but it is not far away either. You can walk here if you take the beach side. There is a wonderful view over the ocean and you can sit outside surrounded by the nature. The food is on a higher level and we can especially recommend having a desert here. Walk here in the afternoon, and then you can burn off the calories on the way back.
Perivoj has the same owners as Dvor but its located more in the city center and is also a bit cheaper than Dvor. When you walk into their garden you feel like you are way outside the city and you get hit by that blissful feeling. Their food is mouth-watering and you really can't stop once you get started. Fortunately they offer a tasting menu so you can have a bit of everything.
Bokeria is situated right in the heart of the city in the old town. It is a buzzing wine bar where they really know their wines. Their food menu is limited but everything on the menu explodes in your mouth and together with the wine it just doesn't get any better than that.
F-Marine is the perfect stop for a cocktail while walking on the promenade at night. They have open the whole day so you can always drop by for a drink or some food. They have a great selection of fish dishes and they are right on the promenade so you can sit in the sofas watching people walking by or the huge yachts right in front of the restaurant.

We hope you will come and visit us in Split and explore the city on your own. It is truly worth a visit and we are not just saying this because it is our city:)

Connect with us on social media #krugstore

XOXO

Anne Cathrine Lind Ceni

Online Marketing

I have actually been a fan of KRUG ever since I stumbled upon their authentic and charming boutique store in the old town of Split back in the summer of 2014. When you enter the door you'll meet so much creativity, talent and warmth, and today I can say that it is truly an honour for me working with these 4 amazing women.

All 4 designers are not only very good friends, they know each other since their childhood where they lived in the same building, they are also co-owners of the brand KRUG, and at the same time they are 4 independent designers, who each bring that something special to KRUG.

KRUG Designers

Designers Emina Štrkljević and Margita Videtić founded the brand Chicks on Chic in 2011, which was a bit different than what it is today...

Back then they undertook the redesign of vintage clothing, and mainly sold on Facebook. With this approach to design they got a lot of experience and they were able to be creative in a very fun matter, but the problem was that they couldn't make more than one design of each since they would use vintage clothes and then redesign them. They then came up with a new strategy for their brand, and they started to create their own clothes and hand made bags and rucksacks made of leather and textile. All their pieces are made in small batches, out of natural materials, and they have been inspired by vintage clothes and designs with a huge emphasis on details, which in themselves provide you with that particular Chicks on Chic touch.

Chicks on Chick

The fashion and costume designer Katarina Bilan also founded her brand Dott. in 2011, which is extremely dear to her, and she sees it as her life's work...

Its main characteristics are small collections comprised of eight to ten pieces of clothing, which are always interesting and compelling in cut. From the very beginning, when colours and patterns such as stripes and little dots prevailed in Katarina's work, through the latest collections, which are mostly monochromatic, the brand has kept its distinctive dose of playfulness and femininity. Her work can be found at all important fashion events and exhibitions in Croatia, such as Dan D, Zona 45, Artomat, Velesajamkulture, and she has also done several collaborations in the field of fashion and costume design.

DOTT

Selma Štrkljević Mravak, sister of Emina Štrkljević behind Chicks on Chic, is the woman behind the brand Little Wonder, which is a brand well known for its statement necklaces, bracelets and earrings, all made out of natural materials such as linen, cotton, leather, industrial metals, semiprecious stones and other seemingly incompatible additions...

This eclectic mixture of different materials and patterns is what characterizes Little Wonder jewellery, which includes a range of different collections such as leather necklaces Wild Child, Dreamcatcher necklaces, Pearlfall necklaces and many others. Every piece of Little Wonder jewellery is hand made with love and great precision. The main philosophy behind the brand is a powerful impression and quality. Little Wonder jewellery is made for confident women who are not afraid to flirt with different styles but often opt for basic combinations with striking details. Selma has had, like the other designers, a lot of success with her brand. Little Wonder has been featured on the cover of Croatian Grazia, Diva magazines, the Australian Women's Health, and on the pages of British Vogue, Croatian Elle, and Croatian Grazia. In 2013 Selma presented her brand at one of the most important design exhibitions in Croatia, Dan D, where she exhibited the collection „Connection“ made in cooperation with the young and prominent Croatian designer Vedrana Mastela. In 2014 Selma was chosen among 49 designers form 21 countries to participate in the exhibition „Complete Parts“ in Shin Gallery in Manhattan, New York. In 2014 Little Wonder also exhibited at the Month of Design in Ljubljana, at the Brands and Signs exhibition.

Little Wonder

If you visit the store in Split you will not only find their own brands, but also notice works of other young Croatian artists. The reason for this, is that the designers collaborate with other artists every year. You will be able to spot illustrations, photographies and hand made pottery from eg. Mišo Komenda, Alma Štrkljević, Jelena Bando, Darija Čičmir, and Martina Bilan.

In July of 2013 the 4 designers decided to come together in a collaboration within the brand KRUG. The meaning of KRUG is a circle of friends, representing a whole, and as well a circle of good ideas flowing between the 4 designers...

Its just like that most perfect geometrical shape, like that one line, which represents the infinity of all things, and like the one that in itself is a separate, self-contained unit. The Designer Store KRUG sprung to life on a really good and solid basis of talented, creative, hard-working and united group of designers, women and friends.

Today you can find KRUG Designer Store in the heart of the old Town, at the address Nepotova 1 in Split, Croatia...

The petit, peculiar store full of soul and atmosphere was founded in order for these four designers to present their work to their local and foreign clients in the best possible manner. They spend their days in this wonderful space within the Diocletian Palace, they spend time with their clients, teach them about their collections, share inspirations, and at the same time, they also learn from their own clients.

The interior of the store is a separate story in itself. The store is located in a space decorated with Romanesque arches and walls dated all the way back in Classical Antiquity.

In this Classical and Medieval space one can also find the olive wood originating from the family olive groves and each piece of furniture has been hand made. It is exactly this specific environment that provides a feeling of a gallery to the store, and inside of it the collections of the designers come to life...

In this heart-warming story about family and friends you really only get a glimpse of the designers, but we want you to get to know them a lot better, so stay tuned, and we will keep you posted with behind the scenes details.