Today, the touristy Croatian town of Trogir is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in modern Europe. And just a few centuries ago, Trogir was an important naval harbor on the Adriatic coast and a great strategic value for the Republic of Venice ruling these lands. At the end of the 14th century, the historical center of the town was decorated with a polygonal observation tower. From it to Ciovo Island, they stretched chains to protect the Trogir harbor from unwanted guests from the sea. That is why the name of the structure is the “Tower of Chains.” Numerous sea battles of the Genoese and Venetian fleets in the 14th-15th centuries destroyed most of the outstanding architectural landmarks: the town’s defensive walls and towers together with the cathedral and the ancient monastery. Then they decided to build a mighty fortress to protect the citizens of Trogir, and the very “Tower of Chains” was laid as the foundation.

In 1420, the construction of a stone citadel began. It was designed by famous architect Lorenzo Pincino, who built many impressive structures throughout Croatia. From the sea, the majestic trapezium-shaped fortress was protected by a mound of stones, and from the town, by a deep defensive moat with a drawbridge. Robust thick walls were decorated with the coats of arms of the Venetian Doge Francesco Foscari, Admiral Pietro Loredan, and Prince of Trogir Maddaleno Contarini, as well as the emblem of the Republic of Venice, the winged stone lion of St. Mark.

Its name, Kamerlengo, the ancient fortress received thanks to the town treasurer, who lived in it. In the medieval Republic of Venice, all officials were called camerlengo. Although the camerlengo’s house had long sunk into oblivion, the name has stuck with the fortress up to the present day.

The interior structure resembled a small town with residential buildings, workshops, defensive fortifications, and even a temple, St. Mark’s chapel. Unfortunately, most of the buildings, including the old chapel, were destroyed in the 19th century, but what has survived to this day blows away all visitors of the Kamerlengo Castle.