There is a strong and well-known legend from Trogir connected to the small island of Kraljevac, according to which the people of Trogir hid the Hungarian-Croatian king Béla IV there during the Mongol (Tatar) invasion of 1242.
The Legend of Kraljevac and King Béla IV
According to local tradition, when the Tatars invaded Croatia and Dalmatia, King Béla IV fled toward the coast in search of a safe refuge. After staying in Klis and Split, he arrived in Trogir, which at that time was one of the best-fortified towns on the eastern Adriatic coast.
As danger drew closer, the people of Trogir — according to the legend — hid him on a small island beyond Čiovo, today known as Kraljevac. It is believed that the island itself was named after the king (“kralj” meaning “king” → Kraljevac).
The legend says that:
- the Tatars failed to conquer Trogir or find the king,
- the island was hidden and difficult to access,
- local noble families and fishermen helped conceal and supply the king with food,
- and after the Tatars withdrew, Béla IV richly rewarded Trogir with privileges and royal protection.
Historical Background of the Legend
Historians confirm that Béla IV truly stayed in the Trogir area during the Tatar invasion. Several historical sources mention that he took refuge “on a nearby island,” and Kraljevac is most often identified as the most likely location of his hiding place.
Interestingly, after these events Trogir did indeed receive a number of royal privileges, which further strengthened the local belief that the town played a crucial role in saving the king.
The Mystique of Kraljevac
Other old traditions are also connected to this small island:
- that remains of a Benedictine monastery once existed there,
- that it served as a place of solitude and prayer,
- and that for centuries it symbolized a “hidden refuge” within the Trogir archipelago.