The island of SOLTA has been inhabited in some form since the Stone Age and Bronze Age, but is first mentioned, in written history, within the Greek Scriptures of the 4th century BC.  At that time, the island was called Olynthia(unripe fig) due to the natural abundance of the fruit planted in the island's landscape, praised for its natural rustic beauty.

Through 2 millennium SOLTA has been inhabited or ruled by Illyrians, Greeks, Romans, Croats, Avars and Slavens, Turks through the Ottoman Empire, Venetians, Russia and Napoleon's France and the Austro-Hungarian empire!  Each nationality left it's mark on the island of SOLTA.  In archaeologicall finds(almost 200 at today's count) tools, farm buildings, graves, monasteries, shipwrecks have all been discovered on and around the island.  In step with the different rulers, the name changed from "Olynthia" to "Solynthia".  The Greek language changed it again to "Soluta".  The name became "latinized" to "Solenta" (island of Sun) in Roman times.  Time and the Italian language eventually gave the name "SOLTA".  Finally, the Croats adopted this version, "SOLTA", as it became established by Austro-Hungarian mapmakers on sea charts of the time.

Incidentally, a lesser known name of "Sulent", dating back to the 2nd century also existed.  This was a 1st version of the island name that the Croats themselves gave the island, after hearing all the other versions. That in turn became "Sulet".  An abbreviated version, "Sule", still exists today - as a common family surname on the island.

Religion has also been a very important aspect in the history of the ruling and development of the island of SOLTA.  In the year 313, the Milan edict of emperor Constantine gave freedom to Christians and the region of Dalmatia accepted the Christian faith.  When the Avars and Slavens attacked the Roman capital of Dalmatia, "Salona", refugees fled to the coast and outlying islands, including SOLTA.  Christian Croat peasants, fleeing the Tatars invasion, settled and served local Benedictine Monasteries and noblemen on the island.  Churches were built, but many were destroyed in 1241 by the Prince of Omis, Osor Kacic, and his marauding pirates as they invaded the island.  At the end of the "Middle Ages", there were four settlements on SOLTA in the form of two parishes; one including Grohote, Srednje Selo and Donje Selo.  Gornje Selo was alone in the second parish.  The Benedictine orders looked after these settlements.

Holy Brotherhoods were also established by village representatives to protect the rights of villagers and fight upper class violence.  They also took care of the sick, poor and elderly villagers; organizing funerals, burials - even for strangers.

The "Modern Age" brought more changes to the island of SOLTA in the 16th and 17th centuries.  A new influx of inhabitants escaping the Turkish regime in Central Dalmatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. While Brotherhoods prospered, the Benedictine orders suffered the decadence of Europe and disappeared.  The island of SOLTA began to expand.  The Baslinic family, from the mainland city of Split, were given lands in Necujam.  The port and village of Stomorska had been established by two families, the Bucic-Vidans (shipbuilders from Hvar island) and the Novakovics (peasants from Tugare).  In 1706 the new settlement of Maslinica was established by the noble Marchi family - building a bay side castle and colonizing peasants from continental Dalmatia.  The 18th and 19th century saw more families inhabit SOLTA including many from Italy.  From the 19th century, up and until the 2nd World War, Solta's population grew and the inhabitants excelled as sailors, farmers and fisherman. (During the 1st World War some inhabitants did emigrate to Australia, Canada and the USA (where large "local" Croatian populations exist today).  Unfortunately World War 2 saw the demise of both the Church and the general population of Solta.  It was invaded by both Germany and Italy, bombarded and desecrated.

During all of these times, the island of SOLTA and it's inhabitants resisted and ruggedly survived.  Croatia has been re-born from it's communist era, as part of Yugoslavia.  Centuries old family names continue from generation to generation in the villages and harbor ports of island SOLTA.  Agriculture, Horticulture, Fishing (and now Tourism) are still the lifeblood for the islands inhabitants who live a simple, relaxed lifestyle on this wonderful gem in the Adriatic.  A Master Plan on the future development of the island is in place to protect the natural beauty of it's shoreline, rustic landscapes, crystal clear waters, traditional style of architecture and peaceful solitude - that is the wonderful island of SOLTA.

"The Mediterranean as it was and continues to be".