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Our Story
Konoba Argola is the story of a traditional Dalmatian family dedicated to preserving its heritage. From field to table, they grow fruit and vegetables, prepare local specialties, and welcome guests with a smile.
Every member of the large family has their role: father Zdravko, mother Silvana, daughters Zdravka and Ana, sons Paulo and Silvio, son-in-law Mario, daughter-in-law Patricia, seven grandchildren, Uncle Tomo, and Aunt Ivanka.
The family business is run by brothers Tomo Kaštelančić and Zdravko Kaštelančić. In the late 1980s, they opened their family home to the first guests while remaining faithful to agriculture.
They restored an old family house built in the late 19th century and purchased by their father in 1953 – the place of their childhood and youth. In 1988, this historic home officially became Konoba Argola, transforming it into a gastronomic destination for guests who appreciate authentic food and tradition.
What Is Argola, and Why Does Our Tavern Carry This Name?
Once upon a time… one spring morning in Podstrana, a six-year-old boy named Zdravko was running along the beach when he found a piece of wood about a metre long in the sand. Curious, he brought it to his father Ante, who was resting in a nearby field cottage. Recognising its quality, Ante immediately saw it as a perfect handle for his pickaxe.
Zdravko returned to the beach, where he met a local fisherman searching for something called an argola. When he admitted he didn’t know the word, the fisherman explained it as a piece of wood with a hole used to steer a boat. The boy realised he had seen exactly such a piece that very morning.
He told the fisherman the whole story, including how his father had already turned it into a tool handle. Amused and touched, the fisherman smiled and affectionately called him Argola.
That little boy - Zdravko, known by the nickname Argola - is today a successful restaurateur and one of the owners of our authentic Dalmatian restaurant near Split. It was from that childhood anecdote that the name Konoba Argola was born.
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