SOLTA, an island in the central Dalmatian archipelago, west of the island of Brac; separated from the mainland by the Split Channel, from the Drvenik islands by the Solta Channel, and from the island of Brac by the Strait of Split.

The largest coves, Rogac and Necujam, are situated on the north-eastern coast, covered with thick shrubs and exposed to northerly winds (especially the bora). The coves and inlets on the western coast are protected by the small offshore islets and cliffs; the Maslinica cove, exposed only to north-westerly winds, represents a favourable anchoring ground and shelter for smaller yachts.

Bigger villages (Grohote, Gornje Selo, Srednje Selo, Donje Selo) are situated in the island's interior. Main occupations include farming, wine production, olive growing, fruit growing, fishing and tourism.

The island was first mentioned by Pseudoscylax (4th c. BC) under the name of Olyntha. The Romans called it Solenta, and in the Statute of Split (14th c.) it was called Solta. The island has revealed the ruins of a prehistoric settlement (hill-fort Gradac) and another one from the Roman period.

When the Slavs and Avars destroyed Salona at the beginning of the 7th century, a group of the refugees from Salona fled to Solta. In the Middle Ages the island was attacked on several occasions by Omis (1240) and Venice (1387 and 1418). Mediaeval monuments are found on the localities in Sveti Mihovil in the Grohote Field, Donje Selo, Necujam and Stomorica above Stomorska (the Benedictine monastery). On the fall of Klis (1537) the island was inhabited by the refugees from the mainland.