| | | AD Boats was founded in 2002 as an extension of AD Plastik Ltd. (www.adplasfjk.hr}. AD Plastik Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of exterior and interior components for important European car producers Extensive experience in the automotive industry created a basis for the development of an innovative concept signed by the prestigious Slovenian design studio "J&J Design" - Salona 45. Since January 2003, AD Boats Ltd. has been operating as an autonomous company, based in Solin, Croatia. As a capital intensive activity, yacht building has been requiring significant investment in capacity building, as well as the proper team training. In the subsequent years, AD Boats has increased production of the Salona 45 and introduced two new boats: the Salona 40 in 2003 and the Salona 37 in 2005. AD Boats currently produces the Salona line of sailboats and the Maestral line of inflatable boats. The company has set up a strong dealer network worldwide. 80% of the company's annual production is being exported. :: TRADITION On the east Adriatic coast boatbuilding tradition exists for centuries. In the past, experienced craftsmen were hand-building wooden frames by using trial and error method, and the outcome generally depended on whether the boat was "well conceived". "Falkusa", a small traditional Croatian fishing boat dating back to the 17th century is exposed in the Fishing Museum, on the Island of Vis. Today, Split & Dalmatla County has a significant industrial potential. In the County, there are two shipyards, two ship-repairs and a large number of small boat builders. Ad Boats Ltd. successfully continues centuries-old boatbuilding tradition; our yachts are known worldwide for their quality and performance properties. :: SALONA - A JOYOUS TOWN BY THE RIVER JADRO Salona, present-day Solin, was mentioned for the first time in the 2nd century BC. it was established in a sheltered bay by the Jadro River estuary, under the mountain of Kozjak. Before the arrival of the Italics and Romans, the place was populated by the native tribe of Delmatj and by Greek merchants. At the end of the 1st century BC it became the metropolis of the Roman province of Dalmatia. In the Middle Ages it's role was taken over by Split. Near Salona, the Roman Emperor Diocletian built a huge palace which became the center of the medieval town of Split. As a Roman colony Salona was officially called Colonia Martia Mia Salona, whereas at the time of Diocletian it got the name of Martia lulia Valeria Salona Felix. The town experienced all advantages and disadvantages of its position at the crossroads between East and West, it was connected with the intellectual and trading world of the Mediterranean. A Christian community has been existing in Salona since the second half of the 3rd century, when the first chapel was built. Today, Salona represents the center from which Christianity spread throughout the region. St. Domnius, the head of the Salonitan Church, lost his life in 304 AD, during the last Roman persecution of the Christians. Soon after that he was proclaimed the Patron Saint of Split. His saintly image was executed in mosaic near the Lateran Roman Basilica Baptistery, where the holy salonitan martyrs' relics are still kept. The magnificence, the prosperity and the splendor of the ancient city are attested by monumental ramparts, temples, residences, theatre, amphitheatre, as well as the unique structures of the Episcopal complex and the early Christian churches at the Salonitan grave-yards. Salona has become the best known Croatian archaeological site. Only a couple of coastal settlements survived the crises of the Ancient World. Salona was destroyed and abandoned. After the migration of peoples, near the ruins of Salona, Croatian rulers founded the centre of present-day Solin. | | |