This week we are traveling to the Mediterranean and the second-largest city in Croatia, Split. This ancient Roman city is the largest in the Dalmatian region. This historical city has seen many different empires and was central to many conflicts. Today, Split is the third busiest port in the Mediterranean as it sees more the four million passengers through it in a year. Split is arguably the best destination in all of Croatia because of the sites, climate, and history.
Diocletian's Palace
The leading destination of Split is Diocletian's Palace. It is considered the founding location of the city in the fourth century AD. The Palace was built as a retirement destination for the Roman emperor Diocletian. The name Palace can be deceiving as it was more of a fortress. Diocletian is said to have brought architects from the Eastern empire, but locals built most of the Palace. The Palace was built in two main sections, a living quarter and an area to house a military garrison.
Cathedral of Saint Domnius
This is the oldest building in the Palace and is the resting place of Diocletian. This cathedral combines the storied history of ancient pagan, Christian, medieval and modern heritage. Be sure to take some time to visit and tour this ancient cathedral and learn all of the legacies that come along with it.
The Silver Gate
The Silver Gate is the way to enter the city from the eastern side of the Palace. Though this isn't the main entrance, this is the gate the Diocletian entered through. These gates were closed during the middle ages and were restored in 1952. Visitors can walk along the original pavement. In recent history, Pope John Paul II entered the Palace through the Silver Gate.
Peristyle
This was the central hub of the Palace. It was the Palace that was dedicated to Emperor Diocletian. He was celebrated as the living son of the god Jupiter. This transitioned from the city's central hub when the new city square with the town hall (Pjaca) was built in the 13th/14th century. After this, Peristyle became the religious center of the Palace. Even today, the people of Split believe that Peristyle is the center of the whole world.
This is just the tip of the extensive Diocletian Palace. To truly explore the entire grounds would require a lot of walking and time to take in all of the ancient buildings and monuments. Schedule a consultation to plan your trip.
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