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The Bronze gate (Mjedena vrata) was originally Porta Meridionalis, the "southern gate". It is unlike the other Roman gates. It is small, plain, no ornament. There are no flanking gatehouses. It gave direct access to the sea and served as an emergency exit in the event of an attack from the land. In the middle ages it was the "security gate."

In Diocletian's time there was no promenade outside the gate. The sea lapped against the south wall. The emperor was able to enter the compound directly by ship. Today it serves as the entry from the promenade to the Cathedral. Since it has access to the Riva, it is currently the most used gate of the palace. Many guided or self-guided tours start here.

The emperor could enter the Palace directly from the sea. His private apartments are in the southern half of the complex. Naturally this meant the more luxurious appointments would be in the southern half, below the decumanus road running east to west.

The promenade is an easy walk along the waterfront. Light breezes, sunshine, the clear deep blue the harbor. What a pleasure. Close your eyes. It could be juan-le-Pins, or even Monaco, porto Fino? No. It's Split.

Lots of benches here. One could sit and enjoy the view. It's a real break from shopping, tours, crowds. Need a snack? There are restaurants and cafes all along the way. The Emperor Diocletian got all his take out delivered directly from from ships at the south side of his great villa. Now one can get refreshments all along the waterfront.

Cruise ships dock at Split Riva Pier. They arrive every day to visit the exotic islands along the coast. Split is essentially a port city. A vital part of its existence is tied to the Adriatic Sea.

Still need a break? Pick a bench. Watch the sea change colors. Feed the pigeons. Wait for the sunset. You won't forget it.

The Marjan Zoo, located in Split, Croatia, was once a combined institution comprising the Natural History Museum and the Zoological Garden. However, in 2014, due to mounting protests by ecological organizations, the zoo was closed, and the facility has since been operating solely as a museum.

In June 2015, following the closure of the museum and zoo in 2014, an artistic collective initiated by Hrvoje Cokarich, an artist from Split, took it upon themselves to assist the remaining animals. Since 2016, these artists have continuously devised innovative solutions to prevent the extinction of these creatures. Children have the opportunity to delight in the presence of various domestic animals, including donkeys, rabbits, turtles, chickens, turkeys, horses, cows, sheep, and goats. The zoo delivers an enriching and hands-on experience, promoting a deeper comprehension of wildlife preservation and biodiversity. Through opportunities to observe, learn about, and actively participate in feeding sessions, the zoo presents an unforgettable engagement with the animal kingdom.

The Natural History Museum's extensive collections have continued to flourish, encompassing various fields of natural history, including mineralogy, geology, paleontology, botany, and zoology. This museum houses hundreds of thousands of exhibits.

Visitors to the Natural History Museum can explore the numerous facets of the natural world through its collections. One of the highlights is a remarkable collection of shells, totaling nearly 7,000 specimens, which is sure to captivate those with an interest in marine biology.

The museum's second permanent exhibition is dedicated to the forest fauna of the Croatian Adriatic coast. This exhibit is designed in the form of a series of dioramas, featuring taxidermied animals, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds from the museum's collection. This immersive display provides a comprehensive view of the wildlife found along the Adriatic coast of Croatia.

Like so many other squares in Split, People's Square is not the official name of the square. It was first called Saint Lawrence's Square in the 13th century. It has the distinction of being the first inhabited part of the City outside of Diocletian's Palace. For centuries the square has been the very center of City life.

The city clock has 24 numerals, not twelve. Life never pauses in the Square. One may rest, eat, drink, meet, see and be seen. The square is joined to the peristyle of old Diocletian's palace. As the city grew, the citizens started living outside the protection of the Roman walls and the square has been the People's Square ever since.

Renaissance, Venetian, and Gothic styles appear in the buildings around the square. The north side is occupied by the Old Town Hall, a 15th century building that sometimes hosts exhibitions of Art and history. It is said every building in Split has a story.

The attractions that might be seen in the square beside the Old Town Hall include: The ornate palaces of the nobility, the Church of Our Lady of the Bell Tower, The Old Town Clock. the Old Town Cafe, and the Morpurgo Bookstore (since 1860).

In the base of the flagpole of the Square one finds the words of the poet Tonci Petrasov:
"One doesn't need to travel anywhere,
nor does one have to search elsewhere,
what you are looking for is precisely here."
Here, in People's Square.

The Church of Our Lady of the Bell Tower (Gospa od Zvonika) has a long and fascinating history. Its origins can be traced back to the 6th century when it was constructed on the sentries' walkway above the Iron Gate of Diocletian's Palace. Initially, it was dedicated to Saint Theodore. Later, in the 11th century, an Early Romanesque bell tower was added, making it the oldest preserved bell tower on the Croatian side of the Adriatic.

Notable remnants from this era include fragments of a chancel screen with an inscription mentioning the city's benefactor, Firminus, along with his first and second wives, Magi and Brita, who made significant contributions to the church. The church received its current name in the 13th century after the installation of the icon of Our Lady of the Bell Tower, which is now safeguarded in the treasury of Split Cathedral.

To reach the church, a steep external staircase was constructed, which was historically climbed by the women of Split. They ascended the stairs to make vows before the church, seeking protection during childbirth.

Adjacent to the Iron Gate and facing the square (Pjaca), a Romanesque tower was built. Later, in the 16th century, a Renaissance municipal clock was installed in this tower, adding a touch of modernity to the ancient structure. The church and its surrounding elements stand as a testament to the rich historical and architectural heritage of the region.

Tip:
Rather than looking at the tower alone, you can enjoy the view from the Narodni (People's) Square side with the Iron Gate and the Clock Tower.
Go inside for the mural with Christ behind the altar, which is very interesting for its originality, different from many in the world.

Occasionally, a klapa ensemble will meet in the Vestibule of the Palace of Diocletian. They are there to practice their traditional a cappella singing called "Klapa". Their harmonies resound within the circular vault of the rotunda. One can imagine even the restless ghost of the emperor stops to listen.

The Vestibule is a rotunda with a missing dome. Where the dome should be is a perfect circle of blue sky. It reminds one of the smoke holes in the ancient pagan temples. Today, instead of smoke from sacrificial fires, melodies escape to the open air.

Like an atrium, the Vestibule is the first part of the hall in the Palace leading from the peristyle to the imperial apartments. The Vestibule was designed to be an impressive reception hall for distinguished visitors and ambassadors.

But why do the Klapa groups meet in the Vestibule? The acoustics! The rounded walls resonate like a drum.

Under Diocletian's apartments were the cellars. Strong substructures which were used to support the apartments above and to store wine, foodstuffs and other items for the use of the Palace. The supports were a faithful copy of the structures above. The cellars also had a nymphaeum, a shrine dedicated to the nymphs guarding a source of fresh water.

In the middle ages the palace gradually became a safe haven for refugees. Part of the vast underground area was residential. In later times wealthier citizens who had houses above the Podrum would break through the vaults and turn them into storage spaces for themselves.

Today Diocletian's cellars can be reached through the Bronze Gate, or through a stair connected to the peristyle. The Western part of the Podrum is preserved. It is available to sightseers and is used as a fair and exhibition space. The collapsed Eastern part is being restored and will soon be accessible as well.

The "Palace" of Diocletian is more than a palace. It is really a fortress. It provided not only a private retirement home for the ex-emperor, but quarters for an armed garrison. It was a "key" community like no other. The palace, built at the turn of the fourth century, today forms most of the old town of Split, Croatia.

The palace complex was built on a peninsula about 18 miles from Salona, then the capital of Dalmatia and the birthplace of the retired Roman emperor. When Diocletian died in 312, the palace complex remained a property of the Roman imperium. It was used as a residence and refuge for members of imperial family who were out of favor.

In the seventh century the country was invaded by Avars and Slavs and the city of Salona was destroyed. The people found security within the formidable walls of the palace. Safe behind the walls they formed a new city community. From that time the palace has been continually occupied and today it is the heart of the city of Split.

The mausoleum of Diocletian became the cathedral of Saint Domnius. In time the remains of the fortress home of the emperor dropped out of the consciousness of Europe. Then the Scottish architect Robert Adam surveyed the ruins and published his findings. The palace formed the inspiration for Adam's style of Neoclassical architecture.

The plan of the palace has been found to be an irregular rectangle with 16 towers from the facades and corners. Only the southern facade was unfortified. It provided easy access to the sea and vessels could unload cargo directly through the Sea Gate.

There are three other gates that grant entrance and egress. The North Gate guarded the road towards Salona. The Church of Saint Martin is above the gate. The East Gate faced the town of Epetia, now Stobrec.

The West Gate, was used as the military gate. It remains in use today. The South Gate faces the sea.

Why You Should Visit:
The long history and diverse cultures of Split are distilled and contained in this remarkable Palace.

Tips: Be prepared to do a lot of walking.

It was the year 305. Roman emperor Diocletian had persecuted a lot of Christians and like-minded dissidents in his Imperial tour of duty. Now it was time to retire to his native land of Dalmatia and raise vegetables. As the vegetables were growing, he built a mausoleum. His final resting place was in the center of Split. But he would not rest there forever.

By the seventh century the Cathedral of Saint Domnius was consecrated. The Cathedral was in fact the Mausoleum of Diocletian. Those darn Christians finally got him. The Cathedral is a cluster of ad-ons that have changed little over the years. The former Mausoleum is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The bell tower, added in 1100, is dedicated to Saint Domnius.

Saint Domnius is the patron saint of Split. He was the Bishop of Salona, a Roman city and capital of Dalmatia. He was born in Antioch and he was beheaded, along with seven other Christians, in 304. Ironically, he died one year before Diocletian retired.

Diocletian was a soldier. Naturally his retirement home was a Roman army camp. There was an East-West road (decumanus) and a North-South road (cardo maximus). Those roads remain in Split today. At the intersection of the roads is a great peristyle which grants access from the east to the Cathedral of Saint Domnius.

The Cathedral evolved through three stages. Diocletian's Mausolem, the central part of the cathedral, dates from the end of the third century. It is composed of white marble, limestone, and brick. In the seventh century a choir was added to the mausoleum. Finally the bell tower was erected in 1100. There was further rebuilding in 1908.

Within the Church there are relics and art treasures. Found here is the 13th century panel Painting, Madonna and Child. There are reliquaries, chalices and vestments from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The library includes the Book of gospels (6th century), Kartularium from Sumpetar (11th century) and the Historia Salanitana (13th century).

Why You Should Visit:
To take in the ancient, medieval and modern Split all in one place.

When Diocletian retired he left the empire behind him. He sailed to his sea front villa/fortress. He debarked and entered his palace through the Porta septemrionalis. Or, as some prefer to say The Golden Gate. The gate was designed with double doors for defensive tactics. Or, as some would say then, "propugnaculum."

The Golden Gate ("Zlatna vrata") is one of four gates giving access and egress to the old town ("stari grad"). The old town of course was Diocletian's Palace itself. In the Emperor's time the gate was referred to as "the northern gate". In the middle ages it was known as "Roman Gate." The name Golden Gate was first used in 1553.

On each side of the gate are niches for the statues of the four Tetrarchs, Diocletian himself, and the rulers of the divided Empire, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius Chlorus. The sixth century church of Saint Martin's is perched above the outer part of the gate.

Most visitors arriving from the harbor side of the Palace will enter through the the South or East Gates although the North Gate, the Golden Gate, was meant to be the main entrance. Today the 28 foot statue by Ivan Mestrovic of Grgur Ninski, Saint Gregory of Nin, looms just outside the Golden Gate.

Nestled beside the east wall of the UNESCO-listed World Heritage site of Diocletian's Palace, Split's vibrant green market, affectionately known as Pazar, immerses you in the essence of everyday life in the city. Here, you can seamlessly blend in with the locals and truly embrace the authentic atmosphere of Croatia. Tourists seeking a genuine Croatian experience are increasingly drawn to this lively outdoor market.

Previously situated at Fruit Square, the market's relocation became a necessity due to the city's rapid growth and development. Now, in its new central location, it has become the beating heart and soul of Split. It serves as a gathering place for both residents and visitors, all eager to indulge in the array of colors, flavors, aromas, and sounds that encapsulate the vibrant essence of life in Split.