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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.

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, foods 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 cellars 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 cellars 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 one day 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.

May Gregory of Nin's Big Toe bring you good fortune. That's a nice thought. But you must go to Split and rub Gregory's big toe. Grigur Ninski (Gregory of Nin), was the Bishop of Nin in 926. Rome thought him a dangerous radical. He wanted to preach in the language of the people, since almost no one understood Latin, a condition that persists to this day.

Croatians consider Gregory as the defender of Croation language and culture. The City of Split has a huge statue of him (28 feet high). The statue was sculpted in 1929 by Ivan Mestrovic. The statue was in the center of Diocletian's Palace until 1941, when it was moved by Italian occupation forces. In 1954 it was moved to the City's Golden Gate.

Gregory is bronze and dark except for his big toe. It is worn smooth and golden by constant rubbings of tourists, travelers, pilgrims and local people. Croatians are said to believe that rubbing the toe will grant their wishes. Every day, for as long as Gregory has guarded the Golden Gate, the faithful have rubbed his toe.

Split figured large in the filming of Game of Thrones (GOT). So it is only natural that Split should have an awesome Game of Thrones museum. The museum's address is 9 Bosanska Street. This is very close to the places where the series was actually filmed. Take Diocletian's Cellars, where a dragon's head once smashed through the ancient brick walls.

Luka Galik, the brain behind the Museum swears that everything is "just like" the series. "Split deserved the Game of Thrones Museum." He says. The museum has exhibits of photographs taken during the filming, and weapons and costumes that were worn. There are theme rooms of leading characters like, Khaleesi, Thyron, Hodor, Jack Sow, and others.

The Game of Thrones Museum has dark walls that help the grim atmosphere of the series. Aroma therapy is not neglected. The inside of the museum is filled with the aromas of cedar, Jasmine, lavender and ether oils. Smell a mystery, anyone? Yes, this is the place.

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.

The West gate, or Iron Gate is one of four gates giving access/egress to the palace of Diocletian. It is part of an urban complex of the People's Square (Pjaca), the old City Hall, the clock tower, and the Nakic, Karepic, Cambi, and Cipriani palaces.

The arrangements around the Iron Gate include ancient developments like the defensive rampart, with its double door safety chamber and the Church of Our Lady of the Bell Tower. The church is a tiny, narrow space similar to the churches in the other gates. It was renovated when the bell tower was added in the 11th century.

On the northern wall of the rampart, behind a sealed medieval niche, a sculpture of hands holding a crown was discovered. It was restored and returned to the niche.

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.

Antonio Bajamonti, world famous Mayor of Split, Transformed the city from a simple coastal town to a cultural watering hole. He initiated the creation of Republic Square. An Italianate theatre, Teatro Bajamonti, opened in 1859. The theatre was paid for by His honor himself before he was His Honor.

Buildings line the square on three sides with the open side facing the sea. A Venetian style colonnade and neo Renaissance bas-reliefs below the windows were added. This is on the left side. On the right side there are no carvings or reliefs. The story is, the Venetian architect was so homesick he went back to Venice before the sides were finished.

The square has become a tourist magnet, especially in fine weather. It is also a popular venue for events, most notably the Split Music Festival.

Marjan Hill fits the definition, "And now, for something completely different..." it holds a special place in the life of the City. For years city dwellers would see the old Yugoslav flag flying from the top of the hill. Now, Croatia, proudly independent, flies its own flag on top of Marjan Hill. In 1964 Marjan became a park and part of the city.

The park extends from Marmont Street west for nearly two miles. During summer months, amid the chaotic pace of the town it is a popular escape. The hills and woods of the park are the very lungs of the city. It is the preferred place for walking, jogging, climbing, or bike riding.

The highest peak in the park is Telegrin, so named for the telegraph which stood there in Napoleonic times. The park is also the location of the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery, an art gallery open to the public. Meje Split neighborhood, the city's elite seaside beach district is here, surrounded by the sea on three sides.

There are many possible entrances to Marjan Park. The favored one begins at Terrace Vidilica, a bar and restaurant with a great view. This is but a five minute walk from the promenade. If walking be prepared for an early climb.

The Split Archaeological Museum, founded in 1820 by a decree of the Dalmatian government in Zadar, holds the distinction of being Croatia's oldest museum. Encompassing a vast collection of approximately 150,000 artifacts, the museum offers a journey through various historical periods. These include prehistoric times, the era of Greek colonization in the Adriatic, the Roman Provincial and Early Christian era, the early Middle Ages, and the reign of Croatian leaders.

Among the treasures showcased are stone inscriptions from Salona, along with collections of Graeco-Hellenistic ceramic objects, Roman glass, ancient clay lamps, bone and metal articles, gems, and coins.

The museum's primary location is at Zrinsko-Frankopanska 25 in Split. Additionally, it boasts a branch building in Solin (Salona and Tusculum) and two regional centers at Vid near Metkovi膰 (Narona Collection) and on the island of Vis.

The museum complex comprises a two-story main building, featuring exhibition halls on the ground floor and a library and study rooms on the first floor. Encircling the main building, a row of arcades houses the Lapidarium, while an adjoining garden provides a serene outdoor space.

Why You Should Visit:
World-class collection and the entrance fee for an adult is a real bargain.
Even if you are not into history and artifacts there is a WOW factor.
If you like to know how people lived, this museum touches on many facets.

Tip:
The gates may look closed and forbidding, but do try them and head on in.
Sometimes you have to ring the bell so the custodian can buzz the gate to let you in.
Although you enter the garden first, you need to go inside and pay before looking around.
Also, the museum closes between 2-4pm before re-opening until later in the evening.

The Collection of the Franciscan Monastery in Split, is a treasure trove of historical and artistic riches that proudly showcases the cultural heritage of the region. Founded in 1963, this extraordinary collection has become a beacon of history, attracting visitors from all over the world, eager to delve into the past and witness the artistic brilliance of the Croatian people.

Housed within the tranquil walls of the Franciscan Monastery, the collection is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Franciscan order in Croatia and its dedication to preserving both spiritual and artistic traditions. Spanning various periods of history, the collection offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Croatian heritage, making it a significant cultural institution in the heart of Split.

At the heart of the collection are precious manuscripts, which stand as silent witnesses to the intellectual and spiritual endeavors of the past. These ancient texts provide a unique insight into the religious and scholarly pursuits of the Franciscan community and offer a glimpse into the historical context in which they were produced.

Church art occupies a prominent place within the collection, exemplifying the exceptional skills of Croatian artists through the ages. The exquisite paintings, often adorned with intricate details and vivid colors, narrate religious stories and reflect the spiritual devotion of their creators.

Among the most awe-inspiring exhibits are the gold and wood works, demonstrating the remarkable craftsmanship of local artisans. The intricate carvings and delicate metalwork showcase the talent and dedication of these skilled craftsmen, capturing the essence of religious symbolism and cultural motifs.