"And where's the Palace?" Top 5 Page for this destination Split by diocletianvs

Split Travel Guide: 896 reviews and 2,368 photos

Split.hr

If you ask people of Split to describe their town, they’ll say it is the most beautiful place on Earth. The same will be the answer to the question why the Emperor Diocletian decided to build his Palace exactly here at the end of the 3rd Century.

If you ask anyone else in Croatia what they think about Split and the people of Split, the answer will probably be that this is the craziest place on Earth. And the surrounding Planets.

The truth is that it is beautiful. And somewhat crazy. Like the Emperor who decided to retire here after he split up the unified Roman Empire in terms of governance. Like people who decided to find the shelter within the Palace and transform it into the medieval town.

The story of Split is the story of the constant transformation. This always involved a certain amount of destruction - but most of the times the destruction was creative, adding new values and qualities to the existing structure.

Roman Palace was turned into the Town. Mauseoleum of the torturer of Christians was transformed into a Christian Cathedral... The change is the only constant in Split, a town where today 95-year-olds were officially citizens of seven different countries (from Austria to independent Croatia) without the need of ever leaving their hometown.

Today Split is a modern university town, with its 200,000 inhabitants it is the second largest in the country. It is the largest passenger port in Croatia, and a real gateway to Dalmatia and Mid-Dalmatian islands.

Split is a town of very religious people: they believe in their patron, St. Doimus and in the local football club, Hajduk. Whatever you say about the two, if you don’t want trouble, make sure it’s positive! Same goes for their town.

Remember that the word “crazy” here has positive meaning and is the greatest compliment – same goes for the word “funny” which is associated, in its most weird meaning, with the beautiful girls and women of Split. Of course there’s no doubt here that they’re the most beautiful in the whole World.

Most visitors associate Split with its busy passenger terminal and big traffic jams on their way to one of the ferries for the nearby islands. Some of them try to find the famous Palace, and big percentage of them fails in doing so. I’m always amused by the people standing on the Peristyle, asking for the directions for the Palace.

You have to know what to look for in this town. And you definitely need some time to explore all the layers of its rich history. Each of them added something new to the existing collection, turning Split into an interesting puzzle of meanings.

Let’s explore together this urban treasury - celebrating seventeen centuries of the continous urban life.

Pros and Cons

Pros:The craziest town in the World
Cons:The craziest town in the World

Intro Updated Sep 21, 2005
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (78)

5P Quiz: ANSWERS Favorites (1)

The correct answers are: 1. Central square of the Diocletian’s Palace. The only one that doesn’t have the new,... more travel advice

5P QUIZ Things to Do (61)

So, we have walked around the Diocletian’s Palace and the Old Town of Split. I know it was kind of tiring tour, but I... more travel advice

Gospa od Zdravlja Things to Do (61)

WT2: Old Town Walking Tour Only the bell tower is preserved of the original franciscan monastery that stood here since... more travel advice

Croatian National Theatre Things to Do (61)

WT2: Old Town Walking Tour Richly decorated and painted in yellow, Eastern façade of the Theatre building is the only... more travel advice

Transportation (7)
See All Catamarans and hydrofoils
Hotels (6)
See All Private accommodation around Split

Local Customs (3)
See All Fjaka
Been to Split?
Share your travels with the world!

Travelogues (1)

Written Sep 19, 2003

7 photos

What am I preparing here?

1 - 1 of 1

Comments (77)

Reply
- Report abuse
Jim_Eliason Sep 12, 2012 at 2:53 PM

nice tips
Reply
- Report abuse
BruceDunning Feb 10, 2010 at 12:55 PM

YOu should be my tour guide in this city-your tips are so wonderful and helps in finding our way around
Reply
- Report abuse
starship Oct 1, 2009 at 10:24 AM

You must know more about Diocletians Palace than any other human being!! Great work! I hope to visit Split next Summer!
Reply
- Report abuse
muguruki Aug 19, 2009 at 8:36 AM

From this day forth I hereby decree that the rest of my life will be lived in strict accordance to the unfeasibly sensible concept of fjaka.
Reply
- Report abuse
junecorlett Jun 2, 2009 at 8:14 AM

OMG I will never get through all the "things to do tips" - I managed a few. Well written and very good pics. Thanks
Reply
- Report abuse
balhannah Dec 22, 2008 at 12:56 PM

Good tips, especially helpful on transportation. I think some sites may be different now, they wouldn't come up.
Reply
- Report abuse
HORSCHECK Sep 28, 2008 at 10:00 AM

...oh, and we didn't manage to visit Trogir. So there is still a reason to return. :-)
Reply
- Report abuse
easterntrekker Sep 4, 2008 at 12:32 PM

Thanks for visiting my Split pages. We truly enjoyed it there, didn't know the Riva was recently reburbished , it was so nice for a stroll. Your pages are great!!!
Reply
- Report abuse
yumyum Jun 16, 2008 at 12:28 PM

Your transportation tips alone give me an idea for a holiday. Love the look of your birth town. Maybe I will get to see it in September...
Reply
- Report abuse
Basaic Jan 28, 2008 at 4:41 PM

Outstanding Split Page. I need to come back when I have more time to explore.