Town of Split in Dalmatia
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Welcome to Split!
Split is the largest city in Dalmatia, the second largest city in Croatia, Croatia's second largest port and third port on the Mediterranean by the number of passengers. It is the administrative center of Split-Dalmatia County.
Split is situated on the Adriatic coast in central Dalmatia on Split (Marjan) peninsula. Split is surrounded by hills: Mosor (north), Kozjak (north-south) and Perun (east). The oldest town is situated at the foot of Marjan hill, located west of the old town. Split peninsula is surrounded by the islands of Brac, Hvar, Solta and Ciovo.
The first inhabitant of Split was the Roman emperor Diocletian who started to build his palace in this friendly bay around 293 AD. After his abdication he withdrew to this luxurious palace of about 30 thousand square meters.
The following turbulent centuries made the palace into a town first populated by the citizens of the nearby Salona, fleeing before Avars and Slavs. The town overgrew the walls of the palace and its authorities kept changing - from Croatian kings in 10th century AD, Hungarian and Venetian administration, to French rulers and Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
Such past left its traces combined in the town everyday life. The city, however, went on remaining the centre of this part of the coast till our day. This mixture of historic layers brought some clumsiness and some things done too fast but today all that makes a part of its originality. The big city today lives by the silent beats of history, lively spirit of the young and its particular Mediterranean charm.
Split is an old town and has many historic and cultural sites such as:
Split is the largest city in Dalmatia, the second largest city in Croatia, Croatia's second largest port and third port on the Mediterranean by the number of passengers. It is the administrative center of Split-Dalmatia County.
Split is situated on the Adriatic coast in central Dalmatia on Split (Marjan) peninsula. Split is surrounded by hills: Mosor (north), Kozjak (north-south) and Perun (east). The oldest town is situated at the foot of Marjan hill, located west of the old town. Split peninsula is surrounded by the islands of Brac, Hvar, Solta and Ciovo.
The first inhabitant of Split was the Roman emperor Diocletian who started to build his palace in this friendly bay around 293 AD. After his abdication he withdrew to this luxurious palace of about 30 thousand square meters.
The following turbulent centuries made the palace into a town first populated by the citizens of the nearby Salona, fleeing before Avars and Slavs. The town overgrew the walls of the palace and its authorities kept changing - from Croatian kings in 10th century AD, Hungarian and Venetian administration, to French rulers and Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
Such past left its traces combined in the town everyday life. The city, however, went on remaining the centre of this part of the coast till our day. This mixture of historic layers brought some clumsiness and some things done too fast but today all that makes a part of its originality. The big city today lives by the silent beats of history, lively spirit of the young and its particular Mediterranean charm.
Split is an old town and has many historic and cultural sites such as:
- Diocletian’s Palace built in 3– 4th century, which ruins can still be seen all over town and still make a social center. The palace is a combination of imperial villa, Hellenistic city and fortified military camp. It is the only existing example of a Roman palace today, a witness to the culture and traditions through the long history of civilization. Diocletian's Palace is included in the UNESCO heritage list of protected monuments. The palace still keeps a great number of monuments and treasures of centuries-old history of Split.
- In the middle of the palace there are: the cathedral of St. Duje, Diocletian's mausoleum, vestibules, Jupiter's Temple, the Peristyle, which once was the main palace square, and numerous museums and medieval buildings.
- Riva (Waterfront) is well known meeting place over 1700 years old situated immediately in front of the palace. Split waterfront is a major public square and central place where all the social, sporting, church and other events in Split take place. In addition it is a favorite meeting point for young and old, and an attractive promenade 250 meters long.
- Iron Gate; above this gate it used to be a pagan statue of goddess of Victory, on whose site was later set up a cross. The church of Madonna of the bell tower was built above the door. Garden for a defense is the best preserved, and today the remains of defensive towers and guard houses are still visible.
- The Statue of Grgur Ninski is a monumental statue next to the Golden Gate of Diocletian's palace built in 1929 year.
Split offers a wide range of quality accommodation, hotels, apartments, villas and rich culture and nightlife program in terms of discos, numerous clubs, bars, museums, different cultural events (Split Summer Festival), concerts, and offers numerous gravel, sandy and rocky beaches for your unforgettable vacation on the Adriatic.
The beach Bacvice is a favorite beach in Split, and it is awarded with a Blue flag. The beach is sandy with some rocky parts, and the sea is turquoise-blue with controlled purity. One of the most famous activities on the beach is playing "picigin" (a game with a ball which is played in the shoal), and it is a favorite summer sport in Split, and you can also have fun with other sea sports. Near the beach are located bars, restaurants and patisseries where you can fresh up with a cold drink or an ice-cream. This is the main town beach and it is visited by a large number of bathers. It is kept by lifeguards, and made accessible to persons with disabilities.
The city at the foot of Marjan can be reached by The Adriatic Coastal Road, winding by the sea or by hinterland roads connected to Split. It will take you 5 hours to get to Zagreb and 4 hours to get to Dubrovnik in your car. You can also reach Split if you get on a coast ferry liner from Rijeka or Dubrovnik, from all central Dalmatian islands. There are excellent fast and regular ferry lines from Ancona and Pescara, Italy. From the Airport Split flights connect the city with Zagreb several times a day, as well as with European capitals. There are also trains from Split to the north of the country and further on to Europe. You can transport your car by train, as well.
Split is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in central Dalmatia. Visitors in Split can enjoy passing through the old part of the town and in other offered tourist facilities. Split and its sights as well as entire tourist offer, guarantee to every visitor high quality and attractive holiday.
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