Diocletian's Palace

Split's city centre is like no other in Europe. Built as a grand retirement home for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, its character was later modified by refugees from nearby Salona who fled there in 614, after their own city was sacked. It may be crumbling and ramshackle in parts, but the area occupied by the once mighty imperial palace - now a UNESCO World Heritage site - has about 3,000 residents and is crammed with busy bars and boutique art shops. Unlike much of Dalmatian coast, the whole complex buzzes with life all year and dishes up a varied choice of things to see and do.

Here are Top 10 sights:

1. Subterranean Chambers
2. Main Hall
3. Peristyle
4. Chatedral of St. Domnius
5. Belltower
6. Baptistry
7. Cupola
8. City Museum
9. Golden Gate
10. Iron Gate


1. Subterranean Chambers

The palace's underground vaults mirror the layout of the floor above. Now open as a museum, they give a good impression of the palace's former appearance.

2. Main Hall

The main subterranean hall of the palace houses an alley of souvenir shops. Here you can buy anything from postcards to paintings and statues of Roman figures.

3. Peristyle

Once an antechamber to Diocletian's quarters, the dramatic, colonnaded square known as the Peristyle is the heart of the palace complex.








4. Chatedral of St. Domnius

Built over Diocletian's tomb, the main structure here is Roman. Inside is a 13th-century pulpit and work by 15th-century sculptor Juraj Dalmatinac.

5. Belltower

The belltower, which soars high above the chatedral, was not completed until the early 20th century. The panoramic views of the city that it offers make the long climb up to the top of well worth the effort.

6. Baptistry

An alley opposite the cathedral leads to the Baptistry, once the Roman Temple of Jupiter. Inside, a striking feature is the sculpture of John the Baptist by Ivan Meštrović (1883. - 1962.).













7. Cupola

Stone steps from the sunken square lead to a domed area, where guests once waited for an audience with the Emperor. At night, stars are visible through a gap in the top of the dome.

8. City Museum

East of the sunken square, the City Museum is housed in the 15th-century Papalić Palace. Among the artifacts relating to Split's history is a collection of weaponry and armour.

9. Golden Gate

This sturdy portal once led north to the nearby settlement of Salona. Today, it is being restored to its full splendour, thank to funding by a local bank.






10. Iron Gate

Split's most striking gates has its own church (Our Lady of the Belfry) and clock tower. A cafe on Narodni Trg will make an ideal spot from which to admire this elegant portal.