Diocletian's Palace (Split, Croatia) - history, excursions, expositions. Exact address, phone number, cost of entrance tickets. Local legends and ghosts.
Diocletian's Palace in Split is the best-preserved architectural monument from the time of the Holy Roman Empire. True, the word "city" is much more suitable for the definition of this structure. All because of the huge territory, which is equal to three hectares. Today, here, as well as behind the fortress walls, life is raging, there are many cafes, shops and hotels.
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The history of the palace
The city and the palace that gave it life might not have existed, if the native of these places, who had made a dizzying career, had not decided to meet his old age here... the next coup went to the whole empire. Immediately after coming to power, he planned to move his residence to the Balkan Adriatic coast. Contemporaries write that Diocletian was generally characterized by a passion for construction. Circus, theaters, castles for subjects and relatives were erected throughout the empire. But only in 295, shortly before the abdication, the emperor ordered to create a magnificent palace near Salona, in which he lived until the end of his days in incredible luxury. After his death, these possessions were abandoned.
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And today in the northern part of the castle, where the palace guards once lived, against the background of the antique facade you can see blinds, satellite dishes and modern clothes on ropes - the palace is still inhabited.
What does it look like
The palace is a monumental rectangular structure with four main entrances. The total length of the walls is over 800 meters. Of the sixteen towers along the perimeter, only three have survived. Materials for construction were brought literally from all over the world. Columns and sphinxes came to Croatia from Egypt, marble from Turkey.
The famous white stone, from which most of the palace is made, was mined in the country itself - on the island of Brac. The same material is used to clad the White House in Washington and many famous buildings around the world.
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What to watch
Inside, there are two streets from north to south and from east to west. The crossing point - Peristil square - is a very beautiful and atmospheric place. This is where lovers love to make dates. Next to the square are the Cathedral and the bell tower of Saint Doue. You can visit them both independently and as part of an excursion. The bell tower is especially impressive, to overcome the steep staircase and climb it is a must - the view of Split from a height is simply mesmerizing.
Also noteworthy is the Museum of Croatian Culture, located in the central part of the palace. You can wander through the halls for hours and look at the exhibits. Fragments of palaces and ancient structures amaze the imagination, and the essence of many inscriptions is clear without translation.
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From mid-July to mid-August, the palace becomes a cultural center. Opera is performed, dances are staged, performances are performed right on its narrow streets as part of the Split Summer festival. Live music can be heard from the numerous restaurants that invite you to taste traditional Croatian food. It is especially pleasant to dine in the company of your soul mate right on the waterfront. On one side, you will see the palace, and on the other, you will enjoy the sea view with the silhouettes of sailboats and yachts.