We arrive to a cool morning 41 degrees, with promise of high 55. The sun is out and I felt fairly comfortable. Maybe I am getting used to the cold.
Split from the ship appears as a rather modern city, with an expansive waterfront, and an impressive Ferry System. Car ferry boats were in constant motion. Split is constructed around the ancient Roman Palace of Emperor Diocletian, and one of the oldest cities in Croatia. Although some archaeological finds reveals a Greek origin of the 6th century BC, the city is consider to be only 1,700 years old.
We primarily toured the Roman Palace, truly impressive. We did not browse in any of the shops or open cafes as they did not accept Euros or dollars and we did not want to deal with the money exchange. We came too early, for in two months they plan on converting to the Euro. There was a lot of construction and renovations going on for which our guide apologized and said “we were not expecting you”, to which we replied and “we were not expecting to come here”. The guide was puzzled and we explained about our itinerary change. She was a wonderful and knowledgeable guide and we enjoyed our tour through parts of the Roman Palace, which to me was more like a fortified city. The most unusual integration of the old Palace with current homes, shops, museums, hotels, restaurants and a cathedral.
The view from the ship in the harbor in Split.
The waterfront of Split
Reaching the walls of the Roman Palace of Emperor Diocletian.
This is a rendition of the Palace layout. It was in 4 quarters. One section was the Emperor’s palace, two of the others were for the army and ammunition and the section beside his palace was for his court.
To the left of this waterfront promenade we enter into the Palace compound. Shops and offices had been built in front of the wall so you didn’t realize you were entering into this compound until you were in it.
Inside the Palace. I like to call it a compound because it was just so massive and multilevel, one huge room lead into the other and the upper levels were of the same layout.
In time the Palace became occupied by commoners, who apparently bore holes into the floors in order to dump all their waste including human waste down these holes. When they found these levels of the palace they began excavating and found it full of fossilized human waste.
The architecture and constructions is amazing.
This church and other structures have all been incorporated into the Palace grounds
An old authentic mosaic floor.
Inside the Palace walls
Homes have been integrated into the palace grounds.
A plaza, though it was once a huge open space that led from one end of the Palace to the other and was an assembly area for people visiting the Emperor.
More images of the inside of the Palace compound
The outside of the South Gate entrance to the Palace
Statue of a Bishop, though you can’t really make it out on this picture, the Bishop is barefooted and if you rub his big toe it is to bring you good luck. I saw a several people do it.
And so another day went by. While I was truly impressed by the Palace and how the city has grown around it and has made use of the exciting and well preserved Roman structures, I would not rush to come back. I had been in Croatia before, but in the countryside and small village beach towns, which I loved, Split had no outstanding vibe to me.
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