Sightseeing OverviewMost of Split’s monuments are located in
Grad (the old town), which consists of the Roman-era
Diocletian’s Palace and a warren of medieval buildings contained within sturdy 14th-century walls.
Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda (known locally as the
Riva), the palm-lined seafront promenade, immediately south of Grad, is also a popular spot for locals and visitors.
East of the old town walls lies the colorful
Pazar (open-air market). Beyond this, you will find the bustling
ferry terminal,
with
the laid back
Bačvice Beach
lying 10 minutes further to the southeast.
West of Grad, the pine-scented peninsular of
Marjan rises behind Varoš and rewards exploration with a picturesque labyrinth of traditional
Dalmatian stone cottages built into the hillside.
The coastal road heads southwest to the
ACI Marina,
which
opens up sweeping views of the waterfront, and then continues on to the
Meštrović Gallery and the Bene recreation ground, at the tip of Marjan peninsula.
The
Splitcard offers discounts in various museums, restaurants and hotels, and with some car hire companies and travel agents. Available from the Tourist Information Center and hotels, it is valid for 72 hours.
Tourist InformationTourist Information Center (TIC)Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 7
Tel: (021) 348 600.
Website:
www.visitsplit.comThe main TIC is located on the Riva. There is another central branch at the Peristil (tel: (021) 345 606). Staff in both offices dispense tourist information and sell the Splitcard. Note that the Turisticki Biro, on the seafront at Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 12 (tel: (021) 347 100) deals exclusively with private accommodation.
Key Attractions:Dioklecijanova Palača (Diocletian’s Palace) Designed as a retirement home for Emperor Diocletian in AD 295, this vast complex is based on a rectangular plan measuring 215m (705ft) by 180m (590ft) and has four outer walls. Each of the four 25m- (82ft-) high outer walls bears a gate, three from the land, one from the sea (in Roman times boats could sail into the palace). Diocletian’s private quarters overlooked the water, while the northern half accommodated soldiers and servants. The main public space was the
Peristil (Peristyle), today still intact, though much of the palace is now a labyrinth of stone buildings and paved alleys added from the 14th century onwards.
Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda
Katedrala Sveti Dujam (Cathedral of St Dominius) On Peristil, the core of the cathedral is a third-century octagonal mausoleum, built for Diocletian. It became a church in the seventh century, when refugees from nearby Salona dedicated it to their former bishop, ironically a victim of Diocletian’s anti-Christian campaign. Today the interior bears Romanesque and Venetian-gothic details; climb the majestic 60m (197ft) bell tower for a bird’s eye view of the palace.
Peristil
Narodni trg (People’s Square) Linked to Diocletian’s Palace by the
Zeljezna Vrata (Iron Gate), this pedestrian-only space has been Split’s main square since the 14th century. Locals refer to this elegant space, which is paved with white marble and fringed by open-air cafes, as
Pjaca (from the Italian,
piazza). The centerpiece is the 15th-century town hall with three Venetian-gothic arches.
Narodni trg
Galerija Meštrović (Meštrović Gallery) Designed in the 1930s by Ivan Meštrović, Croatia’s greatest 20th-century sculptor, this villa and its garden display a vast collection of his works in wood, marble, stone and bronze. The entrance ticket is also valid for
Kaštelet (at no 39), where a cycle of bas-relief woodcarvings, also by Meštrović, is on show in the chapel.
Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 46
Tel: (021) 340 800.
Website:
www.mdc.hr Etnografski Muzej (Ethnographic Museum) After years of careful restoration the old town branch of Split’s Ethnographic Museum finally opened in 2006, bringing with it the chance to explore one of the historic houses at the heart of Diocletian’s Palace. The medieval rooms have been painstakingly reconstructed and the galleries showcase a range of artifacts from bygone eras. Temporary art exhibitions also grace the museum.
Iza Vestibula 4
Tel: (021) 343 108.
Website:
www.mdc.hrFurther Distractions:MarjanThis 3.5km- (2 mile-) long peninsula, rising west of the old town, is planted with pines and Mediterranean shrubs, and criss-crossed by a network of footpaths. The best sea views can be enjoyed from the southern slopes, following the path from Vidilica Café (above Varoš) to Bene recreation ground (on the tip of the peninsula).
BačviceThis modest sand beach and concrete bathing area overlooking the shallow waters of Bačvice Bay is busy almost all year round, with locals swimming and playing
picigin, a ball game unique to Split. A number of busy waterside cafes and bars offer outdoor seating with a sea view.
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Related Split Content
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Related Croatia Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Croatia Airport Guides:
|
Croatia City Guides:
|
| Croatia Attraction Guides: |
|
|
Available Tours to Croatia:
|
