About Split

Split is the economic and administrative center of Middle Dalmatia, with about 200,000 inhabitants.
It is also the jumping-off point for exploration of the coast and islands of the beautiful Croatian Adriatic. The site was first settled when, at the end of the third century AD, the Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace here.
The importance of Diocletian's Palace far transcends local significance because of its level of preservation and the buildings of succeeding historical periods built within its walls, which today form the very heart of old Split.
Split's growth became particularly rapid in the 7th century, when the inhabitants of the destroyed Greek and Roman metropolis Salonae (present-day Solin) took refuge within its walls. The lovely ruins of Solin outside the city can still be explored today. In the Middle Ages, Split was an autonomous commune.
Many of Split's historical and cultural buildings can be found within the walls of Diocletian's Palace. In addition, numerous museums, the National Theatre, and old churches and other archeological sites in the Split region make it an important cultural attraction.
Split is a busy port, with an international airport and regular ferry services with the nearby islands, the north and south Adriatic, Italy and Greece. The merchant and passenger ships of the Split shipyards may be encountered in almost all the seas of the world. In addition, the city has large chemical works, metallurgy plants, and workshops for the production of solar cells. The fertile fields around Split represent a good base for agriculture, while cultural monuments, superb landscapes and unparalleled seascapes make it a tourist's wonderland. Split is also a university seat and host to numerous scientific institutions.

Diocletian's Palace
At the end of the third century AD, the Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace on the bay of Aspalathos. Here, after abdicating on the first of May in A.D. 305, he spent the last years of his life. The bay is located on the south side of a short peninsula running out from the Dalmatian coast into the Adriatic, four miles from the site of Salona, the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. The terrain on which the palace was built slopes gently seaward. It is typical karst terrain, consisting of low limestone ridges running east to west with marl in the clefts between them.
This palace is today the heart of the inner-city of Split where all the most important historical buildings can be found. The importance of Diocletian's Palace far transcends local significance because of its level of preservation and the buildings of succeeding historical periods, stretching from Roman times onwards, which form the very tissue of old Split.
The Palace is one of the most famous and integral architectural and cultural constructs on the Croatian Adriatic coast and holds an outstanding place in the Mediterranean, European and world heritage.

In November 1979 UNESCO, in line with the international convention concerning the cultural and natural heritage, adopted a proposal that the historic Split inner city, built around the Palace, should be included in the register of the World Cultural Heritage.
The ground plan of the palace is an irregular rectangle with towers projecting from the western, northern, and eastern facades. It combines qualities of a luxurious villa with those of a military camp. Only the southern facade, which rose directly from, or very near to, the sea, was unfortified. The elaborate architectural composition of the arcaded gallery on its upper floor differs from the more severe treatment of the three shore facades. A monumental gate in the middle of each of these walls led to an enclosed courtyard. The southern Sea Gate was simpler in shape and dimensions than the other three. Perhaps it was originally intended as the emperor's private access to boats, or as a service entrance for supplies.
The dual nature of the architectural scheme, derived from both villa and castrum types, is also evident in the arrangement of the interior. The transverse road (decumanus) linking the east and west gates divided the complex into two halves. In the southern half were the more luxurious structures; that is, the emperor's apartment, both public and private, and cult buildings. The emperor's apartment formed a block along the sea front. Because the sloping terrain created large differences in level, this block was situated above a substructure. Although for many centuries almost completely filled with refuse, most of the substructure is well preserved, giving us evidence as to the original shape and disposition of the rooms above.
A monumental court, called the Perystile, formed the northern access to the imperial apartments. It also gave access to Diocletian's Mausoleum on the east, and to three temples on the west.
The northern half of the palace, which was divided in two parts by the main longitudinal street (cardo) leading from the North Gate to the Perystile, is less well preserved. It is usually supposed that each of these parts formed a large residential complex, housing soldiers, servants, and possibly some other facilities. Both parts were apparently surrounded on all sides by streets. Leading to perimeter walls there were rectangular buildings, possibly storage magazines.
The Palace is built of white local limestone of high quality, most of which was from quarries on the island of Brac; tuffa taken from the nearby river beds; and brick made in Salonitan and other workshops. Some material for decoration was imported: Egyptian granite columns and sphinxes, fine marble for revetments and some capitals produced in workshops in the Proconnesos.
Water for the palace came from the Jadro river near Salona. Along the road from Split to Salona impressive remains of the original aqueduct can still be seen. They were extensively restored in the nineteenth century.

Celebrating 17 centuries of the City of Split

1995 marks an important anniversary year in Dalmatian cultural history. Exactly 1700 years ago, the Roman Emperor Diocletian began building his spectacular palace, where he spent the final years of his life. Diocletian's Palace was strategically constructed on the Adriatic coastline, only four miles from Salona which was the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. White limestone was transported to the coast from the rich quarries on the island of Brac. This limestone is recognized as the finest quality in the world and it was used to build the many outstanding structures located in the Palace.
One of these structures is the monumental Peristyle, which is among the most magnificent and unique historical courtyards in the world.

Today, the Peristyle captures perfectly the essence of the Diocletian's Palace. It is hang-out spot for the city's youth. Its character is a mixture of living history as well as modern culture. The Palace has molded the personality of down town Split, where most of the city's significant historical building are found as well as its most successful businesses or shops and cafes are located. Diocletian's Palace is one of the most unique architectural and cultural construct in Europe. Thus, its historical and cultural significance far transcends its local importance due to its extraordinary level of preservation.

What to do/where to go

Theatre:
Croatian National Theatre, Trg Gaja Bulata 1, 21000 Split
+385 21 344999, www.hnk-split.hr
City Puppet Theatre, Matosiceva 3, 21000 Split
+385 21 395958, +385 21 395 968; gradsko-kazaliste-lutaka@st.htnet.hr
City Theatre Of The Young, Trg Republike 1/I, 21000 Split
+385 21 321256; +385 21 321 257

Cinemas:
Central, Trg Gaja Bulata bb, 21000 Split
+385 21 343813
Karaman, Ilicev prilaz 3, 21000 Split, +385 21 345833
Tesla, Kralja Tomislava 5, 21000 Split, +385 21 344633
Marjan, Trg Republike 1, 21000 Split, + 385 21 347838
Kinoteka, Dioklecijanova 7, 21000 Split, +385 21 361 255

• ADRIANA , Obala hrv. narod. preporoda 8, tel. 021 344 079
• ADRIATIC , Uvala Baluni bb, tel. 021 587 090
• ANABELLA , Put Supavla 37, tel. 021 383 301
• BEKAN , Ivana pl. Zajca 2 (Hotel Zenta), tel. 021 525 870
• BELLEVUE , Bana Jelacica 2 (Hotel Bellevue), tel. 021 585 655
• BOBAN , Hektoroviceva 49, tel. 021 510 142, 543 300
• BOGART , D. Simunovića 10, tel. 021 511 765
• BRUNA , Hatzeov perivoj 3 (Hotel Park), tel. 021 406 400
• BRZI GONZALEZ , Matice Hrvatske 46, tel. 021 370 370
• CONSUL , Trscanska 34 (Hotel Consul), tel. 021 361 785, 361 911
• DUJE , Ulica Slobode 18, tel. 021 361 116
• FONTANA , Bihacka 2, tel. 021 487 202
• GALIJA , Tonciceva 12, tel. 021 347 932
• GARFIELD , Grge Novaka, tel. 021 355 377
• GUST , Slaviceva 1, tel. 021 362 241, 343 712
• HUATIAN , Fausta Vrancica 1, tel. 021 461 112
• JURE , Tolstojeva 9, tel. 021 356 670
• KOD JOZE , Sredmanuska 4, tel. 021 347 397
• KORALJ , Uvala Baluni bb, tel. 021 398 568, 355 887, 361 143
• LAURUS BAKRA , Radovanova 2, tel. 021 512 724
• LIJEPA DALMACIJA , Hektoroviceva 43, tel. 021 522 143
• LUCAC , Petrova 2, tel. 021 510 007
• MALA KATE , Goricka 10, tel. 021 355 194
• MARIJAN , Obala kneza Branimira 5 (Hotel Marijan)
• OBELIX , Vinkovacka 37, tel. 021 315 315
• OPATIJA , Fausta Vrancica 1, tel. 021 461 112
• PIMPINELA , Spinciceva 21, tel. 021 522 798
• PLAVA PEKA , Put. Sv. Lovre 3, tel. 021 510 096
• PODION , V. Paraca 1, tel. 021 520 525
• PONOCNO SUNCE , Teutina 15, tel. 021 361 011
• PRONTO , Trscanska 48, tel. 021 348 467
• RE DI MARE , Lucica 4, tel. 021 386 789
• SARAJEVO , Domaldova 6, tel. 021 347 454
• SLON , D. Simunoviceva 10, tel. 021 313 800, 460 801
• SPLIT , Put Trstenika 19 (Hotel Split), tel. 021 303 111
• SUMICA , Put Firula 6, tel. 021 389 897
• TIN , Getaldićeva 15, tel. 021 460 425
• VAROS , Ban Mladenova 7, tel. 021 396 138

Hotel DUJAM ** - Velebitska 27, 21000 Split, +385 21 53 80 25
Hotel SPLIT *** - Put Trstenika 19, 21000 Split, +385 21 30 31 11, www.hotelsplit.hr
Hotel CONSUL *** - Trscanska 34, 21000 Split, + 385 21 34 01 30
Hotel BELLEVUE *** - J.B. Jelacica 2, 21000 Split, +385 21 34 56 44,
www.hotel-bellevue-split.hr
Hotel MARJAN *** - Obala kneza Branimira 8, 21000 Split, + 385 21 30 21 11,
www.hotel-marjan.com
Hotel JADRAN *** - Sustjepanski put 23, 21000 Split, + 385 21 39 86 22, www.hoteljadran.hr
Hotel PARK **** - Hatzeov perivoj 3, 21000 Split, +385 21 40 64 00, www.hotelpark-st.hr
Hotel PRESIDENT **** - Starceviceva 1, 21000 Split, +385 21 30 52 22,
www.hotelpresident.hr
Hotel GLOBO **** - Lovretska 18, 21000 Split, +385 21 48 11 11, info@hotelglobo.com
Hotel ART **** - Ulica slobode 41, 21000 Split, +385 21 30 23 02

Department Stores

Prima 1, Trg Gaje Bulata , 21000 Split
Prima 3 – Shopping centre, Rudjera Boskovica bb, 21000 Split
Diokom, Zadarska 13, 21000 Split
Maja , Marmontova 7, 21000 Split
Robot , Rudjera Boskovica 15, 21000 Split
Varteks, Rudjera Boskovica 25, 21000 Split
Shopping Centre Koteks, Matice Hrvatske 1, 21000 Split

MARINA`S

ACI, Uvala Baluni bb, 21000 Split, +385 21 39 85 99
MORNAR, Kastelanska 5, 21000 Split, +385 21 38 47 44
SPLIT, Lucica 4, 21000 Split, +385 21 38 68 13
SPINUT, Lucica 7, 21000 Split, +385 21 38 68 13
ZENTA, Cvjetna 1, 21000 Split, +385 21 38 92 77
JADRAN, Sustjepanski put 23, +385 21 39 85 92

Gas stations in Split
• EUROPA MIL, D.O.O. , Put Sirobuje bb, tel. 021 316 336, 0-24, Main road (Dicmo), tel. 021 837 771, 0-24

• KMAN-JUG , Domovinskog rata 80, tel. 021 364 386, 6-21
• KMAN-SJEVER , Domovinskog rata bb, tel. 021 360 922, 924, 6-21
• KOPILICA-JUG , Hercegovačka bb, tel. 021 383 737, rd 6-19, ned. i blag. 7-12
• KOPILICA-SJEVER , Hercegovačka bb, tel. 021 346 747, 6-21
• METERIZE , Solinska cesta bb, tel. 021 213 316, 6-21
• OBALA , Obala kneza Branimira, tel. 021 345 747, 6-20
• POJIŠAN , Pojišanska bb, tel. 021 510 090, 0-24
• SMOKOVIK , Put narodne garde bb, tel. 021 374 525, 0-24
• SUĆIDAR , Vinkovačka bb, tel. 021 515 266, 6-21
• ŠPINUT , Bakotićeva bb, tel. 021 386 705, 6-21
• VISOKA-SJEVER , Kralja Držislava bb, tel. 021 374 578, 0-24

Calendar of events
*January
up to 05.01. Christmas fair, Stari plac
*February
18.02.-28.02. The Carnival, Znjan

*March
01.03.–05.03. GAST , Znjan
Fair of drinks, nutrition, hotel and catering equipment
01.03.-05.03. Gusti, Znjan
Fair for hunting,fishing,sport and recreation, cars, garden and planting, healthy life
01.03.-05.03. Mediterranean fair, Znjan
Fair of agriculture of Mediterranean cultueres
Fair of culture, tradition and beauty of the Mediterranean
14.03.-19.03. Split Olympic Sailing Week
20.03.-25.03. Week of the francophone Alliance francaise
24.03.-26.03. Diocletians cup

*April
01.04.-09.04. Croatia bat show, Riva
International fair of ships and nautical equipment
Easter festivities
21.04.-29.04. Days of Marul, Theatre
Festival of Croatian Drama
29.04.-30.04. Montura, Substructures of Diocletians palace
24.04.-02.05. The Week of French culture, Theatre / Alliance francaise
*May
03.05.-04.05. Festival of the Holy Cross, Varos
02.05.-07.05. Flower festival, Substructures of Diocletians palace
International fair and flower exhibition / International competition of florists / Commercial sales part
03.05. Let Riva be flooded with flowers, Riva
Preschool children`s greeting of spring and the St Domnius.
07.05. Sudamija , Riva
Celebration of the Patron of Split, St Dominius Day
08.05. The celebration of Marjan hill (park), Marjan hil
09.05. Celebration programme of the Europe day, Riva, Theatre, European house
18.05. Children`s present to Split , The Day of children`s game
23.05.-28.05. ACI Match Race Cup

*June
09.06.-10.06. Days of Matejuska, Matejuska
23.06.-29.06. Days of Radunica, Radunica

*July
30.06.-02.07. Palagruza, International sailing competition
06.07.-08.07. Pop Music festival in Split 2006., Prokurative
29.07. Diocletian`s night, Riva, Peristil, Substructures
14.07.-14.08. Split Summer festival
14.07.-14.08. Chanson in Split

*August
Ethno ambient, Solin

*September
30.09. Mrdulja, Cruisers sailing race, ACI Marina
25.09.-01.10. Festival of new film

*October
15.10. St Luke`s fiesta, Inside and outside the church of St Luke
11.10.-14.10. Interstas 2006., International tourism fair, Dom HV Split
11.10.-14.10. SW IFT 2006. CRO, International festival of tourist film, Dom HV Split
11.10.-14.10. AEFP/EFE – CRO 2006, Dom HV Split
Competition of Croatian cities and towns for the “Ente florale Europe”-Golden flower of Europe
25.10.-29.10. Saso, Znjan
Softcom, Ship sailing the distance between Croatia and Italy
International congress on software, telecommunication and computer network

*November

*December
01.12.-24.12. Book fair, Substructures of Diocletian palace
01.12.-31.12. Christmas and New years fair , Substructures of Diocletian palace
16.12.-17.12. Christmas regatta
01.12.-05.01. Christmas fair, Stari plac